The rain struck the airport windows in rhythmic patterns, a steady cadence that muted the chaos inside. Astral City Airport was a buzz of life-announcements echoing through the halls, hurried footsteps over polished floors, and the occasional laughter from a family reuniting. Yet, none of that mattered the moment we stepped through the terminal.

The attention was immediate. Subtle glances, hushed whispers, even a few lingering stares. It wasn't surprising, but it was annoyingly palpable, like an invisible spotlight had been turned on us the second we entered the crowd.

I caught my reflection in the glass wall beside us-my white hair stood out like a beacon under the fluorescent lights. It's always the hair, I thought, tugging my collar slightly.

But it wasn't just me. Behind us, the Familia members moved with quiet precision, their sharp suits and steady pace drawing as much attention as anything else. Their presence was impossible to ignore-walking in sync, their eyes scanning the area as if every corner held a potential threat.

Or maybe it's the combination, I mused, catching another side glance from a passerby. A white-haired kid flanked by a security detail... yeah, that's bound to turn heads. I kept my expression neutral, focusing ahead.

I adjusted my collar, letting the glances roll off me. Whatever it is, they'll look, they'll wonder, and then they'll forget.

Serena, walking just a step behind me, didn't seem to notice-or maybe she was pretending not to. Her green eyes sparkled as she glanced around, taking in the shops and bustling travelers with open curiosity, her black hair swaying with each step.

''Big brother," she whispered, nudging me lightly, "Did you see that café back there? They had pastries the size of my head!"

Typical Serena. It didn't matter where we were or how tense things felt-she always focused on the small joys.

Cedric, on the other hand, was all business. He followed behind us, his presence as sharp as ever. He didn't speak, but his eyes moved constantly, scanning everything-the exits, the crowds, even the overhead monitors displaying flight schedules. I could practically hear his thoughts ticking away.

"Threat assessment, as usual."

Cedric had worked for my father for as long as I could remember, and if there was one thing my father valued more than skill, it was loyalty. That made Cedric invaluable.

The Familia members walking with us were no less discreet. Dressed in their tailored black uniforms, they maintained a protective perimeter around us, their boots tapping softly on the floor. Their presence was unmistakable yet refined, it speaked a quiet warning to anyone who might get too curious.

We reached the sliding doors leading out to the parking area, and the rain immediately made itself known. The smell of wet asphalt hit me first, followed by the cool rush of air as the doors opened. The storm outside wasn't letting up-it painted the world in streaks of water and shimmering reflections.

The smell of rain-wet asphalt and cold steel-hit me hard. It wasn't just the smell of a storm. For me, it was the scent of a city that hadn't waited for us, a city that had kept moving while we were gone.

The Familia members moved like clockwork. In one synchronized motion, they opened their umbrellas and stepped forward to shield us from the rain. The soft hiss of fabric unfurling snapped me out of my thoughts. The gesture was smooth, almost rehearsed, as they positioned themselves behind us, holding the umbrellas high to ensure not a single drop reached us.

Cedric stepped forward, his polished shoes silent against the wet pavement. With a precise motion, he adjusted his tie, his sharp gaze sweeping over the lot, scrutinizing every shadow as if it might conceal a threat, all while holding his umbrella with practiced ease.

The rain misted the air around us, and I caught a faint whiff of wet asphalt. The sleek black car waited under a nearby streetlamp, its surface gleaming as the raindrops rolled off in tiny rivulets. One of the Familia members hurried ahead, reaching the car first. With a respectful bow, he opened the door and held the umbrella steady for serena.

Serena slipped into the car, brushing rain droplets from her coat. She glanced back at the guard who had shielded her with the umbrella.

"Thank you," she said softly before settling into her seat.

I followed, ducking slightly as I settled into the leather seat. The sound of the rain was muffled again, the soft hum of the car's engine blending with the faint patter on the roof. Cedric was the last to enter, his sharp gaze flicking briefly to the driver.

"You know the address," he said, his tone polite but firm.

The driver nodded, his hands steady on the wheel.

"You don't have to interrogate everyone, you know." I leaned back, glancing at Cedric.

Cedric met my gaze evenly, his tone calm but resolute. "Young Master Alex, a thorough approach ensures safety."

I sighed inwardly-he wasn't wrong. Turning to the window, I let my gaze drift. Outside, Astral City shimmered in the rain, its lights stretching into streaks of gold and blue through the downpour. The skyline had grown taller, busier, almost unrecognizable. It felt strange-familiar, yet distant, like a memory that had outpaced my recollection.

The car's engine hummed to life, and they pulled out onto the rain-slicked streets of Astral City. The city's transformation was evident in the glowing skyscrapers and bustling avenues, a blend of old and new that gave it a unique charm. Serena, pressed her face against the window, captivated by the cityscape.

"Look at that, brother!" Serena exclaimed, leaning closer to the window. "The city feels so... alive!"

Alive. That wasn't the word I'd have chosen. Beneath the glittering lights and bustling streets, the city felt heavy, like it was carrying secrets it didn't want to share.

And now we were part of it again. Whether I liked it or not.

"It feels like the whole city's been rebuilt since the last time we were here. What do you think, Cedric?" I asked thoughtfully, my gaze lingering on the transformed skyline.

Cedric nodded, his gaze fixed on the passing buildings. "It has grown, certainly. But with growth comes change-some of it welcome, some of it doesn't."

Serena's attention drifted to a group of people huddled under an awning, trying to stay dry. It was a simple, everyday moment, but it reminded her of how life continued regardless of the weather, regardless of the passage of time.

The rain blurred the city's lights into streaks of red, blue, and yellow, creating a kaleidoscope of colors that danced on the wet pavement. It was a sight both beautiful and melancholic, as if the city itself was caught between past and present, just like them.

After a short drive, the car pulled into the gates of a large estate nestled away from the city's main streets. The mansion loomed ahead, its dark silhouette standing against the night sky, framed by towering trees that swayed in the wind. Serena's eyes sparkled at the sight.

"This place is huge!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing slightly in the enclosed space of the car. "Is this really our home?"

Well, I guess some renovations make a big difference. I mean, I can't blame her-it is a little different than before, but my memory still holds onto everything...

"Yeah. It was our parent's house."

Cedric's brow furrowed slightly as he looked at me. "Are you certain you wish to stay here, young master? I could easily arrange for accommodations elsewhere-somewhere more secure."

"It's fine, Cedric. This is where we need to be." I said looking at mansion.

The butler hesitated for a moment, then gave a short nod of acceptance.

"Very well. Let's get you both settled in." he said.

Suddenly, Cedric's phone rang. After a brief conversation, he turned to me.

"Young master, it seems our members are facing some trouble at the airport. I need to go and guide them." he said.

Understanding the urgency, I nodded. "Yeah, you should go and help them out."

"But will you both be fine alone in the house?" Concern creased the Cedric's brow as he asked.

"Don't worry, we'll be fine," I reassured.

Cedric let out a sigh, his tone carrying a hint of caution. "Fine, but lock the doors just in case. I'll try to return soon." with that, he handed us the umbrella and keys before departing.

I watched as Cedric disappeared into the rain, the car's taillights fading into the distance. Serena clung to my side, her earlier excitement dimming slightly in the shadow of the grand, empty mansion.

"Don't worry," I said softly, squeezing her hand. "We're home now.''

--------

I opened the door with the key, and we both entered the mansion. The familiar scent hit me, a faint trace of nostalgia trying to pull at my memories. The old mansion's eerie silence stretched around us, broken only by Serena's restless sighs as she followed behind me, exploring room after room. Her curiosity gradually began to fade, replaced by the irritation of seeing the same old, empty spaces.

"I'm hungry," Serena announced, her voice laced with impatience.

I rummaged through my bag, pulling out a small package of snacks. Handing it to her, I tried to appease her hunger. "Here, eat this."

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Serena took the food but wrinkled her nose in displeasure. "We've had this for three days. I don't want to eat this," she complained, her tone sharp with frustration.

"We can't go out right now, It's too risky."

"But I'm tired of this!" she pleaded, her voice trembling as tears welled in her eyes. Serena's tearful persistence tugged at my heartstrings, here it is. My sister's emotional manuplating skills well I can simply refuse her and stay quite but when I look her crying... It makes me weak.

Finally I accepted my defeat. "Fine, you win. What do you want to eat?"

Serena's face lit up with joy at her small victory. She threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "Thank you, Alex! You're the best!"

As she hugged alex, his mind drifted, pulled unwillingly into a flashback. The warm embrace of my sister was replaced by the cold, blood-soaked grip of a man who haunted these memories.

He found himself standing in that same spot once again, the rain pouring harder than ever. The pounding of his own heartbeat echoed in his ears as thunder rumbled in the distance. A flash of lightning illuminated the room, casting harsh shadows. Before him stood a man-tall, dressed in a sharp, blood-soaked suit, with a derby hat adorned by a small white feather. His face was hidden in shadow, but the blood splatters and the empty gun clutched in his hand told a grim story.

The man knelt before Alex, pulling him into an embrace that felt both desperate and final. Blood seeped into Alex's clothes, the iron scent and smoke filling his senses, mingling with the rain. The man's voice was faint, a mere whisper against the downpour.

"It's going to be okay."

The words felt hollow, a reassurance that neither of them could believe. Alex stood motionless, trapped in the man's trembling grip, feeling the weight of his promise, a vow made in blood and rain.

"Alex?" Serena's voice cut through the memory, pulling me back to the present.

Blinking, Alex refocused on his sister, still wrapped in her joyful hug. He tightened his hold, the warmth of her presence grounding him. "Serena, I will always protect you. So you can always rely on your big brother."

Serena pulled back slightly, her expression shifting from gratitude to confusion. "What are you blabbing about, Alex? You sound weird."

Alex laughed softly, the heaviness of his past momentarily lifted by her innocence. "Nothing. Just... remember that."

Though puzzled, Serena nodded, accepting his promise with a smile. She knew she could always count on Alex, even when his words seemed strange and out of place. Together, they continued down the hall.

The evening was cloaked in a somber haze as heavy rain poured from the darkened sky, drumming against the umbrellas of mine and serena. The streets shimmered with the relentless downpour, a fitting backdrop for the troubled thoughts that occupied my mind.

I need to find more trustworthy members for the familia. But where do I even begin?

Serena's scream, raw and urgent, sliced through the night. "BIG BROTHER!!"

Alex's heart raced as he spun around, his face already reflecting his rising panic. "What happened!?"

Serena's voice trembled as she pointed toward the bridge up ahead. "Look! Over there!"

The bridge loomed ahead, its wooden planks slick with rain, the railings worn and groaning under the relentless downpour. At the edge of the bridge, a boy stood precariously close to falling into the swollen, turbulent river below.

"Is he going to fall?!" Serena's voice was nearly a sob, her eyes wide with terror.

Without a second thought, Alex sprinted toward the bridge, each step slipping slightly on the rain-slicked path. "No, no, no..."

"Hold on!" he shouted desperately as he reached the bridge. But the boy leaned forward, his body tilting dangerously over the edge. Time seemed to freeze, every second stretching out as the boy began to fall,

In a frantic lunge, he reached out and grabbed the boy's leg, his fingers slipping and struggling to maintain a grip. "I've got you!" he grunted, his voice strained with the effort of pulling the boy back.

The boy's head got smashed against the wooden railing with a harsh thud, making him unconscious in the cold air, the sound muffled but still startling. The rain lashed down harder as the boy's body dangled dangerously, his leg the only thing preventing him from plunging into the churning water.

"He's unconscious! What do we do?" Serena's voice was panicked, her face etched with fear.

"Help me!" Alex barked, his own hands trembling as he attempted to lift the unconscious figure, Serena rushed to help his brother. The rain mixed with the sweat on his face, making every movement a struggle.

"Serena, he's not waking up. We need to get him home."

Serena's eyes filled with tears, her voice a mere whisper. "But what if he doesn't make it?"

"He will make it," Alex said with a forced confidence, though his own fears threatened to overwhelm him. "We have to believe that."

Determinedly, the siblings draped the boy's limp arms over their shoulders. "Support him from your side," Alex instructed, his tone taut with urgency.

They began the slow, laborious journey back to their house. The rain continued to pelt down, drenching them through and making every step feel like a battle against the storm. Serena's breaths were shallow, her gaze flickering nervously from their burden to the dimly lit, rain-soaked street ahead.

"He is gonna be okay, right? brother. " she asked, her voice fraught with concern.

"Yeah" Alex replied, his tone resolute despite the growing tension. "All we can do is Focus on getting him inside. We'll deal with everything else later."

The weight of their responsibility felt heavier with each step, the rain hammering relentlessly as they moved through the murky gloom. Each moment was charged with the desperate hope that their efforts weren't in vain, that they weren't too late to save the boy whose fate now rested in their hands.

----

After a few minutes, the boy stirred and slowly opened his eyes. and found himself in an unknown house

"Where am I?" the boy asked himself.

"Oh, you're awake," I said, keeping my tone casual but firm. "You're lucky the bridge's railings were wooden. If they'd been concrete, you might not have made it."

The boy asked, confused, "Who are you?"

"My name is Alex. I was the one who saved you. By the way, why were you attempting suicide anyway?"

"Why did you save me?" the boy questioned Alex.

"Hmm, what do you mean?"

"You should have abandoned me there. Why go through the hassle to save an unknown person?" the boy said with an emotionless tone.

I scoffed "You really think people would just walk by after seeing a kid attempting suicide? Society's not that broken yet, kid." I scoffed

I noticed that the boy's eyes lacked any spark of life, as if the light within them had been extinguished. They held no flicker of will or interest in living anymore. Instead, they seemed empty, devoid of emotion or purpose. The boy sat there like a robot, his posture rigid and his expression blank, as if he were merely going through the motions of existence without truly being present. It was a haunting sight.

"Then who should I live for?" the boy suddenly questioned me, his voice tinged with desperation and uncertainty.

I was confused and caught off guard by the suddenness and depth of the his question.

"Of course, for your fam-"

Before I could finish, he interrupted me. "They're dead." His voice was heavy with quiet sorrow.

I was shocked by the boy's answer, and he couldn't bring himself to continue the conversation.

-----

The room was silent, the sounds of heavy rain outside filling the stillness. I sat with a book in hand, my mind drifting as I contemplated how to navigate the delicate situation ahead.

'Now what should I do? Well, I asked him to stay over until the rain calms down, but it seems like the rain has gotten even stronger. Serena seems sleeping soundly in her room, Cedric is taking longer than i expected and I've got important books related to the familia to read, so I can kill my time, but what's he going to do.

Won't he get bored? Should I talk to him? But the way he talks... he seems quite mature. He looks around my age though. Wait, are we the same age?

"Hey, what's your age?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me at the thought that we might be the same age.

"Um, I am 13 years old," the boy replied, his voice soft and hesitant.

'What! He's just one year younger than me,' I realized, surprised by the revelation. 'Well, looks like I've got the company of someone dealing with the same problem. Though he doesn't seem to have the solution I do. I guess this might help me kill some time.

"Hey, what's your name?" I asked.

"Tyson," the boy replied.

"Tyson, huh," I repeated, acknowledging the introduction.

Then, Alex set his book down, assuming a relaxed posture, and initiated the conversation.

"So, tell me, Tyson. Do you have any goals in life? Like things you must do?" I asked, expecting an interesting answer.

"Goals?" Tyson repeated, a thoughtful expression crossing his face as he pondered my question.

"Yeah, everyone has goals they chase and roles they have to fulfill, which gives them purpose in life and a reason to keep on living. For example, I've been given the role to always protect my sister, and I have a goal to achieve," Alex explained, his voice carrying a sense of determination.

"Well, you see, both of my parents died three years ago, so I can understand how you're feeling right now. But I didn't attempt suicide like you-" As I was explaining then Tyson suddenly interrupted.

"That's because you have your sister! I have nobody like that!"

Yeah, maybe I don't understand what it's like to have nothing left but yourself but...

"No, that's not the only reason. The real reason was my father," I replied, causing Tyson to look at me with confusion.

"My father used to say that dying without accomplishing anything great in life is not a worthy death. Everyone is born with a purpose in life. Sometimes, they just fail to find that purpose. But if they succeed in discovering their purpose and achieving great things they can be proud of, then even in death, they can find satisfaction because there will be no regrets left. 'Try to lead a meaningful life,' he'd always tell me."

"So, I promised my father that I would live my life until I achieved my goals and fulfilled my role. Then my father smiled and said, 'Good job, Alex. You understood what I said. I will be looking forward to what you're going to achieve. Even if I die, I will be watching from heaven.'" I explained.

Maybe this would motivate him a bit, I thought as I opened my eyes, feeling a flicker of hope. But when I glanced over, I found Tyson staring out the window, completely lost in thought. His expression was as blank as the gray sky outside, emotionless like the rain pattering against the glass.

This little... I couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration.

"Hey, were you listening?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though I could feel irritation creeping in.

He turned his head slowly, tilting it like a confused puppy. "Huh? Were you saying something?" The blank look on his face was infuriating.

Seriously? I couldn't hold back my frustration any longer. "You didn't listen at all!" I shouted, feeling a mix of disbelief and anger.

"Leave me alone. I'm staying just because of the rain. Why are you even telling me all this?" he shot back, dismissively.

True, What was I thinking? I'm trying to motivate this kid, and he's not even paying attention. Yet, for some bizarre reason, I felt like I had to tell him. There was something about him-maybe it was the way he looked out the window, like he was searching for answers in the rain.

"Is that how you treat someone who saved your life?" I said, attempting to lighten the mood.

"I never asked for your help! Now leave me alone, weird hair," he mocked, still not bothering to turn away from the window.

Weird hair? Really? He's mocking my white hair color right now, of all times? On second thought, maybe I shouldn't have saved him after all.

Suddenly, the rotary phone began to ring, slicing through the awkward silence. Finally, something to distract me, I thought, relief flooding over me.

"Seems like a phone call from Cedric. Honestly, how late can he be?" I mumbled to myself.

"Sorry, I have to take this call," I said, excusing myself as I moved toward the ringing phone. Tyson didn't even acknowledge me, his gaze still fixed on the rain-soaked world outside. I sighed, trying to lighten the mood.

"If you're feeling bored, why don't you read this book? It was written by my father."

But once again, Tyson didn't respond. Whatever, I thought, before heading out to answer the call.

"Do whatever you want," Alex said before walking out of the room. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Tyson alone in the quiet space.

Tyson stared at the book on the table for a moment, then muttered, "Weird guy."

---

Alex picked up the call by lifting the handset gear of the phone, his curiosity piqued as he waited to hear the voice on the other end.

"Hello?" asked Alex, his voice steady as he awaited a response.

"Young master, it's me!" Cedric's voice burst through the phone, laced with urgency.

"Cedric, stop shouting like that. What's the matter? I thought you said you would try to return soon. How many hours is that going to take?" Alex replied, his frustration evident.

"Listen to me carefully! The other Familia members are coming to kill you both!" Cedric's voice crackled through the phone, urgency laced with fear. "You need to run—now! Find a safe place and stay hidden until I get there!"

Alex felt the weight of those words crash over him like a tidal wave. His grip on the phone tightened. "What? Are you serious?" His heartbeat pounded in his ears.

"There's still time, but not much! Hurry!" Cedric urged.

Alex swallowed hard, forcing himself to stay composed. "Understood." His mind raced as he scanned the room, already planning their escape.

"Listen, no matter what, don't let them find you!" Cedric's final words came through sharp and final—then the line went dead.

To be continued...