69 - Shadows In The Alley

The city streets were cloaked in the thick darkness of a winter evening, the faint hum of neon signs buzzing above the alleyway.

Nox walked with an easy confidence, his hand intertwined with Amelia's as we once more made the trek home from school after staying afterclass for a little bit of fun with the other girls who were too busy fulfilling requirements at home to prepare for the upcoming trip.

Her laughter floated in the cool air, a sound so light it could have been mistaken for music.

But in the shadows, a storm brewed.

Brandon watched them from a distance, his fists clenched tight enough that his nails bit into his palms.

His breath came shallow, ragged, as he followed their every step.

He didn't want to be here he wanted to be with anywomen he wanted, he didn't want to feel this way, inferior to a man whom he until months before had total and complete control over.

But the sight of Amelia leaning so easily into another man... into that man, her head tilted to catch Nox's every word—it burned him alive.

"How could she do this?"

he muttered under his breath, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and heartbreak.

"Doesn't she see what he really is?"

The thought had been gnawing at him for weeks, ever since he'd learned of their relationship.

Nox wasn't good enough for Amelia—no one was.

She deserved better, someone who truly understood her, protected her, cherished her.

And yet, here she was, holding onto him as if he were her whole world.

Brandon gritted his teeth.

Not tonight.

Tonight, he'd put an end to this.

Amelia glanced up at Nox, her smile glowing in the faint streetlights.

"You're too sweet, you know that? I don't know what I'd do without you."

Nox chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

"Hopefully, we'll never have to find out."

They turned into a quieter alleyway, their footsteps echoing softly against the cobblestones.

It was a route they always took to avoid the busier streets, a shortcut home.

But tonight, it felt different.

The air was colder, and heavier.

She tightened her grip on Nox's arm, her instincts pricking with unease.

"Nox... do you feel that?"

she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He stopped, his eyes scanning the shadows.

"Stay close,"

he murmured.

Before he could say more, a figure emerged from the darkness.

Brandon stepped into the faint glow of a flickering streetlamp, his face a mask of controlled fury.

His eyes locked onto Nox with a venom that could corrode steel.

"Bro-ther?"

Amelia's voice broke the silence, a mixture of surprise and confusion.

"What are you doing here?"

He ignored her, his gaze fixed on Nox.

"You,"

he spat, the word dripping with disdain.

"You don't deserve her."

Nox's jaw tightened, but he didn't step back.

"Brandon, I don't know what your problem is, but—"

"My problem?"

Brandon cut him off, his voice rising.

"My problem is that you think you can just waltz into her life like you belong there. Like you could ever be good enough for her. You're nothing, Nox. Nothing!"

Amelia stepped between them, her arms outstretched.

"Brandon, stop! This isn't the time or place—"

"Get out of the way, Amelia,"

Brandon growled, his voice breaking.

"You don't see it, but I do. He's going to hurt you, he doesn't really love you not like I do. I can't let that happen to you."

Her expression softened, a flicker of pity crossing her face.

"Brandon... you're my brother. You can't do this. I love Nox, in a way I could never love you."

But he was already moving, his hand darting to the knife at his side.

The blade caught the light as he lunged forward, aiming for Nox's chest.

Time seemed to slow, the sound of Amelia's scream slicing through the air.

Nox reacted on instinct, twisting to the side and grabbing Brandon's wrist.

The two men struggled, the knife clattering to the ground.

Brandon swung wildly, his fists fueled by desperation and rage, but Nox was faster, more controlled.

He ducked under a punch and landed a solid blow to Brandon's stomach, sending him staggering backward.

"Brandon, stop!"

Amelia shouted again, tears streaming down her face.

But he didn't listen.

He couldn't.

All he could see was Nox—Nox holding her, Nox taking her away from him.

With a roar, Brandon charged again, his movements frantic and uncoordinated.

This time, it was Amelia who moved.

She stepped behind him, her hands trembling as she picked up the knife.

As Brandon swung at Nox once more, Amelia struck, the hilt of the blade crashing against the back of her brother's head.

Brandon froze, his eyes wide with shock.

He turned to look at her, confusion and betrayal etched into his face.

"Amelia..."

he whispered, his voice barely audible.

"I'm sorry,"

she said, her voice breaking.

"But you left me no choice, you've decided your fate and we'll give it to you."

Brandon collapsed to the ground, unconscious.

Nox knelt beside him, checking his pulse.

"He'll be fine... for now at elast,"

he said, his voice steady but laced with tension.

"We should get him out of here."

Amelia nodded, wiping at her tears that had already ceased being shed as if it was an act.

But as she looked down at her brother's prone form, a pang of guilt still tore through her.

She loved him—of course she did.

But this... this had gone too far, she was Nox's, forever and nothing not even her blood could change that.

"Nox,"

she said softly, her voice trembling.

"Do you think he'll ever forgive me?"

Nox rose to his feet, pulling her into his arms.

"Maybe. But even if he doesn't, you did the right thing, you're my girlfriend and I would never let anyone come between us."

She buried her face in his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt.

Somewhere in the distance, a siren wailed.

And in the cold, empty alleyway, the bonds of family and love lay shattered, tangled in the shadows of betrayal.

Before it all ended in a telltale 

Swoooosh as the three figures disappeared from the alley vanishing into the night air without a trace.