Lost Memories: The Spy

The motel was a bloodbath—bullet holes riddled the walls, shattered glass littered the ground. Violence wasn't uncommon in this area, not with biker gangs clashing every other night. But this? This was something else.

The motel owner, sighed as he checked his insurance coverage, calculating the damages.

Then Byron walked down the stairs.

A purse and phone in one hand, a hand gun in the other. Blood splattered across his expensive grey shirt, staining the fine fabric. His presence made the clerk freeze.

Byron reached into his pocket, pulled out some cash, and set it on the counter. He know it's not enough, but at least he is paying before checking out.

He didn't wait for a reaction. Wiping a streak of red from his face, he stepped outside. He swung a leg over his motorcycle, started the engine, and sped off—heading straight for the nearest gas station.

When he pulled into the lot, the low hum of truck engines and distant highway noise filled the air.

A few resting truck drivers turned to stare; A man in dress pants and an expensive button-up, now stained with blood, looked like he had just crawled out of hell.

"It must be such a bloody party, eh?" the truck driver laughs.

Byron ignored them and entered the mini-market. From outside, he had already spotted Etienne, waiting for him in his black gown, draped in a trench coat.

The moment he stepped inside, his smile formed quickly. He walked straight to Etienne and kissed his forehead, setting the purse and phone down on the table in front of him.

It was strange.

To Etienne, this hot, untouchable man suddenly looked so... normal. Just like anyone else.

"Have you eaten?" Byron asked.

"I'm not hungry," Etienne replied, checking his purse and phone. Not even a scratch.

Meanwhile, Byron—covered in blood splatter, his face and clothes stained—stood there casually. It worried Etienne, just a little.

"Are you hurt?"

"No, not really. This blood isn't mine," Byron said casually.

Etienne stiffened. Seeing Byron through a different lens now, a chilling sensation crept over him.

How terrifying was it—that a man who had just killed another human being was now casually talking about food?

Charles was probably right. He's a psychopath.

Byron cleared his throat. "I need to tell you something important."

"Which is?"

Byron exhaled, his voice slow, careful. "I want to apologize, but it looks like we'll have to cancel our trip together—to the ocean of stars."

He said it softly, knowing how much they had talked about this. It was a promise. Canceling it would be upsetting.

"Oh." A strange relief washed over Etienne. Lighter, freer. He didn't have to spend the entire day with this man.

"That's good," he said quickly, then added, "I mean… I have something to do at the theater."

Byron paused.

That reaction.

If Byron was being honest, it stung.

Etienne looked… happy. Happy that their plans were canceled. Happy that he didn't have to be with Byron.

It told Byron something he wasn't ready to accept.

He wasn't important to Etienne anymore.

Byron gave a small nod, keeping his voice neutral. "Right."

He wanted to explain why, but before he could, Etienne had already cut him off.

"I think I need to go home now… it's already late."

Byron hesitated. Something was different.

Etienne grabbed his purse and phone, standing up abruptly. Where were the warm kisses? The soft affection? The way he used to look at Byron like he was the most important person in the world?

What changed?

Did I do something?

"I'll drive you home."

"No need," Etienne replied quickly, his body language tense, closed off. He was in a hurry to leave. To get away from Byron. "I can call an online cab."

Before Byron could respond, a voice crackled in Etienne's earpiece—a device hidden behind his earring.

"Mr. Bellamy," Charles's voice came through. "Where are you going? We need you to follow Byron. How do you expect us to bring him to justice if you leave?"

At the same time, Byron reached for Etienne, grabbing his elbow.

Etienne gasped, subtle horror flickering in his eyes.

For a moment, his gaze locked onto Byron's. They looked hurt. As hurt as how Etienne feel when he saw those official pictures of bloody murder that Charles had shown to him before. Because it flips his world around; apparently I danced with the devil.

For a second, Etienne almost gave in, he wanted to hold Byron, to comfort him. But then, logic kicked in. This man is not what he seems. Don't fall into the trap. You don't want your past to repeat itself, do you?

"Are you okay? Is everything alright?" Byron asked carefully, watching him closely.

"Mr. Bellamy," Charles's voice returned in his ear, firm. "We need you to stay with Byron so we can capture him when the time is right. Stay with him. Don't worry—we'll be right behind you!"

Etienne forced a smile. "Yes. We're good."

But inside?

He wanted to run. He wished none of this had ever happened. He wished he had never gone to that stupid birthday party. Never met Byron. Never gotten involved in this spy mission from hell.

If it's good, then it's good—that's what Byron thought. Maybe Etienne was just tired. He had almost been caught by Gion's men, so the whole thing must have been terrifying for him.

Byron pulled him into his arms, embracing him, but instead, Etienne pushed him away, his eyes wide with fear.

"I'm sorry. I don't like blood," Etienne stuttered.

"Oh, right," Byron said, releasing him.

"I'm against violence," Etienne shrugged, forcing himself to act normal. "I hope you understand."

"I completely understand," Byron nodded.

Charles's voice crackled in Etienne's earpiece. "Ask him why he canceled the star voyaging plan."

Etienne took a deep breath, gathering his composure, slipping back into his acting skill. It was damn difficult to perform when his mind wasn't calm. He couldn't erase those bloody images from his mind. They haunted him.

"So, why did you cancel the plan?" He kept his tone smooth.

Byron shrugged, his expression neutral. "My clients… they were killed by Gion's men. So now, no one will deliver this diamond back to Ranggolan, which means I have to do it myself."

He didn't reveal the diamond watch, safely tucked away in his pocket.

Charles's voice came through the earpiece again. "Ask him who his clients are."

"Who are your clients?" Etienne repeated.

Byron leaned back slightly. "It seems you've never heard of the Ranggolan incident."

His voice carried a weight that made Etienne pause.

"It was a tragedy," Byron continued. "A disaster that happened to the diamond miners in Ranggolan. While mining diamonds for John Kaspar's father, an accident occurred, killing thirty-four miners. The company refused to take responsibility, leaving behind orphans and widowed mothers. So, I helped them steal the diamonds back—so the women and children could start a new life."

Etienne ran a hand through his hair, unsure how to react. "Oh… that's… good."

He barely processed the words. His mind kept drifting back to the gruesome pictures.

"So, I need to go to Ranggolan," Byron said. "It might take several days to get there."

His voice softened, "and you're right. I'd better drive you... home."

Byron looked at him, the confidence in his gaze now completely gone.

He knew.

If he sent Etienne home now… he would never see him again.

"Tell him you want to go with him," Charles commanded.

Etienne wasn't surprised by the order, though he hated the idea. Not after those pictures. Not after the images were now burned into his mind.

"I want to go with you," Etienne said, robotic and empty. He realized how lifeless he sounded, but he didn't care. He felt stuck. Completely stuck.

"Yeah, I honestly think you're safer with me," Byron replied, throwing in a flirt just to test the waters. But to Etienne, the irony was almost laughable.

"Since Gion's men… when I killed them back at the motel—"

Etienne shivered.

The way Byron said "killed" so casually sent a cold wave through him.

"They made it clear to me that Gion is after you," Byron continued. "He saw us together on the balcony through CCTV. He thinks you betrayed him."

Byron's gaze softened, looking at Etienne with sympathy. "I'll protect you."

Etienne was pretty sure now he was already dead—he just didn't know it yet. Gion was after him. That meant he could never return to his normal life. If he went back to the theater, Gion would kill him on stage.

Police? They wouldn't help.

Too many celebrities had already been erased by Gion—either 'missing' or conveniently overdosed. If he returned to his old life, he'd be just another name on that list.

"I'm so fucked," Etienne spat bitterly.

Then, he felt Byron's hand on his. The touch was gentle, but to Etienne, it felt cold and horrifying.

A murderer's touch.

He wanted to yank away, but he didn't. Because if he pretended to accept Byron, he might survive Gion. But that didn't mean he felt safe with Byron.

"I'll keep you safe. I promise," Byron said softly, offering a small smile.

Charles's voice crackled through the earpiece. "Ask him what the plan is now."

Etienne swallowed and forced himself to speak. "What's the plan now?"

"I'm going to eat something first. I'm starving. Then we'll drive to Ranggolan," Byron answered casually.

Etienne's eyes widened. "Drive? Seriously? We're crossing the gulf to get to Ranggolan, and you want to use a motorbike?"

Is this man crazy?!

"Yeah. We can't use public transportation—Gion will expect us there. We need to avoid crowds because CCTV will be everywhere. We don't want them showing up while we're sleeping," Byron explained.

Etienne nodded mechanically.

"Okay, um... I'm going to smoke out back while you eat."

Without waiting for a response, he slipped away, needing air.

Byron scratched his head, watching him go. Still shaken, huh? That's what Byron assumed. He brushed it off and turned to order food.

Meanwhile, outside, Etienne's panic only grew.

"Mr. Bellamy, where did you go?" Charles's voice crackled through the earpiece. "Ask him the name of the clients---"

But before Charles could say more, the van's back door flew open, and Etienne barged in, slamming it shut behind him. He collapsed onto the seat, gripping his hair in frustration.

"Hey! You can't be here!" Charles snapped. "If he sees you here, everything will—"

"Fall apart, I know!" Etienne looked frustrated. He was trapped, completely trapped. "I don't have anywhere else to go now. I can't go home because Gion will be after me. And I'll be worried sick if he ever touches my mother just to force me to show up. I saw him get rid of a musician—they melted him down and disposed of his body in the river as liquid. Oh God... what was I even thinking, going to the balcony? Huge mistake!"

Detective Baxter crouched beside Etienne. "I know you feel troubled now, Mr. Bellamy, but this is exactly why you need to do this. If we can gather proof of Gion's mistreatment of his workers, your life might be spared because we can put Gion in jail. Also, we can catch two villains with one stone. You have to be strong, Mr. Bellamy—the world needs you!"

"Why me?" Etienne completely lost his cool.

"Because you're a great actor! You've got what it takes to stop all this. Now get out of the van before—"

Charles's speech stopped as Danny gave a warning. "Sir! Shh!! He's here!"

Everyone stopped talking as they realized Byron was curiously circling the van, examining it cautiously.

"Can he see us inside if he leans toward the glass?" Etienne whispered.

"No, he can't. Can he, Danny?" Charles asked, just to be sure. This was a police van, but it was rented since Charles and his team had come from another galaxy.

"I-I'm not sure..."

Meanwhile, Byron leaned his face closer to the van's glass, peering inside...