Chapter 7: Shadows of the Past

Amma was sitting on the balcony of her apartment with a sketchpad in her lap when the quiet hum of the city at night filled the room. Valletta's mind was everything but tranquil, even though the stars above her sparkled like a strewn-about diamond. Alex had been acting strangely all day—distant, distracted, and unusually quiet. She'd tried to brush it off, telling herself he was just tired, but the nagging feeling in her chest refused to go away.

The sound of the door opening pulled her from her thoughts. With a look she couldn't quite interpret, Alex's face was shaded as he stepped inside.

She put down her sketchpad and murmured softly, "Hey." "Where have you been?"

Running a hand over his tangled hair, Alex paused. "Just leave. I needed to take a breath.

Amma looked at him, her anxiety rising. "Is everything alright? You haven't said anything all day.

Alex sank into the chair across from her and sighed. Yes, I'm alright. Just pondering.

"How about?" Amma pressed, her tone soft but firm.

Alex gazed at her, a mixture of remorse and hesitancy visible in his eyes. "Amma, I have to tell you something. Something I ought to have mentioned to you long ago.

A beat skipped in Amma's heart. "What is it?"

Gazing down at his hands, Alex inhaled deeply. "I didn't leave Malta all those years ago only to travel or discover who I was. I... I was fleeing.

Amma scowled as her thoughts raced. "What are you running away from?"

"From my past," Alex replied in a regretful tone. "From a mistake I made that I couldn't face."

Amma's chest tightened as she waited for him to continue. The air between them felt charged, like the calm before a storm.

"I had a brother," Alex said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. "Daniel. We were close, but… things got complicated. There was an accident, and I blamed myself. I couldn't stay here, couldn't face what I'd done. So I left."

Amma's breath caught in her throat. "Alex, I… I had no idea."

"I know," Alex said, his eyes filled with pain. "I should have told you sooner. But I was afraid. Afraid of what you'd think of me. Afraid of losing you."

Amma reached for his hand, her heart aching for him. "You don't have to be afraid of me, Alex. Whatever happened, we'll face it together."

Alex's expression softened, but the shadow in his eyes remained. "It's not that simple, Amma. Daniel… he's not gone. He's alive. And he's back in Malta."

Amma's eyes widened. "What? How?"

Alex shook his head. "I don't know. But he's here, and he's not the same person he used to be. He's angry, bitter. And he blames me for everything."

Amma's mind raced as she tried to process his words. "What does he want?"

"I don't know," Alex said, his voice strained. "But it seems like he's not here to make amends."

Fear squeezed Amma's chest. "How are you going to proceed?"

Alex gazed at her, resolve shining in his eyes. "I will confront him. However, I need you to make me a pledge.

Amma responded without hesitation, "Anything."

"Assure me you won't get involved in this," Alex stated firmly. Daniel is a dangerous man. I don't want anything to happen to you.

The dread in his eyes made Amma's heart hurt, but she nodded. "I swear."

---

Amma woke up the following morning to find her bed vacant. She sat up, her heart racing as she realized Alex was gone. A note on the nightstand caught her eye, and she picked it up with trembling hands.

*"Amma, I need to handle this on my own. Please don't worry. I'll be back soon. – Alex"*

Amma's chest tightened as she read the note. She knew Alex was trying to protect her, but the thought of him facing his brother alone filled her with dread. She quickly dressed and grabbed her phone, dialing Alex's number. It went straight to voicemail.

"Alex, please call me," she said, her voice trembling. "I'm worried about you."

She hung up and paced the room, her mind racing. She couldn't just sit here and do nothing. But Alex had asked her to stay out of it, and she'd promised.

The sound of her phone buzzing pulled her from her thoughts. She grabbed it, her heart leaping when she saw Alex's name on the screen.

"Alex!" she said, her voice filled with relief. "Where are you? Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," Alex said, but his voice was tense. "I'm with Daniel. We're… talking."

Amma's chest tightened. "Where are you? I'm coming to you."

"No," Alex said firmly. "Stay where you are, Amma. Please. I'll handle this."

Before she could respond, the line went dead. Amma stared at her phone, her heart pounding. She couldn't just sit here and wait. She had to do something.

---

Amma stepped out into the bustling streets of Valletta, her mind racing as she tried to figure out where Alex could be. She knew he and Daniel had grown up in a small village on the outskirts of the city, and she had a feeling that's where they'd be.

Her hands shaking in her lap, she called a cab and gave the driver the address. The drive seemed to go on forever, and she kept thinking about the worst-case scenarios. What if Alex got wounded by Daniel? What would happen if she wasn't available to assist?

Amma's heart was in her throat when the cab eventually arrived at the little, dilapidated dwelling. She went out, approaching the door with shaky legs. Her blood ran cold at the sound of rising voices from within.

Her pulse thumping, she pushed the door open and entered. Her stomach dropped at what she saw.

Anger contorted the faces of Alex and Daniel as they stood in the centre of the room. Despite Daniel's striking resemblance to Alex, she felt uneasy because of the hardness in his gaze.

Amma continued, "Alex," in a shaky voice. "What's happening?"

Alex turned to face her, amazement and frustration shining in his eyes. "What are you doing here, Amma? I told you to keep your distance.

Amma's voice broke as she stated, "I couldn't just sit there and do nothing." "I was worried about you."

Daniel's eyes narrowed as he looked at her. "And who's this?"

"This is Amma," Alex said, his voice tight. "She's… she's with me."

Daniel's lips curled into a cold smile. "Well, isn't this touching? But you should have listened to him, sweetheart. You're not concerned about this.

Fear squeezed Amma's chest, but she refused to back down. "I'm concerned if it affects Alex."

Daniel's eyes darkened and his smile vanished. "It's unclear what you're getting into."

Alex moved between them before Amma could reply, his face ferocious. "Leave her out of this, Daniel. This is between you and me."

Daniel's eyes flicked between them, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

Amma's legs gave out, and she sank to the floor, her heart racing. Alex knelt beside her, his arms wrapping around her.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice filled with guilt. "I didn't want you involved in this."

Amma clung to him, her tears soaking his shirt. "I was so scared, Alex. I thought… I thought I'd lose you."

Alex held her tighter, his voice firm. "You won't lose me, Amma. I promise."

But as they sat there, wrapped in each other's arms, Amma couldn't shake the feeling that the shadows of Alex's past were far from gone.