Chapter 19: Year Zero Part 1

13 December - Home

The door creaked open as Leon stepped inside, his breath shaky, his body aching. Cuts lined his arms beneath the sleeves of his jacket, and his knuckles were scraped raw. The dim light in the hallway cast long shadows across the wooden floor, and the silence of the apartment was broken only by the faint hum of the refrigerator and the sound of his uneven footsteps.

He locked the door behind him and leaned against it for a moment, wincing. Every part of his body felt like it had been slammed into concrete — because it had.

From the living room, a voice called out.

"Leon? Is that you?"

Ivy stepped into view, wearing a hoodie and soft pajama pants, her long hair loosely tied back. Her expression softened for a moment at the sight of her brother—then tightened again when she saw how he looked.

"You're late. And... you look like hell." She stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "What happened to you?"

Leon turned away, hiding the pain in his eyes. "Just slipped off my bike. Nothing serious."

"You don't even own a bike."

Leon sighed. "Just—don't worry about it. I'm fine." He limped past her toward the kitchen, hoping she wouldn't press further.

But Ivy followed him. "You come home looking like this, barely able to stand, and you expect me not to ask questions?"

Leon pulled out a cold pack from the freezer and pressed it against his ribs. "I said I'm fine, Ivy. Can we not do this right now?"

Ivy crossed her arms, frustrated. "You've been disappearing more often lately. Coming home with bruises, cuts... You don't talk to me anymore, Leon."

There was a long pause. The room grew heavy with silence.

Finally, Leon looked up at her. "I'm sorry. Just… go get some sleep, okay?"

She looked like she wanted to say more, but instead she nodded slowly. "Fine. But you're not hiding this forever."

Leon waited until she disappeared into her room before he let out a breath and slumped into the chair at the kitchen table. His eyes drifted to the faded photo pinned to the fridge—him and Ivy from years ago. Smiling. Carefree. A different life.

Two Years Ago

Leon was still in his final year of studies. A quiet, focused student, living with his sister who was just starting high school.

Their life wasn't perfect, but it was simple. Peaceful.

Leon worked part-time at a convenience store, balancing school, rent, and taking care of Ivy. Their parents were gone—no calls, no support. Just him and his sister against the world.

It was a rainy evening when everything changed.

Leon came home late from class and found the door wide open.

"Ivy?" he called out, his voice trembling. No response.

He rushed inside, heart pounding. The place was a mess. The couch flipped over. Ivy's backpack was torn open. The smell of alcohol and something chemical hung in the air.

He found her unconscious on the floor of her bedroom. Her breathing was shallow.

His hands shook as he called emergency services.

Hospital – Later That Night

Leon sat in the sterile white hallway, soaked in rain and fear. A doctor approached, clipboard in hand, face unreadable.

"She's stable," he said. "But… she doesn't remember anything from the past few months. Possibly more. Her memory's been affected—could be permanent."

Leon stared blankly ahead, his fists clenched.

"How did this happen?" he whispered.

The doctor's voice was cautious. "We found traces of a synthetic sedative in her system. Something not sold legally."

Leon's jaw tightened.

That night, he made a silent vow:

He'd find whoever did this. And make them pay.