The Ruling Family
February 11th.
The sun shone timidly, frequently obscured by heavy, dark clouds. The crisp, refreshing scent of rain permeated the atmosphere. In the institution’s backyard, near the apple tree so dear to Clarity, he chose to stand alone. He stared at the water-logged ground, watching the raindrops fall with a steady, haunting rhythm.
Clarity took a deep breath. He had just finished a grueling task: delivering a message to a patient's family, informing them that their loved one had passed away during their struggle with illness. It was his first time handling such a duty.
The scenes were seared into his memory: the moment they read the news, their cries, their silent, soul-crushing sobs.
"A loved one whose presence you thought was eternal, someone whose existence became woven into the very fabric of your days—they depart, leaving a void that no one can ever fill."
A shiver ran through Clarity’s body. He whispered faintly, "My God, take me to You before You take those I love, for I have no strength to live without them."
He thought of visiting his mother again, though he had already seen her three times today. Afterward, he would go to see Jake; just the sight of Jake was enough to calm Clarity’s fearful heart.
Suddenly, the familiar, sharp pain returned. Clarity sank to the ground. It's just a temporary spell; it will surely pass, he told himself. But the minutes ticked by, and the agony only intensified. The nausea flared again.
He lost his balance and slumped against the tree trunk. He drifted off, or perhaps he lost consciousness—whatever it was, he had lost his grip on the pain, and on everything else.
Clarity opened his eyes to see Eve standing before him. The rain had stopped. His clothes were soaked through; he must have been lying on the ground for quite a while.
Eve closed her umbrella and stepped closer. "I heard you sent the farewell message today. You must be hurting from what you witnessed. Look at you, sitting here in the rain."
Clarity tried to move his lips, to utter a single syllable, but he was completely paralyzed, as if frozen in place.
Eve looked puzzled. "Even if you don't answer! I know you're sad. Eleven told me you cried a lot."
Clarity stared at her, silent and unresponsive. Eve’s concern deepened. She reached out and touched his forehead. She whispered in alarm, "Your forehead is burning! You look terribly ill!"
She turned toward the building, intending to call for help, but Clarity finally spoke, begging for water. She rushed to fetch it. After drinking, he tried to sit up.
"I’ll have a doctor see you," Eve said anxiously. "Can you walk inside?"
Clarity whispered, "There's no need. It's just a fleeting cold."
"You don’t look well at all!"
Clarity braced himself against the tree, managing to stand. He only wanted to convince Eve he was fine. A doctor must not see me now, he thought.
He walked slowly toward a garden chair, Eve following closely with his bag. "Are you really okay?"
"Yes, as you can see." The nausea had faded, allowing him to speak normally.
As Eve sat beside him and handed him his bag, something fell out. She reached down to pick it up—a small, tightly sealed vial. "What is this?"
"It’s the smoke bomb I told you about earlier. I still had one left."
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Eve looked intrigued. "It looks strange. Homemade, as they say?"
"Yes, we make them ourselves."
"That’s amazing! How powerful is it?"
"It’s a small canister, so it can only cover this area," he gestured to the surrounding space.
Eve smiled cunningly. "Can you set it off? I want to see the red mist."
Clarity nodded. "Yes, if you wish, I will!"
They moved to the center of the garden. Clarity shook the canister, struck a match, and touched the fuse. They stepped back as the canister erupted. The sound was faint, but the thick red smoke began to billow around them.
Eve watched, her eyes wide with wonder, her smile widening. She turned to Clarity and shouted excitedly, "That’s truly magnificent! Now, do the next step!"
"What’s the next step?"
"Catch the target! Isn't that what you usually did when you worked for Bruno?"
Clarity smiled, reaching out toward her neck as if holding a knife, and said in a stern voice, "It’s over for you!"
A scream tore through the air! "EVE!"
They both turned. The red mist was dissipating, revealing the source of the shout. Someone was rushing toward them, screaming Eve's name. Clarity focused. It was Aaron!
The very person with whom he shared a tragedy similar to what was happening now... but Aaron was coming with pure rage.
Does he think I am—!
Clarity hit the ground after a powerful blow from Aaron. Aaron pulled Eve aside, his body trembling with anxiety. He grabbed her hands and screamed, "Are you okay?!"
Eve stuttered, "Calm down, Aaron..."
Aaron let go of his sister and rushed back to Clarity, who lay motionless on the ground. He landed blow after blow on Clarity’s body, who had collapsed after the very first hit. Eve tried to intervene, screaming constantly, but to no avail. Finally, she shoved Aaron away with all her might. "Have you lost your mind?! You'll kill the boy!"
She tapped Clarity’s cheek, calling his name, but there was no response.
In the hospital, Clarity lay in bed with Aaron and Eve sitting nearby.
Eve finally exploded, "You scoundrel! What have you done?!" She reached out to brush Clarity’s hair from his forehead. "Look at this wound! You’ve disfigured his forehead! What has gotten into you?!"
Aaron rose from his chair, brow furrowed. "What is your problem? You hire this scoundrel? And for a job you invented? Have you gone mad lately?"
Eve stood, pointing an accusatory finger at him. "Dare to mock this job! It is more noble than any other in this world! And what is the problem with Clarity? Everything was going well, but you’re overreacting! I know this is because of Ari and the gang, and I know you were afraid for me, but can’t you be less angry? Be a little more rational! Will it make you happy to kill someone over a stupid misunderstanding?"
Aaron countered, "It’s not just a misunderstanding! He is one of Bruno’s followers! If you knew that, why did you hire him?"
"For the thousandth time, Ari died because she was sick! You know that well—I investigated and reached that conclusion, but you refuse to admit it! Uncle Bruno had nothing to do with Ari's death!"
"Uncle Bruno? How can you say that so simply? Father and I mean nothing to you?"
"It’s not about what you mean to me, but about the truth. Just as you are my brother and Father is my father, Bruno is my uncle. Regardless of our enmity, he has never harmed us, and what you believe are just illusions created by Father in your mind!"
"Stop... stop. I hate discussing him."
"As if I like it! You’re the one forcing me. Try to keep an open mind. The truth isn't always what you assume. You are only human! You can be wrong, and those around you might be the ones at fault."
"Thanks for the advice, but you will fire him from this job."
"Ah, I won't."
"EVE!!"
"It is my institution, my office, and my employee. It has nothing to do with you."
"He is just a scoundrel, a deceitful thief trained in kidnapping, cheating, and everything evil!"
"Oh, really? Has he robbed you, deceived you, or kidnapped you? Stop believing people’s words! Didn't you hear what Father said? He said he would spread rumors about Bruno's followers, and you believe them? He is just an eighteen-year-old boy; he is truly kind."
"Couldn't this 'kind' boy find anywhere else to work but your institution?"
"I asked him to. His mother has cancer, and he is working for me to pay for her treatment!"
"His mother is sick?"
"Yes. Now leave and let him rest."
Aaron turned to go, but said, "I will watch him. I won't let him stay near you just like that."
Aaron walked out, and Eve sighed in annoyance.
Clarity opened his eyes. Eve smiled. "You’re awake?"
Clarity whispered, "I have been for a while, but I wanted your brother to leave first."
"How do you feel?"
"My whole body hurts, but it's fine. We seem to be in the same hospital you brought me to before."
"Yes, I was the one who insisted." Eve continued nervously, "I’m sorry for what happened to you. I’m truly sorry. Aaron thought you were trying to kidnap me as part of the gang."
"It happened, and I know it’s not your fault."
Clarity took a deep breath, trying to sit up. He asked nervously, "There is a question that piques my curiosity, and I will go straight to the point: Is the leader, Bruno, truly your uncle?"
"You heard!"
"I think the entire hospital heard your fight, so how could I not?"
He smiled, then the pain returned.
"Don't talk," she said. "You need to rest. And since you heard... it is as you heard. Bruno—the one you call the 'Leader'—is our uncle and our father’s half-brother."