TTRIA 40

She definitely screamed for him to get lost because she couldn’t stand the sight of him. Recalling her fierce glare, Jeff lightly shrugged his shoulders.

“No. It’s fine, so there’s no need for that. Tell Amy I’m not bothered.”

“Yeah. I figured you’d say that.”

A wry smile crossed Johnny’s face.

“I told her you wouldn’t be keen on it… but Amy insisted I invite you somehow. Once she calmed down, she must’ve felt pretty bad. So, Jeff, could you join us for a meal, even briefly? You don’t have to stay long. Just a cup of tea is fine. She’s my only family, after all…”

Even back at the orphanage, Johnny had immense pride in his noona. Though they were siblings, their different genders meant they lived strictly separated lives with few chances to interact. Still, whenever he heard praise about her, he’d beam as if it were directed at him. He found vicarious satisfaction through Amy’s attention and accolades, which he couldn’t receive himself.

“Please. Help ease noona’s mind, just this once.”

Yeah. That’s what family is. Rejoicing together in happy times, crying together in sad ones, and raging together over injustices. Even if they commit something shameful, they can bow their heads together. The strength of family bonds lies in the heart and courage to do so without limits.

“…Family.”

Suddenly, Jeff’s amber eyes sought out a blue hue. His gaze, returning with softly intertwined colors, landed on Johnny’s hand holding a teacup. Watching its slight tremble, Jeff broke the heavy silence and spoke.

“…I won’t stay long.”

“Huh?”

“I won’t stay long, so no need for a meal. A cup of tea is enough.”

Realizing it was agreement, Johnny smiled joyfully.

“Oh, that’s fine! Thanks for coming, Jeff. Amy will definitely be happy.”

Setting a time, Johnny stood and paid for the tea as promised. Jeff watched his retreating figure through the front window. His excited steps continued until he was out of sight.

“Did you have a good talk?”

Cecil, approaching quietly, sat in Johnny’s seat and asked. Jeff turned without lingering and met his gaze. As Cecil stared intently, he rubbed his face and asked.

“What? Is something on my face?”

“No, just… I don’t want to leave yet. Want another cup of tea?”

“Yeah. Sounds good.”

Cecil, smiling brightly, checked the menu. Leaning on the table with his chin propped, Jeff followed Cecil’s gently moving blue eyes. Warm sunlight filtered into their spot.

“…Family. Maybe something like this…”

Letting the sudden thought drift softly, Jeff closed his eyes. A calm smile spread across his face.

The sky was overcast.

Jeff gripped the steering wheel tightly, scanning the surroundings. Finding a decent parking spot was no easy task. He’d been circling for a while, and the cloud-covered sky was darkening early. Checking the streetlights flickering on one by one, Jeff finally stopped the car. Turning off the engine and checking the time, he was ten minutes early for the appointment.

“Cecil, Ego. I’ll be back soon.”

Now comfortably seated in the passenger seat, they turned to Jeff. Meeting his slightly apologetic and worried gaze, Cecil smiled softly.

“Yeah. It’s okay, so take care.”

“If you’re hungry, eat the sandwiches. I bought plenty, so you can eat them all.”

“Okay. Don’t worry.”

“I’ll be back… Wait, you look cold. I’m sure I had a blanket…”

“Jeff, you’ll be late. I’m fine…”

“No, hold on… Found it. Put this on.”

Cecil gave a wry smile as Jeff insisted on wrapping him in a blanket. The newly bought blanket was large enough to cover him completely. Once wrapped in the thick fabric, Cecil realized it was better than nothing. Ego seemed to agree, wriggling up to nestle in his arms.

“It’s warm.”

“See? I told you you were cold.”

Jeff chuckled lightly, carefully tucking the blanket around Cecil. Knowing Ego was there, he playfully sealed the gaps, prompting Ego to pop his head out with a sulky glare. Jeff, grinning, gently scratched the black dog’s long snout before stepping out of the car.

Plip, plop.

A few raindrops began to fall. Jeff raised his coat collar and tucked his hands into his pockets. Feeling the damp, cold air, he dialed the number from the memo. Across the street stood a row of old brick townhouses, some with small flowerpots on their windowsills drinking the drizzle.

“Here it is.”

Reaching the building’s entrance, Jeff opened the rusty iron door. Inside, a dim hallway light illuminated worn tile floors. Radio music and faint conversations from other units echoed through the corridor.

Jeff gripped the wooden handrail and climbed the stairs. At the end of the second floor, he spotted a familiar number on a doorplate. Knocking, the door opened immediately.

“You’re here. I was waiting!”

A warm breeze greeted him. Johnny, smiling broadly, led Jeff inside. The Max siblings’ home was simple but cozy. A worn sofa and small table sat in the middle of the narrow living room, with a tilted bookshelf in the corner. A sweet aroma wafted from the kitchen.

“Was it hard to find?”

Johnny, taking Jeff’s coat, pulled out a chair. Jeff shook his head lightly.

“No. Not really.”

“It’s pretty chilly today. I’ll grab some tea and dessert. Amy made apple crumble. Oh, need a blanket?”

“No blanket. Tea’s enough. But…”

Glancing around, Jeff asked curiously.

“Where’s Amy?”

“Oh, she stepped out for work. I mentioned she sometimes does accounting for a small office, right? Something came up. Let’s see, she left about an hour ago, so she’ll be back soon. Sorry. You came for noona, and now you’re waiting.”

Johnny, setting down tea and dessert, looked awkward.

“If it’s work, can’t be helped, but like I said, I can’t stay long.”

“Got plans?”

“Something like that.”

“You leaving town?”

Jeff, warming his hands on the teacup, looked up. Johnny’s oddly anxious expression met him.

“Why ask?”

“No reason. You just seem in a hurry. It’s been a while, so it’d be a shame if you left soon.”

Plus, you came by car. The quiet addition sent a strange chill down Jeff’s spine.

“Why aren’t you drinking? It’s fancy tea, a gift. Tastes good. Better before it cools.”

Jeff’s gaze lingered on Johnny’s teacup.

“Why aren’t you drinking?”

“I’m a bit unsophisticated. Don’t care about aroma or taste. I like it cooled; easier to drink. Amy always scolds me for it.”

Johnny casually touched his teacup. Jeff, shifting his gaze, stared at the cooling tea’s surface. His stern reflection glimmered in the faint red liquid. He realized it. He’d fallen into a trap. Stupidly.

“…When’s Amy coming?”

“Soon.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah. So wait a bit. Let’s catch up over tea.”

Feeling Johnny’s unyielding stare, Jeff slowly lifted his teacup. He sensed eyes tracking his movement. Meeting expectations, he brought the cup to his lips. As the red liquid touched them…

Crash!

A sharp noise rang out as the glass shattered, liquid splashing everywhere.

“What are you doing…!”

“Oh, sorry. It was too hot; I didn’t mean to.”

Jeff, covering his mouth as if burned, drooped his eyebrows. Then, flustered, he crouched to pick up the shards.

“Looks like a favorite cup. Really sorry. I’ll replace it.”

“No, ugh… It’s fine. Get up. I’ll clean it.”

Annoyed sighs came from across the table. As Johnny went to the kitchen for a rag, Jeff slipped the largest shard into his sleeve. Then…

Knock, knock, knock—

A heavy knock sounded. Johnny shouted from the kitchen.

“Must be Amy. Jeff, can you get the door?”

“…Knocking at her own place.”

Muttering silently, Jeff stood slowly. Another knock, knock, knock— sounded as he reached the door. Pausing, he focused on a faint scent seeping through the worn door’s cracks. It wasn’t Amy’s from days ago. The smell of rain-soaked cigars lingered beyond.

Johnny Max. That damn bastard. Swallowing a curse, Jeff opened the door. Under the dim hallway light stood a man in a black cap. His half-shadowed face held intense, gleaming eyes staring at Jeff.

“Found you.”

A low, deep voice rang out.

Bang! Jeff slammed the door. The man reached to stop it, but Jeff was faster. Urgh! A pained groan from the crushed hand followed as Jeff reopened the door, knocking the man down. He could escape through the hallway.

“You rat!”

But another man emerged from behind the door. A rough grip seized Jeff’s neck, dragging him into the open room. Thud! Thrown like luggage, Jeff was pinned by a knee on his back.

“Unless you want your face carved up, don’t move.”

A knife’s tip touched Jeff’s skin as the man whispered. Jeff gritted his teeth.

“…Who are you? Why are you doing this?”

“No personal grudges. We just do what we’re paid for.”

The blade tapped his face. It felt worse than a slap. Then, Johnny, who’d been hiding, stepped out from the kitchen. His face was filled with fear.

“N-no stabbing here! Do it outside…!”

Hah. Jeff let out a hollow breath. The man on his back was the same, clicking his tongue and looking down at Jeff.

“The homeowner says so?”

“No. If you’re gonna stab, do it here.”

Jeff growled through clenched teeth.

“In front of that bastard.”

Stab until the house is a bloody mess. The man laughed heartily, while Johnny paled.

“No, you can’t! I only lured him; I didn’t agree to provide a murder scene!”

That damn bastard… Jeff’s glare turned vicious. Startled, Johnny stumbled back, yelling at the man.

“I-I did my part! Take him and give me the reward…!”

“Out of the way, you piece of shit…”

Then, the man groaning in pain approached. With all his right fingers broken, he shoved his colleague aside and pinned Jeff down. Grabbing Jeff’s hair with his good left hand, his face was full of rage.

They said to keep him alive. Muttering, the man slammed Jeff’s head into the floor. Thud! Thud! Dark blood pooled on the old wooden floor. Still unsatisfied, he shook Jeff’s torn forehead, staining his face with blood. Johnny, looking faint, collapsed.

“Hey, that’s enough. He’s out. Let’s go.”

The colleague grabbed the man’s shoulder. Breathing heavily, the man spat. Jeff lay limp, motionless.

“Tch, what a temper.”

The colleague shook his head, lifting Jeff’s body. As he moved toward the door, something sharp stabbed the man’s neck.

“Argh!”

Jeff, breaking free from the collapsing man, pulled the shard from his skin. The colleague lunged, but Jeff threw a nearby lamp and ran for the door.

“Stop, you bastard!”

The dark hallway and creaking stairs shook unsteadily beneath him. Jeff gritted his teeth and ran, leaping two or three steps at a time. Kicking open the front door, rain-soaked air brushed his skin.

The sudden cold wind choked him. His battered head throbbed, and his vision blurred. The men’s rough footsteps echoed in his ears.

I can’t fall here. I escaped the mansion; I can’t fall to this…

Biting his lip, Jeff forced his heavy feet forward. But his overworked left leg, barely healed, couldn’t support him. He felt his body collapsing. Yet, a warm presence caught him.

“I told you to get lost.”

An annoyed sigh came as someone supported Jeff’s body.

“How could you trust that idiot?”

“…Amy?”

“If you’ve got the strength to talk, move your feet. Goddamn, you’re heavy…!”

Hiding in a blind spot from the men, Amy led Jeff through a narrow alley. Emerging, they saw parked cars, including a familiar truck—the lot where Cecil and Ego waited.

“How…”

“I’m not spying, just so you know. I saw you by chance.”

How could I not, with you circling the same spot over and over? Amy grumbled, panting with sweat on her forehead, still supporting Jeff. They neared the truck, and Cecil’s figure appeared through the glass. Their eyes seemed to meet.

“Jeff!”

Bang! Cecil rushed out as the car door flew open.

His pale, terrified expression and warm embrace. Feeling the strength of his arms and familiar scent, Jeff finally closed his eyes in relief.