*Flashback*
Andrew's POV
"Jack! Hahaha, I'm winning!" I shouted, my laughter echoing across my room as I dodged past him, controller in hand.
"Well, not anymore!" Jack shot back, his voice hardening with mocking determination. He leaned forward, eyes narrowed, determined to beat me this time.
"Boys! It's time for school!" Miss Wood, the head maid, called from downstairs.
"Coming, Miss Wood!" I answered automatically.
Jack smirked. "Goody two-shoes."
"Ugh, whatever," I muttered, throwing him a glare as I switched off the console.
We jogged downstairs where breakfast was already set.Jack grabbed one and stuffed it in his mouth, already slinging his bag over one shoulder.
I rolled my eyes, helped him adjust the strap, and ruffled his hair. "Have a good day"
"Okay, kuya," he said, flashing his usual grin.
"And don't get in trouble."
"Yeah, yeah," he said, waving me off, already halfway out the door.
"Bye," he called lazily.
"Bye, Jack," I replied, watching him go.
Jack's POV
The city buzzed around me — tall buildings towering into the morning sky, sunlight hitting my face. My music played loud in my air buds as I walked down the pavement, phone in hand.
I scrolled through my contacts list:
Kuya🙄🙃😭
Emma 💖💕✨
Jake my boy😏😏😉✌️
Mason😜😈🤘🏈
+99 more
I clicked on Emma.
me: hi babe
Emma: hi ✨😊
me: meet u at the courtyard?
Emma: kay bye, see u later. love you 💕
me: love u more <3
I slipped my phone back into my bag, still smiling — then a black van screeched to a stop beside me.
Before I could even turn, a hand yanked me backward. A rough cloth pressed over my nose, the sharp sting of chemicals flooded my nose.
My vision blurred. The last thing I saw was the morning sky fading to black as a voice whispered near my ear, "Sweet dreams, kid."
Andrew's POV
The afternoon felt quieter than usual. I sat at my desk, half-focused on a game, when my phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
I frowned and opened the message.
Unknown: Your brother is going to die.
My heart dropped. The controller slid from my hand.
"Jack...?" I whispered, but I already knew something was terribly wrong.