9 months later

With time, Amelia had figured out Maia had moved out of Texas completely.

She moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, never saying a single word to Nadia. All Nadia wanted was a sincere apology from Maia.

Everything that happened to her was mainly Maia's fault.

All because she hated seeing Nadia in a happy, stable relationship and Maia couldn't wait to sabotage it.

She wanted Nadia to feel the burden of romantic loneliness just as she had.

But that wouldn't happen.

Nadia had someone by her side who loved her. Unlike Maia who secretly gazed at Nadia with envious eyes, constantly reminded of her tragic past relationship.

Maia was a stubborn girl who believed she was right at all times. And when someone questioned or threatened her standing, she made sure to get back at them in any way possible. Everything she planned had to go her way.

It was all about Maia.

Nadia was somewhat glad Maia's toxicity was out of her life, but she still yearned for an apology. She wanted to know if Maia was sorry for what she did.

When Nadia thought of Danny, she wondered if he was ever sorry for what he did too.

...

Danny pulled up to a Shell gas station. After being on the run for nine months straight, he was back in California. He traveled from state to state, avoiding his charges of first-degree kidnapping, sexual assault, and alleged illicit drug possession.

He was low on the spare money he had and could not go to a bank without the fear of being caught. He was in San Diego, where Christian resided. He wondered if his brother could somehow help him. He grabbed his phone, finding Christian's contact info and shared his location with him.

Danny looked at the clock. 6:37am. He glanced around at the gas station, anxiously squeezing his steering wheel. Danny let out a shaky exhale. "Okay, here we go." He stared into the rear-view mirror, taking out the hazel contact that matched his affected eye.

He stepped out of the car, taking off the false license plate at the back of his car and before he walked inside the convenience store, he purposely looked up into the security camera, giving away his face.

His car was out in the open and his face was seen. He knew with his heterochromia, he was distinctive.

He had given up.

Danny didn't want to run anymore.

He lightly smiled at the clerk who seemed to recognize him from all the news reports throughout California. Danny walked to the back of the store, gazing at all the drinks in the fridges.

He knew the clerk would call 911, so Danny decided to make a few phone calls of his own. He called his mother first, knowing she wouldn't pick up the phone. Danny left her a voice message.

"Mamma, hi, it's me Danny. I'm in a lot of trouble right now and I don't think you can save me from this." He chuckled. "Just don't worry about me Mamma, okay? I'll be fine. I'll see you soon. I love you."

He hung up.

Next, well next was Nadia. Yes, Danny actually had something to say to her after all this time.

He was a bit relieved she didn't answer the phone.

"Nadia, it's me. I'm sure you recognize my voice." Danny sighed, lightly smiling to himself. "I'm not in prison yet, incase you're wondering, but I'm on my way. I'm sure you'd like that."

"Anyway, I know you probably never want to see me again after what I did and I get that. I just need to say that I'm sorry. I know that probably sounds pathetic over the phone, but it's still something. I was going through some shit when I kidnapped you. I guess the thought of not having you again kinda got to me."

"I don't have a lot of time to explain myself now, maybe you could visit me in prison? I really am sorry Nadia, and I wish you all the best. I-I just want things to be okay between us again." Danny quickly wiped the tears in his eyes before they slipped down his face.

"I hope you recover and have a wonderful life." Danny paused, hearing faint sirens in the distance.

"I love you."

Lastly, he called Christian, knowing he would answer the phone.

"Danny? Oh my god, where are you?" Christian hurriedly asked.

"San Diego, buddy." Danny chuckled.

"What? What are you doing back in California? Are you trying to get yourself caught?"

Danny nodded. "Yep, Christian that's exactly what I'm doing. I'm done running from the law. I'll do my time."

"Damn it, Danny where are you?" Christian worriedly asked.

"I shared my location with you. Come find me." Danny joked in a sing-song voice.

"Danny you're being reckless. Do you know what you're charged with? Mamma and Papà would kill you."

"So, you're promoting I run from the law?" Danny scoffed. "Christian, I don't care what Mamma or Papà thinks, I did what I did. I already left Mamma a voice message. She'll know eventually."

Christian sighed. "Jesus, Danny just stay where you are alright? I'll be there soon."

Danny shrugged. "Alright." He didn't have anywhere else to go anyway.

Christian had hung up and Danny was simply waiting for the cops to arrive. He paced around the store, as if he was going to buy something. The police sirens became louder and louder until he knew they were right outside.

He listened as the doors opened, hearing multiple footsteps. "Where is he?" Danny heard one of the officers ask the clerk. "He's in the back." To Danny's surprise, the clerk's tone was fearful. He didn't know why, it's not like he'd done anything to hurt him.

Danny stood in his place as the footsteps of the officers drew near.

"Don't move."

He heard the clicking sound of the hammer being pulled back. He's got his gun drawn? How dramatic. Danny internally scoffed, rolling his eyes.

Danny had his back turned towards them. A light smirk formed on his face as he turned around to face the officers. Now would be a good time for Christian to hurry up and get here.

"Put your hands up, away from your body."

Danny did as he was told, slowly bringing his arms up above his head. One of the officers walked towards him with a pair of handcuffs. He clasped Danny's arms behind his back, cuffing his wrists. Danny faintly winced as his shoulders uncomfortably stung from the sudden pulling of his arms.

The officer placed a firm hand on his shoulder, guiding him outside to their patrol car. The officer who had his gun pointed at Danny earlier stayed back, questioning the clerk.

Danny looked up at the sky once they had stepped outside, admiring the somber purple hue.

The officer stopped, unlocking the handcuffs around Danny's wrists. "You wanted to be found, didn't you?" He asked.

Danny scoffed, lopsidedly grinning at the officer. "Was it that noticeable?"

The officer lightly chuckled. "I know the behavior of someone trying to turn themselves in. You didn't resist. I don't think I need these."

"Yeah, thanks." Danny rubbed his wrists from the pain.

"No probl-,"

A single shot rang out, striking the officer from his back, straight into his chest.

Danny jumped back, cursing out loud. The officer fell to the ground, his eyes were lifeless.

"Oh fuck, oh my god!" Danny frantically looked around in fear, wondering where the shot had come from.

The dead officer's partner rushed out of the store, running over to his fallen partner. "What the hell happened?"

Danny rapidly shook his head. "He-he got shot, I-I don't know where the bullet came from." Danny stuttered.

He desperately wished Christian was here. The officer began calling for backup, and Danny took it as an opportunity to run back into the store.

But, it was too late.

He heard another shot, sending panic through his body and pain engulfed his chest. He looked down at his shirt, seeing a small pool of blood beginning to form.

He shook his head as his eyes started to water. "No, no, no, no." He coughed, spewing out blood from his mouth.

Danny was petrifyingly afraid to die young. He didn't want to lose his family, he didn't want to lose the memories he had.

He didn't want to lose Nadia.

Time slowed down, as he felt everything slip away from him. His eyes glanced at his sleeve tattoo, taking in the work of art he had dreamed of for so long. He began to apologize for every sinful thing he'd ever done, wishing he had the chance to apologize to Nadia in person.

He didn't understand who or what was out to get him.

His eyes drifted to what looked like Christian's car and a glimmer of hope came upon him.

"Christian." He mumbled, blood dripping down his chin.

"Christian!" He yelled out this time, only to have his hope snatched away from him as he was hit once again, directly into his heart, into eternal darkness.

...

Christian hurriedly got out of his car, slamming the door shut and ran towards the scene, screaming Danny's name. The backup of officers had arrived at the same time as Christian. They got out of their patrol cars, hearing Christian's screams of despair.

He ran over to Danny, quickly kneeling down by his brother's side. Christian snaked his arm underneath Danny, lifting his back off the ground tightly grasping his shoulder. His eyes frantically scanned over Danny's face searching for any sign he was alive. He began to heavily sob, looking into Danny's eyes that were glazed over in a glossy film of tears.

"Danny?" Christian's voice cracked.

He looked down at his brother, noticing the two gunshot wounds in his chest. His grey shirt was progressively turning into a deep dark red. Christian pressed his hand over Danny's wounds attempting to slow the loss of blood. 

"Danny, can you hear me?" Christian's voice trembled in fear. "Danny c'mon, get up." He desperately pleaded lightly slapping Danny's face, leaving a bloody handprint on his cheek. 

"Danny, please." He sniffled.

"You can't leave me, Danny you can't leave me, you can't-," Christian hung his head, not being able to control his crying. He tightly shut his eyes, holding Danny in his arms as he wept.

He looked into Danny's eyes again as tears slid down the tip of his nose. They were still fixed like they were looking up into sky. "I'm so sorry, Danny I'm so sorry. I should have got here sooner." He cried as his body shook.

As Danny's older brother, he still felt obligated to protect him from harm and it agonized Christian to see his brother dead. He felt helpless, like it was all his fault.

Christian briefly looked at the officers who were at the side of the fallen male officer that was shot alongside Danny. Dispatch calls were quickly sent out, all describing an officer and a white male who had been shot by an unknown gunman. Both, dead at the scene.

Christian finally heard the wail of ambulances quickly headed in their direction. He loosely let go of Danny, feeling the blood that soaked into his shirt.

He gently brushed his hand through Danny's hair, looking at him one last time, remembering the innocence of the younger brother he'd always been.

He gazed into Danny's eyes, the ones that were once hated on before they were loved. Christian's hand shook as he lightly brushed his fingers against them, closing Danny's eyes shut.

...

All Christian could remember was finally being pulled away from his brother's lifeless body, crying out his name and trying to fight off paramedics until Danny was no longer in his sight.

Ngl guys every time I visualize this chapter I want to cry, like I feel so bad for Christian :(
Thank you guys for reading!
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