Dark Ruin

Chapter 1

Anger burned in Joshua’s chest as he shouted at David. This man was unbearable—reckless enough to hit him first. Joshua didn’t hold back. He swung hard, his punch filled with rage.

They fell to the floor, rolling over the thick carpet, fighting for control. David pinned Joshua for a moment, but Joshua twisted free and turned the tables. The fight was fast, leaving no time to breathe.

Both of them looked wrecked—clothes dirty, wrinkled, marked by kicks and fists.

For a moment, Joshua wanted to stay down. To let it end.

But David didn’t let him.

“ I will break you!” David shouted.

He slammed Joshua back onto the sofa, pressing him down. One hand crushed against Joshua’s chest. The other wrapped around his neck, thumb pressing hard against his artery—not enough to kill, but enough to warn.

“I’ll put you in cuffs myself,” David said coldly.

Humiliation burned through Joshua. He smiled, sharp and bitter.

“Officer,” he mocked, breath rough, “what did I do this time? You broke into my room. That’s a crime. If you don’t kill me now, I'll kill you instead.”

David’s eyes darkened. His grip tightened as he leaned closer.

“Try me.”

This time Joshua was really angry.

No one had ever pushed him this far. This man wasn’t just arrogant and short-tempered—he was narrow-minded and fully convinced he was always right. Every word, every look only fed Joshua’s anger.

Finally, the rage exploded.

Joshua slammed his knee hard into David’s waist.

David’s face went pale. His grip loosened.

Joshua broke free at once, quickly judging the space around them—the distance, the furniture and every small movement. David wouldn’t trap him again. Wouldn’t pin him down. The anger poured out before Joshua could stop it.

“Enough!” Joshua yelled. “If you wanted to question me, why didn’t you call me to your office like a professional? I didn’t do anything wrong. Who gave you the right to touch me?”

David snapped back, his voice shaking with fury. “I know your company is involved in illegal work. Do you know how many lives were ruined because of your greed to power?”

He shouted the next words, broken and raw.

“My brother died because of people like you!”

Joshua’s eyes hardened. “You’re blaming me for things I know nothing about. Do you even have proof my company is involved? And how would I know your brother? I don’t even know you.”

“Because you never cared!” David roared. “You never cared who got hurt when you gave orders. All you wanted was control and power. Someone like you will never understand pain!”

The last of David’s control snapped. He wasn’t an officer anymore—just an angry man, ready to destroy the person in front of him. He couldn’t see the truth: that Joshua was not the one pulling the strings, that he was more trapped than guilty.

Fear had never lived in Joshua’s heart.

He wasn’t afraid of David, no matter how deadly his stare became. No one had ever stopped him before and not even now.

Now the fight couldn’t be stopped. Anger, hatred, and revenge pushed them both forward, leaving no room for reason.

David clenched his fists and moved in, trying to get behind him.

Joshua matched every step, refusing to give him another chance—refusing to let him get close enough.

David had never faced someone like this. His head pounded. He wanted to hurt Joshua, to call it justice, to end it with violence. Such anger oh his heart demanded blood.

Just as it reached its peak—

David’s phone rang.

The bright ringtone cut through the tension between them.

They both froze. The phone rang again.

David answered.

His voice changed at once—soft, calm, almost gentle.

A woman spoke on the other end.

David replied quietly, casually, as if there hadn’t been a fight moments ago.

Joshua watched without speaking.

Something tightened in his chest.

He didn’t know why, but memories of every clash between them rushed back—every meeting ending in anger and fight.

So he can be gentle too.

It must be his girlfriend.

The call ended and silence filled the room.

Joshua turned away with his jaw tight.

“You can leave now,” he said. “I won’t file a complaint. Just leave me alone.”

David knew there was no other choice. Anger set hard on his face as he lit a cigarette and stood still, forcing himself not to move.

Joshua ran his hands through his hair again and again. He couldn’t even look at David—those eyes were wild, like an animal ready to tear someone apart. He smoked one cigarette after another, trying to calm his thoughts.

David glanced down at his clothes. His shirt and trousers were dirty, marked with dust and shoe prints. When Joshua didn’t attack again, David slowly lowered his guard.

Joshua dropped into a chair, his posture full of pride and control.

“You should fight me in court,” he said coldly. “I’m not running. Bring your evidence. Do it the right way. And bring a warrant—don’t just break into my house.”

“I am working on it,” David replied flatly.

“I’ll make sure you end up in prison,” David went on, his voice sharp. “I’ll avenge my brother's death. I’ll drag you down until you have nothing left.”

Joshua’s eyes widened. Then his anger exploded.

“I heard you’re only twenty-five,” he snapped. “At least show some respect. I’m older than you. And you trespassed in my home.”

He slammed his hand on the table and stood up, looming over David.

“From now on, I don’t want to see you again. I’ll cooperate with the investigation—but stay out of my sight.”

David’s jaw tightened. His voice was cold and steady.

“Well…”

The room went silent.

They stared at each other, neither willing to step back. The air felt heavy, hard to breathe.

David lowered his voice, rough with anger.

“I want to put the handcuffs on you myself.”