In the Enemy’s arms

It was 7:30pm and I was getting ready to close my bakery. I wiped down the counter, swept the floor, and began turning off the lights. My phone buzzed with a call from Landon's girlfriend, Kate. I hesitated, expecting another lengthy rant about my brother's latest mistake. "Not now, Kate," I muttered, dropping my phone onto the messy table. I grabbed my purse and gave my small bakery a final glance before stepping out. My phone rang repeatedly as I locked up. On the fifth ring, I sighed and answered. "Break up with him already, he's clueless about treating women right!" I said, trying to sound supportive but firm. "Amy..." Kate's trembling voice paused me. Something in her tone sent a shiver down my spine. "What's wrong?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. "Amy... it's Landon," Kate sobbed uncontrollably. My heart sank. Landon and Kate's fights were usual, but Kate's desperation was unnerving. "Kate, calm down. What happened to my brother?" I pressed, steeling myself for the answer. Kate struggled to form words, her voice shaky. "Kate, please... just tell me," I urged, impatience mixing with concern. "Where is he?" I asked, opting to see for myself. "I'll text you the address," Kate managed. The text arrived instantly. I hailed a cab, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios The cab dropped me on a quiet street lined with ordinary houses and shops. Yet, something felt off. The darkness seemed to swallow the streetlights. Three men in black suits approached, their presence unnerving. Just as I considered fleeing, Kate emerged behind them, her eyes swollen, hair disheveled and bloodstains on her dress. I stood frozen, my eyes squeezed shut, praying with every fiber of my being that my brother was okay. The world around me melted away, leaving only the desperate plea echoing in my mind. Gathering what little courage I had left, I took a step closer to Kate. "Where is my brother?" I demanded, my glare piercing through the darkness, silencing her attempts to explain. "Just take me to him," I insisted, unwilling to care about the trouble he'd gotten himself into. We'd face it together, as always. We'd always been a team, a duo against the world. Kate nodded, her eyes welling up with tears, and led me through a quiet, winding path to a reinforced gate. A sense of foreboding settled over me like a shroud, casting a dark shadow on the ground. As i stepped through the reinforced gates, a sense of foreboding settled like a shroud. The air was heavy with the scent of smoke and grease, and the distant hum of machinery pulsed through the ground like a malevolent heartbeat. More suited men emerged from the shadows, their menacing weapons at the ready. My heart skipped a beat, but I swallowed my questions. I'd ask later. Kate guided me to the compound's rear, where the scene worsened. As i took the turn leading to the back, a wave of dread washed over me. The air was heavy with the metallic scent of blood, making my stomach churn. I felt like i was walking into a nightmare. My eyes scanned the space, taking in the gruesome scene before me. Bodies lay strewn about, covered in white sheets, like macabre statues. I couldn’t believe my eyes, I turned to Kate and fresh tears sipped from her eyes as she pointed at the body closest to me. I shook my head slowly, my heart raced as i approached the first one, my mind screaming "No, no, no" The world spun around me as i stumbled towards it, my legs trembling beneath me as I fell on my knee I reached out a trembling hand, hesitating for a moment before gently lifting the sheet. My brother's pale face stared back at me, his eyes frozen in a permanent stare. A scream built in my throat, but it came out as a strangled whisper. My world shattered. I felt like I’d been punched in the gut, unable to breathe. "Landon...oh God, Landon..." Tears streamed down my face as i collapsed beside him, cradling his lifeless body in my arms. The smell of blood and death enveloped me. I rocked back and forth, whispering his name, as if calling him back from the darkness. Pain and anguish ripped through me like a razor, leaving me raw and exposed. I felt like i was drowning in a sea of grief, unable to escape the crushing weight of my loss. In this moment, time stood still. The world around me melted away, leaving only the two of us, bound by a shared soul, now shattered by violence. I ran my hands through his hair and pale face “Landon, please wake up” I whispered I didn’t realise I was crying until I saw teardrops on Landon’s face I felt Kate’s hand on my shoulder, trying to pull me from Landon “Don’t touch me!!” I was almost scared by how dreadful and hoarse my voice sounds, Kate shivered and stepped back “Landon… please You can’t do this to me” my voice became calm and breaky