Phantom Rider: The Aftermath | Book 1

Wrong Answer

/ Note from author - this chapter might be triggering for sensitive readers. /

Bill's POV, Tokyo, Japan

What is bravery? Is a person who runs towards the enemy, even though they could be killed, considered brave? Or is that person a reckless fool? Is making difficult decisions in the face of hardship, even if the outcome is uncertain, brave? Or is it necessity? Is committing to one's higher goal, regardless of personal opinion, brave? Or is it a sign of weakness?

Is bravery an action word, or is it a description of emotions within?

Bill tried to be brave. Every single day, he tried to move further. For himself and Tom. His main goal in coming to Tokyo was always finding his brother. It was never about finding love or a woman.

Their years-long struggle and questions were finally answered. All the sacrifices Tom and Bill made were finally getting meaning and leading to the truth. They found the killer of their parents. They knew what had happened to them as children. Bill found Tom.

Bill prepared himself mentally for one thing that had been left unfinished: the final step before it was all over. Revenge for the death of their family.

He made a choice: never put anyone higher than his own brother ever again. Tom wanted to kill Mila, and Bill had agreed with him. He gave his word that no matter what he felt inside, he would let that happen.

What he felt for her was meaningless in the whole picture. Yes, he did feel it every single day. It was hate, disappointment, anger. He felt everything but love.

He raised a glass and gave a mocking toast to the woman walking across the club towards him. Usual routine - flirt, backroom, white powder, condom under the table, driving home alone. People tend to slip back into old patterns once new routines become too hard to manage. Was this bravery? Becoming who you always had been after trying to be better for someone who was not real? Or is this weakness?

He perfected the routine to such precision that every night he returned at the very same time. Tom's routine was also clock-precise. Every night when Bill came back, Tom waited for him awake, slipped sleeping pills into him, and put a glass of water and headache pills on the table next to his bed.

Tom was also breaking piece by piece; his relationship was falling apart. So he avoided going to clubs with Bill because he knew he would act much worse than him.

They were not ready to return to Russia for the final fight. Yet, Bill still refused to go to Prague. Tom felt as if he was trying to drag him down along with his misery.

Mila's POV, Yekaterinburg, Russia

Sergei took Mila home, and she quickly ran back into the house, not saying goodbye.

"Maybe I did freak her out by showing her the grave," Sergei worried he had made a mistake. What if she goes and tells Victor about it?

"Dad?" she knocked on the office door.

"Yes? Come in!" He greeted her.

"I wondered, where is my car?" she smiled softly at him.

"Your car was destroyed in a car crash, honey!" he was warmer than usual.

"Can I get a new one, please?" She flickered her lashes.

"Why all of a sudden do you need a new car?" Victor's smile faded, and he looked deep into her eyes as if searching for something.

"I am bored! Today I asked Sergei to give me a ride, but I don't want to wait all day for Matt to come home or bother Sergei all the time with my requests." Her explanation sounded reasonable to Victor.