THE SHADOWS WITHIN: BROTHERS OF FATE

Is It Over?

“Standing here today, we report that Sergeant Enzo Marino was arrested just after the death of Judge Walle. Is it connected?” There were a lot of journalists in front of the station waiting for a statement.

Enzo was confused as he was dragged to the station by his friend and subordinates. They didn’t even give him a chance to explain what was happening.

“Leo, can you explain what's happening?” he asked. Leo was his brother from the orphanage, so if he expected someone to be casual and calm with him, then it was Leo.

Leo kept quiet and ordered his men to lock him in the cell. Enzo frowned and kicked the iron door angrily.

“What the hell?” He scolded, and Leo frowned before walking closer to him.

“This is just the beginning of your misery, for all the lives you took. You will pay for it,” he said, glaring at him angrily. Enzo couldn’t believe the amount of hatred in his friend’s eyes.

“Why will I be arrested without evidence? And I need a lawyer,” he said, and Leo smiled.

“As if any lawyer will want to defend your case and evidence? We have one,” he sneered before walking away.

“Good, then present it to me,” Enzo said confidently because he knew he was innocent. Everyone in the country knew he was always chasing the shadow, so how did he end up being the shadow?

Leo ignored his words before leaving; he was waiting for orders from the lieutenant before taking action. It was already late, so they will solve everything tomorrow morning.

**

The next morning, the lieutenant hurried to the station; he couldn’t believe that Enzo was the man behind the mask all this while. Even when he saw the video for himself, it was still hard to believe.

“Private Leo, escort Enzo for questioning,” he ordered, and Leo nodded before walking to Enzo’s cell. Enzo sat there with a dull look. He was confused and couldn’t think.

“You wanted to see the evidence, right? It's time,” Leo said as the cell was opened and he walked towards Enzo.

“I am your brother, but you treat my case this way,” Enzo said with a bitter tone.

“I learned from you that our trade of work doesn’t require favoritism," he sneered, placing the handcuffs before leading him to the questioning room.

Enzo spotted Lieutenant Gibert sitting with some other high-ranking men; he knew that even if everyone condemned him, Lieutenant Gilbert would always have his back; he was like his father and was also the one who introduced him to the military force.

“Sergeant Enzo, before we proceed, We will show you the evidence, and beware... The video was tested according to the results. It was not tampered with or edited,” one of the high-ranking men said, and Enzo nodded. He sat facing them when the TV was turned on.

He saw the masked man walk downstairs before he picked up a tissue to wipe off the blood from his hand, and then the man took off his mask. Enzo's eyes widened in shock; that man was him.

"This is not possible,” he stuttered, but no one was going to believe his words. It was evident in the video that he was the shadow.

This video alone was enough to send him to jail without any trial. He couldn’t think of any reasonable explanation, but he knew he wasn’t the one in the video.

“Do you have anything to say in your defense?” Lieutenant Gilbert gave him the chance to explain himself, and he hoped that this matter wouldn't be bad for him.

Enzo gritted his teeth before rewatching the video, and then he saw the time of the event. At that time, he was at home with Amelia.

“I was with Amelia Watson at that time,” he blurted, and Leo walked in with a document.

“After spotting Amelia Watson at your apartment yesterday night, we took her statement, and it turns out she arrived at your place only three minutes before we did,” Leo said.

Enzo knew he was right, but he had invited Amelia two hours ago, but she didn’t show up. If she had come on time, then she would have saved him from such a case, and he also couldn't believe Leo was this eager to drag him into the mud.

Enzo crouched towards the Lieutenant. “Gibert, I didn’t do it. You know me,” he said, and Gilbert had a sad look because, in this case, he couldn’t help him.

“I am sorry, Enzo, in the eyes of the law. Emotions don’t serve as evidence,” he said, and Enzo hit the table angrily.

“I spent days and nights trying to catch that man to keep our country safe; this is a frame-up. Probably by the SHADOW, he never leaves footage behind, so why now?” He scolded, and one of the high-ranking men stood up.

“The reason we never caught this man was because you were in charge and you are the SHADOW; you concealed all your trails perfectly well. And today, thanks to Private Leo, we saw your true colors,” he scolded, and Enzo was baffled.

He didn’t know what to do or who to turn to; it was over for him, and there was no one to prove his innocence.

“I will find evidence to prove that I am not the one behind the mask; I am Sergeant Enzo Marino,” he scolded at the top of his voice, and then Leo approached him with the handcuff.

“It’s too late; orders came from above already... You are sentenced to life imprisonment,” Leo said, and Enzo’s eyes widened in shock.

He had never seen such a situation; it was obvious someone was framing him. Someone of power wanted him gone, and while he was in thought, Leo used this as an opportunity and handcuffed him.

Enzo was in a trance when he was being taken out of the station, and the journalists hurried towards them. His mind was a mess, so he didn’t pay attention to their questions.

He was placed in the boot of the huge van, and it was locked from the outside with a huge lock as it drove away. This was the method used to transfer a serial killer.

He went from being a hero to a serial killer; his life was ruined, and it was obvious he wouldn't stay alive in jail. All the men he sent to jail will gang up against him.

Then the van drove away, and Enzo sat in the dark boot as a tear rolled down his cheek.

“Is it over?” he questioned himself.