𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐬

The days blurred into a steady rhythm. Exams loomed close, and the Hirunkit mansion had turned into a whirlwind of books, pens, and quiet determination. Nani was constantly buried in notes, his delicate fingers flipping through pages as if they held the whole world in them.

Sky, despite being neck-deep in his new international business ventures, never missed a night. He always came back to him.Every evening was the same, yet never dull: Sky arriving with Nani's favorite food-sometimes ramen, sometimes spicy curry-and settling himself at Nani's desk like he belonged there. Nani would eat happily while Sky's long fingers scribbled down neat notes for him, the corners of his lips curving whenever he heard Nani's laughter at some ridiculous scene from his favorite drama playing in the background.

It was ordinary, almost domestic, and it soothed something inside both of them.They were supposed to be in Chiang Mai by now, celebrating William's mother's birthday like every year. Except this year, Ms. Selina wasn't there to blow out the candles. The weight of her absence clung to them, even as they prepared for the trip.

William had already gone ahead the day before to clean the family house, visit the temple, and make arrangements. He had called earlier, his voice steady but soft, asking them to come tomorrow morning instead.

Sky didn't argue, but he couldn't shake the unease clawing at his chest. It wasn't like William to insist on handling everything alone. Something about the way his voice had sounded-gentle, too careful-left Sky unsettled.

Later that night, the mansion was silent except for the low hum of the air conditioner and Nani's soft breathing as he leaned against Sky's chest. They lay tangled together on the wide bed, Sky's arm looped securely around him, his chin resting in Nani's soft hair.

"You should sleep," Nani murmured, though his own eyes were half-closed.

"I will," Sky answered, pressing a kiss to his temple. But his gaze stayed on the ceiling, his grip around Nani tightening just a little.

He had a feeling. A deep, gnawing certainty that something was wrong. And no matter how warm Nani felt in his arms, no matter how steady the rhythm of his heartbeat was, the weight in Sky's chest refused to ease.Tomorrow, they would leave at dawn. Sky only hoped it wouldn't be too late.

The first pale light of dawn had barely begun to bleed across the horizon when Sky's eyes snapped open. Sleep hadn't held him long anyway; he'd spent most of the night awake, staring into the dark, his mind circling William over and over. By the time the faintest trace of sunlight touched the curtains, he had already made up his mind.

"Wake up, Nani," Sky's voice was low, urgent, as his hand brushed over Nani's shoulder.

Nani blinked against the dim light, confused, his lashes heavy with sleep. "It's still dark..." he mumbled, burrowing instinctively against the warmth of Sky's chest.

But Sky wasn't having it. He pulled back the sheets and tugged Nani gently but firmly upright. "We're leaving. Now."

It wasn't even fully morning, the house still silent as if the world hadn't decided to wake yet. But Sky was already dressed, his sharp suit pressed, his expression carved into something that didn't leave room for argument. Nani didn't ask questions; he simply nodded, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he quickly dressed.

Pooh was barely awake when they picked him up, muttering something unintelligible before collapsing against the car seat, his head lolling as he slipped back into sleep. Normally, it would have been just the three of them making this trip. But Sky wasn't taking any chances today.

Their car was flanked on either side by black Range Rovers, the morning air heavy with the low hum of engines. Amol rode in the front seat, his eyes scanning the road ahead with the cold precision of a soldier. Behind them, more men followed, their presence a shadow of quiet menace.

The convoy sliced through the empty roads, a storm in waiting.

Nani sat quietly beside Sky, his hands folded in his lap, gaze darting between the tinted windows and the hard line of Sky's jaw. The air inside the car was taut, thick with a tension he could almost taste. He'd seen Sky worried before, but this this was different.Nanı finally reached out, his fingers brushing against Sky's hand where it rested on his thigh. "You really think something's wrong, don't you?"

Sky's jaw tightened, his eyes still on the road ahead. "I know it," he said simply, voice clipped.

Nani swallowed, his chest tightening. He knew how much William meant-not just to Sky, but to all of them. William was family. To Nani too. The thought of something happening to him... it made his stomach knot.

So he didn't press further. He just slid his hand fully into Sky's, gripping it tight. And though Sky didn't look at him, his fingers tightened around Nani's, holding on like he needed that anchor just to keep himself steadv.

The rising sun cast long shadows across the highway as they sped north, and with each passing mile, Nani felt the worry in Sky seep deeper into him.The ride up the mountain roads of Chiang Mai stretched long and silent. Even Pooh, who usually had something to complain about, stayed quiet after waking. The convoy finally rolled to a stop before a two-story wooden house, simple yet elegant, standing with the dignity of memories etched deep into its walls.

This was the house William had built for his mother. Ms. Selina had adored it-the view of the hills, the smell of fresh timber, the garden she used to sit in every morning. The air should have been peaceful here. But the moment they stepped out, a heaviness settled over all of them. Unease. Something was wrong.

The front door was ajar.

Sky was the first to move, his hand raised slightly-a silent signal for the men to stay back. Nani followed closely behind, his steps light, though his heart pounded so loudly he was sure it echoed in his chest.

They crossed the threshold and froze.

The scene inside punched the air from their lungs.

The living room was a battlefield. Blood pooled dark on the wooden floorboards, slick and ugly against the polished grain. Bodies lay scattered-some groaning faintly, others still and eerily quiet. The smell of iron was thick, mingling with spilled liquor and sweat.

And in the middle of it all-William.He sat slumped back on the couch, his knuckles raw and split open, blood smeared across his fists like war paint. A deep cut split his lip, still seeping crimson, but he didn't seem to notice. His chest rose and fell slowly, as if every breath was dragged from somewhere heavy.

A glass of scotch rested in one hand, the amber liquid trembling only slightly as he lifted it to his mouth. His eyes-usually warm with mischief or thoughtful quiet-were hollow now, emptied out, void.

In front of him, on the coffee table, sat a framed photograph of Ms. Selina. Her smile-bright, kind, eternal-looked horribly out of place amidst the carnage.

Sky's face darkened, shadows cutting sharp across his features. He had seen violence a hundred times over, but seeing William like this-the boy who was supposed to be the steady, quiet strength of their family-shook something inside him.

Nani couldn't breathe. He couldn't look away.

The contrast was too jarring: William sitting like a ghost among corpses, his mother's picture keeping silent vigil before him.

The silence in the room was deafening, broken only by the faint drip of blood hitting the floor.