Chapter 2: Carl

Before we reached the hospital, the police had already made their way there. Emma and I took the elevator to the 4th floor. We turned the first corner and stepped in front of Room 405. The name placard read "Wren Sebastian" - my brother's name.

I ran my shivering fingers over the placard. Emma took my hand in hers and slowly pushed the door open. Officer Carl Ernest was the first to notice us standing at the door. He stopped wiping his tears with his handkerchief and made his way to us and took us into his arms.

"I'm sorry... I'm sorry I couldn't protect him. I couldn't keep my promise. I told you I would do everything to get him back. But I failed. I'm sorry, Kris. I'm sorry..." Carl hugged me tighter to his chest. I could feel his heartbeat. I could feel that his heart was aching, as much as mine.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I, Kristina Sebastian, was born an orphan. My dad had passed away in a helicopter crash, 7 months before I was born. My mom had died, unexpectedly, soon after giving birth to me. I raised by my two older brothers - Wayne and Wren, and Carl.

Carl was the brother who was born to different parents. But, he had always been there for me even when my brothers couldn't. He was one amongst my closest family. Or possibly, the closest family I had now.

Carl was my brother's - Wren's - best friend - ever since they were babies. They had done everything together from showering to eating to sleeping. They had even entered the police academy together, graduated together, and joined work together.