CHAPTER 78: TWINSTER: BIRTHDAY & SUPRISE

On Lucien’s twelfth birthday, which also marked two years of the Twinster living in the Lucero household, the family decided to celebrate on a private island.

The plan was to keep the gathering small and warm, something intimate for Lucien and the people he truly cared about.

Lucien did not have many friends, so only ten children attended the celebration. The rest of the hall was filled with adults, most of them members of Cesare’s organization who treated Lucien with a strange mix of respect and affection.

It was during this party that Silas first met Edmund Halle and his father. Edmund stood out from the moment he walked in.

He carried himself with a level of grace and refinement that belonged to someone much older.

Every movement was calm and precise. Every word sounded like it had been softly polished before it reached his lips. Silas could not stop staring.

Adrian frowned as he followed Silas’s line of sight.

"What is so cool about that guy?"

They stood at the far corner of the hall, watching Edmund hand Lucien an enormous gift box. Lucien’s eyes sparkled with excitement as he pulled the ribbon free.

"Our gift is cool too," Adrian muttered in a sulky tone.

The truth was painful. Both boys were too nervous to give Lucien what they had prepared.

Their present was only a simple camera, wrapped in plain silver paper with a purple bow.

They had bought it using money they earned from chores, saving every bit for an entire year so Lucien could record their memories together.

But the pile of extravagant gifts behind Lucien made their confidence shrink until it felt like nothing at all.

"Being rich must feel amazing," Silas whispered.

"When we grow up, let’s become rich too," Adrian declared with full determination. "We will buy Lucien everything these people give him and even more."

Silas loved this side of Adrian. The boy’s naïve optimism always glowed like a small lantern in the dark.

Silas knew their position in society made such dreams difficult, but he nodded anyway.

"Let’s try our best."

Lucien suddenly appeared in front of them with Mikhail following behind like a shadow. The boy extended his hand with a bright smile that reached his eyes.

"Where is my gift?"

The Twinster froze in place as dozens of curious gazes shifted toward them. Their hearts raced in panic.

Silas slowly lifted the present and placed it in Lucien’s hands. Lucien accepted it instantly, his eyes lighting up with interest.

He tore open the wrapping. The old camera landed in his palm within seconds.

A low wave of laughter rose from a few adults. It had a mocking edge that pierced the quiet space between them. The Twinster lowered their heads, cheeks burning in humiliation.

Lucien’s voice suddenly cut through the noise with sharp clarity.

"What are you laughing at?"

The hall fell silent.

"This is the most special gift I received today. It does not matter if it is not expensive. They gave it to me and that means more than anything."

His tone was firm enough to silence every adult who mocked them. He then turned to the Twinster with a soft, genuine smile that made Silas feel warm from the inside out.

In Silas’s eyes, Lucien looked almost unreal. The boy stood under the light like a statue carved in a cathedral, surrounded by a soft glow that made him appear gentler than any angel Silas had ever imagined.

"Thank you," Lucien said as his smile widened. "This means a lot to me. Let’s take a picture together."

Adrian perked up immediately.

"Really? You like that camera?"

"Of course I do. I know how hard you worked for it and that is what matters."

Lucien placed the camera in Mikhail’s reluctant hands. "Take a photo of us."

Mikhail groaned in protest. "I am not your servant. But fine."

Lucien pulled the Twinster closer with one arm around each of their shoulders. The boys mirrored him and smiled brightly as they leaned in.

"Cheese."

The shutter clicked and captured a moment filled with warmth, closeness, and genuine joy. It was a single image that preserved their bond forever.

That night, the Twinster fell asleep with the printed photo held gently in their hands. They smiled until their dreams carried them away.

***

"Are you two not getting bored on this island?"

Lucien asked one morning. He stretched his arms toward the bright sky and grinned at them.

"Why don’t we explore the whole place? I am sure there must be treasure hidden somewhere."

It had been nearly a week since they arrived, and Silas could not figure out why the stay had suddenly been extended.

The strange part was how the number of adults and guards in black kept shrinking each day, even Mikhail was gone somewhere. With fewer watchful eyes around, sneaking out of the mansion became much easier.

"Pirates must have left secret treasure behind," Adrian said with excitement as he grabbed Silas’s sleeve. "Come on, Silas, let’s go."

Silas hesitated and looked toward the distant shoreline.

"But is it safe? The men in black warned us not to wander around." His voice wavered with worry.

They would not give a warning unless something truly dangerous lurked around the island.

"It will be fine. They just do not want to babysit us," Lucien replied. "Let’s go outside and play."

Silas knew he would follow them no matter what he told himself. He returned to the room first to gather important things.

He packed several bottles of water, sandwiches, and, after a long moment of hesitation, a pistol.

They had trained for two years, yet holding a weapon still made his stomach twist. He hated the idea of harming anyone.

"Oh you forgot this." Lucien appeared with camera in his hand as he put it in his bag.

"What is taking so long, Silas?" Adrian’s voice echoed from the corridor. "Hurry up."

"We are coming," Silas and Lucien called back and slung the bag over his shoulder.

They tiptoed down the stairs and slipped out of the mansion with quiet determination. The moment they stepped outside, the sparkling ocean came into view.

Their excitement drowned out every trace of caution.

"Should we explore the sea or the woods first?" Lucien asked.

"Sea! I want to swim," Adrian said with both hands raised high.

Silas folded his arms. "We do not have swimsuits. Do you want to swim naked and get bitten by a shark?"

Adrian rolled his eyes. "You are always too careful."

Lucien picked up a long fallen branch and swung it like a sword. "Adventures mean facing monsters and being brave. No one can see us here anyway. Live a little."

Silas sighed. He wondered how these two could be so relaxed while every instinct in him whispered danger. Even so, he nodded slowly.

Their faces lit up with pure joy. They grabbed his hands and dragged him forward. All three of them sprinted toward the sea, laughing freely as the warm wind brushed against their cheeks.

None of them noticed how the clouds above were growing darker each minute, hiding a storm that was quietly drawing near.

***

As soon as they reached the shore, the three of them stripped off their clothes and sprinted toward the open sea, laughing as the perfectly warm water wrapped around their bodies.

"Let’s race to that small coral over there. Winner gets all the ice cream!"

Lucien shouted, already splashing ahead before either of them could react.

"Cheating!"

Adrian yelled, but Silas used the distraction to glide past him, leaving him sputtering behind.

Beneath them, the ocean floor teemed with life, and he slowed for a moment, marveling at the colors shifting under the clear water.

"I win!" Lucien cried triumphantly as he slapped the coral first.

The Twinster protested, demanding a rematch, and they raced back toward the shore. But still the boy won again, much to his delight.

"Never mess with a boy from Cisili," he declared proudly, thumping a fist against his chest.

Adrian collapsed on the sand, gasping for breath, while Silas sank down beside him, equally worn out.

They pulled their clothes back on and settled for a simple lunch of sandwiches. It was nothing fancy, but they were already overflowing with excitement.

"Let’s head into the woods after this. We might find treasure," Adrian said once they finished eating.

The forest welcomed them with cool shade. They passed a small waterfall and drank its icy water, savoring the freshness.

Deeper in, they stumbled upon an abandoned hut, completely empty except for dust and silence.

"Looks like there isn’t any treasure at all," Silas murmured, disappointed. "Should we head back?"

"Not yet. We haven’t explored the whole island. Let’s keep going for a little more," Lucien insisted, and Adrian quickly nodded in support.

"Alright. Just a little more."

They continued their wandering until the trees opened into a wide, breathtaking field of flowers. All three of them gasped at once.

"Look at this. Maybe the treasure is buried somewhere around here," Lucien said, already running ahead with his arms spread wide as if embracing the whole landscape.

"Lucien, slow down!"

"Careful. You’re going to fall!"

Their warnings dissolved into laughter as the twins chased him, turning the moment into a game of tag.

The flowers rustled around their ankles as if celebrating with them, and for a while, the world felt bright and endless.

They were so lost in their play that none of them noticed the black car parked at the edge of the field.

It stood still, as though waiting. When Lucien ran farther ahead, Silas finally caught sight of it. A chill crawled over him when unfamiliar men stepped out.

"Lucien, stop. Don’t go any farther," Silas shouted, but Lucien only laughed and kept going until he skidded to a halt before the strangers.

The Twinster rushed to his side.

"Now, now, children. What are you doing alone in the forest? You know it can be dangerous," the older man said with a grin that didn’t reach his eyes.

The children turned pale as they staggered back. Adrian reached toward Lucien, but before their hands met, a sharp sound split the air.

BANG.

Adrian collapsed as blood spread swiftly across the flowers, staining them red.

"ADRIAN!"