My Family, My Betrayal

lk. Alone." The workshop was a detached building on the far side of the Hayes estate, a place where Ethan and his father used to work on projects. A place

of sawdust and oil. Tools hung on the walls, sharp and gl

, his voice dangerously calm.

d," Ethan said, st

." He picked up a heavy wrench from the workbench, weighing it in his hand. "So, here's the deal. You're going to have an 'accident'. A relapse. You'll try to attack me in a fit of rage, an

l of it took Ethan's brea

ted him, his eyes glinting. H

he landed hard. Liam was on him in an instant, his face contorted with a vicious sn

in prison!" Liam hissed,

rs closed around a heavy wooden mallet. He swung it blindly, connecting with Liam's arm

wildly, his eyes landing on a canister of gasoline in the corner. A terri

uid around the workshop, soaking the wooden floorboards, the

both!" Ethan shouted, his

ave his unstable brother from himself," Liam s

rt and Sarah stood there, their faces a mixture of

ame is going on?

ne of terror and desperation. He pointed a trembling finger at Ethan. "

They saw Ethan on the floor, a mallet in his hand. They saw Liam, c

n!" Sarah screamed,

getting to his feet. "He did

his voice full of concern as he rushed

ke it," Liam whimpered, l

, flicking the lighter. A small flame spra

, versus the imposter they had grown to love. Ethan watched his

and to Ethan's desperate face. Her own

ed, but she was looking at

, pulling him toward the door. His mother followed, her eyes fixed on Liam, never once looki

lie. They aband

at for a second, Ethan couldn't move. He watched his parent

ed over Robert's shoulder. A

ed into a wall of fire. The roar was deafening. Heat sea

ing, his lungs filling with thick, black smoke. He looked for an escape. The main door was a wall

imbed on top, his body screaming in protest. He slammed his elbow against the g

wet grass outside. He lay there, gasping, coughing, his body bruised and bl

ugh the smoke, he could see his family huddled together, comforting Li

certainty that chilled him to the bone, who they would believe. He had to run. He stumbled into the da