1 Sound In The Night

Tristan continued to work on the computer, at times either pounding on the keyboard or barely even touching it.

Matthew, who'd been laying in his brother's bed, sat up.

"Tris," he groaned, exhausted. "Go to sleep. You're working too hard."

Tristan smiled softly, still remaining focused on his work. He was nearly done.

"Almost done, little bro. You can go to sleep, you know. You don't have to wait for me."

The younger boy groaned again. Pulling himself up, he stood, and plopped himself on Tristan's desk, purposely blocking the screen.

"What are you-"

"Go to sleep," Matthew ordered. "Now. Or I'll call Kevin."

Tristan bit his lip at the thought of his best friend, who would most likely scold him, and closed the top of his laptop in defeat. Matthew broke into a smile and returned to Tristan's bed.

He wanted to sleep with his big brother one last time before tomorrow. Tomorrow was the day he was going to college. Tristan, being four years older, had finished college a year ago and was working as an anonymous blogger. He liked his job. He was able to have a low profile and all he had to do was post about interesting topics and write stories with them. Meanwhile, Matthew would be entering college as a film major. Tristan joined Matthew on the bed, feeling the exhaustion overcome him.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?"

"Of course!"

Tristan chuckled. "You should be. It's a big step, Brad. They say high school is the biggest part of your life, but it's actually college."

"I'm excited, but I'm nervous. I wanted to go to school closer to here . . ."

The college Matthew had been accepted into was far. A three to four hour plane ride away, he would be in a college in Florida while Tristan would stay in Michigan.

With a sigh, the older glanced at his younger brother. He remembered when his parents adopted Matthew, who had been ten at the time. Tristan had been fourteen, but he fallen in love with the boy immediately. He didn't know if it was because he was finally a big brother, but ever since, he had done his best to take care of the younger boy.

"You'll have too much fun that you'll forget me. Besides, Jake is going with you."

Matthew had come out as gay in his third year of high school, and Tristan didn't hesitate to support him. Matthew's boyfriend, Jake Griffin, would be attending the same college as a photography major.

As Tristan looked back, he thought Matthew's affectionate stage would be over by now, but here they were, nineteen and twenty-four, cuddling in bed. One more act of innocence before Matthew entered the real world.

"Goodnight, little bro."

"Goodnight, Tristan . . ." he murmured, huddling against the older's chest.

"You grew up so fast," Tristan whispered, his hand running through the younger's hair. "Too fast. I'm so proud of you, you know that?"

There was no response. Tristan kissed the sleeping boy's head before falling asleep himself.

* * *

At about four in the morning, there was a quiet crash from the living room.

Matthew stirred, being a light sleeper. He heard another thud from outside. Seeing that his brother was still dead to the world, he got up to check it out himself, closing the door behind him to avoid disturbing Tristan.

"Hello?" he called out softly into the darkness.

He felt a prick in his neck.

"It'll all be over soon," a voice whispered.

Before he could react, he collapsed, suddenly feeling numb. His hand gripped the wood, attempting to drag his body across the floor. He glanced at the closed bedroom door, praying that his brother would come help him. It felt like his throat had been clogged with glue as he gasped hoarsely, unable to move.

Matthew gasped, feeling his shirt being cut open. Never did he long for the ability to scream so loudly as a sharp pain formed in his stomach. A knife cut into his unmarked skin, seeming to create a pattern. His breathing became labored as he continued to bleed out heavily.

Matthew knew he was dying. And he was terrified.

He silently choked as his attacker slit his throat and suddenly began stabbing viciously. The man smiled sadistically. Matthew's body jerked a bit, dying slowly, painfully, but still conscious.

The assassin shot a bullet at the boy's head, ending his pain and killing him instantly. Blood spilled from his head and abdomen. Taking out his phone, he dialed a number. The man kneeled down, closing Matthew's dark eyes.

"He's dead, sir."

* * *

Tristan rolled over in bed with a yawn, immediately noticing the empty spot next to him.

He must have gotten up earlier to finish getting ready…

Opening the bedroom door, he immediately felt like he wanted to vomit.

"Matthew!"

His voice ripped out of his throat as he screamed.

The nineteen year old remained lifeless on the carpet in a pool of dried blood.

"No . . . no no no no . . ."

Fumbling for his phone, he dialed 911.

"911, what's your emergency?"

"M-my brother . . . h-he . . ."

"Sir?"

Without another word, Tristan fell forward, hitting the ground with a thud.