Chapter 9: Unraveling the Truth

As Nick's mom's words hung in the air, he felt like he was standing on the edge of a cliff, staring into an abyss of unknowns. The dim lighting in the room seemed to amplify the sense of foreboding that had settled over him. His mom's eyes locked onto his, and he could see the concern etched on her face. She took a deep breath, as if steeling herself for what she was about to reveal. "Andrew was involved with a group of people a few years ago," she began, her voice low and measured. "They were into some shady dealings, and I'm not sure how deep he was involved, but... let's just say it's not something I'm proud of." Nick's mind was racing. What kind of shady dealings could Andrew have been involved in? He thought back to all the times they'd hung out, all the laughter and good times they'd shared. It didn't add up. His mom's next words only added to the confusion. "Nick, I want you to be careful around him because there's a chance that his past might catch up with him. And if it does, I don't want you to get hurt." Her voice was laced with a sense of urgency, and Nick felt a shiver run down his spine. He thought back to Judd's visit earlier that day. Was this what his brother had been trying to warn him about? Nick's eyes narrowed as he tried to piece together the puzzle. His mom's words had raised more questions than answers. "Mom, who were these people Andrew was involved with?" Nick asked, his voice barely above a whisper. His mom hesitated, glancing around the room as if she was worried about being overheard. "I don't know all the details, sweetie," she said, her voice barely audible. "But I think it had something to do with a organization called the Red Hand. They're a group that's been linked to some pretty shady activities in the past." The name sent a shiver down Nick's spine. He'd heard whispers about the Red Hand before, but he'd always dismissed them as urban legends. Now, he wasn't so sure. His mom's eyes locked onto his, and he could see the fear in them. "Nick, I'm serious. You need to be careful. If Andrew's past catches up with him, I don't want you to get pulled into it too." The air seemed to vibrate with tension as Nick processed the information. He felt like he was living in a movie, with secrets and lies lurking around every corner. As he stood there, trying to wrap his head around the revelation, he heard a knock at the door. It was a soft, tentative knock, and Nick's heart skipped a beat as he wondered who it could be. He glanced at his mom, and saw the concern etched on her face. "Don't get it," she whispered, her eyes darting towards the door. "Let it go unanswered." But it was too late. The knock came again, louder this time, and Nick felt a sense of trepidation as he walked towards the door. He hesitated for a moment, his hand on the doorknob, before slowly turning it and opening the door. What he saw on the other side made his heart sink. It was Andrew, standing on the porch with a look of concern on his face. But it was what was behind him that made Nick's blood run cold. A black SUV, with tinted windows and a ominous presence that seemed to fill the entire porch. Nick's instincts screamed at him to slam the door shut, but his feet seemed rooted to the spot. Andrew's eyes locked onto his, and Nick could see the urgency in them. "Nick, we need to talk," Andrew said, his voice low and serious. As Nick stepped aside to let Andrew in, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was stepping into a world of danger and uncertainty. The darkness outside seemed to be seeping into his living room, and he wondered if he'd ever be able to escape it.