The man wearing my brother’s leather jacket stood frozen, his eyes wide with shock. My heart pounded as I stepped closer, searching his face for the familiar features I had lost over a decade ago. His beard was unkempt, his hair longer than I remembered, and his eyes—those same piercing blue eyes—held a mix of recognition and fear.

Adam?” I whispered again, barely able to breathe.

He turned on his heel and bolted.

Without thinking, I ran after him. My legs felt like lead, but the desperation in my chest pushed me forward. I weaved between parked cars, barely noticing the gas station attendant yelling after us. Adam—or the man wearing his jacket—darted behind the station and into the dimly lit alley beyond.

“Wait!” I shouted. “Please, just stop!”

He hesitated for a fraction of a second before skidding to a halt, his back against the brick wall. His hands trembled as he pulled the jacket tighter around him.

“Who are you?” he rasped.

My breath hitched. “It’s me. Your brother. Daniel.”

For a moment, there was silence. A car honked in the distance. The wind carried the faint scent of gasoline and old concrete.

“Daniel?” His voice cracked, as if he was saying my name for the first time in years.

Tears burned my eyes. “Yes! It’s really me! Adam, where have you been?”

He flinched at my words, his face shadowed by guilt. “I… I can’t explain everything. Not here.”

“Then come home,” I pleaded. “Mom and Dad—”

His entire body tensed. “They think I’m dead.”

I swallowed hard. “We never stopped looking. We lost hope, but we never forgot you. Please, just tell me what happened.”

He hesitated again, then sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. “It’s not safe for me to go back. Not yet.”

“Safe?” My stomach churned. “Adam, what are you talking about?”

Before he could answer, the sound of approaching footsteps echoed in the alley. Adam’s eyes darted toward the shadows.

“They found me,” he whispered.

I barely had time to react before he grabbed my arm. “You have to leave. Right now.”

“Who? Adam, what’s going on?”

His grip tightened. “Daniel, if you love me, trust me. Walk away. I promise, I’ll find you when it’s safe.”

And with that, he turned and disappeared into the night, leaving me standing there, gripping the sleeve of his old leather jacket.