The Extracted Memory

Five years later, my memories were extracted and broadcast live on giant screens around the world. A massive, stark Wronged blared at the top of the screens.

The crowds instantly erupted. Someone questioned, Isn't this the mastermind behind that massive international smuggling case? He's been dead for five years, so why is he stirring up trouble again now?""

Another person angrily declared, ""It's him! He caused his fiance to fail her mission, breaking her legs, condemning her to a wheelchair for life! Who is so blind as to try to clear his name?!""

Recalling the past, I was the most wanted criminal in the capital, and the one who personally brought me to justice was my childhood sweetheart and fiance, Violet.

She personally escorted me to the execution ground, her voice chilling: ""Flynn, I once told you that the next time we meet, I would personally take your life.""

Ultimately, I fell under the gun that belonged to my foster father.

""Flynn, that ingrate, poisoned old Chief Cohen and caused the death of our youngest sister, Lucy! He's a heartless monster! Who stole his brain chip from the evidence locker to clear his name?!""

In the cemetery, eldest sister Anya stared at the two tombstones before her, then at the global broadcast playing across the sky, her voice laced with seething anger.

Violet had just wiped the mist from Chief Cohens tombstone. Her fists clenched, veins bulging, as she looked at the sky screen.

Second brother, Alex, supported Violet, looking down at her empty trouser legs.

Instantly, tears streamed down the face of the man known as the police force's heartthrob.

""Honey, if it weren't for our third brother, you wouldn't have lost your legs! And our fourth sister, Lucy""

Alex looked on the verge of collapsing in tears.

Violet sat in her wheelchair, suppressing the rage between her brows, yet she gently consoled him,

""Alex, you're still unwell. Don't let your emotions fluctuate too much. Don't cry for someone who isn't worth it!""

Watching Violet, who once said she would love me forever, her hand now tightly clasped in Alexs.

This scene sharply pierced my heart, which had long since stopped beating.

I couldnt help but speak out to correct them: ""I didn't kill Chief Cohen, and I didn't""

But no one heard my voice. Violet stood tall and resolute, like an unyielding pine tree.

At this moment, she looked again at the massive "Wronged" character on the sky screen, which was constantly dripping blood, then snapped at Anya.

""Stealing right under your noses, are you all useless?!""

""Go investigate! Anyone who dares to clear Flynn's name is making an enemy of me, Violet Cohen!""

Anyas face was filled with cold fury. ""Flynn, that traitor!""

""If I had known he'd turn out so rotten, I should have kicked him out the moment Chief Cohen brought him home!""

I never thought my most trusted sister would use the word ""traitor"" to describe me.

Those two words twisted in my heart like a knife, causing me to convulse with pain.

Chief Cohen was a kind soul; he adopted many orphans.

Anya was the eldest, Alex was the second brother, Lucy was the fourth sister, and I was the third.

Only Violet was his biological child, our youngest sister.

Chief Cohen dedicated his life to his beloved career. He always told us to be loyal to our country, loyal to its people.

Yet now, I was branded as the 21st century's biggest and most heinous criminal, destined to live in infamy as a disgrace to justice.

The sky screen in front of the courthouse was packed with people, who discussed my wanted poster:

""Wasn't he and Julian the main culprits in that massive international smuggling case five years ago? I seem to remember Flynn's father was the most wanted criminal twenty years ago, and he was even personally killed by Chief Cohen's team.""

""This Flynn, Anya, Alex, and Lucy are all orphans adopted by Violet's father. Except for Flynn, the rest of the children are all exceptionally talented. He's truly a lost cause, born evil!""

""Chief Cohen lost both his legs and was forced to retire because of him. And yet, this useless Flynn, for money, went to work for Julian, the head of that international crime syndicate!""

Countless vicious curses transformed into black mist, seeping into my limbs, tearing at my soul.

Just then, the screen's image began to move,

A pain from the depths of my soul gnawed at my heart,

as if an invisible hand was using iron tongs to wrench memories from my brain.

Violet, looking at the face that appeared on the sky screen, her eyes red, struggled to control the tremor in her voice,

""Dad?!""

On the screen, Chief Cohen, ruler in hand, angrily made Violet kneel in the courtyard,

and strictly forbade us from bringing her food.

This wasn't the first time Violet had taken the blame for me and been punished by Chief Cohen. I'd stolen a few steamed buns from the kitchen, intending to bring them to her.

I just happened to see Chief Cohen hitting Violet's back again with the ruler.

""Serves you right! You're only sixteen and you dare to think about getting married? Did Aaron agree, that you're so eager for my approval!""

""Dad, you believe me! Aaron also said he'd be good to me! Please just let me marry him!""

Listening to Violet's words, I couldn't help but chuckle softly, mouthing to her,

""I promise to love you and protect you forever!""

But the beautiful past memories did not evoke any sadness in Violet; instead, they ignited a furious humiliation in her eyes.

It was as if this memory from the past had become a blood-stained blade,

once again deeply piercing her already broken heart.

Alex's tears instantly welled up. He sobbed, choking out,

""Violet, I miss Dad so much. If only Dad were still alive""

At the mention of Chief Cohen, Violet instantly gripped her wheelchair tightly, her fingers clenching so hard that blood welled up.

She pounded on the wheelchair, roaring.

""Why! Why! Has the person who stole Flynn's brain chip not been found yet?!""

Anya shook her head in silence.

""Little sister the surveillance footage is still being restored, and the signal source is being traced. The tech department hasn't given us any news.""

And my memories continued to play,

At twenty-one, I was sentenced to a year and six months for intentionally causing grievous bodily harm at the police academy.

The first thing I did upon my release was break up with Violet, who had come to pick me up.

Violet, confused, asked me why, and even said,

""Aaron, everyone's waiting for you to come home for dinner.""

My disgusted gaze swept over her.

""Ha! Spending another second with those orphans, those kids without a proper upbringing, makes me sick!""

""I beg you, don't really think of yourself as a savior, okay? From childhood to now, I've absolutely hated your meddling!""

Violet grabbed my arm, her eyes full of urgency,

""Aaron, didn't you promise you'd marry me a long time ago? What's wrong with you?""

My face was etched with cruel madness.

""Violet, you're really shameless. Do you really want to marry the person who killed your dad?""

My words stunned her, and tears instantly filled her eyes.

The crowd in front of the sky screen also erupted in a frenzy.

""Beast! Sure enough, dirty blood flows in his veins, he's ungrateful!""

""See! Flynn personally admitted to killing old Chief Cohen. Why do good people get no reward, while this beast can get away with murder for so many years, and then kill so many more?!""

""Chief Cohen worked so hard to raise Flynn, he probably never expected this ingrate to bite him to death, did he?""

At this point, an old man stroked the head of a child next to him and said in a deep voice.

""Child, remember! You must never become a person like that!""

Hearing those words, my heart felt like it was smashed to the ground, torn into pieces, bleeding profusely!

At this moment, I realized there was something even more agonizing than being called ""traitorous to one's master"" and ""disgrace to the police force""

In the eyes of these future generations of the nation, I had become synonymous with crime, a classic example of a negative role model.

""Flynn!""

In the scene replayed, Violet, unable to control her anger any longer, punched the wall, her hand bleeding profusely.

I watched this scene, a sudden bitterness welling up in my heart. I trembled, reaching out to touch her hand, but my ghostly form could only pass through her again and again.

""No, no, Violet, can't you listen to my explanation?""

I shook my head frantically, the sharp pain in my heart making my soul tremble, my eyes burning.

Alex watched the blood flowing from her hand, heartbroken, tears streaming down his face.

""I saw Flynn poison Dad back then, but I couldn't believe he would actually do such a thing. It's all my fault.""

Anya's eyes practically spat fire.

""How can you blame yourself for this? Flynn was a wolf in sheep's clothing! Even I couldn't see through him!""

Hearing Anya's heart-wrenching words, I cried out in despair, ""No! It's not what you think, I""

Before I could finish, a piercing pain swept over me.

I felt a familiar aura around my brain chip,

but my head was splitting, and I could only watch helplessly as my memories were torn from my soul.

The sky screen changed again, the timeline advancing two years.

At twenty-three, I single-handedly stormed into Julians territory. Violet, as Julians confidante, stood beside her.

The crowd immediately erupted,

""Oh my god! Captain Cohen is there too! That useless Flynn wouldn't betray her, would he? You know Julian's methods are not just any kind of ruthless!""

""Exactly! You know, no matter who it is, to successfully go undercover, the price is not just any ordinary big deal. Back then, I heard Captain Cohen even personally tested poisons for this mission.""

Even though everyone knew the outcome, people continued to pray to the sky screen.

But the next second, ignoring Violet's warning glance, I said to Julian,

""I advise you to stop the transaction immediately. The cops are already lying in wait at the door, waiting for you to bring out that shipment!""

""Because""

My right hand slowly rose. As Violet's face dramatically changed, my tone was decisive.

""She, Violet Cohen, is the undercover agent!""

In an instant, the entire place exploded.

""Flynn, that bastard, actually betrayed Captain Cohen! Just to show loyalty to Julian? Did a dog eat his conscience?!""

""Flynn's father, Patrick, being caught probably had something to do with Julian too, right? I heard a rumor that Julian was an informant for the organization back then, then betrayed them and rose again with the people Patrick left behind!""

""Stabbing Patrick in the back and stabbing the police in the back, black on both sides! Those two are truly a perfect match!""

The paused image on the screen began to move again.

In the dungeon, Violet's hands were chained, suspended in mid-air, her wrists raw, bone exposed.

She was utterly tortured, more beast than human, as if she'd just been dragged from a pool of blood.

Julian watched, chuckling, as I picked up a red-hot branding iron and rolled it fiercely across Violet's chest.

""Is this your initiation, Mr. Flynn?""

The sound of burning flesh was bone-chilling; soon, it was a bloody mess.

I sneered, smashing the bones in Violets knees with a hammer, my hand not even trembling.

""Julian, I can give you far more than this!""

With that, the blade in my hand easily pierced Violet's chest.

At the same time, all the viewers in front of the sky screen covered their mouths, Anya's anger almost squeezed through her clenched teeth.

Her eyes red, she spat, ""Flynn! You're an animal!""

""Ah""

With a bloodcurdling scream, Violet's body slumped to the ground, her breath gone.

Julian's roar scraped against my eardrums like a chilling wind.

""Who told you to kill her?! Dying quickly is too easy for her!""

But Violet was already lifeless. After Julian, as usual, tossed her to the cops as a provocation, I was tied up and punished by a furious Julian.

She stuck silver needles one by one into my fingers, forcing me to endure the excruciating pain while fully conscious.

The scene was too brutal, and some onlookers couldn't bear to watch any longer.

""Julian really lives up to her name, 'Satan.' Her methods are truly venomous!""

""If Flynn hadn't gone easy, Captain Cohen would probably be...""

Alex angrily pointed at the woman who had spoken.

""Gone easy? Are you crazy? If Flynn hadn't known Violet's heart was on the right side, she would have died! Don't forget, Violet's legs were personally broken by Flynn!""

""Wait, her heart?!""

Violet's expression suddenly became odd. Before she could think it through, the sky screen moved again.

When Violet clearly saw who the two people on the sky screen were, her eyes widened abruptly.

In the image, I dragged Alex by his hair into the dungeon, his body scraping against the rough stone floor, leaving a long trail of blood.

Julian sat calmly on the sofa, applauding, a mysterious smile on her lips.

""Interesting, interesting! Flynn, you truly are Patrick's son! So much like your dad!""

""If I'm not mistaken, this Alex is supposed to be your brother, right? He just came to advise you to turn yourself in. No need to beat him so badly, is there? Oh, look at his miserable state, even I'm starting to feel a little soft-hearted.""

Under Julian's playful gaze, I splashed a bucket of salt water over Alex's head.

The intense pain made Alex's eyes snap open instantly. When he saw me, like a demon before him, he cried out in terror,

""Aaron, what are you... what are you going to do?""

With my back to Julian, I brutally snapped Alexs arm bone.

""Idiot! Spent too much time with Violet and now you think you're a savior too? Give it a rest!""

""Ah""

Alex let out an even more horrific shriek.

The dungeon door opened, and several men approached Alex with evil grins.

I waved them over, motioning for the men to take him away.

""Don't worry, these men will make you feel good and comfortable. Consider it repayment for your 'kindness' in trying to save me!""

Julian's laughter was gleeful.

""This show is truly captivating. I can't help but applaud your 'deep' camaraderie!""

""Since that's the case, how about I give you two brothers another grand gift?""

Violet's eyes were bloodshot as she watched the scene, unable to hold back a mouthful of fresh blood that she coughed out.

Alex covered his face, weeping profusely.

Anyas eyes flashed with furious coldness. ""That animal! He actually brought men to""

My actions completely ignited the anger of the audience. They hurled every vile curse imaginable at me.

""How could he do that?! Just one bullet to kill him is too merciful. I wish I could dig up his corpse and feed it to the dogs!""

The image on the sky screen froze at that moment, and the person sent to search for the whereabouts of my brain chip appeared at the courthouse entrance.

He handed the detector to Violet, and my brain chip's location clearly showed up on the map as being inside the courthouse.

Violet's eyes were filled with shock. ""How dare they show up here?""

""Damn it! They chose this place to clear Flynn's name! I'll risk everything to kill that person!""

Anya's chest heaved with anger. She looked at the frozen image on the sky screen above the courthouse dome, a ruthless glint in her eyes.

Violet, her face ashen, ordered, ""Anya, search inside the courthouse as fast as you can!""

Just as Anya was about to agree, a face appeared on the large screen before her, a face she would never forget in her lifetime.

Julian had her men bring in my fourth sister, Lucy.

Lucy was the last child Chief Cohen adopted, and she was the most attached to me, besides Violet.

More importantly, she was in love with second brother, Alex.