The paradox of perception

​Based on prompt 10

Past:

Being flawless is impossible as there are certain inherent flaws in everything in this universe. John knew he had flaws and being treated unfair made him change paths. He now understood the difference that lay between the good and the bad deeds. He wished to mend his ways and he has a threat that I knew his secret past. 

I was in a dilemma whether to keep the secret buried or tell it to our parents. I was afraid that hiding it is nothing than delaying the time of John confronting the consequence. Our relationship was so deep that it made me feel bad to reveal something that might change the society’s perception on my brother and our family. 

I waited patiently to see whether John comes forward to discuss with me about it. 

John had been dealing drugs and I am sure he was doing this for a pretty long time. 

Present:

John is tall with bony features and brown hair tied in pony. He spoke softly but there was confidence and the voice was very much alluring. “Pick any card”, he said gently tapping the table with his fingers. All it needed was him to guess the card wrong and I can tell the secret to our parents. It sounded simple and I had agreed happily. 

I took the card and held it to my chest so he couldn’t see it. “Six of diamonds “, he replied with his eyes closed. I stood in awe wondering was it some kind of trick. He rifled the pack rapidly between both the hands and spiralled one card in the air. He guessed the card correct with his eyes closed as the card landed on the table. The game went on with him winning continuously. Finally I had to accept the defeat and decided to keep the secret to myself.

At a conscious level, there was this conflict whether my action is justified and it rattled my thoughts as I had broke my belief and ethics.