ongoing

What is reflected under the rain

Author: PhobiTO

Chapters: 8

Categories:

Action Drama Horror Gothic Horror Male Protagonist Multiple POV

Summary:

What's beyond the mirrors? Nothing, there is nothing and no one there. If someone told you that there is a world on the other side of this one, then he or she lied to you. Everything is a lie. It's all fake. So, if you see something strange in your reflection, forget it. Don't think or worry about something that doesn't exist. After all, that can't hurt you, but...

Tags:

#Web Novel #Action #Drama #Horror #Mystery #Tragedy #Gothic Horror

Author : PhobiTO

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ll ge% sic? if %ou keep g$!ting w&t''\r\n\r\n''Huh!?''\r\n\r\nWith a jerk of my arm, not strong enough to get up but sufficient to drag me a little on the muddy ground, the figure of my uncle, whom I regarded as a hallucination, pulled me out of my unconsciousness, and with words which I could only half understand, urged me to get up.\r\n\r\nHow? That was not what I thought, for with this abrupt development, my brain short-circuited, preventing me from understanding what was happening. Without even intending it, I stood up with the strength and agility I thought I had lost.\r\n\r\nHaving placed both feet on concrete, with the cold water entering my shoes, I stared in a daze at the man in front of me, one who was almost two heads shorter than me but who, despite his small size, was intimidating at first glance due to the firearms he held in each hand, one of which was covered in blood.\r\n\r\n''Hey, are you okay?''\r\n\r\n''…''\r\n\r\nI did not answer him. Not because I didn't hear him, since the ringing in my ears that originated from the gunshots had stopped, nor because of the ceaseless noise of the rain that washed over us both. No, I didn't because of how unreal everything around me felt.\r\n\r\nI had thought, no, I was sure I would die. It never crossed my mind to have survived that. But, now it seems that I have. So, with no clear thoughts, my mind blank, I looked at him, at his wrinkled face.\r\n\r\n''Hey, kid, what's wrong with you? Don't tell me that the bullet ricochet hit your head... no, that's impossible. So, did those guys beat you so bad that you were dumb?... answer me, man''\r\n\r\nConcerned by my lack of reaction, he tried to rush over to where I was, reaching out his arm to feel my body for injuries, but before he could do so, I stopped him.\r\n\r\n''No... I'm fine. It's just... What happened?''\r\n\r\nAfter indicating with one hand to stop and holding my forehead with the other due to the gradually worsening headache, I asked him what had happened. Although I didn't really need any answer, for seeing his appearance and turning to look at the scene to my right, the unfolding of events was drawn lucidly in my mind, yet those were the only words I could think of to say to him.\r\n\r\n''What happened, you say, eh... Well, as you can see, I finished off four rats that were about to devour my precious sapling''\r\n\r\nHe said while pointing one of his guns at the four bodies lying on the ground, spilling blood from the multiple bullet holes that had taken their lives. A strange sight where one of them still had a smile on his face with his tongue sticking out, two with their eyes wide open in surprise, plus the last one with his back to the sky and his head pointing to the distance in an attempt to run away from the killer.\r\n\r\n''But... no, before that. Thank you''\r\n\r\n''Hmm? Wow, it feels weird to see you so depressed. Kid, don't let this get to you''\r\n\r\nJust as expected from someone who lost his family in an accident years ago but still managed to stay upbeat about life. Quite a role model that, unfortunately, I can't match.\r\n\r\nSlowly, after understanding what had happened here, I lowered my head to observe the state of my body. I saw and felt it without significant injuries, apart from a few blows I received from the now-deceased. Later, placing both hands in the direction my eyes were pointing, I opened and closed my fingers countless times, trying to get used to this strange feeling of being alive, as well as to calm the nervousness in my heart. While doing all this, I continued talking.\r\n\r\n''Uncle, please answer me this, you were the one who fired the shots in my house, right?''\r\n\r\n''Here your uncle took care of punishing the sons of bitches that had your family trapped, so don't worry about them since your mom Evelyn and your brother Liam are safe and sound. Even Rocky is fine, just a little hungry, from what I noticed''\r\n\r\n''... I see''\r\n\r\nHearing those words relieved much of the weight on my heart.\r\n\r\nRaising my hands to hold my face, I forced myself not to cry, as I now regret so much for having been so weak in surrendering to an avoidable death. It was foolish and cowardly to do that. I should not have laid down in my misfortune, merely weeping even though I was strong enough to stand up and fight.\r\n\r\nSince some time ago, I thought I had lost her, but I was wrong, as fortune was always on my side, or else if my uncle had required my help in his attack, having acted like an idiot, I would have left him to die uselessly.\r\n\r\nFor that and more, I can no longer cry. I must not cry. So, taking my hands to my hair, I pulled it so hard that I wouldn't be surprised if I had pulled it out. Then, after wringing out almost all the water it had been filled with and getting it even dirtier from the mud due to my stained hands, I lightly slapped my cheek to get rid of the daze.\r\n\r\nMy uncle, on seeing me act in such a way, said nothing, and that is something I have always been grateful to him for, something I would like to become. A good listener, who accepted my complaints to the end, and a good counselor, who supported me in the most trying moments, from the death of my father to the time when I had to leave my training to go and look for a job.\r\n\r\nEven now, if it were not for this great man, incomparable to the other neighbors who look out of their windows to see everything that has happened without daring to leave their safe homes, not only I would have died, but those who are important to me as well.\r\n\r\nThen, after I felt a little better, I spoke to him to entrust him with what was important to me.\r\n\r\n''Uncle''\r\n\r\n''Yeah? My nephew''\r\n\r\n''…''\r\n\r\nI opened my mouth, thinking to say the words that came from my heart, but in the end, nothing emerged.\r\n\r\nDoubt, guilt, and worry, so many emotions kept me from saying it because I felt that if I did, it would be like imposing another burden on this person I hold dear. I don't want to, but I do not see there is any other option.\r\n\r\nHowever, I underestimated the wisdom that comes with age, for seeing me act so nervously, he understood what I wanted even without me saying a single word, and that is why, after placing one of his weapons on one of the corpses, he approached me to put his free hand on my shoulder before saying some words that relieved me while almost making me stumble.\r\n\r\n''Don't worry, my son. I will take good care of them''\r\n\r\nHe's amazing. He really is someone amazing. Without hearing it from me, he knew what I wanted, plus to relax me, he thought to say a joke that we used to use, while a mocking grimace was drawn on his face.\r\n\r\n'How shameless. Despite being more than ten years older than my mom, he still tries to get close to her. A true dirty old man, no doubt about it… Although, if it were him, I guess I'd be okay'\r\n\r\nI didn't answer him, but with a smile, I pushed his hand away with my arm before bending down to tie my shoelaces.\r\n\r\nAs I did so, I thought about many things, about where I would go, what I would do next, and what would happen to me, but the time was not long enough to come to a conclusion, so I stood up and got into position.\r\n\r\nI was prepared to act immediately, but before I did, my uncle spoke to me.\r\n\r\n''Hey, here, take this''\r\n\r\nThe suddenness of his act ruined the mental rather than physical preparation I had done, causing me to move abruptly to hold the red-stained pistol he threw at me.\r\n\r\nAs I accepted it, I paused to think about what I should do, but I knew it was no good to waste more time. So, I just said a few words.\r\n\r\n''Thank you, and... goodbye''\r\n\r\nI didn't want to think or hesitate any longer, so after making sure that the gun safety was on, I put it in my pants, then thanked him with all my heart, and after a short farewell, I ran away without looking back.\r\n\r\n''See you later, Ryan''\r\n\r\nLike a whisper from a distance, those were the last words I would ever hear from my uncle's mouth again.","AuthorNotes":null,"PublishDate":"2024-09-30T00:00:00.000Z","hasNotified":0,"WordCount":1977,"ViewCount":0,"Price":"0.00","Rating":"0.00","RatingCount":0,"Slug":"a-farewell","Status":"Published","isVisible":1,"isBonusChapter":0,"isLocked":0,"CommentsEnabled":1,"SortOrder":0,"CreatedAt":"2024-10-11T09:10:41.000Z","UpdatedAt":"2024-10-14T13:24:30.000Z","LastEditedBy":null,"ScheduleDate":null},{"ChapterID":220,"NovelID":575,"VolumeID":82,"AuthorID":959,"ChapterNumber":"2","ChapterTitle":"Memories and regrets","ChapterContent":"I ran as fast as I could without looking back as I tried to get to the highway two blocks away.\r\n\r\nEach of my steps, I took with all the strength I could get from my thin body, which had lost the muscles it once had. The drops of water that splashed high with my treads accompanied me on my journey, revealing the effort my legs made to keep from slipping.\r\n\r\nThe breath as it left my mouth returned to me by the movement I made as I moved forward, warming my lips and cheeks. It was heavy and loud, for I was agitated. Not tired because of how much I had run, but because of all that I had experienced in so few hours and what I would live from now on.\r\n\r\nI was nervous, my heart pounding.\r\n\r\nSo short was the distance to travel that from where I stood, I could see the lights of the cars on the highway, but my destination felt so far away. It was as if I were heading for the infinite horizon marked on the edge that joins the land with the sky.\r\n\r\nWorries overwhelmed me. Regrets held my calves. Memories clouded my eyes.\r\n\r\nLost in my thoughts, I forgot where I was and what I was doing. Not caring about the road beneath my feet, time ceased to exist for me.\r\n\r\nHow did it come to this? Why must I run away, leaving behind my family, friends, and possessions?\r\n\r\nThis is not fair. I didn't want to get them involved so nothing would happen to them. I tried hard. I did it so much that I even quit training to get a full-time job so I could pay them the money they demanded from me.\r\n\r\nI lied. I lied to my mom, to my friends, to my brother, and to myself. I denied my reality by declaring that everything was fine, that this was just a minor mishap that would eventually resolve.\r\n\r\nI wished I could trust them even if I didn't quite do it.\r\n\r\nWhen he brought his father to me, I feared for my future. However, I was somewhat relieved by his words after he told me that the debt would not be impossible for me to pay off and that I only needed to reimburse the cost of the hospital where his son had been hospitalized.\r\n\r\nHow much was the amount he asked me at the beginning? I don't remember because as time went by, he, without losing his smile, told me that his son was still relapsing from the pain of his injuries and that, despite not wanting to do so, the debt had to increase.\r\n\r\nHe always appeared to be mature, trustworthy, and friendly, but from his mouth came words like hissing snakes that slowly bound my life.\r\n\r\nI worked hard for months, a year, and then two, but the debt was never paid back. In addition, due to the poor condition my body was in because of the long sleepless nights, my mother became suspicious, for I had become pale, thin, full of dark circles under my eyes, always exhausted and without spirit.\r\n\r\nEvery day she, from outside the bathroom door, would ask me about my day-to-day life and give me advice while I was getting ready in front of the mirror to go to work.\r\n\r\nShe knew me very well, that's why she asked me to tell her about what was happening to me, that together we would solve it, that I should not worry if it was for a woman since she would accept her, no matter if a child was involved, that with the money she had saved, she would support the three of us.\r\n\r\nAs I heard her, the reflection before me opened and closed its mouth, trying to scream for her help. I was tired, very exhausted physically and mentally because it hurt me to see that all the money I had earned with so much effort was disappearing in a heartbeat. It seemed that what I was doing was worthless.\r\n\r\nStill, the worst thing was that my work did not allow me to fulfill the promise I made to myself when I was younger, which was to help my mother as soon as I started working.\r\n\r\nI wanted to talk to her. However, before I did, I bit down hard on my lips until they bled to hold me back. After all, I loved her so much that it was impossible for me to put any more burden on her frail, elderly shoulders.\r\n\r\nFoolish and pathetic, that's all I was. A coward who, even if it was with regret and guilt, should have told her the truth so that together the three of us would move out immediately since, despite trying to protect her from it, danger lurked in the shadows.\r\n\r\nA hidden sickle threatened to fall on our necks at any moment. One I didn't notice until the rope that held it was cut.\r\n\r\nToday, it started like any other day. While I was in front of the mirror, getting ready to leave, countless drops of water began to fall on the roof of the house.\r\n\r\nIt was unexpected, for even though the TV in the living room was on the morning news channel, its anchors did not mention anything until thunderous thunderbolts were heard from the cloudy skies.\r\n\r\nWithout warning, a thunderstorm arrived, and along with it, the sound of a horn blared in front of our house.\r\n\r\nBecause I had to take care of bringing my dog inside, who was resting in the rain in the backyard, I didn't have time to check on the visitors who arrived at that inopportune moment. So, my mom took care of it while my brother was bathing.\r\n\r\nAfter keeping the dog inside my room so it wouldn't bite the visitors, I went to the living room to see what had happened, but before I got there, I heard words and laughter that made me tremble to my core.\r\n\r\nIt was not because of what they had said but because of the tone, the voice of those who spoke. I knew them. Of course, I did, for I heard them even in my nightmares, and therefore I never wanted my mother or brother to know them.\r\n\r\nThose were the voices of two men, an adult and a young man, father and son.\r\n\r\nI feared. In the name of the heavens, I could swear that in that instant, I was afraid as I had never been before. Not even when I had a gun pointed at my head did I fear as much as I did then. Thus, after stopping to tremble, I found it hard to take the next step toward the source of the voices, but hearing her laugh, I could not stay still.\r\n\r\nForcing a smile on my face, I moved forward.\r\n\r\nThe next few minutes that went by felt so surreal, like an illusion, we all chatted cordially, but under the tablecloth laid on the table, my hands were dripping with beads of sweat.\r\n\r\nThe man, in his fifties, introduced himself as my boss from work, as someone who always took care of me and cared about me, and also introduced his son as my best friend.\r\n\r\nI don't know if my mom believed him or just accepted what he was saying because her womanly instincts were warning her to do so. Be that as it may, the two of them talked with laughter for a long time until, from one moment to the next, he told her that he needed to take me for a little task.\r\n\r\nThat was when the warmth she offered him was broken since upon hearing that I would have to leave she flatly refused, giving a thousand excuses such as saying that I would get sick, that I had not yet had breakfast, or that the storm could get worse.\r\n\r\nHowever, her words fell on deaf ears, for from then on, he began to ignore her, addressing only me as an individual and awaiting my response.\r\n\r\nAs for me, of course, I agreed to go with him. In fact, I was happy to do so since I wanted to get them away from my family the most. So, together with her son, the three of us headed for the exit until my mother, who had left the place when she saw that she could not reason with the man, came back to approach us menacingly with one of the kitchen knives in her hands.\r\n\r\nHer motherly love far outweighed her kindness, and with hysterical screams, she threatened them to stay away from me.\r\n\r\nAlthough with gestures and a voice full of concern, I told her to calm down, she paid no attention to me. Fortunately, despite the tense situation, the man still kept smiling, exuding maturity. However, his son lacked his father's gifts, so without saying a word, he pulled out the gun he was hiding and pointed it at my mother.\r\n\r\nSeeing him, I didn't hesitate. I didn't even think before I moved towards him planning to snatch the gun from him or at least divert his hand to another side. But before I did, someone beat me to it.\r\n\r\nGod? Maybe.\r\n\r\nLightning struck him from the sky, perhaps attracted by the iron between his hands.\r\n\r\nBecause of how close I was to him, my eyes were blinded, my ears were deafened after hearing a woman's high-pitched scream, and although I was not hit directly, part of the current reached me, stunning me on the spot.\r\n\r\nLying on the ground, I was left not knowing who I was and where I was. But as time passed, my senses and memories returned. Then, as I stood up, I witnessed a hellish scenario.\r\n\r\nThe man had moved his son back into the house so that he could then lay him down on the living room table. At the same time, with one of his hands, he pointed his gun at my mother and brother who, after coming out of the bathroom, was greeted with a shot to the shoulder.\r\n\r\nThe smile that he always maintained had disappeared completely, and all that remained on his face was an expression of fury.","AuthorNotes":null,"PublishDate":"2024-09-30T00:00:00.000Z","hasNotified":0,"WordCount":1673,"ViewCount":0,"Price":"0.00","Rating":"0.00","RatingCount":0,"Slug":"memories-and-regrets","Status":"Published","isVisible":1,"isBonusChapter":0,"isLocked":0,"CommentsEnabled":1,"SortOrder":0,"CreatedAt":"2024-10-11T09:10:41.000Z","UpdatedAt":"2024-10-14T13:24:30.000Z","LastEditedBy":null,"ScheduleDate":null},{"ChapterID":221,"NovelID":575,"VolumeID":82,"AuthorID":959,"ChapterNumber":"3","ChapterTitle":"Fall and Start","ChapterContent":"When I came out of the shelter provided by the walls, the cold water blown by the wind freely wet my body, which still hurt due to the shock that had previously hit me. However, none of that stopped me, as after seeing for a few instants the SUV with black windows parked in front of my house, I started to walk.\r\n\r\nI slowly made my way down the wet and slippery street, paying attention to where I placed my feet with each step. After a while, I came to a place where four young men were sitting on the stairs, covered by an overhanging stretch of the roof from a house entrance.\r\n\r\nAt that time, I had no need to go back to that man to ask him to show me where to go. I didn't need it since the destination was obvious.\r\n\r\nI approached the place where the only people outside were, receiving the raindrops that splashed down on the street with their expensive and dark-colored hoods while in their hands, they held high-end cell phones, the kind that does not get damaged after being wet.\r\n\r\nYet, despite being distracted by whatever they were doing, not talking to each other, their faces showed frowns, perhaps annoyed by my tardiness. But that changed when, as I approached, my footsteps caught their attention.\r\n\r\nWhen they heard my approach, they looked up, and as if they were children receiving a new toy at Christmas, huge smiles spread from their mouths to their eyes.\r\n\r\nWhat did they want from me? That is one thing I did not question myself, for I had enough intelligence and common sense to guess the answer without straining to think.\r\n\r\nIn their looks I could see their desire to have fun, to be entertained.\r\n\r\nSo, less than two meters away from where they were sitting, I bowed my head, then one leg, and regardless of the wet sensation that my knee was transmitting, I finally lowered the other to kneel in front of them.\r\n\r\nMy actions did not end there, for to be sure that this would please them, I also placed my palms on the floor and my forehead on the back of them.\r\n\r\nOf course, it was humiliating. I certainly felt shame to strike a pose of complete submission for them. However, as long as it was enough for them to have fun and then leave, I put up with it.\r\n\r\nAt first, I wasn't sure if that would be enough or if they would be bothered by my actions. After all, I only did that because of the rumors I had heard beforehand. But as I listened to their laughter and chatter, which was muffled by the sound of the wind and rain, I realized that I had not been wrong.\r\n\r\nWith a sigh of relief, I waited for them to leave after their vain superiority was satiated, but opposite to what I wanted, they did not leave. No, they came closer to me after their urge for savagery awakened.\r\n\r\nAs I kept my teeth clenched tightly, I endured without resisting when one of them pulled my head away from my hands and then stepped on them with his leather boot-clad feet.\r\n\r\nWhat followed was hell. I was beaten and kicked. They stomped me and even spat on me as their pig-like laughter echoed. All this they did under the pretentious justification that they were only taking justice because of what I had done to their friend.\r\n\r\nHowever, I knew they were lying.\r\n\r\nFriends? Ha! At most, the relationship they shared was that of bosses and subordinates. At the end of the day, after having gone through more than two years of blackmail by father and son, I got to know the social position they came from. They were neither rich nor poor, but they did not have the same status as those four young men I had before me.\r\n\r\nAs time passed, I grew tired of that. Hatred burned within my core, for although their blows were not strong enough to seriously hurt me, their taunts pierced me to the heart. Still, regardless of how furious I was, I did nothing to show it, for I did not want them targeting my family.\r\n\r\nBut it all ended when, in the distance, where my house was, I heard a series of gunshots.\r\n\r\nAfter that happened, I tried to get up in a hurry, but before I managed to do so, I was kicked with greater force than the previous ones, causing me to fall again on my knees and with my hands on the ground. Then, a thing different from rainwater, which was falling non-stop, touched my forehead.\r\n\r\nThat was the cold hard muzzle of a gun.\r\n\r\nIt was then that I understood that no matter what I did or how much I revealed myself, it was already too late. One gun, one round of bullets, far outweighed what anyone could do to harm another. Therefore, I concluded that even if I managed to get rid of those four, it would not bring me back to my family.\r\n\r\nThat's why I surrendered. I unresistingly allowed his gun to move to my temple while their beastly laughter boomed in my ears.\r\n\r\nAn idiot is what I was. A truly imbecilic, cowardly, and foolish one, for I...\r\n\r\n'Enough'\r\n\r\nI almost made the mistake of sinking back into useless regret and guilt. Now what happened doesn't matter. This is no time for regrets. After all, the worst outcome was avoided, thanks to the help of my guardian angel. Besides, the twists of fate have brought to my hands the weapon that was about to take my life, stained with the blood of one of my aggressors.\r\n\r\n'But what should I do with it?'\r\n\r\nI have never used a gun. In fact, I've never even touched one. So, what will happen when I shoot? Will I hit the target or fail miserably?\r\n\r\n'The truth is, I'm afraid to use it'\r\n\r\nIt's not that I'm afraid of taking someone's life, for at this point in my life, I have many other things to worry about. Besides, whoever died by my hand would surely deserve it. I would never attack an innocent person, not after what I went through. So, what I fear are the consequences of failing to do so.\r\n\r\nAt the end of the day, I have already experienced firsthand the wickedness of human beings and what they can do to take revenge for the slightest transgression.\r\n\r\n'A gun must be absolute. It has to be the ultimate murder weapon. No, that's wrong. Only mine must be, while everyone else's useless. It has to be as brutal as it proved to be in my uncle's hands'\r\n\r\nSuch was the thought that I implanted in my head in order to overcome my fear. I forced myself to believe that only I could kill with bullets while the rest would have to do it with their naked bodies. I imagined it like that, as that way, I would gain enough confidence to deal with anything or anyone.\r\n\r\nHowever, that I was striving for self-confidence was not equivalent to becoming foolish to the point of blind arrogance. Therefore, after a while, I began to think about where I should hide out until I could get enough money to move to another state or maybe even another country.\r\n\r\n'I must find a safe place where the search by the families of the dead will not reach me. The ideal is a site hidden under the shadows and darkness. Therefore, it must be in the middle of the light, that is, in a populated spot, which would not be the one expected to find me'\r\n\r\nAs expected, I was an ordinary person, so despite the gravity of the situation, the only thing I could draw inspiration from to get out of it was the movies and series I once watched.\r\n\r\nA foolish thing to do, no doubt, but I had no choice.\r\n\r\nWhile planning and thinking, I remembered something I had unconsciously forgotten or rather ignored.\r\n\r\n'My mom is very old now. At her age, I don't know if she can move out in time. I trust my uncle. I do, but... No, I can't go back. That would do more harm than good. After all, they'll probably focus on looking for me'\r\n\r\nMy concern for her led me to think of situations that made no sense and were unlikely to happen.\r\n\r\n'A third war... No, that would be excessive. Then, a conflict between civilians and the government might do the trick, or perhaps a pandemic that forces everyone into seclusion in their homes. All of those would be good things to happen, as it would give us the time we need to hide'\r\n\r\nSuch was dirty and evil thoughts, but unreal, which did not cause me guilt because they were nothing more than vain desires without reason of being.\r\n\r\nAs time went by, my thoughts became more and more diverse. I came to think countless things, imagine many futures, and worry about numerous situations. However, while I was at it, something happened that brought me out of my inner world and into reality.\r\n\r\n'... I'll have to find a mirror as soon as possible to see what I look like and then decide whether to grow a beard, put on weight, or...'\r\n\r\n''Ah!''\r\n\r\nI fell.\r\n\r\nI forgot what I was doing, so after taking a wrong step, I slipped on the ground, but fortunately, the water that flooded the street cushioned the blow to some extent.\r\n\r\n''Pant; Pant; Pant...''\r\n\r\nAccompanied by long, heavy breaths, I tried to get back on my feet by placing both hands on the ground for support on it, but as I did so, I was surprised to discover that the water covering it had risen a lot by at least four or five centimeters. That was too much when considering how long it had been raining.\r\n\r\nIt had stagnated somewhere, or maybe the nearby drain was clogged with garbage. Those were my thoughts as I stood up, not paying too much attention to it.\r\n\r\n'It is inconceivable how bad a state my body is in. To think that I have run so little, but I am already dying of exhaustion. This physical condition is terrible. I will have to fix it when I have time on my hands'\r\n\r\nClosing my eyes, I stood there, waiting for my breathing to calm down, and trying to ignore that, in my hands, I was still carrying an object that could attract the lightning of the sky to me.\r\n\r\nAfter a while, when I felt better, I kept moving forward. Although, this time, I decided not to run, for due to the stagnant water, my steps became heavier.\r\n\r\nWhile walking, I noticed something that caught my interest.\r\n\r\n'No more cars are crossing the road, eh... I guess some tree, cut by lightning, blocked the way'\r\n\r\nThe fleeting and flickering lights that indicated my destination had disappeared. Also, for some unknown reason, the lights on the poles had gone out, but at least those on the surrounding houses were still there, illuminating my path.\r\n\r\nThanks to them, I knew that even if there was no other human in my sight, I was not alone in a dark and lifeless world.","AuthorNotes":null,"PublishDate":"2024-09-30T00:00:00.000Z","hasNotified":0,"WordCount":1842,"ViewCount":0,"Price":"0.00","Rating":"0.00","RatingCount":0,"Slug":"fall-and-start","Status":"Published","isVisible":1,"isBonusChapter":0,"isLocked":0,"CommentsEnabled":1,"SortOrder":0,"CreatedAt":"2024-10-11T09:10:41.000Z","UpdatedAt":"2024-10-14T13:24:30.000Z","LastEditedBy":null,"ScheduleDate":null},{"ChapterID":222,"NovelID":575,"VolumeID":82,"AuthorID":959,"ChapterNumber":"4","ChapterTitle":"Meeting","ChapterContent":"Once the fatigue completely disappeared, as did the stagnant water that made my steps difficult, my walk became smoother.\r\n\r\nStrange, because after being hit by those four, the pain in my body was always present since I got up and started running. Besides, while that did not stop me, it did make me think about stopping with every step I took, yet now that unpleasant feeling has been replaced by a very different one.\r\n\r\nWhat took its place was an annoying stiffness. My muscles and joints felt uncomfortable to move as if I had gone a long time without using them.\r\n\r\nTruly an unusual sensation, but since it wasn't bad, I let it pass, treating it as a delayed consequence of the electric shock I received from the lightning strike on my house.\r\n\r\nI didn't pay much attention to it since my focus was elsewhere, on something much more worrying than the unusual sensations that ran through my body. That was the darkened road where I had been walking for a while.\r\n\r\nDespite previously addressing the lack of cars passing through these streets as the result of a tree blocking the road after being split in half by lightning, now that I am here, my thoughts about this have changed a bit.\r\n\r\nNot too much, as I still don't exclude that it was due to an object blocking the way. After all, that is one of the few logical reasons that come to mind. However, I can't deny that I've started to imagine crazy things after seeing so many cars parked on the side of the sidewalk, practically lined up in a line with no apparent end.\r\n\r\nIn addition, something that makes me doubt even more the possibility that I previously thought is that even though I have been walking on the edge of it for some time and, due to this, I have crossed streets that branch off in other directions where residential areas are located, I still do not see a single person, much less a vehicle, driving on these.\r\n\r\nAll this, added to the dark and flashing sky, as well as the silence that is perceived in the environment, has generated in me a slight feeling of fear for what is hidden in the shadows of the houses and trees, one that would be greater but for the fact that common sense dictates me that everything is fine, that the lack of life in the place is due to a logical reason that I just don't know.\r\n\r\nSeveral trees have fallen on the streets, a severe hurricane is approaching that could threaten the lives of residents leading the government to issue an evacuation order, or perhaps it could be due to the approach of a solar storm.\r\n\r\nVarious reasons, some crazier than others, gave me the motivation I needed to keep walking in search of transportation to take me away from here.\r\n\r\nI walked while still worried about the loneliness around me, as well as what my mother and uncle would do in such a dangerous situation. I was tormented by the thought of whether they would manage to evacuate in time or if they would be recognized in the shelter by my enemies.\r\n\r\nYes, after some thought, it seemed to me that the hurricane possibility made the most sense.\r\n\r\n'I hope they are well. I pray to God that nothing happens to them'\r\n\r\nAlthough, I knew that hope in a divine being, in this case, would not do much good. So, the one I trusted the most was my brother, for he, as the youngest of the three, should be the one to deal with the problems that struck them.\r\n\r\nThe worries and fears continued to haunt my heart, even though I had decided to overcome them. So big were these that I was about to return home to check on them and see if they needed help with whatever it was, but before I could turn around, I noticed something that stopped me.\r\n\r\nIn the distance, I saw a group of people crossing the road from side to side. There were four of them, three following the back of the one in front. Due to how far they were, I could not distinguish their appearances, so I accelerated my steps to get closer to them.\r\n\r\nI did not run, although I wanted to, because I had two great reasons that me to do so.\r\n\r\nThe first of these was caused because encountering signs of life swept away all the fears of the supernatural that had gradually awakened in my heart due to the accumulation of unpleasant situations of this day. The blows I had received led me to think unconventionally.\r\n\r\nMeanwhile, the second reason that urged me to approach them as soon as possible originated from more rational thought. I wanted to ask them what had happened and if there had been a notice on the news which I had missed.\r\n\r\nAfter a while, I reached a sufficient distance, so the raindrops did not obstruct me from seeing their aspects. Besides, they also noticed my approach once they arrived on the same sidewalk where I was walking, leading them to stop, perhaps because of the surprise of seeing someone outside in the middle of this storm.\r\n\r\nI could not recognize the appearance of the guys in the back since the hoods on their raincoats hid their faces. However, the one in front, on the other hand, I could see him unobstructed, for he was carrying an umbrella in one of his hands, which he used to cover himself from the rain.\r\n\r\nHe was a young man in his late twenties to early thirties, with light brown, somewhat long, and wet hair that fell across his forehead, half covering his eyes until it reached the nose. Also, from his sideburns grew a beard that covered the lower half of his face, which was short and unkempt, probably coming from a week or two without shaving.\r\n\r\nAlthough too much hair hid his face, his appearance seemed familiar to me.\r\n\r\nThe way she stood, the context of her body, the color of her hair, and even her eyes reminded me of someone I had recently seen.\r\n\r\nHowever, that was impossible. After all, it made no sense for him to be walking around here, not to mention that the last time I saw him, he had a bullet wound in his shoulder, but now he was using that same arm to hold an umbrella.\r\n\r\nImpossible, I'm getting the wrong person... or so I thought until I heard his voice, which was deeper than usual, softly calling my name.\r\n\r\n''Ryan…''\r\n\r\n''… brother, so it really is you''\r\n\r\nNo mistake, he was the one standing in front of me. He was the one I thought would be helping my mom pack and who would assist my uncle with any problems they had.\r\n\r\nImagining the scenario in which he had abandoned both, who were older adults, to escape on his own, or worse, that he had left them behind to go drink with his friends, I became angry. So, I abandoned my fast walk to run towards him, thinking of reprimanding him for what he had done.\r\n\r\n''You! What the hell di-...''\r\n\r\nI did not get to finish my question since before I had time to react, he came to my side, and with movements that I could not follow with my eyes, he grabbed me by the neck to lift me in the air using only one of his arms.\r\n\r\n''Fucking bastard, where the fuck have you been all this time?''\r\n\r\nI did not answer him, despite the urgency for an answer I perceived from his voice. I could not do so, as the hand that was choking me prevented me from doing so, one that I could not move even a millimeter away, even if I tried with all my strength.\r\n\r\nI was short of breath and felt my face turn red from the effort, but no matter how desperate this situation was, there was only one thought in my mind.\r\n\r\n'When-... Since when is he so strong?'\r\n\r\nEngraved in my memory was that brother who loved parties and alcohol, someone whom every weekend would prefer to go out drinking with his friends than stay at home spending time with us, but who, even though he didn't interact with me that much, never did anything to bothered me.\r\n\r\nIn fact, I came to believe that he was afraid of me.\r\n\r\nSo, who was this? Who is this man with strength far beyond what I had in my prime and who looks at me with such anger reflected in his eyes?","AuthorNotes":null,"PublishDate":"2024-09-30T00:00:00.000Z","hasNotified":0,"WordCount":1411,"ViewCount":0,"Price":"0.00","Rating":"0.00","RatingCount":0,"Slug":"meeting","Status":"Published","isVisible":1,"isBonusChapter":0,"isLocked":0,"CommentsEnabled":1,"SortOrder":0,"CreatedAt":"2024-10-11T09:10:41.000Z","UpdatedAt":"2024-10-14T13:24:30.000Z","LastEditedBy":null,"ScheduleDate":null},{"ChapterID":223,"NovelID":575,"VolumeID":82,"AuthorID":959,"ChapterNumber":"5","ChapterTitle":"Two Brothers","ChapterContent":"With the astonishment being higher than the fear contained in my heart, I made my best effort to free myself from that arm that was grabbing me, but without being able to move it even an inch as my eyes became blurry due to the asphyxiation as well as the pain that my neck suffered, one that unconsciously led me to tears.\r\n\r\nI was about to pass out, and unfortunately, I would do so with a lot of questions on my mind yet, or so I assumed until the man who was hanging me, the one I came to thought was my brother, after pulling me back to get enough momentum, released me, sending me flying.\r\n\r\nThe experience of my body being thrown through the air was unforgettable, for just as I experienced on many other occasions during this day, my brain, finding itself in a situation of extreme danger, began to work at full speed, urging me to move to fall into a position that would cause me the least amount of damage. However, even though I knew it was the right thing to do, I did not do it.\r\n\r\nMy body traveled high, at least two meters from the ground. I know because from there, I could see the four strangers down. So, after realizing that, I came to a conclusion that seemed reasonable to me.\r\n\r\n'Ah! This is a dream. I see, none of this is real'\r\n\r\nThat's what I thought while qualifying such a feat of superhuman power as something unreal, as something that could only be seen in Hollywood movies or fairy tales. Therefore, as I watched the flashing sky, I stretched my arms out to my sides, unprotected, for I believed that this blow would be enough to wake me up.\r\n\r\nI was wrong.\r\n\r\n''Thump; Crack''\r\n\r\n''Argh!''\r\n\r\nA groan of pain came out of my mouth just when I crashed against the windshield of a car, a very resistant one since, despite the heavy impact, it did not break completely, although it was about to do so after several cracks like spider webs spread on it.\r\n\r\nThe glass was not the only thing that was damaged, for I got hurt too. After all, no matter how much the car cushioned my fall, my back ended up very sore, as did the back of my head, from which blood began to ooze out, as well as my elbow, which was slightly cut by one of the small sharp shavings that came off.\r\n\r\n''It can't be. It can't be...''\r\n\r\nBecause of this event, the wounds, which had previously recovered, returned, although they did so in a very different way. Still, none of that mattered to me, for all my attention was focused on convincing myself of the impossibility of the situation.\r\n\r\nI remember losing consciousness for a few moments before regaining it when I heard several hurried footsteps approaching where I was. So, in a way, I ended up sleeping in a dream, but that can't happen, so...\r\n\r\n''So, this must be real. No, it is not''\r\n\r\nI refuse to believe that there is anyone capable of lifting, with just one arm, a grown man weighing more than seventy kilos, to then throw him several meters away with little apparent difficulty.\r\n\r\nThe mere thought of it seemed to me laughable and absurd, something that could not happen in this world where humans have a clear boundary, one that, for some time, I reached out to touch.\r\n\r\nStunned, disturbed, but most of all confused, my thoughts were diverted in a direction very distant from what was troubling me earlier. However, such worries took a back seat when I heard the three men, who had just arrived at my side, speak.\r\n\r\n''Ryan, are you okay?''\r\n\r\n''Hey! Hey! Hey!''\r\n\r\n''Breathe, idiot! Don't die! I have yet to hit you''\r\n\r\n''... Henry, Noah, Mark... guys... what are you doing here?''\r\n\r\nI said as I raised my uninjured arm to support my aching head, because once I heard the voices of those who were part of the many friends I made during my childhood, and in turn, of the few I kept in these last years of adulthood, I decided to get up.\r\n\r\n... or at least, that's what I thought I would do, but my body did not allow me to do it so readily, as it urged me to stay lying down. I was tired and wanted to cry, but I couldn't stay still, not in this situation.\r\n\r\nWith difficulty, I sat on the hood, about to place my feet on the ground to stand up, but my movements stopped when I heard new footsteps approaching.\r\n\r\n''So, where the hell were you, motherfucker?''\r\n\r\n''…''\r\n\r\nI trembled, unable to answer him.\r\n\r\nThe words did not come out of my mouth, not just because I was afraid or had become accustomed to bowing to threats, but because I wanted to hear him speak. I wanted him to tell me why I was upset, even if it was impossible for me to ask him. Therefore, avoiding his gaze as I looked down, I waited.\r\n\r\nA foolish action since, in the end, it had the opposite effect. That is, he became even more angry than before.\r\n\r\n''... What's wrong with you, asshole? You don't plan to answer the question I asked you, huh?''\r\n\r\nGrabbing me by the hair, he roughly lifted my head so my eyes could be level with his.\r\n\r\n''…''\r\n\r\n''…''\r\n\r\nWithout saying anything, we looked at each other.\r\n\r\nI saw him. I watched each of his features in great detail, making it impossible to deny reality any longer. He was my brother, one that seemed very different from the last time we were together.\r\n\r\nThen it hit me. Something strange was happening, something that, with my limited imagination, I could not understand. Much had changed, so much so that it was demonstrated not only by his physical appearance but also by the feelings that his gaze revealed.\r\n\r\nYes, there was evident anger under his scowl, but there was also a hint of sadness and pain. I wanted to speak to him more than ever, but I still couldn't. Thus, it was he who finally broke the tense silence.\r\n\r\n''Well... it doesn't matter if you don't want to talk. After all, I don't need any explanation from you, you fucking coward''\r\n\r\nHaving said that, he released me, not before punching me on the cheek, one devoid of the power he had previously shown. After that, he took a few steps away from me to continue talking.\r\n\r\n''... hey, it's true that the old man explained everything that happened that day, but... even so... sigh!''\r\n\r\nA heavy sigh cut his words short, and after looking at the sky for a few moments, he resumed his march to the front. However, even though he had already gone far away, I managed to hear, like a whisper at the level of my ears, the end of his sentence.\r\n\r\n''Even so, we thought you would return to help us when it all went to hell''\r\n\r\nWith that said, his back turned so far away from me that it was impossible for me to see him anymore.\r\n\r\n'What happened during my absence? How did he become so strong? What does he mean by that day if all that happened a few hours ago? Why did he look so sad? Where are my mom and uncle? Why aren't they with him?'\r\n\r\nMy mind short-circuited due to the worries that erupted one after another. They choked me more than he did me with his calloused hand. I needed answers. I was desperate for these and planned to get them no matter what. Even if I had to run after him, despite him beating me to a pulp afterward, or break into a random house to ask questions about everything to its residents.\r\n\r\nSo many drastic plans formed in my head, which, fortunately, were erased when I remembered that by my side were still those people who could help me.'\r\n\r\n''Guys…''\r\n\r\nWith a hoarse voice, as if I was about to get sick from the stress as well as the rain that so far has not stopped soaking me, I spoke.\r\n\r\nI had so much I wanted to say, but, at the same time, I couldn't find the right words since I also wanted to listen to them as soon as possible. So, I ended up choosing the simplest option.\r\n\r\n''... What happened?''\r\n\r\nOnce I said that, for the first time, I turned my head to the direction where they were, only to see their faces that were illuminated thanks to the light of the incessant lightning. Faces that, as with my brother, looked more deteriorated than those etched in my memory.\r\n\r\n'Really, what happened?!'\r\n\r\nApparently, there was a long story I needed to hear.","AuthorNotes":null,"PublishDate":"2024-09-30T00:00:00.000Z","hasNotified":0,"WordCount":1423,"ViewCount":0,"Price":"0.00","Rating":"0.00","RatingCount":0,"Slug":"two-brothers-2","Status":"Published","isVisible":1,"isBonusChapter":0,"isLocked":0,"CommentsEnabled":1,"SortOrder":0,"CreatedAt":"2024-10-11T09:10:41.000Z","UpdatedAt":"2024-10-14T13:24:30.000Z","LastEditedBy":null,"ScheduleDate":null},{"ChapterID":224,"NovelID":575,"VolumeID":82,"AuthorID":959,"ChapterNumber":"6","ChapterTitle":"Devoted Nurse","ChapterContent":"''How mean they were to me today. Even though I asked them to please leave the care of the patients to me while they both went to get the missing supplies, they sent me alone to get them instead''\r\n\r\nIn a small room with gray walls and floor, illuminated by a spotlight that radiated white light as it hung from the ceiling, aluminum shelves painted in a soft pastel green color were arranged.\r\n\r\nThey were loaded with numerous cardboard boxes of various sizes, some liter or gallon bottles, and plastic organizers at their feet. All of these were kept in a cold environment due to the air conditioning working at full power at the back of the place.\r\n\r\nInside was also a young woman with short brown hair gathered in a small semi-transparent cap, with white skin and average height. Also, she suffered from poor vision since she needed glasses with thick lenses and silver frames that assisted her black eyes to see.\r\n\r\nShe, dressed in a light blue nurse's outfit that covered her from neck to toe, made a reluctant grimace after closing the door behind her and seeing everything in front of her.\r\n\r\n''Huff... Well, never mind. So, according to the list they gave me, what is needed is...''\r\n\r\nDrawing a heavy sigh, she spoke aloud as, with one hand, she pulled from a pocket on the left side of her trench coat a small green paper note, which, once it was level with her face, she began to read.\r\n\r\n''Let's see, does it take a box of latex gloves... or two? Hmm... I don't understand it. This is indecipherable. I can't read it. Seriously, this is unbelievable. So many years of study, but they can't write properly... Anyway, I'll take two, just in case. Now, syringes are also scarce, eh? But which ones should I take, the normal ones or the insulin ones?''\r\n\r\nLeaning against the door frame, she acted exaggeratedly for each issue, zooming in, zooming out, or turning the paper in her hands as she tried to decipher the scribbles written on it, and when in a dilemma, she held her chin in search of answers in her memory.\r\n\r\n''No... I don't remember, and they didn't tell me before coming here either, so... I'll bring one of each. Next up is a box of face masks... what a waste''\r\n\r\nSlowly shaking her head from side to side, her lips pursed, and her eyes closed, she gestured reproachfully.\r\n\r\n''They need to face life, as they don't know how important it is to save. If they cleaned them with alcohol and put them in the sun, they could use them for several days instead of throwing them away after a single time. They need to change that thinking if they want to be good mothers like Mrs. Mary... The other thing is two liters of serum, argh!''\r\n\r\nA fake groan of pain came out of his mouth upon seeing that last sentence.\r\n\r\n''Too much weight. Do they plan for me to make several trips back and forth to carry everything? No way. That would be a huge waste of time. What's more, who came up with the brilliant idea of locating the warehouse this far away from the infirmary? That's why no one wants to do this task because it's too exhausting. No, no, no- no-... oh!''\r\n\r\nCaused by her excited denial movement, the cap fell off her head, and the same would have happened to her glasses had they not been fastened to her ears with a thin string. Thus, after picking up the fallen garment, she continued reading amidst complaints.\r\n\r\n''I won't allow it. I have to carry everything in one run. After all, even though I got the candy Mr. Rob loves so much, they wouldn't let me see him all night. So, at the very least, I must give it to him before shift change... Gauze and a bag of cotton balls?''\r\n\r\nWith her eyes gradually opening wider and wider, she stared dazedly at the paper in her hands for a few seconds before raising her gaze to where the items on the list were kept.\r\n\r\n''This is... Too much!''\r\n\r\nStarting with a whisper, she ended up letting out a reserved shout, not wanting people who might be outside to hear her.\r\n\r\n''This is really mean of them. No doubt they did their best to waste my time. I only have an hour to see Don Rob, but they don't want me to''\r\n\r\nStomping the ground repeatedly, she spoke in a tone that revealed her annoyance.\r\n\r\n''This is not fair. I will accuse them to Mrs. Gilva when she comes. I will tell her they exclude me because they think they are superior to me for having studied. Ha! I have been at the hospital for more years than they have been at the university. Yes, I don't have a degree, but I have plenty of experience. Besides, I'm sure that if I asked Doctor Noah, he could help me get one...''\r\n\r\nAfter laughing for a moment with her mouth hidden behind one hand, she lowered it to place it on her chest, and after taking ample breaths, she continued.\r\n\r\n''Calm down, Clara. Don't get carried away by emotions. Don't think about trivialities that are not worth it. Don't forget that you are not here for recognition. Remember that you decided to live this life to help others just like those who helped you. Breathe, sigh. Always keep that in mind. Breathe, sigh…''\r\n\r\nRecovering from the outburst of anger, she went on to fold the paper she was holding, then put it away from where she had taken it, but as she did so, she discovered something she had hitherto ignored.\r\n\r\n''Well, it's time to get to wor-... Huh? There's more?''\r\n\r\nSurprised, she discovered that there were still unread words on the back.\r\n\r\n''Okay, it's only two things, so it should be easy. One box of catheters, which is small, and one of sample tubes...''\r\n\r\nMoving mechanically, she put the note in her pocket, then, moving her hands to her cheeks, she slapped them a couple of times to wake herself up.\r\n\r\n''Anyway, I just have to do what I must do. Besides, if I run into the cleaning mister, I can ask him to help me''\r\n\r\nThat said, she stood up properly and began to move to proceed with her task.\r\n\r\nSearching through the shelves, she picked up several boxes to find what was listed, looking at what they contained and comparing it to what she had read. If what she had grabbed was the right one, she put it in the corner of the room, but if it wasn't, she returned it to its original place.\r\n\r\nThis process took too long because she was unfamiliar with this type of work. After all, she was usually spoiled with everything she wanted. Even so, because she did not have a bad personality, she was loved by her colleagues and patients, despite being a bit whimsical and childish.\r\n\r\nAfter a while, once she verified that she had found everything she needed, she removed the cap from her head and used it to wipe the sweat from her neck and forehead, for although the site was cool, the labor had caused her to perspire.\r\n\r\nWhile she was at it, she settled into thinking about what she would need to do to carry everything in one go, unaware that her hesitant actions were causing her to fall further behind schedule than she should have.\r\n\r\nAfter much contemplation, she remembered seeing some large cardboard boxes folded in a corner. Thus, upon taking them and opening them, she put them on the floor to put the supplies inside. However, when he tried to lift them, they fell due to their excessive weight.\r\n\r\nWhen she encountered a problem that stopped her, she became depressed that her plan had failed, but with no desire to give up, after sorting out everything that had been thrown down, she rushed out of the room only to return minutes later gasping for breath and with a tape.\r\n\r\nWith this in her possession, she put the things back inside, but this time, learning from her mistake, she used several boxes overlapping each other and taped them to the bottom so that they would not open again after lifting them.\r\n\r\n''Yaaawn''\r\n\r\nTired and sleepy, she yawned happily since her effort, although unnecessary, obtained what she was looking for, as when she loaded the items, it did not cause any major problems, so with it in her arms, she left the hold.\r\n\r\n''Umph''\r\n\r\nWith staggering steps and groans from the effort, she advanced through the isolated and silent corridor. She did so dangerously, for she walked with her eyes closed and wandering in her head, distracting herself from the distance she had to cover.\r\n\r\nShe thought about what her friends had told her yesterday afternoon. She remembered the stories the elders she had cared for had shared with her. She imagined being at the wedding that Mrs. Mary never tired of describing to her. So many things were on her mind that she did not notice the change in her surroundings, nor could she protect herself when her feet tripped.\r\n\r\n''Ah!''\r\n\r\nShe fell to the floor with a scream, but fortunately, she did not suffer much damage, as the box she was carrying cushioned the blow. However, the contents of it ended up being crushed.\r\n\r\n''Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!''\r\n\r\nWhile standing up, she expressed her pain noisily, for although she did not hit hard, her body ached, but as she was used to this, she soon overcame it.\r\n\r\n''This is bad, I hope they don't get mad''\r\n\r\nShe felt frustrated and worried. So, she couldn't stop many sighs from escaping her pink lips.\r\n\r\n''God willing, this rain won't delay Doña Gilva because if she is here, maybe I could escape their scolding. I just hope her husband has agreed to bring her in his car, or else... huff''\r\n\r\nAfter that, she resumed her way.","AuthorNotes":null,"PublishDate":"2024-09-30T00:00:00.000Z","hasNotified":0,"WordCount":1627,"ViewCount":0,"Price":"0.00","Rating":"0.00","RatingCount":0,"Slug":"devoted-nurse","Status":"Published","isVisible":1,"isBonusChapter":0,"isLocked":0,"CommentsEnabled":1,"SortOrder":0,"CreatedAt":"2024-10-11T09:10:41.000Z","UpdatedAt":"2024-10-14T13:24:30.000Z","LastEditedBy":null,"ScheduleDate":null},{"ChapterID":225,"NovelID":575,"VolumeID":82,"AuthorID":959,"ChapterNumber":"7","ChapterTitle":"A Gamer","ChapterContent":"''Hahaha! Die, you bastards! Die!''\r\n\r\nIn a bedroom, which was mainly dark because the ceiling lamp was out, the only illumination that made it possible to discern some areas was from a television set in the center of the wall next to where the entrance.\r\n\r\nThis huge appliance, measuring at least seventy inches, gave off a bright light that varied over time, which revealed the deplorable state of the place where it was arranged.\r\n\r\nThe surroundings were filthy, with used dishes strewn everywhere, on which leftovers had adhered after drying, snack bags, and numerous energy drink bottles left unfinished as they slowly dripped from their finishes, staining the floor beneath them.\r\n\r\nThe tidiness here was non-existent. However, the appearance of the furnishings revealed that this site was located within the property of a wealthy family.\r\n\r\nWith solid stone walls painted gray and lined throughout its lower half with tiles that simulated dark wood, together with a slippery floor covered by a large brown carpet, which was now stained and oily but was originally shiny and silky.\r\n\r\nIn the corners were closets and cabinets that matched the spacious family-sized bed in the middle of the room. All with precious carvings hidden behind soiled garments that someone had thrown without the slightest modesty on them.\r\n\r\nIn addition, mounted to one side was a vast glass window with thick metal bars facing outside. This was obstructed by a black curtain made of cotton, which was perhaps the cleanest garment here, for there were no marks on it that showed it had been touched in a long time, just as if its owner had not bothered to pull it aside even once.\r\n\r\nSince it was on a second floor, the view from it pointed to a large courtyard, with a path lined by flowers, which led to the center, where a crystalline pond had formed, adorned by green leaves blown by the wind. A marvelous setting that would usually be bathed by the sun and moon, but today only thick drops of water flooded it.\r\n\r\nThe rain fell incessantly with no apparent end and was accompanied by a noisy chant of roaring lightning in the distance. An incredible spectacle, at the same time as terrifying, that kicked into the adjoining houses to visit its residents, regardless of the social status to which they belonged.\r\n\r\nThis city was filled with fearful and worried people, for this sudden storm greatly affected the traffic on the roads as well as the return of their children from school.\r\n\r\nEven then, not everyone went through the same thing, as the man in the bedroom, indifferent to what was happening outside his sanctuary, shouted to silence the din that prevented him from enjoying his greatest pleasure.\r\n\r\n''Fucking assholes! Die! I'll show you that you should never have messed with me!''\r\n\r\nWith words brimming with insults, the young man, who sat on the floor as his back leaned against the bed frame, was fighting against enemies beyond a screen. He made it as loud as possible but kept his temper under control by not using the microphone attached to the headphones that clamped his ears.\r\n\r\nWhile it was impossible for him to contain himself when playing, letting out all his frustration and stress in the game, he was prudent enough to measure his limits, even though this dividing line did not take into account his family, those who were the main ones affected by having to endure every day his obnoxious lexicon that only grew with the passing of the years.\r\n\r\n''Hahaha! That's it! Yes! Hahaha!''\r\n\r\nHe laughed like crazy, attending to that addiction that ravenously consumed his time and sanity, to the point where he didn't even bother to tidy up the place where he resided. He had a poor attitude towards life, so it was to be expected that it would take its toll on his body.\r\n\r\nFrom him, one would expect a body fattened by poor diet and no exercise, plus pimples that could be born innumerable on his face, with large balls brimming with pus, waiting to be exploited at any contact. However, the reality could not be more distant from that.\r\n\r\nSporting an androgynous appearance, which was further highlighted by his slender body along with his soft and delicate hands, the young man was undoubtedly a beautiful individual who, with his smooth, pale skin, instilled a righteous desire for protection but also for dirty possession.\r\n\r\nOn his head rested was red and curly hair, which, despite not having been washed for days, did not look dirty or smelly. On the contrary, as if it were a helpless animal, the urge to stroke it to enjoy the soft feel of it between the fingers was almost irresistible.\r\n\r\nAs if that were not enough, without wanting to give shape to a spot that would ruin all of the above, his face did not fall behind concerning beauty, but rather, when combined with the rest of his body, it made him stand out much more.\r\n\r\nWith a thin nose adorned with a few freckles that looked like a few stars on a moonless night, pink lips, white and unusually arranged teeth, as well as slim and well-delineated eyebrows, which were dulled as much as possible to remain modest, not wanting to get in the way of those two beautiful eyes that, as if they were diamond and emerald, revealed a beautiful heterochromia that bordered on fantasy.\r\n\r\nLike a cat, a rabbit, or some being more tender than that, so was he perceived by his aspect. Like a sad and weak animal, with melancholy eyes highlighted by the dark circles under them, he seemed to live at the expense of others while fearing to fall into the hands of the hungry hunter.\r\n\r\nOr that was how he would be seen if he would simply keep quiet, for to hear him speak, the fairy tale, at once, would be shattered.\r\n\r\n''Run! Yes, run away from me, you damned fools! Run like the scum you are!''\r\n\r\nWith his fingers, which extended to the end of his long fingernails, the young man held the controller of his console, enjoying with loud laugh or getting angry as saliva was spit out of his mouth, all because of a video war game, where his high skill and dedication allowed him to wipe out hordes of fictitious enemies.\r\n\r\nThe various explosions blinded him, the firing of countless bullets deafened him, and the trembling of the object he was holding numbed his hands, but none of that was able to get in the way of his delight, one that embroidered sexual desire, even forming a bulge, almost unnoticeable, under his boxer shorts, which was the only garment that he was wearing.\r\n\r\nHis joy would not end soon, for even though it was so late, he had barely gotten up not long ago. So he planned to sink into his addiction for hours. However, it was soon destined to be over when suddenly, along with a flash of lightning that struck his backyard, his television set went off.\r\n\r\n''Huh?!? No. What the hell!? No!''\r\n\r\nWith a high-pitched cry, the young man expressed his shock and anguish after being forcibly parted from his precious toy.\r\n\r\nTherefore, in a quick movement, driven by the anger inside him, he stood up or tried to, since because of the weakness in his legs, he ended up back on the floor. His knees were the first to touch it, and next were his palms, which instinctively extended to prevent his head from hitting it.\r\n\r\nHis response was correct. However, the location did not help him, as one of the bottles lying next to him prevented his body from being properly supported, and due to a slip, it turned to one side, leading to the fingers of his left hand hitting one of the legs of the bed.\r\n\r\n''¡Ah!''\r\n\r\nHe screamed because one of his fingernails had broken.\r\n\r\nBlood gushed from his wound, staining the carpet with a different color from the previous ones. Moreover, the pain seemed great since that was what his body showed by shaking as he brought his hand to the level of his eyes.\r\n\r\n''No''\r\n\r\nHe whispered gently, exhibiting a demeanor opposite to his past and with complex emotions coursing across his face.\r\n\r\nWith a trembling gaze, he observed his skin bathed in red, looking highly distressed but not in pain.\r\n\r\nAfter a while, when his shaking subsided, he closed his eyelids and brought his finger to his mouth, where he began to suck the wound with loud gulps and then licked the rest of his hand with his pink tongue, trying hard not to leave even a trace of blood.\r\n\r\nThus, once her goal was achieved, with a look that revealed regret with a hint of satisfaction on his flushed cheeks, he glanced in the direction where his split fingernail had been left. Thereupon, he carefully got to his feet and slowly walked towards the only door of his bedroom, from which he could still see the light coming through the gap underneath it.\r\n\r\nEvidently, the power in the house had not gone out, so he moved to solve the problem that prevented him from continuing his long-awaited fun.","AuthorNotes":null,"PublishDate":"2024-09-30T00:00:00.000Z","hasNotified":0,"WordCount":1501,"ViewCount":0,"Price":"0.00","Rating":"0.00","RatingCount":0,"Slug":"a-gamer","Status":"Published","isVisible":1,"isBonusChapter":0,"isLocked":0,"CommentsEnabled":1,"SortOrder":0,"CreatedAt":"2024-10-11T09:10:41.000Z","UpdatedAt":"2024-10-14T13:24:30.000Z","LastEditedBy":null,"ScheduleDate":null}],"user":{"UserID":959,"Name":"PhobiTO","display_name":"PhobiTO","first_name":"Phobi","last_name":"TO","Username":"phobito","Bio":"","Email":"Phobi21b@gmail.com","Password":"88","role":"user","profile_image":null,"banner_image":null,"created_at":"2024-09-30T08:25:50.000Z","updated_at":"2024-09-30T08:25:50.000Z","last_login":null,"login_attempts":0,"login_status":0,"ip_address":null,"device_info":null,"google_id":null,"google_email":null,"google_name":null,"google_profile_picture":null,"google_access_token":null,"google_refresh_token":null,"user_type":"free","currency":null,"selected_plan":null,"customer_id_stripe":null,"customer_id":null},"tags":[{"TagID":109,"TagName":"Web Novel","Slug":"web-novel"},{"TagID":1,"TagName":"Action","Slug":"action"},{"TagID":4,"TagName":"Drama","Slug":"drama"},{"TagID":7,"TagName":"Horror","Slug":"horror"},{"TagID":8,"TagName":"Mystery","Slug":"mystery"},{"TagID":68,"TagName":"Tragedy","Slug":"tragedy"},{"TagID":131,"TagName":"Gothic Horror","Slug":"gothic-horror"}],"categories":[{"CategoryID":1,"CategoryName":"Action","Slug":"action"},{"CategoryID":4,"CategoryName":"Drama","Slug":"drama"},{"CategoryID":7,"CategoryName":"Horror","Slug":"horror"},{"CategoryID":131,"CategoryName":"Gothic Horror","Slug":"gothic-horror"},{"CategoryID":257,"CategoryName":"Male Protagonist","Slug":"male-protagonist"},{"CategoryID":259,"CategoryName":"Multiple POV","Slug":"multiple-pov"}],"stats":{"total_chapters":8,"published_chapters":"8","draft_chapters":"0","deleted_chapters":"0","scheduled_chapters":"0","locked_chapters":"0"},"views":{"novel_id":575,"total_views":1,"unique_views":"1","total_view_count":"1"}};