"There are many evils in this world, and many ways for a soul to be lost. Some are corrupted by power, others by fear. But of all these, none is as relentless as the darkness that taints the heart. And those who encounter it... are forever changed."
Five hundred years ago, the world was peaceful—filled with beauty, harmony, and life.
Everything was normal... until a meteor fell from the sky.
That day divided and tainted our world forever.
But there was a hero—one who stood against the corruption, and with his sacrifice, he created the great barrier that protects the island and everyone on it from the Rippers... creatures who crave nothing more than to rip our heads off.
"Hahaha!" the teacher suddenly laughed after finishing the tale.
The classroom froze in shock.
Student: "Teacher... why are you laughing?"
Teacher: "Your faces when I said that—absolutely priceless!"
Another Student: "Yeah, because it's terrifying!"
From the back row, someone whispered.
Student: "But guess who's in love with one..."
Gael leaned closer to Nash. "He's talking about you again."
Nash(Determinedly): "I'm not in love. He's my friend."
The class burst into laughter—everyone except Nash, Gael, and Yara.
Nick: "Yara, I still can't believe someone as pretty as you sits with these two losers."
Gael clenched his fist. "Wanna take this outside?"
Teacher: "Hey! Enough, all of you, or I'll send you straight to the principal's office."
The bell rang, freeing the students.
Nash rushed outside, but Gael called after him.
Gael: "Nash, wait!"
Nash stopped.
Gael: "About the Ripper..."
Nash: "What about it?"
Gael: "Lately, we've been getting a lot of hate because of it.
They bully us just because we're your friends.
Can you stop going to the bridge?"
Nash: "I'm sorry... but the Ripper is my childhood friend."
Gael: "You don't even know his name!"
Nash: "I don't have to."
Gael: "He's a Ripper, Nash!"
Nash (shouting): "SO WHAT?!"
Yara quickly stepped between them. "Guys, chill out."
Nash: "I'm sorry.
I know it's hard for you... but standing at the edge of that bridge, seeing him—it's different.
I got attached.
I don't expect you to understand.
If being my friend hurts you that much, then avoid me at school... but we can still hang outside."
Gael: "...No, I'm sorry.
I blamed your relationship for us being bullied.
But it's not your fault—it's Nick's.
Even if you stopped going, he'd just find another excuse."
Yara muttered, "Speaking of the devil..." as Nick and his crew walked up.
Nick: "So, Gael, you said you wanted to take it outside.
Changed your mind?"
Gael clenched his jaw, ready to move—but Yara grabbed his hand, holding him back.
Nick: "That's what I thought."
Gael: "Why did you stop me?"
Yara: "Because there's no point in fighting."
Nash: "She's right. Just ignore them."
Gael: "Whatever I'm going home. See you guys later."
Nash(softly): "Do you want me to walk you home, Yara?"
Yara(blushing): "No, it's okay."
Nash(smiling): "Alright... see you later then."
⸻
That evening, Nash sat alone at the bridge, waiting.
When the young Ripper appeared, Nash raised his hand and waved.
The Ripper hesitated, then mirrored the gesture.
Nash smiled.
Hours later, he returned home.
Mother: "You're late."
Nash: "Sorry."
Mother: "No, you're not. You were at the bridge again!"
Nash: "Mom, why can't you accept it?"
Mother: "Because you started believing that Ripper is your friend!
But he's not—he's waiting for you to slip up so he can rip you apart!
And that bridge is dangerously close to the barrier.
Do you have any idea how unsafe that is?"
Nash: "But I'm not going to cross!"
Mother: "That doesn't matter!
Why can't you live a normal life like the other kids?"
Nash (losing control, shouting): "NOTHING IS NORMAL INSIDE THE BARRIER!"
He grabbed his head, trembling.
His mother froze in shock.
Mother (voice shaking): "From now on, me and your father forbid you from going there."
Nash (bitterly): "All of you people are trapped in your own fears..."
He stormed upstairs, slamming the door.
His mother broke down, sobbing.
At that moment, Father walked in.
Father: "What happened? Why are you crying?"
Mother: "I told him about our decision.
He... he lashed out at me.
This isn't like him..."
Father: "Don't forget... he suffers from Bipolar disorder.
We should expect this sometimes."
Mother: "But what broke me... was that he said the exact same thing my sister did before she left...
before she crossed to the other side.
Why do I have to go through this again?"
Father: "He's still with us.
Don't worry. I'll go talk to him."
⸻
Meanwhile, Nash entered his room and slammed the door shut behind him.
He sat on his bed, clutching his head with both hands.
Nash (whispering to himself): I promised myself... I'm not letting that side out.
He raised his hand and lightly slapped himself.
Nash (thinking): Calm down... calm down, Nash. Don't lose control.
But his mother's words echoed in his mind: "He's waiting for you to slip up so he can rip you apart."
Nash (softly): No... she's wrong. I know he's different from the other Rippers. I can feel it.
He gripped his chest as if his heart was on fire.
Nash (thinking): But no one will ever believe me.
To them, he's just a monster.
To them... I'm just crazy.
He looked out the window, eyes full of determination.
Nash (firmly): There's only one way left.
I'll have to prove it. I'll have to cross the barrier.
He stood up quickly, opened the window, and the cold wind hit his face.
Nash (whispering): This time... I won't run away.
Then he jumped out and started running toward the bridge.
⸻
On his way, he stumbled upon a familiar figure—Kian, one of the guards and an old friend of his father.
Kian: "Nash? Where are you going this late?"
Nash: "I... forgot something at the bridge."
Kian narrowed his eyes but let him pass.
Father rushed to Nash's room—but the window was wide open.
Nash was already gone.
Father (muttering to himself, frustrated): "Where did he...?"
The wind blew through the open window, and all that remained was the faint trace of Nash's presence.
When Nash arrived, his eyes lit up.
The young Ripper was still there.
Nash stepped closer to the barrier.
A sign glared at him: "Alarm will trigger if crossed."
Nash (thinking): This is the only way.
If I want everyone to see... if I want them to believe me... I have to prove it.
The guards were switching shifts—leaving the bridge unguarded for a short while.
Nash: "Now's my chance."
He placed his foot past the barrier.
Young Ripper (alarmed): "What are you doing?! Don't cross—!"
But it was too late.
Nash stepped through.
Nash (thinking): If I don't breathe the dark oxygen... I'll be safe.
Young Ripper (screaming): "RUN!!!"
Suddenly, the ground shook.
Out of the shadows, a monstrous Ripper Shark lunged at Nash—its massive jaws wide open, thirsting for blood.
Nash froze, eyes wide.
Nash (whispering): "...What the—"
The beast roared as it came crashing down toward him.
To Be Continued.....