A man and a woman stood before him, slowly vanishing into thin air, their hands outstretched. His chest tightened with each breath.
Stop… look at me… don't go, please…
He read their lips, a whispered warning "Take care of yourself… and don't take a wrong step."
Frozen, unable to move, he screamed as they disappeared. The shriek of an alarm clock jolted him awake.
Sweat coated his face, hands trembling in the air, chest heaving. "I-it was a dream… again."
He pushed himself upright and opened the window. How many times had he relived this?
In front of the mirror, Adrian ran a hand through his medium-long black hair. Grey eyes stared back, reflecting exhaustion and unease.
He descended the stairs to the dining room. His grandfather sat at the table, reading the newspaper, indifferent.
"Grandpa, I'm going…" Adrian started.
No response.
"Grandpa…" he tried again. As his hand touched the door, both of his grandfather's hands slammed onto the table. Adrian froze, a shiver of horror running through him.
"Grandpa! What—? You spooked me out!"
"ADRIAN, you worthless shit! You were going to college without telling me, right?"
"I did tell you, but you didn't listen—"
"Shut up!"
Frustration burned behind Adrian's eyes as he clenched his teeth.
"You should learn some manners," his grandfather continued.
"I would… so I'm going," Adrian said, keeping his tone casual.
"Wait there."
"Now what?"
"This is your last year at college. Study hard, get a job, and get out of my house."
Adrian shrugged carelessly. "Yeah, yeah… I'll do it."
"And don't get into any trouble. If you do, I won't help you."
Under his breath, Adrian muttered, "You didn't help a single time in your whole life… except once."
"Now go," his grandfather said, returning to the newspaper as if nothing had happened.
The phone rang. Grandpa picked it up and spoke calmly, yet firmly "Oh no, I won't get scared and back off. And I also won't let you. Just do what I told you. Even though I'm retired, I still have more authority than you. Don't worry, they can't do anything." He hung up.
Adrian walked to college, shirt untucked with a blouson collar on top, when someone tapped him on the shoulder.
"I know it's you, Sofia," he said.
"Good morning, Adrian," she replied.
Her short hair framed her face, glasses catching the morning light. Jeans and a simple top completed her casual look.
"Good morning."
A police car sped past them, chasing another vehicle.
"Wait—it's a chase. Don't know what happened. Let's wait here," Adrian said.
Sofia's eyes widened. "A-Adrian… the car has the Ruling Syndicate name on it."
"Ruling Syndicate?" Adrian asked, confused.
"Wait—you don't know about the Ruling Syndicate?" she asked, shocked.
"I've heard the name, but…"
"It's the world's biggest criminal organization," she explained. "Though… I think those were wannabe members. Real members don't label themselves like that."
Adrian shrugged. "Oh, they're gone. Let's cross the road."
"You didn't hear me? What I said?" Sofia asked, jogging to keep up.
"I did. But I don't have anything to do with it," Adrian replied.
She smiled.
"What happened? Smiling suddenly… gross—urk," Adrian muttered.
Sofia lightly slapped his back. "Excuse me? What do you mean gross?"
He laughed. "Haha, just kidding."
"Aaadriaaannn!" a voice called from behind.
Sofia glanced back. "Who are they?"
"Tsk. It's those delinquents again," Adrian muttered.
"They're the ones you were talking with yesterday," Sofia said.
"Sofia, you go. I'll come in five minutes," he said, forcing a smile.
She grabbed his arm, concern in her eyes. "Hey, Adrian… don't get involved with them. They don't look good."
He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Haha, don't worry. I won't."
Three men approached, shirt sleeves rolled up, chains dangling, piercings glinting.
"Hey Adrian, you look good, man. No doubt you got a girl," the first said.
"She? No, she's just a friend," Adrian replied quickly.
The second, staring at Sofia's back, said, "Really? Man, she's hot as fuck."
These bastards… Adrian thought, clenching his teeth.
"I really want her, man," the third added with a grin.
"Don't worry. Adrian would help us, right?" the first teased.
"No. Forget her," Adrian said firmly.
"What do you mean? So she really is your girl, huh?" the second pressed.
"No, not at all! It's just… she's not interested in you guys," Adrian snapped.
"Does it even matter?" the first sneered.
"So true. Doesn't matter," the second agreed.
Fuck… what do I do now? Adrian thought.
"I'll talk to her, so just wait, okay?" he said, raising his hand.
"You are the man, you know that?" the first laughed.
All three burst into laughter.
A car rolled to a stop on a deserted back street. Two figures in hoodies slipped out, pushing open the door of an abandoned house.
Inside, a man sat by the window. His long hair was messy, a bandana tied across his forehead, a single piercing glinting on his ear.
"Hey Leo, we're here," one of them called.
Leo turned slowly. "Come in, Finn, Rian."
Finn stepped forward, breaking the silence. "Same as before—they're still probing, trying to find their way. But I think this time, they'll make a move. So… what now?"
Leo leaned back, concern tightening his expression. "Keep an eye on them. We can't let them do what they want."
Evening. On the footpath.
Sofia kept pace with Adrian. "Why are you going alone? At least wait for me."
Without looking at her, Adrian said, "Sorry, Sofia… but please, stay away from me."
"What do you mean, stay away from you?" she demanded.
He rested his hands on her shoulders. "It'll be dangerous for you. That's why I—I don't want to drag you into danger. So please…"
"But Adrian—"
Before she could finish, three delinquents appeared.
"My man Adrian. What are you doing here with this hottie? Taking her somewhere fun, right?" one said, grabbing Adrian's shoulders.
Sofia's face tensed.
"I told you before—she doesn't even know you guys. So forget it," Adrian said, backing her up.
"Adrian, don't tease us, man," the first delinquent said.
The other two grinned, grabbing Sofia's arms.
"Fuck off," Adrian snarled.
"What did you just say?" one asked.
"I said, fuck off, you little bastards!" His eyes burned with fury.
He punched the first delinquent straight in the nose. Blood sprayed as the man stumbled back.
The other two froze, shocked.
"A-Adrian, you bastard—!" they shouted.
Adrian spun, kicking both hard in the neck. They collapsed.
"Fuckers… you think you can just do whatever you want, huh," he growled, brushing his hair back.
"Adrian, watch out—!" Sofia yelled.
A bloodied bat swung toward his head. The strike landed squarely, and Adrian's vision went black. He collapsed.
Outside his house, a police car pulled up. The doorbell rang.
Three men in crisp black-and-white coats and matching pants stood at the entrance. Grandpa opened the door.
The man in the middle, tall and blonde, exuded confidence. He removed his glasses deliberately and produced a card.
"Special Anti-Ruling-Syndicate, 3rd Division. Vice Chief Xavier Storm," he announced.
Grandpa's eyes narrowed, eyebrow twitching. "Xavier Storm…?"
"You heard me right, Mr. Ceaser Bathan," Xavier said.
Grandpa's expression hardened.
"Or should I say—former Standing Chief of the 3rd Division," Xavier added, a shadow of amusement crossing his face.
The air grew heavy, thick with tension.
Grandpa asked, "What do you want…?"