Numerous events occurred in the affluent area following the explosion. News reached our neighborhood, often referred to as the Trash, that the blast was instigated by gangsters dissatisfied with the service at the prestigious five-star hotel. What's astonishing is that the government appears to turn a blind eye to their actions and merely accepts their behavior. This is why I harbor such disdain for this world. It seems rare to encounter talented individuals who treat us, the less fortunate, with fairness. I did find one, though... but after the explosion, I was barred from entering their premises.
Despite my repeated pleas to the guards that I only wanted to visit Felix, they ignored me and insisted it was Felix who instructed the government to deny me entry. I understand there are ramifications, but this feels excessive. To not see him? Perhaps forever!
Since then, I haven't seen Felix. It's been a week, and I really miss having him around. I miss the store that felt like a home to me. I long for everything we shared.
I miss our friendship.
Laying in bed, I gazed at the ceiling with a sigh. Each week, a multitude of boxes arrives at my place, containing items for my home. While I appreciate his consideration despite his anger towards me, it's not the same as being able to see him. If I had the freedom to choose, I would prefer to visit him daily rather than staying in this location surrounded by a heap of boxes.
Feeling bored, I decided to tidy up the house. I swept the floors, cleaned the windows, organized the kitchen and dining room, washed my clothes, and hung them out to dry. I also freshened my room, straightening up the blankets, pillows, and clothes in the closet.
Hours flew by as the sun dipped lower in the sky. I stretched my arms while yawning and glanced out the window to see nightfall approaching. I sighed and drew the curtains closed, making the room feel cozier and more inviting.
Once finished, I admired my handiwork. With a satisfied smile, I felt proud of my efforts. I moved the empty boxes outside since there's a truck that collects trash every Sunday. After that, I went back inside, shutting the door behind me.
"Perfect," I remarked to myself as I made my way to the couch. I settled into the soft fabric and turned on the TV to catch the news. As I was watching, I heard my stomach rumbling. It was time for some food. I got up and went to grab some snacks from the fridge. There were snacks available, but not the ones I preferred.
"No potato chips?" I wondered to myself. It seems Felix forgot to bring any potato chips. Letting out a sigh, I closed the fridge. But then a thought struck me.
"Wait... I remembered that Stella has plenty of potato chips!" I exclaimed with joy. I leaped into a victory dance as I quickly turned off the TV and grabbed a jacket.
I stepped out the door, locking it behind me. I was off to visit Stella's place to ask for some potato chips. I was sure she would give me a lot.
As I walked, I looked up to admire the galaxies. The stars and the moon sparkled, illuminating my features. Everyone in the neighborhood was indoors, enjoying their time. It was incredibly quiet outside. But I loved it.
I cherish peace and quiet.
I took a left turn, entering the dim alley while singing a song I had created out of boredom, enjoying the act of singing. I bobbed my head as I made up my own beatbox, but then I felt a shadow looming behind me, causing me to quickly turn around in fear.
"Holy cow!" I yelled but found no one there. I blinked in confusion. I must be losing my mind. I took a deep breath to calm myself and continued walking toward Stella's house.
After a minute, I arrived at her place. It was a cozy little house made of logs, just perfect for her. The pink design made it look quite cute. She truly is a pink girl.
I knocked softly on the door, and I could hear her voice from outside. She was quite loud.
"Clara?! Is that you?!" she called out, and I couldn't help but chuckle a bit. "Yes, yes. I need something from you," I replied, mimicking her tone so she could hear me clearly.
"Okaaaaaaayyyyy~" she sang back. I could hear her moving closer to the door. I watched as it swung open, revealing her with sparkling eyes. Her actions seemed a little hazy... She had been drinking.
"What do you waaaaaannnntttt?" she asked, her words a bit slurred. I noticed several beer bottles scattered on the floor, and I couldn't help but sigh in disbelief. "I just want some potato chips, I'm hungry," I said before pausing to point a finger at her. "And have I mentioned that you should stop drinking? Why are you drinking?" I rolled my eyes. She poked my finger with a strange smirk.
"Yes, your highness, I'll get you the potato chips," she mumbled as she glanced at the beer bottles and then back at me. "By the way, my boyfriend broke up with me because I'm more obsessed with myself than him." She pouted before walking off to get some snacks, motioning for me to come inside.
"Damn." That was all I could think. Her relationship with her boyfriend was always on the rocks. They would break up, then reconcile; it had become a cycle. I do feel sorry for her boyfriend for having to awkwardly beg Stella for attention. But what could I do to help? Their relationship isn't my concern.
I perched on a nearby chair, observing Stella as she reached for some potato chips on the shelf. She returned with a paper bag, and I opened it slightly to find that she had given me 8 potato chips. A bright smile spread across my face involuntarily.
"You're amazing, Stella." I looked up at her and then led her to her room. I laid her down on the bed and grabbed a glass and a hangover pill from the desk nearby, just in case she needed it. We exchanged goodbyes before I left her house.
As I stepped into the dim alleyway once more, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was trailing me. I kept glancing behind and to both sides, but there was nobody in sight. Is this déjà vu? I let out a sigh, attempting to calm myself, clutching the paper bag a little tighter for reassurance.
I noticed I was nearing the end of the alley, with the main road and moonlight in view. A small smile formed on my lips, and I felt a sense of relief, but just as I got closer, a figure emerged in front of me, causing me to stumble. I fell to the ground, my snacks scattering with a thud.
Unable to scream, I was struck by terror. Looking up, I saw a dark figure. I couldn't discern their features, but the silhouette hinted at a male presence.
My lips quivered as I cautiously began to retreat. I could hear the figure chuckling menacingly at my vulnerability. Great, I'm in big trouble now.
"Get away from me, you monster!" I hissed at the figure while searching for something on the ground. The darkness enveloped me, with only the moon providing a sliver of light. My fingers wrapped around a stone, and I hurled it at the figure, but it passed right through him as if he were a ghost, increasing my fear exponentially.
Is that their ability? It resembles a specter!
"Are you trying to throw a pebble at me?" a gravelly voice from a man asked as he tilted his head, either out of curiosity or mocking my pathetic attempts.
The man continued to advance towards me at a leisurely pace while I crawled backward. I couldn't get up because of my fear. "Please leave me alone," I stammered. I could feel my heart racing, and sweat dripping from my forehead to my chin. I was completely petrified.
"I can't do that. You're my target." The words dropped like iron weights, cold and final. His voice wasn't loud, but it sliced through the air with terrifying certainty. I felt my spine stiffen, my breath hitch. And before I could even form a reply, his hand shot out clamping around my throat like a vice and lifted me off the ground. My feet dangled, useless.
I thrashed, desperate. My fingers clawed at his grip, nails scraping skin. My legs kicked wildly, searching for leverage, for escape. But he didn't flinch. He laughed. A low, guttural sound that made my blood run cold. His grip tightened, and my vision began to blur. Tears welled up, spilling down my cheeks as panic surged.
"Struggling is beautiful, isn't it?" he whispered, eyes gleaming. "I feed on fear. Now beg. Beg for mercy."
"Ungifted people like you... you're rot. You poison the world. You should be erased."
His voice was venom, and I was drowning in it.
"Kgh! I-I won't beg for me-mercy! Ughk..." The words scraped out of me, trembling and broken. My lungs screamed for air. My body was failing. This was it. I was going to die.
He grinned, sensing my end. "Too bad. Say goodbye to the world."
But fate had other plans.
A glint of silver sliced through the air; a knife, spinning fast and buried itself into his hand. He howled, the pain ripping through him like fire. His grip faltered, and I dropped to the ground, coughing violently, gasping for breath.
"FUUUUCCCCKKKK! Who did that?!" he roared, clutching his bleeding hand. "How is my power failing?! This knife, this damn knife pierced me!"
He looked down, eyes burning, as I crawled away, desperate to escape.
"No, no. You're staying." He lunged, but a storm of blades rained down, striking his chest, his legs. He collapsed to his knees, screaming in agony.
"SHIIIITTT! COME OUT! YOU COWARD!"
He clawed at the knives, but these weren't ordinary. The more he pulled, the deeper they sank, twisting into his flesh. His screams echoed, raw and ragged.
I pressed myself against the wall, watching him writhe. But then; footsteps. Soft, deliberate. From my right.
I turned slowly. Another figure emerged from the shadows, walking toward me. I panicked, tried to stand but my body betrayed me. The figure paused, then knelt beside me.
My skin turned to ice.
Their hand reached out. I flinched, bracing for pain. But instead, I felt warmth, a gentle palm cupping my cheek. I opened my eyes, stunned. Behind the mask, the figure stared at me. Silent. Steady.
Then they rose and walked toward the man who had nearly killed me.
The man looked up, bloodied and furious.
"Oh, it's you... the dark hero," he spat. "Why protect the ungifted? We're the same, blessed! The powerless are trash! Parasites!"
The figure said nothing. Just stared. Then, slowly, they opened their hand. A portal shaped like an orb bloomed in the air, dark, swirling. From it, they drew a katana, its blade gleaming like moonlight.
The man's eyes widened. I stopped breathing.
"W-wait! What are you doing?! I thought we were allies!" He crawled backward, bleeding, broken. The figure followed, katana raised.
"No! No! Ah-" His voice was cut short. The blade flashed. A thud. Something rolled toward me.
Silence.
I opened my eyes and screamed. The man's severed head lay inches from me. I scrambled back, heart pounding. Blood pooled. The body collapsed.
The figure returned the katana to the portal, then turned to face me. I couldn't see their face, but I felt their gaze. They walked toward me, slow and deliberate.
"Please... don't kill me..." I whispered, voice shaking.
They knelt again, brushing their fingers against the bruises on my neck. I winced, looking away. I didn't want to die. Not like this.
This dark hero, this terrifying savior, I had admired them from afar. But seeing them up close? Witnessing their wrath? It chilled me to the bone.
They withdrew their hand, then raised it again.
"What-"
Before I could finish, their palm struck the side of my neck. My breath caught.
And then darkness.