Bibliomaniac

Everyone who lives in the city knew this story when growing up: the once beautiful princess and the Devil who caused her downfall.

There was a beautiful princess who lived in a gorgeous castle. She wore the most expensive clothes and danced with the most attractive bachelors at every party. Life was beautiful and joyful for the princess.

But there is a lot of things that the princess didn't have.

She wants all of the gorgeous gowns and jewelry in this kingdom. The diamonds remind her of stars that fill the empty night sky. She wanted to wear them like a necklace and flaunt it at every noblewoman she saw. The princess was a bit greedy. She wanted more.

She desired every man to fall for her. She wanted to be loved. She craves the attention she always deserved. She yearns for someone to hold her gently like she's the most beautiful woman in the world. She wanted everything.

She wants everyone to be envious of her success. She needs to fill their minds that they could never be as lovely and wealthy as her. That's how the story is supposed to end. The untouchable princess was as beautiful as Lucifer before his downfall.

But just like Lucifer, the princess met the Devil.

Merlot-colored eyes that remind her of the tastiest wine, hair as dark as an ink falls gracefully past their shoulder, and horns as sharp as a blade. The princess was frightened when she met the Devil.

A smile falls on the handsome Devil's visage. "Good evening, my princess." The Devil greeted her, befitting for a gentleman.

The princess asked cautiously why the Devil visited her place out of all people.

"I'm here to fulfill all your wishes, my dear." The Devil delicately held her hand as he softly kissed her knuckles, like a feather tickling in her heart.

The princess smiled wickedly.

The Devil granted everything she wanted, from expensive dresses and make-ups. The Devil never asked anything in return. He answered them with a smile. Despite having many treasures and gems she collected. The emptiness of her stomach was never fully sated. The princess was not pleased.

The princess told the Devil that she wanted a husband. He has to be handsome and rich enough to buy everything for her!

The news has spread that the princess is looking for a husband! Every man gathered in the castle and tried to court the princess, gifting her gowns and jewelry, but the princess had enough of this.

She was getting bored with these gifts! She wanted a prince charming who would flip her world upside down!

The Devil complies and tells the princess to go to the forest in the middle of the night. There she'll meet the love of her life. The princess was delighted, so she waited until the night before sneaking out and heading towards the dark forest.

As she ventured deep into the forest, She discovered a lake hidden beneath and looked at the distance. A handsome young man emerges through the water. Hair was as bright as sunlight and sparkling blue eyes. It was breathtaking that the princess blushed as she tried to apologize.

The handsome young man chuckled at the princess's reaction as he introduced himself as one of the knights in the Kingdom, Sir Lancelot.

He looked at her with his angelic eyes and kind smile. He softly kissed her hands.

It didn't take too long for the naive princess to fall in love with him.

Sir Lancelot and the princess married, and everyone celebrated the happily married couple. The princess finally got everything she wanted, but the Demon wasn't delighted with the news.

The Devil quite fancied the greedy princess before she met Sir Lancelot. Seeing her happy and smiling with someone. The Demon had a plan to make her suffer.

The princess woke up, someone knocked on the door. A maid comes in and tells her that a priest has arrived for a visit. The princess didn't know what had happened, but she quickly dressed up and greeted the priest. She suddenly was pinned down on the floor like a prisoner, to her surprise. The princess looked up at the priest and demanded an explanation.

The princess angrily called out her guards, but no one moved an inch as everyone looked at her with fear and disgust.

"She's a witch."

"The princess is a witch?... She must have used her powers to make herself beautiful!"

"Disgusting."

The princess shouted as tears formed at the corner of her eyes. She continued to convince everyone that she wasn't a witch and it was just a misunderstanding. The priest kicked her in the face. He looked at her with anger as he spat on her face like an animal.

"There's no point of lying, you wretched witch! Everyone can sense the demonic aura from you! The princess has summoned a devil to destroy the kingdom! Guards! Seized the witch!"

The guards grabbed the princess as they tried to dragged away. The princess fought back as she looked for her beloved. She saw Lancelot standing in the crowd, watching her. The only thing that the princess won't ever forget is the cruel smile twisted on his face. She couldn't understand what happened before being dragged out and thrown through the prison.

The princess was being tortured through days and nights. She was wearing a rag that was disgraceful to her previous status. The once prosperous and beautiful princess was being brutally beaten by prison guards. The princess sobbed as she told them to stop. The princess screamed and tried to escape when a pair of hands started groping every inch of her body. She can sense the lecherous stares looking at her like she's a piece of meat. The princess wailed, but no one dared to help her that night.

The suffering of the princess was endless until the Demon visited her at night. The princess yelled and demanded revenge on those people who tormented her. The Demon felt a sense of joy as the princess silently cried on his shoulder. He whispers sweet things as he wipes her tears. Human emotions never fail to amuse him. He can't wait to break her body like a toy.

A day has passed. It was the day that the princess would be publicly executed. They cheered when they saw the princess being humiliated. But the princess didn't care. She didn't want to die like this. She did nothing wrong. The princess glanced up above and saw his beloved with a woman. The princess couldn't believe her eyes as she watched him whisper something to her ear as the woman laughed. Betrayal was taking over her body as tears rolled down her cheeks. The once prideful princess is crying in front of everyone's enjoyment. She let the guards tie her wrist in the wooden pole as her soulless eyes glanced at her dirty feet.

The princess yelled as she tried to tell everyone that she wasn't the witch. Hope bloomed inside her as she saw her beloved getting up and looking down at her.

"Rot in hell, witch."

Sir Lancelot said, and before she knew it, the flames began to engulf her entire body as she tried to escape. The princess cried until blood came out. She could feel the fire melting her flesh and face as she began to feel like a puddle of water.

The flames died down quickly. The princess was confused. She looked up and saw a pile of bodies piling up. She watched in horror as the Devil laughed in joy as he slaughtered someone's throat, blood-splattered like a blooming rose. She could hear the cries from a distance, but the princess couldn't move. She was scared and horrified. She was almost killed, but the princess was saved by the Devil. She continued to watch as she saw her beloved's head being decapitated. His eyeball was hanging out as he stared directly at her. The Devil slowly walks right in front of her and tenderly holds her face with his bloody hands. The princess cried in fear as tears shimmered in her eyes. She could only look at him as the Devil passionately kissed her.

"No one can hurt you except for me, my princess."

The Devil was kept in an abandoned castle outside the kingdom. The tragic end of the people was spread across all nations. They all wanted to help the princess, but some wanted to kill the Devil for the prize. The Devil didn't care about what happened outside, but his princess was pregnant with someone's else child. The Devil laughed as he saw her carrying the creature.

"What a beautiful boy. He has the same sweet viridescent eyes like yours, my dear."

"Yet...It pains me that he looks exactly like you. I can't help but want to torment this pitiful child." The Devil looked down as he stroked the black strand of the newborn child.

The princess gently put her child back in his crib. The princess looked at him in the eyes and tried to negotiate with the Devil by selling her soul in exchange for her child's safety.

The Devil smiled. Seeing you with that child leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. Too bad it's time for you to receive my parting gift."

"That child will be cursed with a power. A power to manipulate the past. A power that sounds too good to be true yet so far from the truth. That child will die in the most painful way where everything he loves will forget that he ever existed. His body will slowly decay as I feast on his soul." The Devil grinned as his long sharp nails stroked the soft cheeks of the sleeping child.

The princess couldn't take what he said anymore. She clutched tightly at the knife and pierced the Devil in the heart. The princess pushed him towards the bed and climbed in front of him. She continued to stab him as she let out a hysteric laugh.

"Don't you dare touch my son, you monster!" Her voice was shrill and deafening. She was breathing heavily as cold fingers held the dull blade. She nearly suffocated on her fury, but each stab never satisfied her.

Until the woman felt something cold pressing through her gut. The adrenaline fades away as the princess drops the knife. She shakingly clutched his wrist as terror overtook her face. The Devil laughed maniacally as he sank his claw inside of her. Red began to spread like wildfire in her white dress.

"I gave you little kindness, and yet you became so arrogant." He played with her black locks and showed her a sadistic smile. He twisted his claw as the woman cried in pain.

"I think red suits you more, my dear," He whispered as he gracefully removed his claws.

The Devil watched as her body dropped down to the bed. Crimson flowed through the bedsheet as tears fell on her cheeks. Her last breath ended with pain and betrayal. The princess regrets everything. She didn't want to die, yet faith wasn't so merciful as she thought. She only wished to hold her son once again.

"Now that you are dead, I never thought I felt so empty as before. Tell me, Ivy, why does loving someone like you pains me the most?"

The Devil showed his love for her as they danced the night away, holding the dead princess in his arms.

The End.

- -

"Mr. Ryan...I don't think you should be telling this type of story to a thirteen-year-old."

"Why not? I used to read this book when I was a kid." Pete looked at me in puzzlement. "The old ladies from the neighborhood always told me that book is shameful and disgusting."

"Old people are just too sensitive! I think this book depicts the harsh reality in our society. " I retaliated and munching on my chicken wings.

"I do find the story interesting, but it's not something I would obsess over it like you did." Pete fired back as he sipped his 3rd glass of milk. The story was called the Princess and The Devil. It caused an uproar when the publisher accidentally published it in the children's category instead of the other mature sections. Every kid in the city has read the story once, and people started making theories about the story, and it was trendy before it got banned. It became a myth where the mother used the Devil as the boogeyman to scare the naughty kids.

Pete never forgets to remind me that he is sick of hearing me telling everything about the book. The author, Roderick Russel, is pretty much a mystery. There is also a theory that the person behind it committed suicide. Since the book was banned in the city, I was lucky to snag one of their collections. My favorite one was the Casket Girl, but Pete would ignore me for the rest of the week if I mentioned a tiny bit of detail in the story. Since he told me that Casket Girl is too 'gruesome' for a thirteen-year-old.

"Kids learned anatomy at a young age. People should be open-minded and innovative as me!" I clenched my fist and looked above like I said something powerful as Pete tried to pretend he didn't hear anything.

Back then, Victor occasionally visited the clinic during his free time. One day, I had this incredible idea where I pretended to show Victor a human heart from a patient, but it was actually a pig's heart that I bought from the meat market. The moment I showed Victor the 'human heart,' he passed out for 2 hours! Victor usually comes on rare days covered in the bruise despite having enough money to pay a qualified doctor.

When I was cleaning Victor's wounds, I was worried if Victor was blackmailed by someone since Victor is the type of person who would easily fall for scams. I tried to calm myself and asked Victor if I could help him. The conversation would end with Victor smiling at me. I was worried because he always comes home covered in blood!

It always happened in the past before I closed the clinic. I'm glad Victor is doing okay now. Maybe I should try calling him?

"Pete, can I have my phone now?" Pete was sitting in a booth in front of me, wearing earphones as he played that stupid game from yesterday. I tried to tell him to eat his food first before playing, but he would ignore me until he finished that silly game! I thought I tried forgetting everything that happened yesterday by having some father and son outing! My past self probably didn't expect to have a son despite being irresponsible.

"Here," He returned my phone. I pouted before I tapped Victor's phone number. The phone rang.

"Hey, This is Victor!"

"Hey, Vic, I was wondering if you're al--"

"Apparently, I'm quite occupied right now, so call me back later. Oh, here's the beep!"

The phone beeped, and I looked at Victor's name in surprise. Goddamit! I should have known he would be busy in the afternoon!

"What did he say?" Pete wondered as he nibbled on his twister fries.

"Victor being busy as usual," I answered. I relaxed my back as I leaned against the back cushion and raised my eyebrow. "I had a call from my bank telling me that my" I peered at Pete as he didn't answer after sipping his 4th glass of milk.

"The school was sold out.

"Wait, What?!" I reacted, slammed my hand on the table, almost spilling the juice and fries, as Pete had a blank stare on his face. "Wait, I mean, how?! I spent a lot of money to get you to that school!" I almost wanted to pull that head principal's wig for wasting my goddamn money!

4 years have been passed after being expelled from my old college due to my terrible mistake. Now every college in the city won't even accept it because of it. Education has always been important to me, and I really didn't want that to happen to Pete.

"Apparently, the head principal sold the school to some big shot in the city. That person is actually your boss's father, Mr. Ryan. I'm sad that I don't have my free lunch anymore, but overall, I was quite pleased that I no longer saw those losers at school."

I can feel my heart hammered in my chest. It's been 2 days since the incident. After not getting an explanation from Anthony, I assume they aren't telling me because they killed everyone that time, and I was the pathetic weakly who got lucky and survived. My everyday life has been fucking up. I was having a hard time forgetting the faces of my dead co-worker. It's even more strange that there's no news or articles regarding the incident...

"Mr. Ryan, are you alright?" Pete poked me in the forehead, looking at me fixated. I wiped the excess sweat in my hands as I beamed at Pete.

"Oh. I was just bored...Are you done? " Pete nodded, so I called for the bill as I paid two silver coins to the waitress. I missed the old days when paper money still existed, and I wouldn't have to carry these heavy coins like in medieval times.

I walked out of the restaurant with Pete following behind me shortly. I dug my hands in my jean pocket as I strolled down the streets. Maybe if it's safe to return to the clinic, I should probably look for a new school for Pete to transfer to. Probably avoiding any people related to the incident, especially the dead relatives and people behind it.

"Where are we going?" Pete questioned.

"We're just..going for a walk..haha" I knew that I shouldn't return to the site, but I couldn't help that something terrible would happen if I stayed ignorant about the situation. I'll just go for a visit...See the crime scene and walk immediately if they notice. The worst part is that no one came into the house after the incident. Not even a group of scary men with big guns interrogating me. It feels like everyone is brushing off the situation, and it's driving me nuts.

When I noticed a familiar building popping up, I stopped my track when I saw a group of Helios soldiers patrolling the area. They carried big guns and intimidated any people from entering the site. I whipped my head at the big excavator being prepared at sight by construction workers.

"What the--what are these people doing?"

"Oh? Shouldn't you already know that? A higher rank from Helios ordered the place to be removed due to adult reasons. Now that your job at Rat's Place is over, shouldn't you be celebrating right now? You always drunkenly complained about wanting a meteor to strike through that place."

"Wait a minute! How did you learn this information?"

"It's all over the internet..?"

"There's no news about a murder?" I blurted, regretting it immediately when Pete looked at me in bafflement.

"I don't think there's no news about murders here in Lotus Town. Why are you asking me that?"

"Hahaha...Nothing...Must be a lack of caffeine." I lied and turned my heels as I walked away immediately.

What the fuck. What the fuck. What the fuck. What the fuck.

Shit happens, right? I must be the only sane person here. Nobody knows what actually happened. People don't even care, but what about the relatives of those people who died 2 days ago? Where are they? Shouldn't they look right now? No one knows what happened except for Winter, Anthony, and me. No news article. No news broadcast.

I saw those people dying. If I posted a thread on the forum, would people believe me, or would it be treated as some kind of conspiracy theory or a way to seek attention? What happens if I expose Anthony and the rest?

"Leave this city, Ryan."

I can feel Anthony's voice echoing in my head. Dark midnight eyes looking closely at every moment, a pitiful smile that burned through my memory. I tried to swallow my anger as I strode my way, bumping into a few people as I could hear Pete having a difficult time trying to catch up with me.

You leave this city, you dickhead!

Tch, Who needs those people anyway! Despite showing humility, that doesn't mean they should be killing people and throwing them around!

I just need to live and pretend for the rest of my life if I have to!

"Mr. Ryan, wait!" Pete panted. Before I could react, long nails dug through my wrist. Tattooed arms and maroon hair in my view. Her forehead furrowed as her sharp jaw clenched, tightening the grip. Her deep-set brown eyes stared dagger at me.

"Give me back my purse, you son of a bitch!" A heavily tattooed woman started throwing hands at me. I didn't even get to defend myself when the woman started pinching both of my cheeks.

"Acting so sly and cheeky, aren't you?" She grits her teeth as my cheeks are getting swollen from her pulling them. The woman wasn't even tall. She wore a black crop top underneath the leather jacket and a black mini skirt paired with black impact boots. Pierced from her ears down to her belly button. Her curly maroon hair falls past her shoulder as her cheekbones raise in a snarl.

"Miss, I really don't have your wallet! You must have mistaken me for someone else!" I felt like crying. Why does this always happen to me?!

"You lying asshole! I saw your grabby hands nab my purse!" She started frisking me like a prison guard to an inmate. Pete and I watched in shock when the woman started diving her hands into my rear pocket.

"What the fuck, lady! This is sexual harassment!" I yelped and tried to pry her hands away from my butt. But I couldn't move her stiff muscles as I hopeless watched her search every pocket I had until she knew that I didn't have her wallet before backing out.

"You didn't have my wallet.." She stared at me in astonishment.

"That's what I already told you multiple times! For christ's sake. Why won't anyone listen to me for once!" I frowned and smacked her hands away from me.

"That's strange...I thought you were that person...Ah, I'm so, so, sorry!" She apologized as she did a perfect 45° bow. I want to be an asshole and yell at her in public, or maybe demand some money compensation but at the same time. I would probably react the same way, but I'm 100% sure that I would overreact more. Money is more important than my dignity.

"Um...Nah, it's okay.." I awkwardly mumble while looking around, hoping everyone would divert their attention to something else. It makes me anxious when people stare at me in public. "Anyways. What do they look like?" I inquired, noticing that the crowd's attention had diverted. I sigh in relief.

"Tall guy. Skinny and has black hair. Blackcap and white long sleeve jacket. But now that I look closely, the thief is more like leaning towards the tall side, hehe" She giggled as I narrowed my eyes at her. I'm 170 cm. I'm not even short or tall either! Everyone around me is freakishly titan! I'm super manly back in college!

"Wait! It's that fucking bastard!" She yelped. She twisted my head in that direction. I saw the dude in a white jacket, clutching a white plastic bag onto his chest. I nodded at her and immediately started running as fast as I could, tackling the unsuspecting thief behind their back. Finally, using the lessons from self-defense class and clasping both of his wrists as I pinned him down against the concrete floor.

"Ah! Wait, what did I do!?" The man grunted. I removed his hood and almost choked back. Recognition dawned on my face as I already remembered a particular glasses-wearing kid from yesterday.

"Wait, Mr. Ryan...I think you might have broken his bones..." Pete said slowly as he raised his hand to his mouth.

"Ryan...Is that you?? It's me, Rin!" Rin's whole face lit up, radiating a golden retriever vibe.

It's that weird kid from yesterday.

- -

I thought I would run away as soon as I saw Anthony and Winter, but I didn't expect to bump into one of their friends, and the worse part. I might have sprained their ankle by accident.

"This is all my fault. I'm really sorry, Rin..." My voice weakened as I wrapped the bandage around his ankle. Good thing It wasn't as bad as mine, or I might have a cold shower after this. Wait. Never mind, I'm still gonna remember this for the rest of my life.

"No! It's...my..fault...that I..looked..like..a..thief... " Rin denied as he shyly rubbed his hand behind his neck. He gotta stop apologizing every time we meet... It's making me feel guilty.

Rin peeked at Pete, hiding behind my back, and smiled. "Hello, Pete"

"No, It should be who should apologize..." Shit. This is so embarrassing. I'm kneeling in front of him while I hold his wrapped ankle in an awkward position. I let go and slowly got up. Pete, who watched at the side, looked at Rin in caution.

"Is there any way for me to repay you?" I persist. I hope it's not money.

"I--Let me... think a-about it..."

"Um. Cool." I said quietly. An uncomfortable silence passed every second, and inside my brain were millions of miny Ryan trying to find a new conversation topic.

Shit, I need to say something. Say something!!

"So..Wanna have a coffee with me?" Wait. Why do I sound like I'm asking him on the date? Shit, What if he doesn't even like coffee? Maybe he already has plans, and I'm just selfishly wasting his time??

"I actually..would l-love that.." He murmured as when our eyes met, he flushed. Oh no, please don't tell me he has a crush on me. I hope not. I would be the worst person. I'll pray that I'm actually overthinking like that fucking psycho always used to tell me.

- -

We slowly walked to the nearest coffee shop in the street. I wondered if it was wise to go to a coffee shop because I ended up having a sword thrown to my face the last time I went. I wanted to help Rin, but he declined the idea with power. Peeling paints on the building and brown trees. The busy street and black smoke came out of the car engine. I observed as people are strolling and being active. From rich to poor, this is the part of the city where everyone can freely roam without being shot.

We reached the coffee shop for 2 minutes. We entered the place, and both ordered black coffee. Oh, Rin actually likes black coffee. Pete ordered a slice of tiramisu cake, Rin insisted that he'd be the one paying. I tried to reject it, but we ended up arguing in front of the barista for another 2 minutes. End of the story, Rin wins the battle. The barista was quite annoyed, though I could feel the same way. He would have done something more productive and done his college thesis instead of watching two idiots fighting over who would pay.

Everyone relaxed as we finally sat down. Pete was eating his cake while Rin and I had an 'adult talk.' We actually chatted a lot of things. I didn't think we had a lot in common. He was also an avid fan of Roderick Russell.

"Wait, you're favorite book is also the Casket Girl?!" I can feel my soul levitating as I find another person who understands the beautiful work of my favorite author. Victor was not a fan of the gore genre and kept pestering me not to read this kind of book in front of Pete. I'm sure Pete can hold a human heart without even flinching because he was my assistant back when I opened my clinic.

"Me and my o-older brother...U-used to read those...when we were k-k kids..." I looked at Rin as I saw him smiling to himself. He must be a very loving brother.

I thought having a cup of coffee with Rin would be an easy task. I thought I should get this over quickly and part ways, hoping never to see him again due to his relationship with Anthony. I didn't know that a violent maroon-haired woman was waving at us like a maniac while linking arms with another girl. They began walking towards our table.

"Hello cuties, The name is Lisa Foster, and this is my wife, Stella Foster." Lisa winked at us then proceeded to hug Stella's arms, as Stella looked at her affectionately before turning towards us.

"Good afternoon," Stella smiled politely. She is kinda an inch taller than Lisa. Stella had straight, long, pitch-black hair that ended at her waist, a bang covering her forehead, and small onyx eyes. She was wearing an expensive white dress and black heels. I don't know much about women's fashion, but I'm not blind enough not to notice Stella's simple clothes cost more than my monthly salary. She is probably someone from an old-money family.

"Ah, It's been a while, Lisa" Rin got up and went to Lisa for a hug. Wait, they actually know each other??

"Hi, Miss..S-Stella," Rin shyly said. Stella chuckles as she gives Rin a quick hug. Everyone sat down, and Lisa started chatting with Rin.

"I hope me and my wife aren't interrupting something, aren't we?" Lisa wiggles her eyebrows at Rin.

"L-Lisa! please s-stop!" Rin stuttered, his voice is weakened as Lisa continued to tease the poor guy.

"Awee, you're so cute as always, little Rin-rin." She cooed and pinched Rin's cheeks.

"Please n-not in front of Ryan, Lisa. huhu." Rin begged, bright ruby eyes turning misty as he stared at me pitifully.

"Oh, that must be your name!" Her brown eyes sparkled as she whipped her head in my direction.

"Ryan! Sorry about what happened again. Order whatever you want. The bill will be paid by me. Stella has had my wallet all along and has walked around because of it. Sorry for the misunderstanding, Ry. Oh, I'm also sorry, Rin-Rin. I thought you were a purse snatcher for a second. Maybe we should have cut your hair like I always told you to." She let out a half-assed laugh, slapping Rin's shoulder like he said something funny. Well, on the bright side. At least someone had the decency to apologize, unlike that white-haired lunatic from yesterday. Ohh, a new nickname, not bad.

"Wait, you actually thought I was the thief??" Rin exclaimed.

"Oh! who's this miny friend of yours, Ry?" Lisa shifted the subject as she glanced at Pete.

"Hello... My name is Pete." Pete greeted, shaking her hands as he looked at her with wide eyes, reminding me of a fawn.

"Omigod! You're so cute!" She gushed as she sat next to Pete. An evil intent glint in Pete's eye as he ordered a few desserts, looking innocent and pure.

"Thank you, Auntie Lisa,"

"No problemo at all! Order whatever you want, Pete!" Lisa said with much enthusiasm.

"Ryan...about...Pete, is he your younger brother? You don't really look alike." Rin doubted, eyes glint of curiosity.

"Oh, he's actually my son."

"Your son!?!" Lisa and Rin shouted in a union.

"We're not blood-related and I sort of raised him since he was 8 practically; he is my adopted son." I was not expecting their reaction to being that big.

"That's really interesting, Ryan," Stella commented. "So, how did you and Pete meet?"

"Oh, about Pete...I picked him up from the trash."

"What?!" Lisa and Rin shouted at the same time. Seriously, are these two in a school choir or something?

"That's a really, really interesting way of words," Stella trailed off as she pursed her thin lips. Everyone at the table is looking at me like I'm some sort of depressing clown that ruined their birthday party. It's not like I'm lying either. It was actually raining that time, and I happened to trip in a trash can. That's where I met Pete, sitting in a pile of garbage, covered in dirt and bruises. Maybe I'll tell this story next time. It's better if they don't know Pete's past.

"Mr. Ryan actually picked me up from the trash." Pete ended the conversation as he sipped his own cocoa milk. At that moment, everyone started doting at Pete, especially Lisa and Stella, who kept asking what he wanted for a Christmas present while Rin looked like he was about to burst into tears.

I also know a lot of things about Stella and Lisa. Lisa, a tattoo artist, fell in love with a rich girl from a conservative family. Stella's family didn't like Lisa due to being homophobic. Still, like a modern Romera and Juilet, except the dying of poison. Stella ended up leaving her wealthy family and got back together with Lisa. They also got married 3 months ago. Honestly, this is an incredible story. I was thrilled that Stella and Lisa got their happy ending.

I ended up exchanging contact with Lisa and Stella. They seem really cool, so why not? I barely have friends, and It's better to start new with new people around you. It's almost dawn, and I should probably go now.

"Bye, Ryan and Pete! Let's hang out again! and also, Rin-Rin! You better act like a gentleman and take care of Ryan!" Lisa shouted. I looked as Rin turned into a tomato, and Lisa waved weirdly. She opened and closed her hands. I think she's trying to say goodbye.

We watched as their backs faded away, leaving us watching the orange sunset. It's been a long day, and Pete was complaining about the dirty bathroom in the coffee shop, so the three of us decided to walk to a nearby park. He refused Rin and me to go with him because we were too gross, so we ended up waiting at the fountain. There weren't many people at the park, so everything was peaceful and calming.

"Rin, can I have your phone number?"

"Y-Yes!" Rin yelled as he took out his phone immediately, like a puppy eager to earn treats.

I typed my number on his phone. I kinda like the texture of his phone case. It was plain black, yet it was so soft in my hands, I didn't think for a minute and flipped the side of the phone. I saw the gold ink with "Catch-22" written in italic cursive.

"You must have read that book, huh? It's one of a kind! I also thought Catch 22 is some kind of card-making company until I searched it online." I chuckled as I returned the phone to him.

I also know that Catch-22 is an infamous hacker here in the city. I searched in the forum last night and scrolled down, and it's full of treads about a hacker who doxed many politicians after WW3. Catch-22 was rumored to be part of the Helios Organization for 2 years after the Turf War. The mafia monarch who slaughtered the Trevisani Family, the once mayor in this city.

Isn't it weird that I think Rin might be that Catch-22 hacker? That would be absurd, right?

Then how did he know Pete's name?

"Oh, I've been meaning to tell you this, Ryan. It's about the repayment you told me."

"..Sure. Shoot it." I said in a carefree tone, and before I knew it, I felt a sharp sting in my arm. I looked down and saw the green syringe. I tried to run away but ended up falling down into Rin's arms. I could feel my body weaken as I clutched my head in agony.

Orange sunset. A Green syringe. Red Eyes.

"I'm sorry, Ryan."

No.

Please don't do this.

"Rin...Please.." I begged as my voice was rough with pain. It hurts. It fucking hurts.

"I added a tiny dose of drug into your system. It will make you forget about what occurred 2 days ago and even today. I'm just trying to save you from my older brother, so you don't need to thank me. He can be pretty forceful when's he's angry. I expected you don't stick your nose into other people's business and never trust a stranger, Ryan."

"I hoped this served you as a lesson... If you do end up remembering everything...Please don't beat me badly."

"Fuck you, Rin! I'll fucking kill you!" I snarled, biting my lips till they bled. He didn't bite back as he silently watched me.

"Good night, Ryan." He said in a sad smile, tears shone in his eyes

Darkness began to fill vision like an empty void taking over the scene. It's dark and lonely yet calming and soothing. I don't mind staying like this forever. Tch, Why is he crying? Shouldn't I be the one who's weeping my balls here? I'm the one who's getting drugged here!

Despite that, I can't bring myself to get mad at him. In the end, I never learn anything.

When everything was utterly filled with nothingness. I dreamed about the past.