The Nightmare

Ruby lay still, her face blank as several homeless men attacked her. They slapped her, shouted crude insults, and treated her like an object. She didn't react, even as they hurt her. One man suggested branding her with a hot iron, like someone had once carved "bitch child" into her thighs to get a response.

The others agreed. A man returned with a glowing red iron rod and pressed it into her skin, burning the words "their property" onto her body. Ruby screamed as the metal scorched her flesh. Two men pinned her arms and legs, ignoring the tears, snot, and spit streaming from her face. She twisted in pain, but they held her until the burns were deep and raw.

Days later, when a man tried to cut her hair with a knife, Ruby pushed her neck against the blade. She died instantly, choosing death over more suffering.

---

Ryuki bolted awake, soaked in sweat, his heart racing. The nightmare of Ruby's torment clung to him—her screams, the burns, her desperate end. He gripped his chest, struggling to catch his breath.

He hadn't expected that ending. Ruby had many possible fates, but this one was the worst, filled with unbearable pain.

After calming down, Ryuki checked on his sleeping mother and sister. Once sure they wouldn't wake, he got up, dressed, and slipped out of the house quietly.

Outside, the moon glowed brightly, and stars twinkled in the sky. Ryuki walked alone down a quiet street. Soon, he saw a drunk man dragging a young girl by the wrist. She fought back, but the darkness hid their faces.

Ryuki spotted some stones nearby. He grabbed one and threw it, hitting the drunk man's head. It didn't knock him out, but the girl kicked him hard between the legs and ran toward Ryuki.

As she got closer, Ryuki recognized her—it was Rena.

"Let's get out of here," Rena said, panting. "That drunk creep tried to rape me. If the laws weren't so strict, I'd kill him."

"Seriously?" Ryuki asked, shocked. He knew this world came from an ero game, where men often acted this way. He'd need to stay cautious.

"First, let's move," Rena said, steadying her breath.

"Wait a sec," Ryuki replied. He picked up bigger rocks and hurled them at the drunk man, who was still clutching himself in pain.

"He didn't see my face," Ryuki said with a grin. "He won't come after you or snitch. Want some revenge?"

Another rock struck the man's head, drawing blood. Ryuki stopped, satisfied.

"Why are you here?" he asked Rena as they ran off. "Weren't we meeting at the park?"

"There were tons of homeless guys at the park," Rena explained. "The same ones who raped Ruby when she ran away. So, I headed your way to find you."

"Oh, those homeless guys," Ryuki said. "I want to deal with them… but what about the drunk? With my ability, we won't get caught."

"Forget the drunk," Rena replied. "Focus on the homeless guys. First, let's mess with Ruby's dad's car brakes. Then, we'll snap a photo of my dad's affair."

They slowed to a normal walk, leaving the drunk behind.

Ryuki nodded. They headed to Ruby's house and checked that no one was around. Then, he asked his ability: How can I eliminate Ruby's father without getting caught by the police?

The answer came: Mix orange juice in his beer tomorrow evening at 6:34 PM when he leaves it outside the door.

Ryuki frowned. Last time, his ability had told him to sabotage the car brakes. Why the change?

He retraced his steps. He'd left home quietly, met Rena, and headed to Ruby's house without trouble—until the drunk man. That encounter shifted everything. Sabotaging the brakes wouldn't kill Ruby's father tomorrow anymore. Maybe he wouldn't drive, or he'd drive too slowly to crash. It could still work later, though.

Before acting, Ryuki checked his ability again. It said: Go to Rain Park.

He furrowed his brow. He didn't know what was at Rain Park, but his ability often sent him there after he miss the best period of time. He suspected it might involve time reversal, though that didn't matter now. If he touched the car, someone would catch him. But who?

Ryuki scanned the area and froze. A fat, ugly man stared down at them from a window. No—he was staring at Rena.

Ryuki cursed silently. The drunk man had thrown everything off. His ability had said this guy should be in his room, not watching them.

Rena shifted uncomfortably. "Let's go. That creep's staring. Today's plan is ruined."

"Okay," Ryuki said, nodding. His mind started spinning. He'd messed up. The drunk man only showed up because Rena was with him. Last time, his ability told him to tamper with the brakes at 1:04 AM—alone. He'd dragged Rena into this, and now everything had changed. He stood there, lost in thought, piecing it together.

"Again? What's with you? Let's move," Rena called. She was already ten steps ahead, her voice sharp with impatience. This wasn't the first time she'd caught him zoning out like this.

"Yeah," Ryuki said, snapping out of it. He started to follow. Then he heard a voice.

"Big Bro? Why are you here?"