Under the cloak of night, I strolled along the streets donning a black hoodie, long trousers, and a compact backpack. Let us refer to the path I traversed as “Wankers 12.” This particular street was notorious for various criminal activities that transpired within its confines.
Hence, I carried a small knife discreetly tucked away in my pocket, should an untoward incident unfold. Furthermore, it was not unheard of for divine beings to grace this very street. Yes, you heard me correctly—gods.
You see, the world I inhabit comprises both gods and demigods, coexisting with humans in an astonishing state of harmony. Astonishing, for these deities possess immense power, yet they wield it benevolently.
This symbiotic relationship serves humanity well, as these gods could effortlessly obliterate us with a mere flick of their fingers, which instills a profound sense of dread within me.
Nevertheless, I persist, for I am still among the living.
But I digress. At this moment, what truly matters is my progression along this street, wherein I appeared to be the sole pedestrian. Yet, from the periphery of my vision, I espied a distressed figure crawling on the ground.
The person exclaimed, "Help! Please, assist me!”
The desperate cries pierced my consciousness.
I responded urgently, “Wait! I am coming!”
I sprinted towards the individual, cautiously surveying the vicinity for any signs of additional presence.
As I neared the man, I stooped down to inspect him for any injuries.
I inquired, “What has transpired?”
My focus remained fixed on him, rendering me oblivious to my surroundings.
To my astonishment, I noticed a peculiar gash on his leg while thoroughly examining his condition.
I muttered, “Goodness gracious…”
Abruptly, a peculiar sound reached my ears, resembling that of a vehicle engine. I glimpsed an unfamiliar car hurtling towards me.
In an instant, I mustered all my strength and instinctively hurled the man aside, ensuring his safety from the impending collision.
And then, a thunderous impact!
The car collided with me, inflicting severe damage upon my legs. The pain exceeded the realm of words, propelling me several feet backward from the sheer force of the collision.
I stood there, speechless and immobilized by the excruciating agony. Unconsciousness loomed near, but before succumbing, I discerned approaching footsteps. And there he stood—my eyes fixated on the man who had previously lain on the ground.
I succumbed to darkness.
Some time elapsed.
Gradually, I regained consciousness in an unfamiliar alley. My legs throbbed relentlessly, yet they had not shattered, inexplicably defying the expected outcome.
Why did that car strike me? How did the man rise to his feet? Was this a calculated scheme? I remained utterly confounded.
Summoning all my strength, I endeavored to stand upright—no easy feat. Nevertheless, I managed to achieve this arduous task.
Grimacing, I surveyed my surroundings within the alley.
Pondering aloud, I muttered, “Where am I? Did that man purposefully deposit me in this forsaken place, intending for me to suffer and perish? How despicable.”
With a determined resolve, I commenced my journey, following the alley that led in a favorable direction. Glancing to my right, I observed an absence of any discernible presence. However, an alternate alleyway veered to the left.
Perplexed by my current predicament, I retrieved my phone from my pocket. Astonishingly, it remained intact, unscathed by the collision.
A notification caught my attention: a message from my mother. I opened it, eagerly devouring her words.
My mother’s message read, “Dear Liran, it is quite late. I implore you to return promptly and bring me my medication. Please expedite your return.”
I sighed, acknowledging that, at the very least, I now had a purpose to guide me.
Allow me to acquaint you with my mother—a complex individual. Ever since my father’s untimely demise when I was merely four years old, she underwent profound changes. Copious pills became her refuge, intertwined with a myriad of other misguided coping mechanisms.
Lamentably, I possessed no siblings, leaving my mother as the sole person with whom I maintained a close bond. Regrettably, even our relationship was marred by strain and dissatisfaction.
She incessantly blamed me for misdeeds I had not committed, insisting that my existence bore responsibility for my father’s demise. The weight of her accusations and manipulative guilt-trips caused me immeasurable pain. It hurt profoundly, considering she was the only individual to whom I felt connected.
However, let us set aside these disheartening memories momentarily. My current aim was to escape this wretched place and return to my mother’s side.
Setting forth, I treaded the path leading to the left, passing a series of doors on either side.
Pondering my course, I muttered, “How might I find my way back to my mother’s abode? The distance between us is considerable.”
Continuing my march, I unexpectedly caught sight of a shadowy figure observing me fleetingly before vanishing into thin air.
I called out, “Hey!”
I hastened toward the enigmatic presence, but to no avail. The figure had vanished without a trace. My gaze shifted to the right, revealing yet another alleyway.
Pressing onward, I noticed an exit door ahead, yet adjacent to it, on the right, a door tainted with a trail of blood beckoned me.
Compelled by curiosity, I approached the door.
Upon closer examination, it became evident that the door exhibited signs of age and deterioration—a mere push could grant me passage.
Contemplating the situation, I murmured, “This does not bode well. What of the exit door?”
Determined to explore all possibilities, I ventured toward the exit door, attempting to open it.
Alas, it remained firmly shut, defying my efforts. I persisted, repeatedly attempting to force it open, yet it steadfastly resisted.
Frustration welled within me as I uttered in exasperation, “Well, damn it! It appears I must venture through that door.”
Resigned to my fate, I redirected my focus toward the broken door. Exerting a modest amount of force, it yielded easily, granting me passage into its mysterious realm.
And so, I stepped forward, traversing the threshold into the unknown.
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