A homeless man sat at the edge of a mountain with a half-filled glass of alcohol in one hand while looking at the beautiful night sky.
From where he was, he could see the lights of cars speeding across the roads, buildings as tall as the mountains, and sounds of music being played from multiple clubs nearby.
Normally, he wouldn't be one to take peace in these sorts of things. Parties and so on have never been ones to interest him.
The only reason he even truly entered a club was when he needed to go begging for food. Most times he would be thrown out, and sometimes, he would be lucky enough to get a half bottle of alcohol.
He took a quick chug of the drink.
"Tastes like shit."
Not like he was one to complain. Beggars can't be choosers, as they say.
He knew that all too well, more than anyone else.
Any other night, and he would have thrown the alcohol away and headed to bed.
But this night was different.
Yes... This was the night he planned to finally do it.
Suddenly, a man dressed just as homeless approached him from behind.
"Dude... the rest are waiting for us. We should go."
The man in question was so slim one could mistake him for an iron bar. His eyes seemed to have popped out slightly from their sockets, and his neck was so slender it had its own arm's length.
Taking the last chug of the alcohol, Alex savored the disgusting taste before throwing it down the mountain.
'I should have begged for more. I'm not high enough.'
Did he really care, though?
Alex stood up and faced the man.
His eyes were dead, and yet, one could see the years of sadness clinging to his soul.
They say the eyes are the fastest way to one's soul. Alex would be the best representation of that.
"Shall we?"
"Yes."
Both men moved further into the mountain. Since they didn't have money to buy footwear, they were forced to walk barefoot. Although they were used to it, that didn't stop them from bleeding every time they stepped on something sharp.
It took a while to get to their destination.
When they reached it, about ten more people were waiting at the very top of the mountain, where the river could be seen raging at the bottom.
"Here they come... We are complete now."
A woman wearing only dirty underwear spoke; her smile was neither innocent nor joyful.
Alex didn't know them, and they also didn't know him. What they were... were strangers who had the same goal.
To finally end their miserable lives collectively.
In the great town of Jesian, there was a rumor that spread among the locals living there.
It was said that during the night, when the moon is out, anyone who dares to kill themselves right on top of the mountain and asks for anything they want... They would get it in their afterlife.
Of course, many people found the story ridiculous, as there was no way to confirm if it was true or not.
The dead can't be brought back to life for questioning. Anyone with a brain would know it was just a stupid rumor spread by people who love to praise superstition.
Yet, even with this knowledge, many people have tried to kill themselves several times, and many were successful.
Alex never really understood why they would do something so obviously stupid. Until it was finally his turn.
He knew it was a rumor, he knew it wasn't true, and there was no way a magical being would just answer your wishes after you die.
But his life was miserable nonetheless.
Twenty-four years of age, and all he has known all his life is to go around begging for food. There were even other beggars in his neighborhood doing far better than he was.
Was he cursed? Does he truly not deserve any type of happiness?
Alex carried those questions all his life.
Hence why this little rumor was the only string of hope he had.
Lined up in a straight line, everyone held hands, their eyes closed as they began whispering the things they wanted in their next life.
Everyone seemed to know exactly what they wanted. They were passionate, some crying and others having faces that showed they truly knew what they wanted.
The same can't be said for Alex.
What does he truly want?
An unlimited amount of money and women? Or perhaps he wants to be a celebrity to be loved by millions?
Is the fact that he only knew suffering all his life the reason he doesn't know what type of happiness he wanted?
Alex sighed.
There was no point in worrying. He never expected this to work out for him anyway. It never does.
Whatever it was... He would let his heart do the talking.
He closed his eyes.
'What do I want after I'm dead?'
'I want to be everything I could not be.. maybe a successful business man... or a lawyer, I hear they have good pay...'
He paused...
It wasn't right...
Everything... None of it was right.
Somehow tears began to fall from his cheeks.
"I just want to be happy. Let my suffering from this life never follow me to the next. Having to look at people my own age being successful hurts. It really does.
Let me have it all... let me earn it all. I know I am not a good person, so give me a heart that makes every good thing I have worth it.
And finally... if I am to be cursed by this world as I am here... bless me with something much more potent and powerful.
I... I just want to be happy."
Alex took one step forward.
He never planned on it.
He already knew the others chickened out and didn't make the jump. The moment he felt the man's hand release from his, a smile formed on his face.
'I guess I am alone. Even in the end.'
And just like that, his body sank into the water, the giant waves sweeping him deeper into the dark ocean.
He sank.
... And sank.
Until eventually...
Alex died.