Kichu wandered the city like a stray dog. The city was exactly as he remembered—big buildings, parks, never-ending crowds. It was familiar. Then, he saw something he was never meant to see, something he was supposed to live.
He saw his mother and himself walking through the park. Warm smiles lit up both their faces. Kichu stood frozen. He hadn't realized how beautiful his life could have been. He walked closer, but they couldn't see him.
"Careful there. Think twice when you take steps. You're walking into a future memory. If you're not careful, it can devour you. And you'll be stuck here forever," a voice echoed above.
Kichu clenched his fists. He looked at them one last time and walked away.
Time kept moving. Kichu looked at the moon in despair. He didn't know what to do. He looked around and noticed someone staring at him. A man in an old coat and hat stood across the sidewalk. Kichu approached him.
"How many days?" the man asked.
"So you're stuck here too," Kichu said.
"Yeah, it's been ten years," the man said, lighting a cigarette.
Kichu's face fell. He lost a bit of hope.
"Ten years? Oh man... Why can't you kill her?" Kichu asked.
"I was ready to. Until I saw her. She's just a child. I'm a father too. When she asked me to kill her, I just couldn't do it."
"So do you think there are others in this world?" Kichu asked after a pause.
"Yes. She brings all kinds of people here. People who messed up badly, people who want to die, people obsessed with wealth... everyone."
"Why me then?"
The man took a final drag and threw the cigarette away.
"I don't know why. But you can try," he said. Then, looking behind him, his eyes widened and a small smile touched his lips.
"I understand it now. Got a name, kid?"
"I'm Kichu."
"Name's Rem. She comes near the lake in the park every night. You'll find her there," he said and walked away.
"Goodbye, Kichu. This will be our last conversation," he said, vanishing into the darkness.
Kichu went straight to the park.
It was empty. A girl sat alone on a bench by the lake. Moonlight reflected off the water, glowing around her. Kichu approached slowly. When he got close, she turned to him. He didn't see a witch—he saw a hopeless girl.
"So you came," she said.
"Yeah... ready to die?" Kichu replied and drew his sword.
"More than you think," she said and closed her eyes, expecting a fatal strike. But it never came. She opened her eyes slowly. Kichu wasn't in front of her.
"So, why do you want me to kill you?" Kichu's voice came from beside her. He was sitting on the bench.
"Why do you want to know?"
"I don't like replying to a question with a question. I'm just curious. It's surprising—a beautiful girl around my age asking me to kill her."
"There's no need for you to know. Time is running out. If you don't kill me now, you'll sink into this world."
"Time enough for a little backstory," Kichu said and smiled. She looked at him with amazement. It had been a while since she saw such a genuine smile.
"As I said before, it's my curse to have a Sin like this. I've seen many alternate worlds—ones where my parents lived, where I didn't. Strangely, in every world where I wasn't born, they lived happily. But in every one where I existed, they eventually died. Sometimes I only lived for a day... but they always died. I realized I was the problem.
To forget my pain, I created this world. But it only brought more suffering. Others began appearing here—people who didn't belong. I couldn't stop it. The thought that I not only ruined my parents' lives but also others... broke me."
She paused.
"Finally, I found a solution. My death. I tried many ways, but I just can't die. So I began asking others to kill me. But no one could."
"So if I kill you, everyone trapped here can go back?"
"Yes."
"Bullshit! How could I live happily after killing a girl? Ugh... my head hurts," Kichu said, standing.
The world began to crumble.
"I'll find another way. I'm not killing you."
"There's no other option. Time is running out. Don't feel bad. Killing me will help me too. It's what I want. Can't you fulfill one girl's wish?" she said with a sad smile.
Kichu looked at his sword.
"Do it," a voice echoed in his mind. He recognized it.
"Do it, Kichu. It's the only way to escape."
"The sword..." he whispered in terror.
"She's just an illusion, Kichu. Swing the sword through her, then you'll understand," the voice said.
He raised his sword.
Before he could swing, sirens wailed. A megaphone voice shouted:
"This is the police! Drop your weapon immediately!"
Dozens of officers surrounded him. Helicopters flew overhead.
"You've got nowhere to run! Surrender now!"
Kichu hesitated. If he swung, bullets would tear him apart. Time was running out.
"Looks like you have company," the girl said, pointing.
Roaring engines shattered the silence. Motorcycles, cars, and vans tore through the police barricades.
"Yeah! That's our homie right there!" Range jumped off a bike.
Kichu smiled.
"Back off, motherfuckers!" Nick and Mike jumped from their car, guns blazing. Dozens more gangsters followed.
"Think twice before you shoot!" Nick shouted.
"Whoever lays a hand on that man deals with us!" Range said, walking up to Kichu.
"Wassup, homie. Right on time."
"Thanks, bro. I needed that," Kichu said.
"Thanks? Brothers help each other no matter what," Range said and pushed him lightly.
"Go, bruh! You helped us escape. Now it's our turn."
Kichu nodded, took one last look at them, and ran.
"Where'd you learn those big words, nigga?" Mike asked.
"Remember that show Whiteys Got No Dignity? It had a line just like that," Range replied, opening fire.
Kichu ran through the city. He heard the gunfire and realized—he had to end this.
For them. For blood. For loyalty.
To Be Continued....