Heavy, intense breathing filled the air, punctuated by the relentless thumping of a heart racing against the confines of its chest. Faster and faster it beat, a frantic rhythm that echoed the chaos of a dreamscape. Suddenly, it all stopped. The world around Hunter plunged into an abyss of pitch blackness, and then, with a startling jolt, a vivid image—a black eye—popped into his consciousness.
"So I was dreaming inside a dream, crazy," he murmured as he jolted awake. The remnants of the dream clung to him like mist, dissipating quickly as reality took hold. Hunter glanced at the clock on his bedside table; it was still 6:30 AM. The early morning light filtered through the blinds, casting stripes across his room, a modest space filled with books, workout gear, and the remnants of his dreams.
Hunter Young was a bright, young student with a promising future ahead of him, currently enrolled at Saint Rosemary University of Science. Recently, he and his family had relocated to Texas, seeking better opportunities. At just 19 years old, he was handsome, muscular, and dedicated, balancing his passion for fitness with his academic pursuits. He lived with his parents, Oliver and Amy, both in their forties, and his younger sister, Rachel, who was 15. Their modest home was just a few miles from the family grocery store, a business that had been the backbone of their livelihood.
With a yawn that stretched his jaw wide, Hunter wasted no time. He hit the floor, counting out push-ups: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… all the way to 100. His routine was a blend of discipline and enjoyment, and after push-ups, he transitioned into pull-ups and light lifting with his dumbbells. The sweat began to bead on his forehead as he moved through his exercises, the rhythm of his body invigorating his spirit.
After an intense workout, Hunter completed his squat exercises, feeling the burn in his muscles. He wore red track pants, his torso bare, and as he walked past his bed, he noticed his phone charging. The time read almost 7:30 AM. He deliberately ignored the unread notifications from Instagram, focusing instead on his morning shower. The bathroom was small but clean, featuring glass doors that let in a glimmer of light. Hunter preferred hot showers in the mornings, relishing the warmth that enveloped him and the way it relaxed his muscles.
After drying off with a red towel, he dressed quickly in a black jacket over a plain white t-shirt and fitted black jeans. He packed his journals into a backpack, ready for the day ahead, and made his way downstairs to grab a cup of coffee. As he entered the dining area, he spotted a young woman with striking red hair, sitting at the table and wearing a cheerful smile.
"Good morning, Hunter! How was your sleep?" she asked, her voice bright and inviting.
"Pretty good, and you?" he replied, pouring himself a cup of coffee and taking a seat across from her.
"Uhm, it was good but not that great!" she admitted, a hint of mischief in her tone.
"It's because you played Valorant all night. I think I should tell Mom," he teased, raising an eyebrow.
"Wait, no! How did you know? Please don't tell Mom! I'll give you my movie ticket voucher!" she exclaimed eagerly, her eyes wide with concern and excitement.
Hunter chuckled, "Hahaha, alright, deal then?"
"Thank you, brotha!" she said, laughing back. They shared a moment of connection before he finished his coffee, placing the cup on the dining table. Just as he stood to leave, his phone rang.
He walked back to his room and picked up his iPhone, seeing the caller ID flash with the name of his beloved girlfriend, Rose.
"Why aren't you picking up my call, babe? Huh? Are you cheating on me?" she yelled playfully from the other end.
"Why would I cheat on you? Who the heck cheats this early?" he laughed, enjoying the lighthearted banter.
"Rascal! Now come fast to the university gate; I'm waiting. Don't be late! Bye!" she said, blowing him a kiss through the phone before the call disconnected.
With a smile still on his face, Hunter prepared to leave for the university. Before stepping out, he informed Rachel, ensuring not to disturb their parents, who were still asleep after a long night at the grocery store.
"See you, doofus!" he called to Rachel as he put on his Nike Jordans and left the house. The cool morning air greeted him as he walked down the main street, his phone in hand, enjoying the tranquility of the blue sky above.
As he strolled, an unsettling feeling crept over him—a sensation of being watched. He turned around, scanning the street behind him, but found nothing amiss. Just a small bus stand nearby, where a tall figure in a brown hat sat, black sunglasses hiding their eyes, a cigarette dangling from their lips as they perused a newspaper. The figure offered Hunter a slight smile, which sent a chill down his spine, but he shook it off and continued on his way to the university.
Upon reaching the main entrance, he spotted Lexi Storm, a stunning young woman with short hair and a confident demeanor, dressed in a black coat over a brown outfit. Her presence radiated talent and charisma.
"What took you so long, rascal?" she called out, her voice teasing yet warm.
"Ahh, I woke up late, babe," he replied, closing the distance between them.
Lexi playfully hit him on the stomach. "Do you know how much I waited for you? Nearly 30 minutes!"
Hunter smirked, "Yeah, my fault, hahah. Let's go in."
As they approached the ID verification station at the gate, Lexi swiped her ID confidently. She looked back at Hunter, raising an eyebrow. "What are you waiting for? Swipe it!"
"Oh yeah," he muttered, patting his pockets in a frantic search. A wave of panic washed over him as he realized he had forgotten his ID card at home. "I think I forgot my ID," he admitted sheepishly.
"Rascal! How can you forget your ID?" she chided lightly.
"Don't worry, I'll call my sister to bring it to the bus stand," he replied, trying to stay calm.
"Make sure to hurry! We don't want to miss our first lecture, do we?" Lexi urged, her impatience bubbling beneath her charming exterior.
"Okay, I will hurry up. See you soon!" he said, turning to leave. As he dashed toward the bus stand, the security guard at the gate shouted, "Let other students pass! You're blocking the way and wasting everyone's time!"
"My apologies!" Hunter responded as he sidestepped, picking up his pace.
While running, he called Rachel, instructing her to bring his ID. Just as he reached the bus stand, a flicker of movement caught his eye. He noticed an electronics store nearby, and through the window, multiple televisions displayed the same urgent news bulletin. Intrigued, he drew closer, his heart sinking as he read the headlines scrolling across the screens.
An old factory had burned to the ground, leaving behind a scene of devastation. Two bodies were covered, barely recognizable, their remains charred and distorted by the flames. One of the bodies bore a distinctive black sword symbol etched into the skin of its neck.
The news anchor's voice was grave. "Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, while the identities of the deceased remain unknown at this time."
Hunter's mind raced, the surreal nature of the situation tugging at his instincts. Just hours earlier, the factory had been reduced to ashes, and now he felt an inexplicable connection to the tragedy unfolding on the screen.
Few hours ago, at the burned factory site, a group of BMWs idled, their owners waiting to leave. Among them stood a tall, sharp-faced man dressed in a sleek black suit, an unsettling smile playing on his lips as he watched the flames consume what remained of the factory. This was Liu Xiang, a name whispered in hushed tones among those who knew of the underground world of contract killers.
Behind him, guards stood poised with rifles, their expressions tense and alert. Facing them were members of the Saguine Brotherhood clan, an organization notorious for enforcing their own brand of justice. Liu's sharp gaze was unyielding, his presence commanding.
As the sun rose higher in the sky, illuminating the chaos, a woman clad in intricate black lace approached Liu. Her presence was otherworldly, her confidence palpable—she was Vanessa Saguine, the vice master of the Saguine Brotherhood.
"Good job, Liu," she said, her voice smooth, almost hypnotic.
"I know. Now, give me my money," he replied, impatience lacing his tone.
Vanessa's laughter echoed, a sound both enchanting and dangerous. "I will, but before that, you have to do one more job."
"Enough of your bullshit tricks. Now give me my fkin money?" Liu's voice turned cold, a warning lacing his words.
"Behind punks, no need for unnecessary violence!" Vanessa interjected, her demeanor shifting slightly as she commanded respect. "You are one of the most talented and fearless contract killers. I will double your reward amount if you do this one last job for the Saguine family."
Liu's skepticism deepened. "How can I trust you? You guys can shoot me in the back anytime."
"If I wanted to, you would already be in the grave," she replied, her tone light yet threatening.
The guards surrounding Liu tensed, ready for action, but he raised a hand, signaling for calm. "No unnecessary violence here; we don't want bloodshed."
After a moment of silence, Liu fixed his gaze on Vanessa. "What is it? Who do we have to kill?"
"Glad you accepted this offer. We don't have to kill him; just bring him alive to me," Vanessa said, a sly smile creeping across her face.
"Who?" Liu asked, his curiosity piqued.
Vanessa produced a photograph, holding it out for him to see. "This guy, Hunter Young."
"What? He looks like a kid! Who is he, and why is he important to us?" Liu questioned, bewildered.
"Us? Not me, and that's none of your business. You will get your money after delivering that guy to me," Vanessa replied dismissively.
"Alright then. See you soon," Liu said, pocketing the photograph and striding away towards his luxurious BMW.
As he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling of dread creeping into his bones. He glanced down at the photo again, the image of Hunter staring back at him. "Poor guy," he muttered under his breath. "What have you done, really? But who cares? Until I get my money, I don't give a fuck. Hunter Young, count your remaining hours and enjoy them while you can."
Meanwhile, Hunter stood frozen outside the electronics store, his mind racing with the implications of the news. The bodies, the fire, the strange feeling of being watched—it all felt too close, too connected to his life.
With a deep breath, he stepped back into reality, his phone buzzing in his pocket. Rachel's name lit up the screen.
"Hey, did you bring my ID?" he asked, trying to shake off the weight of the grim news.
"Yeah, I'm on my way! Just hurry up; don't make me wait!" she replied, her voice lively and carefree, oblivious to the dark turn of events unfolding around them.
"Okay, see you soon!" he said and hung up, his heart still racing.
As Hunter took a step away from the store, the earlier feeling of being followed surged back. He turned around, scanning the street again, but no one seemed out of place. The world around him resumed its mundane rhythm as students milled about, heading toward the university.
Hunter shook his head, convincing himself it was just a trick of the mind. He needed to focus on his day ahead—lectures, assignments, and spending time with Lexi and Rose. But as he walked towards the bus stand, the weight of the news lingered in the back of his mind, an ominous shadow that refused to dissipate.