Screee... hissss.
The train doors opened with a sharp sound. One by one, passengers began stepping out, carrying their luggage. The flow of people continued slowly, and soon, the train started to empty.
Only two people remained in the last seat. The girl had fallen into a deep sleep, her body exhausted from the journey. She woke up to the sound of voices outside the train, slowly rubbing her eyes.
How long did I sleep? she wondered.
As she sat up, she suddenly remembered that someone had been sitting beside her. She quickly looked to the other seat, but the man was already gone, having left without a word.
She stood up, preparing to leave, but then noticed a small piece of paper resting on the table between the seats. Curious, she picked it up and unfolded it.
"Let's introduce each other if we meet again."
A small smirk appeared on her face. Without a second thought, she crumpled the paper and tossed it aside.
As she stepped outside the train station, her eyes caught a quick glimpse of the city, beautiful buildings were stretched high into the sky, and the streets were full of people roaming about. Among them stood one tower that outshined the rest it was tall, majestic, and infamous across the world.
This city was known for its symbol of love, its towering landmark, and its rich, delicious food.
But she shook her head, pushing the thoughts away. This isn't the time to waste on such things. I'm only staying for one day before heading to England. I don't want to be here longer than necessary.
She recalled the words of the ticket counter lady: the next train to England would depart tomorrow morning.
It's already getting late, she thought. I should find something to eat and book a room quickly or they'll all be taken.
She wandered around the city for hours, searching for an inn. But every hotel she found either had rooms only for couples or was far too expensive for her budget.
Should I just sleep on the streets? she thought bitterly. Why is everything here so expensive?
Just as she was starting to lose hope, she noticed a small group of travelers heading into a narrow alley. Curious, she followed them and discovered a modest, budget-friendly hotel tucked away between two buildings, one that didn't appear on any fancy guidebook.
Relieved, she stepped inside and sat at one of the small wooden tables. She had already explained her situation about the room to the hotel staff, and now she waited, having also ordered some food to ease her exhaustion.
Something didn't feel right. Everything had been going too smoothly ever since she stepped into this place. It felt as if a dangerous storm was about to break through the calm atmosphere.
Suddenly, shouting erupted from outside. A group of eight thugs kicked the door open and stormed in. They were armed and aggressive, surrounding the counter where the old hotel owner stood.
Everyone inside froze. No one dared to move, too frightened and powerless to interfere.
One of the thugs pressed a knife against the trembling owner's chest. "Pay the protection fee 1000 euros or we'll burn this place to the ground!"
Another thug sneered, flipping over a nearby table. "Remember back then? We were just trying to have some fun with a lady, but you had to play hero and call the cops on us. This is what you get for messing with us. Bwahaha!"
The old owner pleaded, his voice trembling, "I… I don't have that much money. I'm just an old man. I'll sell what I can from the hotel and pay you next month. Please… spare my place."
One of the thugs laughed cruelly, then suddenly punched the old man hard across the face, sending him stumbling to the floor.
"Why the hell would we listen to you?" the thug spat. "That day, you stopped us before we could do anything to that lady... but what about now?"
He turned to the others and pointed toward the girl sitting at the table.
"Hey. Go grab her. Let's have a little fun tonight."
The thug marched straight toward her.
Should I kill all of them? she thought. But that would create too many problems… I'd have to eliminate the witnesses too.
She clenched her fist. There's no choice. I'll take action...
Before she could move, a chair flew through the air and slammed directly into the thug's face, knocking him out cold.
Another thug snarled, stepping forward with a knife in hand. "Who dares to touch our guy?! I'll kill you !."
From the shadowy corner of the room, a figure slowly closed his book.
His voice was calm. "The story's last sentence is: 'The End.'"
He looked up with a faint smile.
"What were you saying again? I was… reading."
The thug charged at him, knife in hand, while the others moved in from different directions like a pack of wolves.
Panic spread through the hotel like wildfire. people screamed, ducked under tables, and ran for cover. They were witnessing a murder about to unfold, right in front of their eyes.
One thug aimed straight for his head, stabbing with precision.
But just before the blade made contact !.
Clang!
He caught the knife mid-air with one hand, twisting his wrist and redirecting the strike effortlessly, as if it were child's play.
Another came from behind, trying to stab the back of his head. Without even turning around, he reached behind him, grabbed the attacker's wrist, and forced the knife sideways into the wall with a crack.
It all happened in seconds.
To him, it was nothing more than... a warm-up.
One of the thugs threw a knife straight at him.
He tilted his head slightly—whoosh!—the blade missed.
But the sound that followed made his eye twitch.
Tear...
He looked down.
His precious book had been ripped apart by the knife. Pages fluttered like dying butterflies.
Silence.
He didn't say a word. Just stared at the ruined pages.
Seeing an opening, all seven remaining thugs rushed at him from every direction, screaming like madmen, weapons raised.
Then click...
The lights went out.
The room was swallowed in darkness for exactly five seconds.
When the lights flicked back on...
Everyone was froze.
All seven thugs lay crumpled on the ground silent.
Their necks were twisted at impossible angles, eyes wide open in pure horror.
Blood pooled beneath them.
And yet, he hadn't moved an inch from his seat.
Still holding the torn book.
As if nothing had happened...