Ken stepped out of the building, his eyes scanning the parking lot until they landed on his car. He walked towards it, his pace steady, his shoes clicking on the pavement.
He opened the back door and peered inside. The birthday cake sat on the seat, its frosting and sprinkles intact. Ken's face remained expressionless, a mask of calmness.
He slid into the driver's seat and started the engine. As he pulled out of the parking lot, Emer's figure appeared outside of the buildong standing backside of ken's car , a smile spreading across his face.
"Interesting item," Emer said, his voice barely audible over the hum of the engine.
Ken's face transformed, his cold, angry expression giving way to a scared, guilty look. His eyes darted back and forth, as if searching for an escape.
(ken three personalities are named ken , ken1 and ken2 for understanding)
Ken1's voice snarled, "What's wrong with you? Why are you so weak?"
Ken's hands trembled on the wheel as he pulled over to the side of the road. He slammed on the brakes, the tires screeching in protest.
Ken2's calm, rational voice responded, "Stop yelling, it was uncomfortable in there. That had to be done, and he did it."
Ken1's psycho voice countered, "What the hell are you talking about? You should be thanking me, fool! You got yourself kidnapped. You piece of shit. You'd be dead without me there! Think about our wife and child."
Ken's face twisted in a mixture of fear and determination. His eyes locked onto his reflection in the mirror, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ken whispered, "My wife... only my wife. Okay... how many times do I have to tell you guys that? She married me , only meeee"
Ken1 sneered, "We're one, coward."
Ken2 intervened, "Okay, alright. Hey, you, start the car. It's getting late. Our wife will be mad at us."
Ken's face contorted in a mixture of emotions. He took a deep breath, his chest heaving.
Ken said, " Again my wife , she is myyy wifeee . I'm not like you. This is the final warning. If you guys come out again, you know what I'll do? I will kill myself ."
Ken2 sighed, "Alright, go then. Enough drama already."
Ken started the car, the engine roaring to life. He pulled away from the curb, leaving Emer's smiling face behind.
Ken's car creaked to a stop outside his small, cozy house. The porch light cast a warm glow, illuminating the cheerful birthday decorations that still clung to the doorframe. Ken's heart sank as he remembered the celebration he had missed.
He took a deep breath, steeling himself for the confrontation ahead. The clock on the dashboard read 12:45. Yesterday, just a few hours ago, was his daughter's birthday. He had promised to bring home a cake for the 7 o'clock celebration, but that had slipped his mind.
Ken's palms sweated as he pushed open the creaky front door. The TV blared in the living room, casting a flickering glow over the space. His wife, Layla, sat on the couch, their 5-year-old daughter, Merry, sleeping beside her.
Ken's voice trembled as he spoke, "Hey, love, why are you still watching TV? Still not sleepy?"
Layla turned slowly, her eyes narrowing as she took in Ken's disheveled appearance. Ken's heart skipped a beat as he prepared for her anger.
But instead of fury, concern etched Layla's face. "Oh, you're back," she said, her voice measured. "Such a busy person, my husband. What kind of adventure have you been on? Which country have you saved, husband?"
Ken forced a chuckle, trying to deflect her sarcasm. "Okay, I understand you're angry. But listen, I—"
Layla's gaze snapped to the gash on Ken's forehead, and she quickly rose from the couch, her eyes widening. "What happened, Ken? What's wrong?"
Ken's mind racing, he grasped for an excuse. "While I was buying the cake, I fell down and passed out. But the cake is safe, see?" He held up the cake, a pitiful smile plastered on his face.
Layla's expression softened, concern for her husband's well-being overriding her anger. "Who cares about the cake, idiot? Are you okay? Are you getting a headache?"
Ken breathed a sigh of relief, grateful for the reprieve. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I'm sorry I missed the party. Is Merry mad at me?"
Layla's lips twitched into a wry smile. "Yeah, I'm sure she'll kill you tomorrow."
The tension dissipated, and Ken felt a wave of relief wash over him. He and Layla shared a quiet dinner, the only sound the clinking of utensils and the occasional murmur of the TV. As they finished their meal, Ken couldn't shake the feeling that he had narrowly escaped disaster.
Morning sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow over the room. Ken slept peacefully, until a tiny figure launched herself at him. Merry's small fists pummeled his stomach, and Ken's eyes snapped open.
"Father, you broke the promise, and you will dieeeee!" Merry shrieked.
Ken leapt out of bed, stumbling backward as he desperately sought refuge behind Layla. "Layla, Layla, save me! She's going to kill me!"
Merry's face contorted in anger. "You didn't come to my birthday party, and you're sleeping peacefully!"
Layla intervened, her voice soothing. "Dad was fall down and got hit, Merry. He was hurt. So leave him for this time, okay?"
Merry's expression softened, concern etched on her face. "Oh no, Daddy, are you okay? Let me see it?"
Ken displayed his fake injury, wincing for effect. "Yeah, see? It was bad. But I'm okay. Father is strong."
Layla chuckled. "Yeah, strong... fall and knocked himself, hahaaaa."
Ken shot her a mock-glare. "Don't mind her, she doesn't know me."
Merry's face brightened. "Daddy, I see the cake! Let's eat it, okay?"
Layla vetoed the idea. "Cake for breakfast? No way. Ken, hurry up, you're getting late for work, and Merry, you're going to school. Hurry up!"
As they brushed their teeth, Ken whispered to Merry, "Listen, don't tell anybody, okay? Even Mom. Don't jump on me like that ever again. Daddy can be dangerous sometimes, okay? Promise me."
Merry nodded solemnly, and Ken dropped her off at school before heading to work. Three days passed from that horrible incident , ken was living his normal life and but suddenly Ken's routine became a blur. On his drive home from work, exhaustion crept up on him. His eyelids drooped, and he struggled to stay awake.But ken gone sleep while driving.
When Ken opened his eyes again, he found himself in a dingy, unfamiliar room. His wrists were cuffed to the wall, and he was surrounded by three other people, each secured to a different wall.
A voice boomed from a speaker above, echoing off the walls. "Welcome, scums . "
Ken's wrists strained against the cold metal cuffs. His eyes darted around the room, taking in the three other prisoners, each secured to a different wall. The fluorescent lights hummed overhead, casting an eerie glow.
A voice boomed from the speaker above, "Your hands are cuffed. The key to those cuffs is in your pockets. The door to these room is not locked even main door of this building . you all can leave whenever you want."
The words hung in the air like a challenge. Ken's gaze dropped to his pockets, his mind racing.