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"Get in," Arendt ordered as he climbed into the carriage.
Hitaru moved as fast as he could, though his injuries made it difficult. Every step hurt, but even so he forced himself to reach it and climb into the back.
The guards loaded the unconscious man and woman without any care.
Hitaru didn't want to look at the girl's condition. He looked away. He took off his jacket and then his shirt and placed them over her to cover her a little.
Escorted by the guards, the carriage began to move.
"Are you okay?" asked the girl beside him, her voice weak.
"Dying… you wouldn't believe how strong they are," Hitaru replied, staring at the starry night without really paying attention.
"Thank you for everything you did for me," she said, taking his hand. "I know you were going to fight anyway, but still… thank you," she added, lowering her head as her voice broke.
"It's nothing… it's what anyone would have done," Hitaru said, giving her a few awkward pats with his other hand.
"It's just that… I don't know what I would've done if they had done that to me too," she said, crying harder. "I don't know what I'd do…"
Seeing her like that, Hitaru gave her the last piece of clothing he had left so she could cover herself better. Then he hugged her carefully, trying to calm her down.
After a few minutes, she stopped crying and fell asleep in his arms.
Hitaru stayed awake, thoughtful. He looked at the sky through a small opening in the carriage's canopy.
Do I really have to live through this? Why didn't it work? Why didn't I die? I just wanted the pain to stop…
"Get out, I said!" Hitaru's mother shouted, pointing at the open door toward the night.
"But mom…" he tried to say, unable to finish.
"No buts, Hitaru! Listen to me," she said, tears on her face. "You can barely even speak properly anymore. Look at what you're doing to yourself!" she shouted, distressed.
"I already told you I'm going to quit, but it's hard," Hitaru protested, just before the door closed in front of him.
Screw you. I'll be fine without you. I'll call Jessyca, maybe she'll let me stay at her place.
Hitaru walked street after street while trying to call her. The tone rang for a few seconds and then cut off. A message appeared on the screen:
Contact unavailable.
"Right…" he muttered, lowering his gaze. "She broke up with me yesterday…"
I'll call the guys, maybe they'll help me.
He called again and again. Almost no one answered, and the few who did hung up as soon as they heard his problem.
Why would you need enemies when you have friends like these?
He bumped into a guy.
"Sorry," the boy said. "If I'd kept walking while looking at my phone, I would've walked into a small portal. You know how it is."
"Thanks… take care," Hitaru replied, walking away.
Damn park. Portals always appear here. That's why no one comes anymore.
He walked to the front of the park to see the river. He went up to the nearest stone bridge and leaned against the edge.
Landscapes usually relax me, especially one like this… but what did I do wrong to end up here? With no money and no one to help me. Do real friends even exist anymore? Damn drugs… as addictive as sugar. Why didn't she let me stay? I told her I would change… but it's not easy. I already tried.
Damn David… I never should've listened to you. Look at me now. Lost… and you're dead somewhere the mafia took you.
Hitaru spent hours watching the river's current, thinking about the life he had chosen.
With time, it started to rain heavily. With nowhere to take shelter, he ran under the bridge.
Life hates me… now I'm under a bridge, like a beggar.
He sat in the driest spot, leaning against the wall, and took out his phone. He searched for his favorite story and put it on. He stayed watching it for hours.
A lightning bolt snapped him out of his thoughts. The river had risen and seemed about to overflow.
Damn my luck.
A loud splash made water pour over him. He was soaked.
My phone…
There was nothing to do. It was ruined.
Just what I needed… now I really have nothing.
Tears began to fall.
Why does everything get worse when I just want to get better?
A distinctive screech made him lift his head.
A portal.
What if I end this once and for all? I won't feel anything anymore. What do I have left to live for? I've got David's debts on me, my parents don't want me at home, my girlfriend left me, and the teachers don't care…
He didn't decide, but even so he stood up and climbed the small slope that separated the park from the river. He stopped in front of the portal.
Nothing moved except his own heart.
The rain fell on him, soaking his hair and covering his eyes. He didn't care. With his hands in his pockets and his body hunched, he stared at the blue, sparking portal.
The wet earth beneath his shoes and the smell of rain surrounded him.
A sudden jolt of the carriage pulled him out of his thoughts.
"Get down," Arendt ordered.
Hitaru looked at the girl, who was still asleep. He carefully picked her up and got down as best he could. The guards did the same with the other two unconscious people.
He stood still, supporting himself, until a guard pushed him and pointed to a corner surrounded by a wooden wall.
What the hell is this? What the hell is this place?
He looked at the poorly built straw houses and the large wooden cabin at the back, lit by the moon.
After following the guards' vague instructions, Hitaru was lying down with the girl beside him, hugging him, while he kept looking at the dark night sky.
Lying on top of hay, Hitaru wondered:
I have nothing left at home, so do I have to go back?
Besides, that's still my home… what if I stay here?
What if I start a new life…
Decided, I'll stay, but first I'll have to escape from here.
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Commentary:
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