What’s that smell? I wondered to myself as I breathed slowly, trying to keep oxygen in my lungs. Where am I?

Is anyone here?

I said. trying to move my body, but it wouldn’t budge suddenly, I felt an immense weight. I felt a gaze; I could feel it getting closer second by second closer and closer.

Stop! Please stop!!! Don’t come any closer, I screamed, still gasping for breath. It was as if the closer he got, the harder it was for me to breathe

My heart was pounding with every step he took toward me until I felt it would burst out of my chest.

Then he reached me. He was so close... so close that the heat of his breath touched my ear.

It was hot, terrifying in a horrifying way.

Then he whispered, Why are you afraid? Don’t worry... you’re just going to die.

I screamed with every last bit of air left in my lungs. No, kill me, please.

Their laughter rang out, terrifying.

No.

hours before the incident

They say Malisura is the city of opportunity, but for me, it was the perfect place to escape.

I didn’t leave my hometown just to escape bullying, but to escape the feeling that haunted me.

that sense of loneliness, even though everyone was around me.

When I set foot in Malisura, I breathed in the air, which seemed polluted with carbon dioxide,

causing me to cough violently. I stood in front of my new home, an old building that smelled like burning paper.

It wasn’t just a house I’d inherited from my family; it made me feel like I had a place in this world.

I reached into my pocket and began rummaging through its contents. I found only a few coins. I found a single bill.

I sighed as I stared silently at my house: I have no money... I need to find a job as soon as possible.

Then I noticed something. My eyes fell on the wall of the neighboring house, and I saw large, strange scratches, as if a monster had passed through here.

I went inside my house. I was tired, so I flopped down on the bed. I couldn’t even feel my body because I

was so exhausted.

The smell of burning paper bothered me... but it faded away under the weight of exhaustion that pulled me toward sleep.

I fell into a deep I until the sun rose and shone on my face through the window. I woke up in the morning:

Oh my God, what time is it! I’m late today—my first day at school. Anxiety was choking me as I recalled memories of my old school.

I sighed audibly: Ah, never mind, I’ll make a fresh start.It was late, and I hadn’t found anything to eat.

The journey began on the street; the faces to the right and left were strange, and the passersby aroused suspicion.

Children walking, each one alone and scattered, empty streets, and a gray-haired man smoking calmly while children in front of him were fighting, and women yelling at their children over trivial matters.

What’s wrong with this city?

The people here are strange, their faces pale and expressionless. I remember hearing an explosion yesterday.

Anyway, I don’t care. As I was walking toward school, a boy my age caught my eye.

What is that boy doing standing at the school gate?

He’s wearing the same clothes as me. I walked up to him and said, Hey, why aren’t you going into school?

Neil looked at me with a pale expression and a cold demeanor and said, “We’re late; they won’t let us in.

I muttered to myself as if I’d gotten lucky: It’s okay, it doesn’t

Then he looked at me and said.

“How about we grab breakfast together at the nearest restaurant?

His eyes spoke volumes, but his expression didn’t change.

I felt nervous, but I was starving, so I said.

Okay

At the restaurant,

my fingers plunged into my empty pockets, only to come up against a few coins. A single bill .

A heavy sigh escaped me, followed by a faint voice: One loaf of bread

that’s all we’ll get today.

Neil’s cold gaze settled on the few coins, then he said in a calm tone: “Don’t worry.

I’ll cover the bill.

A sudden look of relief spread across my face: You saved me.

A heavy silence hung over the restaurant, broken only by the scraping of chairs as customers scurried backward.

Reggie tilted his head and pressed his rough fingers against Neil’s shoulder. The smell of cheap cigarettes wafted from him as he whispered in a cold voice: I see new faces in my neighborhood... Did you get lost?

Strange? Having lunch with a stranger, Neil... Who is this scum?

No, wait, did your mom pack your lunch for you, you idiot?” Reggie’s men burst out laughing.

I whispered to myself with my mouth full of food: Is he being bullied?

Reggie scooped up a spoonful of food and held it close to Neil’s face mockingly: ‘Open your mouth

Aaaah!.

Neil slapped Reggie’s hand away sending food scattering onto the floor. A silence fell as he glared at Neil, then Reggie picked up the dirty food from the floor and held it up coldly, saying: ‘Open your mouth now... You fool!

A cold, mocking smile played at the corner of Neil’s mouth.

Reggie shouted angrily, “You’re provoking me!” Then he lunged forward, trying to force the dirty food into Neil’s mouth.

I was watching what was happening Then I felt a strange sensation. My blood pressure rose so high that veins appeared all over my body; I felt a power surging through me and overwhelming rage... I looked at Reggie with a terrifying gaze

I whispered in a cold voice, ‘Back off

Reggie said, “Or else what?

Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Neil’s fist shot out and slammed into Reggie’s face with terrifying force, knocking him to the ground.

It wasn’t just fast... it was terrifying.

A heavy silence fell, as if the air itself had frozen.

Then... Neil slowly raised his head and looked at me.

That moment

what I saw wasn’t just anger.

There was something else... something dark... writhing behind his cold eyes, as if trying to break free.

And he said in a low voice, I didn’t ask you to intervene. I don’t need your help.

I noticed someone behind him holding a stick to hit Neil... I didn’t hesitate for a second; I found myself flipping through the air and delivered a powerful kick to his neck, so hard I heard the sound of bones breaking.

I looked at Neil and said.

It seems you need me.

Neil smiled and said.

All right, let’s teach them a lesson they’ll never forget.

Reggie stood up and said, “How dare you?He ordered all his men, Finish them off.

I smiled, and Neil smiled.

We took them down one by one. Only Reggie was left.

I approached him, smiling, crazy thoughts racing through my head.

Reggie said, Please, have mercy on me.

I looked at him with pity and said.

I’ll give you just three seconds. You and your dogs—get out of my sight.

I noticed Neil approaching him; a terrifying, cold smile was etched on his face.

He leaned in and whispered in his ear. Suddenly, Reggie froze in place, his limbs trembling, sweat pouring from his forehead.

Neil smiled a cold, terrifying smile. and in less than a second, Reggie fled in terror.

The restaurant owner rushed forward, sparks flying from his eyes, and shouted: “What happened in my restaurant? as he brandished a firearm.

I exchanged a quick glance with Neil and before anyone realized what was happening, I had already taken off running Neil didn’t hesitate for a moment he sprang up and ran after me at lightning speed, leaving behind us the chaos and the angry man’s screams.

We were panting on top of one of the green hills overlooking Lake Malysora I sighed audibly: ‘We got away... but I don’t have the money to fix what

we destroyed in that restaurant.

Neil replied, catching his breath, Don’t worry, we’ll pay him when we get the money.” Then he turned to me seriously and asked, Tell me, man, why did you help me back then?

I looked at him and asked myself Why did I help him? I couldn’t find an answer. I whispered softly, Maybe because I was being bullied in my old town... so I acted without thinking.

He looked at me and said, Really? Thank you. You were a great help to me.

I looked at him and smiled. It’s nothing.

. Neil sighed as he looked out at the lake. He said, ”Tell me, why did you leave your city?

His question felt like salt on a wound. I looked up at the sky ablaze with twilight and sighed: I just want to rest in Malisora.

Neil burst out laughing: I’ve never seen a fool run to hell to rest!

I gave him a puzzled look: What do you mean?

Coolly, with a mysterious look in his eyes, he whispered: “You’ll find out soon.

Neil stood up and asked: Well, what’s your name, young man? I said

Hidara Mahmoud.

And I’m Neil... just Neil.

He looked at his watch. Exactly five o’clock. Dinner tonight is on me.

I replied quickly Deal.

On one of Malisura’s empty streets, I was walking between towering buildings.

when suddenly a massive explosion shook the place; the walls trembled around me. The explosion was followed by a terrifying scream, like that of a child torn apart by pain.

My chest tightened with fear, and I wondered to myself as the screaming grew louder. I crouched on the ground, my eyes scanning every corner in terror.

I looked at Neil; he was calm, not a muscle twitching. He whispered in a cold voice, You’ll have to get used to these explosions and these sounds.

His gaze was terrifying as he stared at me, then he added, This is Malysora.