In the midst of a torrential downpour that engulfed the quaint Northern Californian town of Oakbury, Tristan Cunningham found himself standing, soaked to the bone, amid the gloom of the night. Enveloped by the unsettling gaze of human ignorance and cruelty, the 24-year-old part-time worker, striving for a philosophy degree at Flowerwell College, appeared to those who knew him as an ordinary, kind soul. Little did they fathom the inexplicable scene unfolding before them – Tristan surrounded by menacing thugs and gangsters, thirsting for harm.
176Please respect copyright.PENANADFYjnxtoI9
Converging from various corners, these thugs hailed from different factions – gangsters, mobsters, crooks, and ruffians, all united by a common pursuit of vengeance. Tristan, his gaze unwavering and demeanor resolute, delivered a commanding warning that cut through the tension-laden air.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAAX649NvAto
"This is your one warning... Give up now or else."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAnH2bXI3qto
176Please respect copyright.PENANAxIyubsaXqO
176Please respect copyright.PENANAj70ayv49Uq
Tristan's warning, seeking to quell the men thirsting for blood, echoed in vain as contumelious laughter reverberated through the air.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAQNAyLLjY2r
An unknown voice sneered, "Oh, Tristan, my boy, surrender? Why, when the path to revenge is crystal clear."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAhQekyCdWzm
Tristan's eyes widened in a slit of surprise as the ebullient voice resonated with unsettling familiarity. Reluctantly, the gangsters and hoodlums, initially obstreperous, yielded ground as a man with a red headband and long black hair advanced, a contemptible smile playing on his face.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0hbtcAs8xZ
"Andrew Dawson."
176Please respect copyright.PENANANUdACbE2Zj
At the utterance of his name, Andrew Dawson's eyes swelled with a tempest of rage. “The Names Mad Dog!” He yelled out with rage.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0AfA6crFbL
Mad Dog's smile returned as he brought forth a small, rusty dagger from his side, saying, "And it is time for you to pay for your labors!" His eyes gleamed with a menacing glint as he brandished the blade.176Please respect copyright.PENANATWUp7ZntlV
176Please respect copyright.PENANA2VMYPJ059B
Mad Dog's claim commanded the attention of every gangster in the vicinity, each sporting a sinister smile of approval.176Please respect copyright.PENANAaFvGEpFK3E
176Please respect copyright.PENANAScKtQptbm3
Tristan, wearied, shook his head in disappointment. "So, I assume none of you are willing to surrender?"
176Please respect copyright.PENANAV2x3FRKFjB
"HAHAHAHAHA!!! Kill this fool!" Mad Dog exclaimed with delight.
176Please respect copyright.PENANADL7hbJRzAN
Responding to their leader's command, the thugs surged forward like a stampede, brandishing wooden bats and rusty steel pipes.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAq0lYcdWVqu
Tristan's eyes ignited with power. "This will end in an instant," he declared as his fist clenched.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAEAlTziTrzS
"BOOM!!!"
176Please respect copyright.PENANAz9IRnYU7Cz
176Please respect copyright.PENANAPZKKnuYxcg
176Please respect copyright.PENANADye2CrM21i
1 DAY LATER
176Please respect copyright.PENANA7sgrF7WjDQ
Eyes adjusting to the morning light, Tristan rises from his bed clad in a wife beater t-shirt and black Nike boxers. Surveying his modest one-bedroom apartment, he lets out a tired yawn. "I'm so tired," Tristan mumbles, rubbing his eyes as he slowly stands.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAUy5nvYCazS
With a lethargic pace, Tristan heads to the bathroom to prepare for the day. It's 7:15 in the morning, and work looms at 8:00 am. Gazing into the bathroom mirror, he can't shake the annoyance triggered by the scars that weave tales across his body. Each scar tells a story, but the truth behind them remains locked away, concealed behind a tale of a past car accident he shares with those who inquire.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAelA3Q1gJZZ
Ten minutes pass, and Tristan emerges dressed in a plain white t-shirt, long blue jeans, and black boots. Ready to leave his apartment, he opens the front door, only to find his path blocked by an elderly gentleman with gray hair, just before he could take a single step outside.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA4JpSEvSrb5
"Mr. Barnes," Tristan says in a worried tone.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA9xsBEEu2Na
Mr. Barnes, 75 years old and the formidable owner of the entire apartment complex, ruled with an iron fist, much to the displeasure of many residents.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAev0aKVmoJD
"Mr. Cunningham, must I remind you that you're three days behind on the rent?" Mr. Barnes says, arms crossed.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0j7Xzy2ybs
Tristan clasps his hands together, as if preparing to pray. "I'm sorry, Mr. Barnes. I promise I will be able to pay soon," Tristan pleads.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAUKWmPnFP8r
"You have until tomorrow morning. If you don't have my money by then, you can start packing your things," Mr. Barnes declares, walking away without looking back.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAHSbBnB9SVg
Tristan scratches his head, releasing a breath of air. "Oh well, I should be getting paid today."
176Please respect copyright.PENANA9jO9Dqt4Qc
Glancing at his watch on his right wrist, Tristan's eyes widen. "Oh no! I'm going to be late!" he yells, darting down the apartment complex halls, determined to reach work as quickly as possible.
***
176Please respect copyright.PENANABwk0UhvySQ
"Sorry I'm late, Mr. Fritts," Tristan says, breathing hard as he bursts through the front door of his workplace.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA1S7hrDmn2g
Mr. Fritts, stationed behind the front counter, shakes his head with a sense of excoriation. "Oh, Tristan, I swear if I didn't owe your dad a favor and if you didn't do such good work, I would have fired you a long time ago," he remarks with a small smile.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAzdh2mhmh64
A 65-year-old man with black and gray hair, Mr. Fritts wears small glasses on his face. In Tristan's eyes, he's the nicest man he's ever met. Mr. Fritts owns a thrift shop, and when Tristan needed a job, Mr. Fritts readily extended his hospitality.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA9uTAg3BmXS
"Where's Danny?" Tristan asks, scanning the store.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA2Ia46cIlPV
Mr. Fritts sighs in discontent. "My lazy son is in the back organizing all the equipment. Why don't you go and help him?"
176Please respect copyright.PENANAgcSWrd6471
"Yes, sir."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAmPPfWBRwlM
Tristan heads to the back of the store, surrounded by a diverse array of products—old furniture, clothes, shiny vases, handbags, and shoes.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA79jCcqXeEG
In the midst of this assortment stands a young man with curly brown hair and small freckles on his face, holding a clipboard with a white piece of paper in the middle.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAC9JYZzCbZf
Tristan approaches his fellow college. "Hey, Danny."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAlwgBOlkXgf
"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show up," Danny says, arms crossed.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA37IxYs7cU9
Tristan rubs his head from embarrassment.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAybkqAOZ0VP
"Yeah, yeah, sorry I'm late."
176Please respect copyright.PENANANnXTNxjA1A
"No worries, it's been pretty slow today," Danny shrugs as he gets back to work.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAZYWf9XAodA
Tristan looks at Danny curiously. "Oh yeah?"
176Please respect copyright.PENANAAgOaIXnaKI
Danny smirks. "Yeah. Not a lot of people are going out today, not after what happened last night."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAANDj1T0xdM
Tristan raises one eyebrow. "Last night?"
176Please respect copyright.PENANAxDCLcD6kOr
Danny looks at Tristan. "You didn't hear what happened?"
176Please respect copyright.PENANAoD7Cjz3rDl
Tristan stares at Danny without saying a word.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA3Y36oE4JM3
"Well, word is, last night the police arrested more than 50 thugs, all belonging to their own gangs, and all wanted for a multitude of crimes," Danny says in a whisper.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAkoo5zmbSpq
Tristan remains quiet as his face adorns a look deep in thought. "Is that right?"
176Please respect copyright.PENANAs7sLwMxkYG
"That's not even the weirdest part," Danny says with a smirk. "The weirdest part is that not all of the criminals come from California, and none whatsoever come from this small town. In fact, they come from all around the country, and all of the gangs they once belonged to were captured by the police."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAtFDM6iJ0e9
Tristan's eyes become emotionless as he continues his work, listening to Danny's account.
176Please respect copyright.PENANATENLCz1VPg
"Everyone is scared; no one wants to leave their homes, and everyone, including the police, is asking the same questions," Danny says with a serious tone.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAug9KrKQmma
Danny and Tristan lock eyes.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0vX46xeTU5
"Why? Why did all of these dangerous people come to such a small town? What were they planning, and are there any more of them hiding somewhere?" Danny asks.
176Please respect copyright.PENANATJZtbBMyHZ
Tristan looks down at the ground, his fist clenched in frustration.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAfpYWIbfRoA
Tristan smirks. "Why indeed..."
***
176Please respect copyright.PENANA1YqLyXNMgB
Tristan accepting the white envelope from Mr. Fritts' hands smiles while standing in the doorway of the store. "Thank you so much, Mr. Fritts."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAc4zX6IIemb
Mr. Fritts lets out a hearty laugh. "It's no problem, son. Like I said, you do good work."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAIPqA4qOrKW
Tristan's face begins to turn red from embarrassment. "Thanks, Mr. Fritts. That means a lot coming from you, and now I have enough money to pay my rent."
176Please respect copyright.PENANA84f7RNlYgn
"You have a good night, son, and see you on Wednesday," Mr. Fritts says with a smile as he waves to Tristan, who waves back.
***
176Please respect copyright.PENANAF4lCfJTQtH
Tristan navigated Elmwood Avenue, a location not far from his apartment. Amidst the small stores and hotels that lined the bustling street, he scanned the teeming masses of people.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAeIxAMngU7c
With a smile, Tristan spotted a young woman with untidy long brown hair and disheveled clothes, sitting on a dirty rug in the far side of an alleyway.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAaxaIzYWtyV
"There she is," Tristan exclaimed with a smile as he jogged over to the young woman. "Janice!"
176Please respect copyright.PENANACVXeNTQgug
Janice, upon hearing her name, looked up, emitted a small laugh, and waved at Tristan. "Hey, Tristan!"
176Please respect copyright.PENANA4maplIYcXd
"I knew I would find you here at 6:30 pm in the evening," Tristan said, putting his hands on his hips.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAlKYoWtju9t
Janice shrugged her shoulders. "Well, where else is a homeless girl supposed to go?"
176Please respect copyright.PENANAkAng87TZzB
"Janice, you could go to the shelter. They could provide you with food, a bed, and a roof over your head," Tristan said with annoyance.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA3n2qpHD4of
Tristan pleaded with his friend, though deep down, he already anticipated Janice's response.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAMVBVpgMY7z
"No way! That place is way too uptight for someone like me," Janice said, shaking her head. "I much prefer being out here, where there are no rules, and I can sleep all I want under the starry night sky."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAJB5onhQPDl
Tristan, familiar with Janice's steadfast nature, sighed upon receiving the all-too-predictable answer.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAO8dZwXvwfL
"Okay, okay. Just promise me if anything happens, you'll come to my apartment," Tristan urged.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAuneE0ZIDVl
Janice's cheeks turned red, and for a moment, she avoided his gaze, leaving Tristan puzzled.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAZO9aUvAM0p
"Yeah, yeah, I will, promise," Janice said with a small laugh.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAxwpBJwwiYX
Tristan smiled, reaching into his right pocket, and took out his wallet. With a sigh, he handed Janice a $20 bill.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA6OIZTsrtAI
"Here."
176Please respect copyright.PENANA4dxSmFL1nd
Janice's eyes sparkled with a certain radiance as she looked at the dollar bill in Tristan's hand.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAm7Govr8ZcP
"Are you sure?" Janice asked, looking up at Tristan.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAHZcPwHXCdN
Tristan smirked. "Yeah, as long as you promise me you won't spend it on alcohol like you did last time."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAmBNlrlREJ3
"Yea, yea, I won't, okay!" Janice replied in embarrassment as she snatched the twenty dollars from Tristan's hand.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAdh8T9GULsy
Tristan, ready to head back to his apartment, walked away giggling.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAb0OXXPUVNY
"It was you, wasn't it?" Janice asked.
176Please respect copyright.PENANA0WvQcNSaTv
Tristan stopped walking and looked back at Janice with an awkward smile.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAeip4lRzYjx
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked with an awkward giggle.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAJSUjHzfZvy
"You know what I mean. Those gangsters – you were the one who took them down, weren't you?" Janice said with serious eyes.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAwVNajFK2uw
Tristan stayed quiet for a few moments. "Me? No way could I do something like that," Tristan said, rubbing his head. "I'm way too weak."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAsM6seVKosP
Tristan wasted no time as he continued his walk home.
176Please respect copyright.PENANApcw4lSqHaH
Janice looked at Tristan walking away and couldn't help but smile. "Weak? Yeah right, you could have fooled me."
***
176Please respect copyright.PENANADedTN4go0L
After a long day filled with work and unsettling rumors, Tristan lays in his bed, staring at the ceiling.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAw35NlAGqM8
Thoughts of the circulating rumors in the town occupy Tristan's mind, and he reflects on how fear has gripped the once-peaceful Oakbury. The paradox of small towns, typically quiet and serene, haunts him as he wonders if his actions caused chaos.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAVDluTlfS2c
"Should I have done something differently?" Tristan pondered to himself while getting dressed into his pajamas. "Was there another way?" he continued to contemplate. "Did I do the right thing?"
176Please respect copyright.PENANA7FbNO2CrHf
Closing his eyes, he throws himself into bed.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAx8ekK9ZWdM
"I just hope that everything will go back to normal soon," Tristan sighs as he begins to drift into a deep sleep.
***
176Please respect copyright.PENANA8v2F1VNrV9
With his eyes closed, Tristan gracefully glides through an ocean of pure white.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAUxHLRSbBtY
Upon opening his eyes, he finds himself surrounded by an seemingly endless expanse of white space.
176Please respect copyright.PENANANX3jdVO3Hg
Tristan wonders aloud, "Where am I?"
176Please respect copyright.PENANAvZ7bvWjJcb
An unknown voice responds, echoing from all directions, "Your wish shall be granted."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAOtsDKLPg0e
Surprised by the feminine voice, Tristan scans the space to locate the source.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAJ1MB8sblN9
She materializes seemingly out of thin air – a woman with light brown hair adorned in gorgeous robes. Though her face is not entirely visible, Tristan senses her beauty.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAXKZ5vJrIOd
176Please respect copyright.PENANAU3NHZ6alBv
176Please respect copyright.PENANAW9uzm2pTPs
"Who are you?" Tristan inquires, intrigued by the mysterious presence.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAhtVFzWMIwR
176Please respect copyright.PENANAIjvpwBzfrW
176Please respect copyright.PENANA44Tq31oN8y
THE NEXT DAY
176Please respect copyright.PENANAqrvTssTNdZ
Tristan, grappling with the lingering remnants of sleep, rubs his eyes as he slowly awakens in his bed. Chaotic thoughts swirl in his mind as he reflects on the vivid dream from the other night.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAxKqkjUg7Gg
"It was just a dream," he reassures himself, yet his right hand trembles uncontrollably, betraying an underlying unease.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAbWnmFy1tVS
Dreams were foreign territory for Tristan, accustomed to a vigilant sleep with one eye open. Despite this, the dream's realism left him unsettled.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAKU0DYUxVdj
"Oh man, I must be really tired," Tristan muses with a tired smirk.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAhWTfGYGgj2
"Hello," an unknown yet familiar voice interrupts the solitude.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAMpjAsBySSN
Tristan, now fully awake, turns his head to the right side of his bed, where the same woman from his dream sits on her knees, smiling at him.
176Please respect copyright.PENANAZ69dGbUqwE
"Hello, my name is Loraura, and I am a goddess sent from the Radiant lands. Please tell me your heart's desire."
176Please respect copyright.PENANAlTgiS6tmy0
"Huh?
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns 172.70.100.79da2