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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq0gBcn4tb3
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPFcpANOlcO
"This is your one warning... Give up now or else."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwS359DpHSL
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUGISYN5XJH
Tristan's warning, seeking to quell the men thirsting for blood, echoed in vain as contumelious laughter reverberated through the air.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtmC5Asxd7s
An unknown voice sneered, "Oh, Tristan, my boy, surrender? Why, when the path to revenge is crystal clear."
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaBZQsremY
"Andrew Dawson."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp1urNsGHzh
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2D5cA8W9my
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.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD9CnEnux3l
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2T9hc65Yzm
Mad Dog's claim commanded the attention of every gangster in the vicinity, each sporting a sinister smile of approval.487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz9bt4LKOZu
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUo6X0Xf1a
Tristan, wearied, shook his head in disappointment. "So, I assume none of you are willing to surrender?"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5asqYYJiY
"HAHAHAHAHA!!! Kill this fool!" Mad Dog exclaimed with delight.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1KYNZEq5h
Responding to their leader's command, the thugs surged forward like a stampede, brandishing wooden bats and rusty steel pipes.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd7VDVnzPW6
Tristan's eyes ignited with power. "This will end in an instant," he declared as his fist clenched.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBRr80IIaZv
"BOOM!!!"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTLv5hYS4vZ
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjSeCjtTh5
1 DAY LATER
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTurOo2Axyb
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi84W6CEHg2
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiuQb8rzLy
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe2VuLBO2i1
"Mr. Barnes," Tristan says in a worried tone.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxmDga2RNXK
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYIXgJJGXgm
"Mr. Cunningham, must I remind you that you're three days behind on the rent?" Mr. Barnes says, arms crossed.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ01sLrU7OXU
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvpWWGUPWly
"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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFUs322x1O
Tristan scratches his head, releasing a breath of air. "Oh well, I should be getting paid today."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKECpV2RVRv
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.
***
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoR7sVD6fAN
"Sorry I'm late, Mr. Fritts," Tristan says, breathing hard as he bursts through the front door of his workplace.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEpJ3bIGME
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5vjPfrmOai
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gQCVGxa6u
"Where's Danny?" Tristan asks, scanning the store.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLJoOrlUJO
Mr. Fritts sighs in discontent. "My lazy son is in the back organizing all the equipment. Why don't you go and help him?"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO9ZxG2Cj70
"Yes, sir."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNKhAlnzzF
Tristan heads to the back of the store, surrounded by a diverse array of products—old furniture, clothes, shiny vases, handbags, and shoes.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthwRvv9Buc
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOzXwi5ELI
Tristan approaches his fellow college. "Hey, Danny."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7RwYmplKza
"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show up," Danny says, arms crossed.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFx8OX3kkYD
Tristan rubs his head from embarrassment.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6wwvzZ3oR
"Yeah, yeah, sorry I'm late."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpHdp46y4Yt
"No worries, it's been pretty slow today," Danny shrugs as he gets back to work.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3D3h3jAE1H
Tristan looks at Danny curiously. "Oh yeah?"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Xm3Ez9R8D
Danny smirks. "Yeah. Not a lot of people are going out today, not after what happened last night."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIlW7XXqUh8
Tristan raises one eyebrow. "Last night?"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ0n10LkCNz
Danny looks at Tristan. "You didn't hear what happened?"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V6lkckdkA
Tristan stares at Danny without saying a word.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjns4Dw4Ek
"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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Hy2Rn7xtw
Tristan remains quiet as his face adorns a look deep in thought. "Is that right?"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFKxCtUNG4
"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."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZQNzgmxuoZ
Tristan's eyes become emotionless as he continues his work, listening to Danny's account.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2iR2j0TNq
"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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQuUn7Ul8Zt
Danny and Tristan lock eyes.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFuEat1JL9c
"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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUcRjJp7SzG
Tristan looks down at the ground, his fist clenched in frustration.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdNL19dCdi
Tristan smirks. "Why indeed..."
***
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN69zFqcKST
Tristan accepting the white envelope from Mr. Fritts' hands smiles while standing in the doorway of the store. "Thank you so much, Mr. Fritts."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6NE24exPg8
Mr. Fritts lets out a hearty laugh. "It's no problem, son. Like I said, you do good work."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1Qbv4FDRF
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."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIi0xcYA2kE
"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.
***
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡivRGABNQin
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZfzbhLy60
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ07EQR5Toh3
"There she is," Tristan exclaimed with a smile as he jogged over to the young woman. "Janice!"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2Og3skxFX
Janice, upon hearing her name, looked up, emitted a small laugh, and waved at Tristan. "Hey, Tristan!"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyq1Ru3FaXU
"I knew I would find you here at 6:30 pm in the evening," Tristan said, putting his hands on his hips.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNFKP2D5Sg1
Janice shrugged her shoulders. "Well, where else is a homeless girl supposed to go?"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡldcj2dH3i0
"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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRX46uqWI3
Tristan pleaded with his friend, though deep down, he already anticipated Janice's response.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC0SSXcD9qa
"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."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL9295j25Zn
Tristan, familiar with Janice's steadfast nature, sighed upon receiving the all-too-predictable answer.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw3wwbDYhP5
"Okay, okay. Just promise me if anything happens, you'll come to my apartment," Tristan urged.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2pmfSaAEL
Janice's cheeks turned red, and for a moment, she avoided his gaze, leaving Tristan puzzled.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJlznfz6NJ
"Yeah, yeah, I will, promise," Janice said with a small laugh.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPBZTcAaEn
Tristan smiled, reaching into his right pocket, and took out his wallet. With a sigh, he handed Janice a $20 bill.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJbUcDdWgq
"Here."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4rVtAa4iRM
Janice's eyes sparkled with a certain radiance as she looked at the dollar bill in Tristan's hand.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLDNm5IZ1w
"Are you sure?" Janice asked, looking up at Tristan.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vfdq6PAxV
Tristan smirked. "Yeah, as long as you promise me you won't spend it on alcohol like you did last time."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTIH6yBolXx
"Yea, yea, I won't, okay!" Janice replied in embarrassment as she snatched the twenty dollars from Tristan's hand.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡadJMdZF8mi
Tristan, ready to head back to his apartment, walked away giggling.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnV38vXscXG
"It was you, wasn't it?" Janice asked.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdEYM1hIUrU
Tristan stopped walking and looked back at Janice with an awkward smile.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJhpxuPH7lr
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked with an awkward giggle.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PjQCPgAJl
"You know what I mean. Those gangsters – you were the one who took them down, weren't you?" Janice said with serious eyes.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY87LvPzTlM
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."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy3H7uHQ5ma
Tristan wasted no time as he continued his walk home.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uOc72dgbk
Janice looked at Tristan walking away and couldn't help but smile. "Weak? Yeah right, you could have fooled me."
***
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunMFbwMZ0x
After a long day filled with work and unsettling rumors, Tristan lays in his bed, staring at the ceiling.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq3H8w7gJjZ
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eA24oOlkk
"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?"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmOosCSpIay
Closing his eyes, he throws himself into bed.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjdfFcRfN3c
"I just hope that everything will go back to normal soon," Tristan sighs as he begins to drift into a deep sleep.
***
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxD3lO7SHxv
With his eyes closed, Tristan gracefully glides through an ocean of pure white.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rj0MCTwLC
Upon opening his eyes, he finds himself surrounded by an seemingly endless expanse of white space.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMR3Y91ZxSp
Tristan wonders aloud, "Where am I?"
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy38ooFy0su
An unknown voice responds, echoing from all directions, "Your wish shall be granted."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7o26Ohen8i
Surprised by the feminine voice, Tristan scans the space to locate the source.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkYZuBpxNk
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMMFEB2oMXT
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEd0rV7DiBi
"Who are you?" Tristan inquires, intrigued by the mysterious presence.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1P8sfoPS96
THE NEXT DAY
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8a9XeFjHpj
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsWMjb3P26
"It was just a dream," he reassures himself, yet his right hand trembles uncontrollably, betraying an underlying unease.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPrBAJufE6
Dreams were foreign territory for Tristan, accustomed to a vigilant sleep with one eye open. Despite this, the dream's realism left him unsettled.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl5V6bgpgV
"Oh man, I must be really tired," Tristan muses with a tired smirk.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqq9ntQjJX
"Hello," an unknown yet familiar voice interrupts the solitude.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGB9Fy625yb
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.
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡraNsRarKzl
"Hello, my name is Loraura, and I am a goddess sent from the Radiant lands. Please tell me your heart's desire."
487Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo88dLz4GHF
"Huh?
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns216.73.216.197da2
