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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6VLkr8wuaS
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡebghCeE8Uy
"This is your one warning... Give up now or else."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjlkU35EFb
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPIjFMgwnXL
Tristan's warning, seeking to quell the men thirsting for blood, echoed in vain as contumelious laughter reverberated through the air.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPbTqnbAYt
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oWYDZDflV
"Andrew Dawson."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgsDFbnKmtc
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYamMIBxjWG
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.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeO1nEdewPq
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmnqTESS7l
Mad Dog's claim commanded the attention of every gangster in the vicinity, each sporting a sinister smile of approval.708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnvk7CgomvL
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcv2nmrGxV
Tristan, wearied, shook his head in disappointment. "So, I assume none of you are willing to surrender?"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83wsw5gnmS
"HAHAHAHAHA!!! Kill this fool!" Mad Dog exclaimed with delight.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXVN4RqqvEQ
Responding to their leader's command, the thugs surged forward like a stampede, brandishing wooden bats and rusty steel pipes.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSTFeepFtqX
Tristan's eyes ignited with power. "This will end in an instant," he declared as his fist clenched.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO6BT7cae1o
"BOOM!!!"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2KScWevBhL
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuq8O9wl8lR
1 DAY LATER
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiQUoH2jbwH
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnACwTGpV9v
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv78uJ97WvA
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvfCnrQZz9E
"Mr. Barnes," Tristan says in a worried tone.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmYIg7KFm3w
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0bw4tt484
"Mr. Cunningham, must I remind you that you're three days behind on the rent?" Mr. Barnes says, arms crossed.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0FiKb7Do3x
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0aVCfyEaHH
"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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4dNKPQQSwT
Tristan scratches his head, releasing a breath of air. "Oh well, I should be getting paid today."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZrB8J42ru2
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.
***
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmtZNb0oEXN
"Sorry I'm late, Mr. Fritts," Tristan says, breathing hard as he bursts through the front door of his workplace.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxgbzs0o78
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmQvBBAUsg
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFf1VmhZQtY
"Where's Danny?" Tristan asks, scanning the store.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIqaUHpoCVs
Mr. Fritts sighs in discontent. "My lazy son is in the back organizing all the equipment. Why don't you go and help him?"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObpNXIa4OT
"Yes, sir."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS5SeI5DTF4
Tristan heads to the back of the store, surrounded by a diverse array of products—old furniture, clothes, shiny vases, handbags, and shoes.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkcdb5pY1qJ
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8lvnrOboq
Tristan approaches his fellow college. "Hey, Danny."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMb4T90BqHd
"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show up," Danny says, arms crossed.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLPiztr1raM
Tristan rubs his head from embarrassment.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwtFsmLRKkm
"Yeah, yeah, sorry I'm late."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmq8rTC2C0z
"No worries, it's been pretty slow today," Danny shrugs as he gets back to work.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig4iRlXy0x
Tristan looks at Danny curiously. "Oh yeah?"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDkyljBlfmr
Danny smirks. "Yeah. Not a lot of people are going out today, not after what happened last night."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjrmN9xZeS
Tristan raises one eyebrow. "Last night?"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSzAO8boQE0
Danny looks at Tristan. "You didn't hear what happened?"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡALArDFB99K
Tristan stares at Danny without saying a word.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErlpzdPMxP
"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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjJrikdIR0Q
Tristan remains quiet as his face adorns a look deep in thought. "Is that right?"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78IIHCjUfO
"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."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEyBydpIQH
Tristan's eyes become emotionless as he continues his work, listening to Danny's account.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3tcX6UHKd
"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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcwdfM7FDqb
Danny and Tristan lock eyes.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJY6IEyUKu
"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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRWatWMFOwF
Tristan looks down at the ground, his fist clenched in frustration.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiYBCnGjp4L
Tristan smirks. "Why indeed..."
***
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDEkKof2wWA
Tristan accepting the white envelope from Mr. Fritts' hands smiles while standing in the doorway of the store. "Thank you so much, Mr. Fritts."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZdBANCzjKS
Mr. Fritts lets out a hearty laugh. "It's no problem, son. Like I said, you do good work."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ08nHujG4hN
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."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzBMBttk54y
"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.
***
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkkrVq7kA85
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUqWEv8spJ
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMEKfB8Hm48
"There she is," Tristan exclaimed with a smile as he jogged over to the young woman. "Janice!"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYU5nfOGBBk
Janice, upon hearing her name, looked up, emitted a small laugh, and waved at Tristan. "Hey, Tristan!"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK8MfmUXnuv
"I knew I would find you here at 6:30 pm in the evening," Tristan said, putting his hands on his hips.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB7mb3XDnXZ
Janice shrugged her shoulders. "Well, where else is a homeless girl supposed to go?"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoA9NaevXna
"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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6BA033faH
Tristan pleaded with his friend, though deep down, he already anticipated Janice's response.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVTNM8V349Y
"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."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrTS6Bmqna8
Tristan, familiar with Janice's steadfast nature, sighed upon receiving the all-too-predictable answer.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb913hpAh3e
"Okay, okay. Just promise me if anything happens, you'll come to my apartment," Tristan urged.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS2jnFWShY3
Janice's cheeks turned red, and for a moment, she avoided his gaze, leaving Tristan puzzled.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4VQobITtBG
"Yeah, yeah, I will, promise," Janice said with a small laugh.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2LsvDbl02
Tristan smiled, reaching into his right pocket, and took out his wallet. With a sigh, he handed Janice a $20 bill.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNut6XatGbn
"Here."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrXnEe2QxSG
Janice's eyes sparkled with a certain radiance as she looked at the dollar bill in Tristan's hand.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpbd7sN4Tz
"Are you sure?" Janice asked, looking up at Tristan.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCB2VFIgh1c
Tristan smirked. "Yeah, as long as you promise me you won't spend it on alcohol like you did last time."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YSCAmjDLC
"Yea, yea, I won't, okay!" Janice replied in embarrassment as she snatched the twenty dollars from Tristan's hand.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI36QMpYaJ8
Tristan, ready to head back to his apartment, walked away giggling.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6cXj0sBGXL
"It was you, wasn't it?" Janice asked.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Th3pU4nBR
Tristan stopped walking and looked back at Janice with an awkward smile.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxBgtqQyYti
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked with an awkward giggle.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo59dAX0nlQ
"You know what I mean. Those gangsters – you were the one who took them down, weren't you?" Janice said with serious eyes.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Mx3apHNB0
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."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS43PBwNQoH
Tristan wasted no time as he continued his walk home.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYqa21riNq
Janice looked at Tristan walking away and couldn't help but smile. "Weak? Yeah right, you could have fooled me."
***
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡneQVdrDb4A
After a long day filled with work and unsettling rumors, Tristan lays in his bed, staring at the ceiling.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ89HNVXNXY4
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJ5SEQ8ovX
"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?"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYcR0AXMzci
Closing his eyes, he throws himself into bed.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwBgMK5hEkW
"I just hope that everything will go back to normal soon," Tristan sighs as he begins to drift into a deep sleep.
***
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDgk05FdANq
With his eyes closed, Tristan gracefully glides through an ocean of pure white.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7gcNyClio
Upon opening his eyes, he finds himself surrounded by an seemingly endless expanse of white space.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzRWDUNgkR
Tristan wonders aloud, "Where am I?"
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOhogomJ1lj
An unknown voice responds, echoing from all directions, "Your wish shall be granted."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuMRbS29h1h
Surprised by the feminine voice, Tristan scans the space to locate the source.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡepfLP7fnXk
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu8qQMxUvme
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAU9byt4P1J
"Who are you?" Tristan inquires, intrigued by the mysterious presence.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFaFAAJB7Tb
THE NEXT DAY
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXqU0sM284A
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsL3t6XQH5k
"It was just a dream," he reassures himself, yet his right hand trembles uncontrollably, betraying an underlying unease.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJFFjTjgy5
Dreams were foreign territory for Tristan, accustomed to a vigilant sleep with one eye open. Despite this, the dream's realism left him unsettled.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaula6qg6Sy
"Oh man, I must be really tired," Tristan muses with a tired smirk.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33sEzpZOpF
"Hello," an unknown yet familiar voice interrupts the solitude.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HkqtfpjRw
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.
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGV5uspDUxr
"Hello, my name is Loraura, and I am a goddess sent from the Radiant lands. Please tell me your heart's desire."
708Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeMNeujaJU7
"Huh?
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns216.73.216.33da2
and then Add to home screen.