Part 1

- RAPHAEL BLUESCALE’S POV -

Monday morning. It appeared as a sluggish day to a naive eye. Students waking up, eating and attending lessons. Teachers walking their rounds inside the hallways, holding lessons or enjoying their break time. All felt slow. From my seat on a bench in a lonely park, I watched as all students, from first to fifth year, live their days as usual. Just like the ocean withdraws before the tsunami crushes ashore, their slowness made me somewhat anxious.

I had a couple of hours free between two lessons and, even though I’d usually do so, I didn’t feel like holing myself into the library nor focusing on training. Instead, I sat in that lonely park for the whole time. The anxiousness I felt ever since I woke up was thankfully being mitigated by the atmosphere surrounding me. The gaudy pinks, yellows, blues and reds of the spring flowers, all left the greens and browns alone so, as a result, that warm and welcoming beauty faded from the humans’ grasp. Nonetheless, what I was looking at was also beauty, but of a different kind, one colder and more selective. The frenzy dance of colors made space for the gentle touch of the white snow, gently caressing the skin of those who were able to appreciate it’s calmness.

Like a kid, I watched as my every breath took shape as soon as air left my lungs. The slightly denser air would then fade away right in front of me, only to reappear as the rhythmic movement of my lungs acted as a maestro.

All noise was useless, unimpactful. The thin layer of pure white snow covering my small world and the white petals graciously dancing over my head were muffling every sound except mine. The contraption of my lungs, the beating of my heart, the clicking of my eyelids, the leather gloves over the fabric of my trousers, the rustling of the fur against my shirt. There was only me in that world.

But as all things do, my world crumbled as soon as anxiousness found a way to enter it’s barriers. That anxiousness came in the form of my snow-haired friend, Youm, who came running towards me as a couple of pearls of sweat were creating dry rivers over his forehead.

“That’s where you were, Raphael!” Said Youm as he reached my seat.

“I had some free time so I decided to take a walk. When I came across this park I could do nothing but sit and gaze. Sorry if you were looking for me”

“It’s just a park though…Anyway, come fast. The headmaster is about to give a speech in the main plaza” Replied him as he urged me to get up by dragging my shoulder.

“Let me guess-” I said as I shook off all the snow that piled up over my legs and shoulders “-it’s about the event, isn’t it?”

“Most probably”

“Then we better be there fast”

“Thank you all for gathering here with such short notice-” Began his speech with the headmaster “-As you may have guessed, this is about the upcoming mid-year events. I’d be grateful if those who are present were to share today’s words with those who are not”

As he was speaking with an almost reluctant tone of voice, the headmaster’s eyes kept flashing around the crowd in front of him. Perhaps looking for someone, perhaps checking the numbers. Fact is that when he found what he was looking for, his speech began once again.

“As some of you have heard from the rumors, this year’s events are held in a special way. We could say that the topic is survival, as such some of you may find it strange at first but please bear in mind that the academy would do nothing to harm your safety…To begin, two weeks from today, the first-year students’ event will be held. It will be similar to last year’s but instead of single duels, this time duos will face each other. Students have one week to decide whether to participate or not. After one week, the duos will be made public. Be aware that the duos will be decided at random. You will have to work with a stranger so you must make the best out of each other specialties…. For the second and third year’s event, we are preparing a special three-day event where students will have to survive against nature and other students. Participants will be led into a forest and will have three days to either gather resources and hide or hunt other participants. Each student will start with one badge. The leaderboard will be determined by the number of badges someone possesses. Gain them, steal them, trade them…you can choose your own way. Participants can form teams up to four components….”

The speech kept on for another five minutes in which he explained the various safety measures such as a security system, “surrender” flares and professors roaming the field. When even the presentation of the fourth and fifth years’ finished, the crowd finally dispersed. Being almost late for my next lesson, I made my way towards the classroom leaving behind Youm with the task of warning the others and finding time tonight for a small meeting.

Part 2

“Sooo-” Asked Lucas as he loudly munched on a box of biscuits brought by Sora “- why is it that when we have to talk about something it always has to be done in my room?”

“Your room?! And here I thought it was also Raphael’s…how careless of me to think that it was his idea to invite us while it actually came out of your genius!” Replied tauntingly Danthe.

“Oi asshole!-” Blurted out Lucas half choking on one biscuit “- Don’t get all smarty on me!”

“At least finish eating! You fucking suck!” Shouted Danthe.

“HAHAHA look who's talking! You know I see you when you train, right? Taking your shirt off everytime you spot a girl. Attention whore!” Sharply replied Lucas while throwing a half-eaten biscuit at Danthe like a kid.

“Ho Ho HO! Well then I saw you-” Tried to reply Danthe before being interrupted by the shouting voice of Youm.

“Can you two kids just shut up!? Seriously you’re gonna give me a fuck-*ehm* headache!-”

[Damn he’s angry! He almost swore]

“-Now, can you two please pay attention!?-” No words were spoken until the two bickering boys nodded and kept silent “-Now we can start”

The room was cramped with people. Everyone of our friends was inside it and the lack of space was making itself noticeable since some of them were sitting on my and Lucas’ beds. Though the invitation was abrupt, everyone seemed to be eager to make space in their schedule to attend the “meeting”. It was clear to everyone that we were all on edge. The looming threat of Gallher was weighing heavily over our heads.

“Ok well-” I began saying without a clear speech to follow “-does everyone know what this year’s event is about?”

“The headmaster’s explanation was clear but I didn’t quite get the badge stuff-” Said Danthe with one hand raised over his shoulder “- I mean, how do you distribute the badges gained if you are in a group?”

“I see-” I replied “-This is just a guess but I think it’ll be up to the team”

“Then isn’t it unfair?” Asked Sora.

“No, not really. Rather, I think is to give more fairness to the event. Think of it this way. If someone who participates solo goes against a team of four and wins, he’ll have gained four more badges but had to face a very tough battle. While if a team of four goes against a solo participant and won, they’d have a very easy battle and as such, they’d gain only one badge. If they were to gain four badges from a single one, it would defeat the whole point of participating solo”

“Ooohh, I didn’t think of it this way!-” Replied Lucas “- I thought that those who went in alone were just cocky!”

“Then what about the surrender and hide stuff?” Asked Amelie.

“I think that’s a way to secure your badge” Answered Youm.

“Ehm, explain please?” Continued Amelie with a vaguely defeated expression on her face.

“Well, the only way to lose badges is if they are either lost in battle or stolen. So if someone were to gather some badges and then surrender, I think he would keep his badges as his score. I mean, if he’s injured and without mana, it’d be difficult to win another fight. I believe they’re testing our way of strategizing also”

[I knew Youm was a step ahead of the rest!]

“Ehm, I have a question too-” Said Sora rather shily “-What about the teams? We are more than four who can participate”

Silence fell over the room. That was the question everyone was waiting for yet didn’t want to ask. Those who could participate were me, Lucas, Sora, Youm, Danthe and Amelie, two more than the maximum number for a team. The problem was that allaying with other teams was, some professors were saying, considered a breach of the rules. Which meant that we were bound to face one another as soon as the event started.

“Well let’s first decide whether to participate or not-” Replied Danthe “- And to your information, I don’t think we should part-”

“I’ll participate” I firmly replied.

“Wait, wait Raphael, think about Gallher!-” Kept going on Danthe “-He’s gonna try some sneaky shit for sure!”

“Of course he’s going to-” Replied Lucas before I could “- But if we’re not facing him now with the academy keeping a close watch, he’s gonna pull that sneaky stuff when no one's watching. Youm said it himself with the letter, better have witnesses!”

“Tch…fine! Then I’ll team up with you a-”

“I'll stop you right there Hannes. First, who else wants to participate?-” Asked Youm “-Oh, by the way, I’m participating”

“I want to join in too!” Said Amelie.

“It’s a chance to humiliate Gallher’s cocky ass, of course I’m gonna join!” Smuggly declared Lucas.

“I want in too!” Firmly said Sora as she smashed her palms on the table. Her expression was fiercer than I had ever seen.

“So you see Hannes, everyone’s in. We can’t let our two best mages be on a team” Said Youm as he rose from his seat and circled around the table with his hands behind his back like a general.

“Fine!-” Grumped Danthe “-Then what’s the strategy?”

“I think two teams of three, with Raphael and you as the heads, is the best strategy” Answered somewhat satisfied Youm.

“Nope, that won’t work” Rudely replied Lucas as he laid his feet on the table.

“And why not? If we make them balanced we shouldn’t have any problems facing anyone!” Answered with a pissed-off expression Youm, now falling from his high horse.

“‘Cause it’s Gallher we are facing, duh!”

“What?!”

“Listen, what’s Gallher objective?”

“Getting rid of us, of course. Why’d you ask stupid quest-”

“Wrong!-” Interrupted him Lucas “- Raph is his objective. You were at the dinner, you should know how bad Gallher hates his guts. But since Raph beat Danthe, Gallher cannot simply send people to try and get rid of him. Same thing goes for the event. He’s too much of a snake to come and face Raph by himself. He’s either gonna send lotta teams toward him or, most likely, try to get ahold of Raph’s weakness”

“Which is?” Asked Danthe.

“Us”

“Really?” Asked Sora blushing.

“Yeah-” I answered with a sigh “-Doesn't really take a genius to figure out that all of our fights happened because some of you were involved”

“Aaaand that’s why I’m sure he’ll try to take a hold of someone before facing him” proudly concluded Lucas.

“So-” Asked Youm “-what do you suggest?”

“I don’t know!-” Answered Lucas as he raised his shoulders “- You’re the brain here!”

Youm’s reply was a heavy sigh accompanied by a loud facepalm. He was the portrait of exasperation.

“Danthe, Youm, Sora and Lucas-” I answered after a bit of pondering “- You guys should form one team while I’ll be teaming with Amelie”

Their faces spoke louder than words. Everyone’s eyes were pointed towards me, some were even particularly surprised to the point where their looks surprised even me, such a case was Kiara who kept silent for the whole time. I could almost hear their thoughts. Danthe, with his eyes full of questions and concern, was basically saying [What the fuck are you doing? She’s a spy!], Sora was asking [Why her!?], Legis had just woken up from his own world and seemed surprised to hear me saying it while Lucas was trying to figure out what was happening.

“Wait, wait, wait, before making any decision, why those teams, Raphael?” Asked Youm troubled.

“You, Sora and Danthe are all well versed with various spells-” I answered “-Plus you can you Lucas as a shield, he’s sturdy enough to sustain some minor spells-”

“Oi, that’s a terrible thing to say, brother!” Cried Lucas.

“-Furthermore, you and Danthe are both stronger than the average student and Sora’s not far off. In terms of close quarters, since I don’t think we’ll be able to carry weapons, you have Lucas who can create a stone sword. Basically, you are covered on all sides”

“But what about you?” Asked Youm.

“I can take care of myself, don’t worry. Though, Amelie, if you don’t feel like it, we could change the teams a little”

[Now, what will you do?]

“Oh…Ehm…No, no. I-I think it’s fine. I trust your judgment!” Replied Amelie stuttering and looking somewhere around the room in search of help. I tried following her eyes but I couldn’t figure out where she was looking.

“Then it’s decided!” I concluded.

Though I said that, the meeting kept going on for about an hour. Danthe kept trying to make me change ideas together with Lucas. Though their goal was the same, their reasons differed. Danthe was worried about me going around with Gallher’s spy while Lucas simply wanted me to participate together with him. Neither of them said it out loud, but it was all too clear in my eyes.

Sora reluctantly approved of my plan and, as soon as Danthe and Lucas settled down, we all began to formulate some sort of plan to come out on top of the event. Kiara too decided to help, even though she was not physically involved with the tournament. Legis on the other hand fell asleep on my bed.

When everyone was finally satisfied with the strategies we came up with, the group disbanded and went to their respective rooms. We now had a little more than two weeks to prepare for what was coming.

Part 3

The days passed by in a flash and soon, the two weeks mark before the start of our year’s event ended. Those who participated spent the last few weeks training from morning to night. Prime examples of such behavior were Danthe and Lucas who one time set up a camp near the training grounds with the excuse of “feeling what sleeping outside feels”, though in truth they just wanted to be the first to use the grounds the next morning.

Not everyone spent their precious time training though. Some holed themselves in their rooms or the library to study like me and Youm while others tried their best to be helpful to those who were participating, like Legis. Unfortunately, his efforts in gathering herbs that boost the natural healing were stopped in it’s tracks by one of the rules that said:

“Participants shall not bring anything other than the clothes given by the academy. Any breach of this rule will result in immediate disqualification( this rule does not apply to accessories such as glasses and hairbands that will be checked before entering the event grounds)”

Throughout the whole time, the tension kept steadily rising as rumors spread that a lot of students kept meeting outside of the academy. With one of those students supposedly being Gallher, our nerves suffered another blow. The one who felt it the most was Danthe. He wasn’t worried for himself, rather he was confident in the abilities of his group to the point where he proudly said he would win the event. No, he was worried about me. With the knowledge that my experiment the night of the dinner was a success and the fact that I was going to team up with Gallher’s spy, he couldn’t seem to calm down. He would take advantage of every moment possible to try and talk me out of it. All until the very final day.

Part 4

Floods of students had gathered in front of the gates of the academy even though it was very early in the morning. The whole place, both inside and outside of the gates, was busy with professors, adventures hired to help with the security, parents wishing good luck to their children and students receiving the event’s clothes. The headmaster was also there, together with Constantine and a tall elf girl with deep purple hair and a huge floppy hat. She had the kind of look that shouts “witch” in every fantasy story, though her smiling face resembled more that of an angel rather than a witch’s.

I was there earlier than the others, I was used to waking up early nonetheless. On normal days at that hour, I would be making my rounds running around the academy and because of that lack of movement I was feeling restless. To mend that, I began aimlessly walking around as I tried to judge the various participants. Lucky enough for me, when I was about to get bored of my current activity, a strong hand playfully grabbed my shoulder and slid one arm across the other, practically locking me in place.

“Early as always I see, Raphael!-” Said the charming voice of Constantine “-So excited about the event that you couldn't sleep?”

“Ha, as if!-” I replied with a smug “-I always wake up around this time”

“Yeeah, I know. You and your habit of running. You know I always see you, right?”

“You’re stalking me?-” I replied as I fakely showed surprise and embarrassment “-A-are you interested in me that way?”

“Eh- who-what!? Oh gods please no!” Replied the professor with a disgusted face.

In the meantime, behind his shoulder, the elven girl he was previously with had been listening to our chat and was now covering her mouth with her hand as she tried to hide her laugh. She had a refined laugh, as beautiful as he appearance, but it was only when I looked at the girl that I noticed a very heavy detail. The elven witch had completely blank eyes.

“Ara- If you look at me so intensively I might feel embarrassed, you know” Said the girl with a voice softer than velvet.

“Oh...ehm, sorry. I didn’t mean to stare”

“I don’t mind *chuckle*. You must be Raphael Bluescale, Constantine has been talking about nonstop ever since I came here. Is this your first time seeing an elf?”

“Oh yes, I mean no. Well, I know some half-elves but…ehm, you have a very different aura. I’m not sure how to explain, forgive me if I may sound rude”

“Mmhh, Constantine did say you were a cut above the rest but this is sure surprising” Said the elven girl as she licked her upper lip.

“Excuse me?”

“That feeling you’re experiencing. It feels more natural, right? As if you were standing next to a tree, am I wrong?”

“Not quite-” I said impulsively “- A tree is still and it’s mana is stagnant. If I had to describe this…breeze on a hill. Standing next to you feels like I’m being touched by nature rather than me touching it”

“HaHaHa!-” Loudly shouted Constantine “- I told you this lil guy was something else!”

“Hehe-” Chuckled the elf “- you are right indeed. You are a very insightful young man, Raphael Bluescale. I hope we’ll be able to converse further in the future”

“Ohhh seems like the great Ekisora has taken a liking to you HaHaHa!-” Said Constantine as he strongly patted my back with an open palm “- But now you gotta excuse us, she has work to do with the security of the event”

“Eh? Security? But how can she s-” I realized midway the rudeness of what I was bout to say and promptly stopped in my tracks but the damage was already done “- Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you!”

“I do not mind-” Calmly replied the lady “- But you see, those blind eyes of mine are able to perceive the world differently. For example if I touch-”

As soon as her slim fingers came in contact with the skin on my cheek, a blinding flash of golden light pierced my mind like a spear. It came from deep within me, close to the stomach and slid through my entire being. I could feel my mana burning and my mind being split by an extremely painful headache.

[Rapha….cup….Bluesc….gift….]

Words began flashing through my head so fast that I could only catch glimpses of them, and even then, their sound was distorted as if it was coming from a broken-down phone cabin.

[You….weak…..figh….claw…]

Together with words, now even images were flashing in my eyes. In an instant, my brain was overflown as if the full weight of an entire river of information gushed inside my brain. I couldn’t make out almost anything of it. A cave, gold, horns, a sea of blood and the sky. Those were the only things I could grasp and they all looked as if I was the one experiencing them in first person.

[....King…..KILL]

The last two words were almost shouted inside my head, so loud that I could feel my conscience wavering until finally, the buzzing sound between words shut off. When I opened my eyes I was sitting on the ground, my forehead drenched in sweat. In front of me was Ekisora with her eyes widened and her skin pale. It was as if no time passed, so much that Constantine seemed to just notice the fact that me and his friend had just fallen on the ground.

“Oi, what happened? Eki are you ok?” Said the professor as he helped his friend stand up.

“Oh? Eh-sure, sure. I’m fine don’t worry. Just got a little dizzy. If you’ll excuse me I have things to do” Said the elven girl before turning around and leaving me and Constantine alone. Before doing that though, she looked at me in my eyes one last time. Her widened eyes were screaming in fear.

[W-what the hell was that?!]

I tried to collect myself before attracting any more unwanted attention from the students around me. With Constantine now checking on me, I swiped off the dust from my trousers and stood up still slightly dazed by what just occurred.

“What just happened Raphael?” Asked for the first time a worried Constantine.

“I...I don’t know honestly, I just felt this bad headache and fell on the ground”

“Oh, I see. Well, if you are fine that’s all that matters but think about visiting the infirmary” Replied with a relieving sigh Constantine.

[Sorry! I’m not sure if I should talk about it with anyone. Her expression seemed more scared than anything else….I shouldn’t probably speak of it to anyone!]

“Well anyway-” Continued Constantine who just regained his cocky tone from before “- there’s still one hour before the headmaster’s announcement, I think you should go to the main building’s rooftop”

“Why?”

“Oooh, nothing major, just want you to meet someone. He seems kinda down lately so, you know…cheer him up”

“Why would I-” I tried to scornfully say.

“Before you say anything else. You should go. He’s someone who greatly helped you” Interrupted me the professor.

“You mean?-”

“Let’s say it’s a little surprise!” Replied Constantine with his usual cheeky smile before patting me on the back and leaving me alone in the middle of the crowd.

Part 5

The hallways were almost deserted. Just a bunch of students either preparing for their lessons or borrowing books from their classrooms. I stopped for a moment in front of a window. Seeing the vast amount of carriages forming lines over the gates reminded me that today signaled the start of the event. Something I had almost forgotten since the events with Ekisora. They were stuck inside my head. The words I heard and Ekisora frightened eyes. I couldn’t make head or tails of what truly happened in the brief moment. And, as I struggled to make sense of it, I reached the door to the rooftop.

The air on top was somewhat fresher and the gentle morning breeze was passing it’s fingers through my hair. The noises of the crowd from down below were barely audible, as if it was just background. Truly a peaceful place devoid of any disturbance. Except for that one guy standing on the edge of the railing opposite of the crowd.

He wasn’t someone I knew yet his appearance wasn’t new to me either. Short, dark black hair formed somewhat of a messy crown around his head giving him a shabby look. His greyish skin did nothing but worsen his look. If he had a beard and was wearing something else than the school uniform I would have mistaken him for a homeless.

[Is he the one who’s been watching my back all this time? Wait, is he trying to…jump!?]

The scene looked familiar, almost painful and nostalgic also, as if I was looking at the past from a third view perspective. Intrigued by the scene I made my way towards him and sat on a pile of stone bricks a couple of meters behind him without even being noticed. He was interesting, to say the least. His hands were violently trembling yet his feet were strongly fixed on the railing, immovable. Tiny pearls of deep crimson blood were falling from his clenched fists. He was hesitating. But even more interesting than the man in front of me was myself.

I was looking at the scene unfolding in front of my eyes. Someone around my age, if not younger, was desperately trying to find the courage in himself to make the jump. One would normally do anything possible to stop him. I had enough strength to stop him, restain him or even knocking him out and saving him. Yet I did nothing. I simply stood there, patiently waiting for the outcome. I was…curious. That man’s life didn’t matter to me. All I was there for was to see the outcome. One may call it personal curiosity but I wanted to see what he would do. Would he jump like I did or would he give himself a second chance?

“SHUT UP!-” Shouted the man in front of me out of nowhere “- I don’t wanna hear any more words out of you! If ripping off my ears would make you shut up I would’ve done that way back!”

I was taken aback by his sudden shouts thinking that he was talking about me that I didn’t even realize that he was talking to himself. The black-haired man had yet to find out that I was behind him.

“Even if you say that I don’t care!-” Kept screaming the student in front of me as he swung his hands around almost as if he was trying to chase out something bothering him “- You’ve taken everything away from me! I have no family, no friends, no name and now what? You wanna take even my body?! I say fu-”

Suddenly he stopped and seemed to calm down. The tension in his arms and legs seemed to subdue and he finally stopped flailing his arms around randomly. I couldn’t understand anything that was happening. It was as if he was talking to someone invisible.

“Eh? Behind me?-” Asked the man in a child-like surprised tone before suddenly moving his head in my direction “-Wha-? You?! What are you doing here?”

“Oh, eehm…-” I tried to articulate as I was found out “- Sorry, I guess?”

“What are you doing here Raphael Bluescale!? The event will start in an hour! You should be focusing on that!” Aggressively asked as he turned around still standing on top of the railing.

“I guess you really are the one who’s been watching my back, uh” I replied with my best smile.

“Tch-” Was the rude answer I received “- That idiotic Gildoor has a way too large mouth! Whatever! Don’t even try to stop me! I decided to jump and I’m gonna fucking do it!”

Slightly taken aback by his rude and aggressive temperament and intrigued by the sudden change of events, I decided to play at his game. I stretched my legs, found a comfortable position and joined my hands behind my head before finally replying.

“Don’t worry, I’m not here to stop you”

“Eh?” The shock on his face was soo clear that it was almost ironic. With both his eyebrows heightened, his eyes widened and his lips open, I could clearly guess that he was expecting me to try and stop him.

“You heard me. Professor Gildoor only asked me to come here. Whatever you plan to do is none of my business-” I coldly replied as I got more comfortable in my current seat. The shock in his eyes was getting clearer by the second “- But before you do anything. May I ask you a question?”

“...What are you tryi-” Tried to say the suicidal student in a waving tone. His voice was coming and going as if he was on the verge of tears.

“Why have you been watching my back?” I asked with a serious expression.

“Why do you even care?”

“I don’t know you and you don’t know me. We aren’t even in the same class. Basically, we’ve got nothing between each other. My point is, why would someone go out of their way just to help a total stranger?” I said as I crossed one knee over the other.

“Tch! Don’t think too highly of yourself. I simply did what I thought to be right. That cunt, Gallher, is a pain in the ass. You just happened to be his enemy!” he scornfully replied.

“I see…Well I some of code, you could say, I don’t like to be indebted to anyone and, right now, I’m down of one favor to you”

“What are you trying to say!?”

“What I’m trying to say is: ask me whatever you want. Want to talk? I can listen your last words. Want me to give you the push you need? I can do it. Want money? It’ll take a little bit but I’ll have them….Want me to save you? I’ll pour my heart into it!-” I replied finally standing up and walking toward the now visibly shocked student “-I know those eyes. I’ve seen them countless times. There’s something you want to get rid of, right?”

For a moment, the black-haired guy looked into my eyes as he opened and closed his mouth a couple of times. Yet only air eas able to escape his lips. I could feel it, he was wavering but he soon looked away.

“...”

“No words, uh? Then let me ask you this. Are you sure death is the end?”

The student’s eyes suddenly turned towards mine once again, this time more fiercely than ever “What do you mean?”

“Does our soul and conscience disappear upon death? Are we sent in another dimension to repent? Is there another life after death?.... If whatever you are trying to kill is able to torment you even after your death, will you keep killing yourself? Think about it. An endless cycle of killing yourself upon killing upon killing upon killing. Sounds stupid, doesn't it?”

“A-are you saying that I’ll have to keep living with him forever?”

[Him? What the hell is this guy talking about?!]

“Ehm..Who knows, I might be right or I might be wrong. The only way to find out is by trying-” I ironically replied as I shrugged my shoulders and showed my back at him “-...Listen. If you’ve decided to jump and you’re set on putting an end to your life, then jump. Don’t look back, don’t think, just jump. But, you have even the slightest doubt about it. If you have even one little thing of value to grab on, then climb down from there….I’m not going to tell you how precious life is and all that crap. Life sucks for the most of us, and that’s a fact. But if you do surrender and there really is another life after this…would you really be able to betray all those who care for you?”

“THERE’S NO ONE WHO CARES ABOUT ME!” Shouted him. Tears were now falling from his face, marking his ghostly pale skin with shining rivers. He was gripping his shirt with one hand and pulling his hair with the other. His legs were dangerously trembling. He was the portrait of suffering and despair. Upon seeing that face, a knot tied around my heart.

[Yeah…he’s not like me]

“Wrong-” I said as I extended my hand. For the first time in a while, I was wearing a natural smile. It was almost refreshing. The muscles on my face were relaxed and my lips curved in an elegant manner, something totally different from the usual half-fake smile I give out “- I’m here right now. After all, I’ve got a favor on your account!”