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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmaxY4YI7wO
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyP6ezFOpl8
"This is your one warning... Give up now or else."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvnZWrUO3q1
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkjQUCXCQ9V
Tristan's warning, seeking to quell the men thirsting for blood, echoed in vain as contumelious laughter reverberated through the air.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLm5z8El8uU
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ2PRfZpnVt
"Andrew Dawson."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMIyqqCmDa
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2lewctlsTy
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.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDi78u4jGD
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDPxkV9qnTY
Mad Dog's claim commanded the attention of every gangster in the vicinity, each sporting a sinister smile of approval.445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡES3hmTnOcD
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW30eQmu0v0
Tristan, wearied, shook his head in disappointment. "So, I assume none of you are willing to surrender?"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYUFMOB1qY9
"HAHAHAHAHA!!! Kill this fool!" Mad Dog exclaimed with delight.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtsoZnVbLAb
Responding to their leader's command, the thugs surged forward like a stampede, brandishing wooden bats and rusty steel pipes.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkMEDxQTbaJ
Tristan's eyes ignited with power. "This will end in an instant," he declared as his fist clenched.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2scBcVDHiS
"BOOM!!!"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVshwbK69E
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡysxGHXCSN2
1 DAY LATER
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD0VAUly7FG
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxS8jkhKRxR
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRI6q5Dhq4g
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyjXg66HDdd
"Mr. Barnes," Tristan says in a worried tone.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5T1HaK9Dz
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMV0IzQVbFW
"Mr. Cunningham, must I remind you that you're three days behind on the rent?" Mr. Barnes says, arms crossed.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAz4tgqnoS
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKnEkUZtZF3
"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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wWVtimSSa
Tristan scratches his head, releasing a breath of air. "Oh well, I should be getting paid today."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5MjcYEPIXJ
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.
***
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGhcxASdTWc
"Sorry I'm late, Mr. Fritts," Tristan says, breathing hard as he bursts through the front door of his workplace.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBj0TTrfxdp
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡybTRLRqFWL
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWEMvOGZD7
"Where's Danny?" Tristan asks, scanning the store.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKyi9EfU7m
Mr. Fritts sighs in discontent. "My lazy son is in the back organizing all the equipment. Why don't you go and help him?"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4Y8c8OXih6
"Yes, sir."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiOJEF1d3ZY
Tristan heads to the back of the store, surrounded by a diverse array of products—old furniture, clothes, shiny vases, handbags, and shoes.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzTG7qiXh0
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLh3PjBqfuf
Tristan approaches his fellow college. "Hey, Danny."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkVAQIjuMJ
"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show up," Danny says, arms crossed.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgZgijTzD7M
Tristan rubs his head from embarrassment.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNX0qTk1B0
"Yeah, yeah, sorry I'm late."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZPO743YZRw
"No worries, it's been pretty slow today," Danny shrugs as he gets back to work.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IYMIjiODU
Tristan looks at Danny curiously. "Oh yeah?"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnd54BCfksj
Danny smirks. "Yeah. Not a lot of people are going out today, not after what happened last night."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEI6VeBwTR3
Tristan raises one eyebrow. "Last night?"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRiiaChtyj
Danny looks at Tristan. "You didn't hear what happened?"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYF33aA1OTG
Tristan stares at Danny without saying a word.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQeeCbVohb
"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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZEVbeEhwE
Tristan remains quiet as his face adorns a look deep in thought. "Is that right?"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ15r4MU0hSK
"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."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwwtCK5tvL
Tristan's eyes become emotionless as he continues his work, listening to Danny's account.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW7ReEW24I
"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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoUSj7ciet
Danny and Tristan lock eyes.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ephpTnkOt
"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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRet42Hwaut
Tristan looks down at the ground, his fist clenched in frustration.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWqVfx6hkD
Tristan smirks. "Why indeed..."
***
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡftaWyB0han
Tristan accepting the white envelope from Mr. Fritts' hands smiles while standing in the doorway of the store. "Thank you so much, Mr. Fritts."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbzqUW8Bbu2
Mr. Fritts lets out a hearty laugh. "It's no problem, son. Like I said, you do good work."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgMs52kqHQ4
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."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh6SryTBmMI
"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.
***
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj9MDpspAKA
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFWPihyhk3
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjy2UhhBB0b
"There she is," Tristan exclaimed with a smile as he jogged over to the young woman. "Janice!"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Q5ctpAjr
Janice, upon hearing her name, looked up, emitted a small laugh, and waved at Tristan. "Hey, Tristan!"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB1WcrymlP4
"I knew I would find you here at 6:30 pm in the evening," Tristan said, putting his hands on his hips.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AUq4CRn9H
Janice shrugged her shoulders. "Well, where else is a homeless girl supposed to go?"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp5AEPvV0OP
"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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzcpcT6oJhQ
Tristan pleaded with his friend, though deep down, he already anticipated Janice's response.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIsLZTiAof1
"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."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgddrUZsWo2
Tristan, familiar with Janice's steadfast nature, sighed upon receiving the all-too-predictable answer.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5bQqKi2uGu
"Okay, okay. Just promise me if anything happens, you'll come to my apartment," Tristan urged.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNny4P1gdur
Janice's cheeks turned red, and for a moment, she avoided his gaze, leaving Tristan puzzled.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGSbPPASb3y
"Yeah, yeah, I will, promise," Janice said with a small laugh.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZG9HZ9Lfwk
Tristan smiled, reaching into his right pocket, and took out his wallet. With a sigh, he handed Janice a $20 bill.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA1PN3OJr8d
"Here."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGEUb7nZBO
Janice's eyes sparkled with a certain radiance as she looked at the dollar bill in Tristan's hand.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQAR4M1bbK
"Are you sure?" Janice asked, looking up at Tristan.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNv46nx7hpX
Tristan smirked. "Yeah, as long as you promise me you won't spend it on alcohol like you did last time."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRGIpZmaKDC
"Yea, yea, I won't, okay!" Janice replied in embarrassment as she snatched the twenty dollars from Tristan's hand.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPN8en0JqLg
Tristan, ready to head back to his apartment, walked away giggling.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5JgkaHOQm
"It was you, wasn't it?" Janice asked.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdhcwQuSEGN
Tristan stopped walking and looked back at Janice with an awkward smile.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsegOAT4DSF
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked with an awkward giggle.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLx5mxdVQkI
"You know what I mean. Those gangsters – you were the one who took them down, weren't you?" Janice said with serious eyes.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCGZrtWOkMJ
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."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTevJqY5lPg
Tristan wasted no time as he continued his walk home.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Rsvmo6SxI
Janice looked at Tristan walking away and couldn't help but smile. "Weak? Yeah right, you could have fooled me."
***
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC78hCDyqk3
After a long day filled with work and unsettling rumors, Tristan lays in his bed, staring at the ceiling.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUrFNoCmvMA
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGZPtMUC3O
"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?"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptUO6lN5fL
Closing his eyes, he throws himself into bed.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTR7PGXaqK
"I just hope that everything will go back to normal soon," Tristan sighs as he begins to drift into a deep sleep.
***
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeHuOF4kOp
With his eyes closed, Tristan gracefully glides through an ocean of pure white.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaUgL34e2yJ
Upon opening his eyes, he finds himself surrounded by an seemingly endless expanse of white space.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4kZFX7jztu
Tristan wonders aloud, "Where am I?"
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDhirVgD5k
An unknown voice responds, echoing from all directions, "Your wish shall be granted."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfgtThobT2
Surprised by the feminine voice, Tristan scans the space to locate the source.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1KrtsEeqvj
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1boPasoMhO
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUmHrepWLs
"Who are you?" Tristan inquires, intrigued by the mysterious presence.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGTNvTCMjp
THE NEXT DAY
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRZ4rjey8Gj
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdGnA8HbPqP
"It was just a dream," he reassures himself, yet his right hand trembles uncontrollably, betraying an underlying unease.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoQeo6x2eJ4
Dreams were foreign territory for Tristan, accustomed to a vigilant sleep with one eye open. Despite this, the dream's realism left him unsettled.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8vSwUyryl
"Oh man, I must be really tired," Tristan muses with a tired smirk.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ516WBxmxs
"Hello," an unknown yet familiar voice interrupts the solitude.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0Z2DGjhzb
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.
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡteHQMLylcl
"Hello, my name is Loraura, and I am a goddess sent from the Radiant lands. Please tell me your heart's desire."
445Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ58LEY8xR6E
"Huh?
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns3.142.247.90da2
