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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPbUt5XTade
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dkgM22qC2
"This is your one warning... Give up now or else."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5tl9dRrBmN
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxjCcLSy7Dr
Tristan's warning, seeking to quell the men thirsting for blood, echoed in vain as contumelious laughter reverberated through the air.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLW7RY7FpG
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT7eWn7iBB3
"Andrew Dawson."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQiiT50bCXo
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwh5wYpgx7U
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.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDxtkv5inl
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVCQGGYPpi
Mad Dog's claim commanded the attention of every gangster in the vicinity, each sporting a sinister smile of approval.415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6XvhPodTvb
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpF0mA5Zwe3
Tristan, wearied, shook his head in disappointment. "So, I assume none of you are willing to surrender?"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM1CZe1BKp7
"HAHAHAHAHA!!! Kill this fool!" Mad Dog exclaimed with delight.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFwIjm9bpSm
Responding to their leader's command, the thugs surged forward like a stampede, brandishing wooden bats and rusty steel pipes.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZH5Pdzx3r
Tristan's eyes ignited with power. "This will end in an instant," he declared as his fist clenched.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuGkNMFDDuc
"BOOM!!!"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJCuK8DYrqQ
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3gRkg1Rgx7
1 DAY LATER
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjgXVCb2fc
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCiUV3uBgIn
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBHrcxRGwQn
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRhC3R6lKn
"Mr. Barnes," Tristan says in a worried tone.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7oKc3Klpz
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavq2GdXDHB
"Mr. Cunningham, must I remind you that you're three days behind on the rent?" Mr. Barnes says, arms crossed.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHjsh8Ibsc
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWyCLyeEyP8
"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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXSsgE6ftP
Tristan scratches his head, releasing a breath of air. "Oh well, I should be getting paid today."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OqR1EaiTm
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.
***
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKWDcghHID1
"Sorry I'm late, Mr. Fritts," Tristan says, breathing hard as he bursts through the front door of his workplace.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAGODxyPA7N
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtH42pjOCRf
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMpOgKj5YYm
"Where's Danny?" Tristan asks, scanning the store.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtiwu9sIVFJ
Mr. Fritts sighs in discontent. "My lazy son is in the back organizing all the equipment. Why don't you go and help him?"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgWLHwDtG5
"Yes, sir."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbfKf7F5bfC
Tristan heads to the back of the store, surrounded by a diverse array of products—old furniture, clothes, shiny vases, handbags, and shoes.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGP9zkINlg5
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxdh0GwqXT7
Tristan approaches his fellow college. "Hey, Danny."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdl7VlRVM7d
"Well, well, well, look who finally decided to show up," Danny says, arms crossed.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhc1F9t49MV
Tristan rubs his head from embarrassment.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡspSxWS878t
"Yeah, yeah, sorry I'm late."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7OZ8pxAdu
"No worries, it's been pretty slow today," Danny shrugs as he gets back to work.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr26EhzqsJD
Tristan looks at Danny curiously. "Oh yeah?"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIbJre49Knb
Danny smirks. "Yeah. Not a lot of people are going out today, not after what happened last night."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbpnALCnmC
Tristan raises one eyebrow. "Last night?"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqoAZkxyKvR
Danny looks at Tristan. "You didn't hear what happened?"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJiZ0l9vzjs
Tristan stares at Danny without saying a word.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVijhtDrUn
"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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgFhgegyUvr
Tristan remains quiet as his face adorns a look deep in thought. "Is that right?"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQifERbxmPc
"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."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxerZ3GgkXD
Tristan's eyes become emotionless as he continues his work, listening to Danny's account.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9lsGzIiaZU
"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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT9M9OovRt6
Danny and Tristan lock eyes.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjXJCbMkgn
"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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW2JhMyedx8
Tristan looks down at the ground, his fist clenched in frustration.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLyfWAXSjC
Tristan smirks. "Why indeed..."
***
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IEZ0Diwbj
Tristan accepting the white envelope from Mr. Fritts' hands smiles while standing in the doorway of the store. "Thank you so much, Mr. Fritts."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyxlUju1Rj
Mr. Fritts lets out a hearty laugh. "It's no problem, son. Like I said, you do good work."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwXPQ3fT5ZC
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."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLw4yGys5fO
"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.
***
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm1oCyhadZX
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡczEXiZYtoE
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LDPYEqWID
"There she is," Tristan exclaimed with a smile as he jogged over to the young woman. "Janice!"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7BCaPusS76
Janice, upon hearing her name, looked up, emitted a small laugh, and waved at Tristan. "Hey, Tristan!"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT5uWeXCAYm
"I knew I would find you here at 6:30 pm in the evening," Tristan said, putting his hands on his hips.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SBRcgUnwV
Janice shrugged her shoulders. "Well, where else is a homeless girl supposed to go?"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIo3wc7MadN
"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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEK2laigE9u
Tristan pleaded with his friend, though deep down, he already anticipated Janice's response.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh1EJeHyP0K
"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."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOZTidhE6N
Tristan, familiar with Janice's steadfast nature, sighed upon receiving the all-too-predictable answer.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡogXjgcL9bZ
"Okay, okay. Just promise me if anything happens, you'll come to my apartment," Tristan urged.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpK0mHBGaG5
Janice's cheeks turned red, and for a moment, she avoided his gaze, leaving Tristan puzzled.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs64dks5HUc
"Yeah, yeah, I will, promise," Janice said with a small laugh.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY57cA3FSg1
Tristan smiled, reaching into his right pocket, and took out his wallet. With a sigh, he handed Janice a $20 bill.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVs521osxXG
"Here."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbqBPTzZwNc
Janice's eyes sparkled with a certain radiance as she looked at the dollar bill in Tristan's hand.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcacz8eVP9v
"Are you sure?" Janice asked, looking up at Tristan.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH75kAPbLpO
Tristan smirked. "Yeah, as long as you promise me you won't spend it on alcohol like you did last time."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzf1Ix1xoyS
"Yea, yea, I won't, okay!" Janice replied in embarrassment as she snatched the twenty dollars from Tristan's hand.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0GSmnxBmNf
Tristan, ready to head back to his apartment, walked away giggling.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ61TIGq0yC0
"It was you, wasn't it?" Janice asked.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6aNhCumz36
Tristan stopped walking and looked back at Janice with an awkward smile.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCtFU2yKUD
"What do you mean?" Tristan asked with an awkward giggle.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3d937hYNGO
"You know what I mean. Those gangsters – you were the one who took them down, weren't you?" Janice said with serious eyes.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWI5MSwd2EH
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."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgupTmGaGBd
Tristan wasted no time as he continued his walk home.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQctN81TG4Z
Janice looked at Tristan walking away and couldn't help but smile. "Weak? Yeah right, you could have fooled me."
***
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTuv9kb8lwD
After a long day filled with work and unsettling rumors, Tristan lays in his bed, staring at the ceiling.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlAqtyVfr6h
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTnbqCQ36kU
"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?"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfegEV1HnX7
Closing his eyes, he throws himself into bed.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxEC0AoSYf
"I just hope that everything will go back to normal soon," Tristan sighs as he begins to drift into a deep sleep.
***
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyrEtl9Bny4
With his eyes closed, Tristan gracefully glides through an ocean of pure white.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdU7KdPvGds
Upon opening his eyes, he finds himself surrounded by an seemingly endless expanse of white space.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzqaYaM8IzK
Tristan wonders aloud, "Where am I?"
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl1nizM9awM
An unknown voice responds, echoing from all directions, "Your wish shall be granted."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrPqxxoO7MA
Surprised by the feminine voice, Tristan scans the space to locate the source.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJ86wPpHkF
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eaB9YXg7i
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6CBtCZprZG
"Who are you?" Tristan inquires, intrigued by the mysterious presence.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOTZ478Gia
THE NEXT DAY
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8Z9bloLnQ
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HFjW8OL6W
"It was just a dream," he reassures himself, yet his right hand trembles uncontrollably, betraying an underlying unease.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqqajJuBtY0
Dreams were foreign territory for Tristan, accustomed to a vigilant sleep with one eye open. Despite this, the dream's realism left him unsettled.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2kvmxI10t
"Oh man, I must be really tired," Tristan muses with a tired smirk.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0dVvjgzmZ
"Hello," an unknown yet familiar voice interrupts the solitude.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj5l8JO8WJ7
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.
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2yVRDIujQ
"Hello, my name is Loraura, and I am a goddess sent from the Radiant lands. Please tell me your heart's desire."
415Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFZqeVkb6Kg
"Huh?
***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns3.145.85.3da2
然後按「加至主畫面」