What is this smell…? It's suffocating… heavy
Where am I…? Where am I, let someone tell me
What are these sounds…? Rustling
Who are these men…? What are they talking about
Why can't I move my body…?
Someone looked at me.
I felt his gaze pierce through my chest
Don't come near me…
No…
Don't come near…
Stop…
Please… stop…
But his steps continued.
Step…
Step…
Step…
He was approaching.
He was approaching me.
I choked myself.
The air no longer reached my lungs.
My heartbeat raced violently until I felt it would tear my chest apart.
Sweat began to burst from my body like rain.
Fear… was no longer a feeling…
It had become an entity wrapping around me.
Then he arrived.
I felt him.
He was very close.
So close that the heat of his breath touched my ear.
It was hot…
Terrifyingly hot.
Then he whispered…
Why are you scared, don't worry… you just… will die
No…
No…
Please…
Don't kill me…
Please…
Their laughs rose.
Distorted… terrifying laughs
No…
No…
No no no no no no—
[48 hours before the incident]
I am Hidara, a sixteen-year-old boy. I had always dreamed of independence and living freely, far from restrictions. I insisted to my family that I leave our small nest and travel to rely on myself. At first, my request was met with outright refusal—for who would leave a son of this age alone? But my unyielding insistence finally made them agree, on the condition that I visit them at the end of every school term.
My journey was not merely a search for independence—it was an escape. In my old school, bullying devoured my soul every day, and instead of confronting it or telling my family, I chose the easier path… I chose to leave for the city of "Malisora."
When I first set foot in Malisora, I inhaled its air, which seemed to me polluted with carbon dioxide, making me cough intensely. Even so, I smiled. I said to myself in a tone full of hope:
"What a charming city! I will make unforgettable memories here, and I will find true friends."
I gestured with my hand to a taxi that stopped in front of me. I gave the driver the address and asked him to go.
Luckily, my family owned a house there, ready for me. As the car devoured the road, I gazed through the window at the wide streets, the towering buildings, and the lush gardens. I whispered to myself, almost drooling from the intensity of my amazement:
"It seems I will find my true love here."
The driver glanced at me through his mirror with a strange look. It seemed I had become suspicious in his eyes.
The car stopped. I got out after paying the fare and stood before my new house. The moment I opened the door, I was greeted by years of accumulated dust covering every corner. I mocked myself, saying:
"Well then, Hidara, time to work."
I spent long hours cleaning and arranging until exhaustion seized every muscle in my body.
"Ughh… I'm exhausted. I'll take a shower."
I collapsed beneath the showerhead, feeling the hot water flow over my weary body, and said gratefully:
"What a blessing… a hot shower after a tiring day feels like a dream."
I'm hungry… I went to the refrigerator only to find it a refuge for cockroaches! I laughed bitterly, saying:
"Did I interrupt your annual meeting? Since when has this refrigerator been a hotel for cockroaches? Anyway, I'll go buy some food.
But I collided with the reality of life—everything was expensive.
"Things are very expensive! This is the cost of living alone in the city… my wallet will suffer from severe anemia. I need money; I must find a job."
I returned with some instant noodles and sat watching TV until sleep overcame him.
Hidara woke up the next morning in panic:
"Nooo! Oh no! I'm late! I must hurry… my first day at school, I must not be late. What… I'll eat later."
"Wait, I forgot to lock the door."
He went back to lock it and continued running toward the school. He reached the gate with five minutes left.
He smiled proudly:
"This is what distinguishes us boys, hahaha."
Two girls noticed his strange behavior.
One whispered:
"Disgusting… creepy."
The other whispered:
"Really strange."
The school bell rang.
Teacher:
"Quiet… alright, today we have a new transfer student. Come in."
Hidara entered.
The same two girls whispered at the door.
One of them:
"He's strange."
He heard them and forced himself to smile, mixed with anger:
"Alright… I am Hidara Mahmoud, pleased to meet you."
Teacher:
"Alright, sit next to your classmate, Neil."
"Alright."
He went and sat next to Neil.
"Hello."
Neil showed no reaction.
"Alright… my God… what! What a boring school… I see very strange people…" Hidara grabbed his hair, saying, "I'll go crazy."
Teacher:
"Hidara, what were you saying? Listen to the lesson."
"I'm sorry."
The lesson ended, and Neil left the classroom for lunch.
Reiji and his friends:
"Hey, you miserable one! Eating lunch alone? Did your mommy cook for you, little boy?"
Neil looked coldly at the food.
"Open your mouth… aaah…"
They laughed loudly.
He picked the food up from the ground:
"Open your mouth, sad one!"
Neil looked at the food:
"…"
"You're provoking me."
He extended his hand.
Hidara:
"What are you doing?! And what is it to you? What's the point of this? What will you gain? I won't allow you to continue."
"What…?"
He raised his hand suddenly.
Neil, with a swift movement, delivered a powerful punch to Reiji's face, and he fell to the ground.
"I didn't ask you to save me, you know!"
Someone behind Neil pulled a piece of wood to hit him.
Hidara noticed quickly and delivered a strong kick to his stomach:
"It seems you need me."
He smiled.
Neil smiled at him.
They taught them a lesson they would never forget.
Administration:
"Neil and Hidara were called and signed a pledge not to repeat the misconduct."
Hidara:
"What do you say, shall we go home together?"
Neil:
"I don't care."
Hidara looked at him.
"Alright, since your house is on my way. My house… I'll go with you."
Hidara whispered to himself:
"I must focus on making true friends… how boring!"
On the street on their way home.
Neil:
"Tell me, why did you help me?"
"It's nothing worth mentioning… I'm not from this city. In my city, I was bullied at school, so I decided to help anyone who is bullied."
He smiled sincerely.
Neil looked at him in shock, then smiled:
"Alright… thank you for today."
He smiled:
"You're welcome. I'm here if you need me."
Neil laughed.
"Don't flatter yourself."
Hidara laughed.
They both went home.
Hidara examined the money he had, saying:
"I must find a job… I need money. I applied to a restaurant my father knows; maybe they will accept me. No call yet. I'm hungry… what should I eat today? I'll shower first."
The phone rang.
"Who's there?! Sarcastically… it's a phone, not a door!"
Caller:
"Hello… are you Hidara Mahmoud?"
"Yes."
Restaurant manager:
"Your application has been accepted. See you tomorrow at two in the afternoon."
"Alright."
"Thank God… I got a job! I'm happy! I'll finish my shower… ah, hot water is always wonderful… but the bill isn't."
The next morning at school…
"Good morning, Neil."
Neil showed no reaction.
Hidara whispered:
"What's wrong with this man? He annoys me… I must focus on making true friends… how boring!"
Teacher:
"Quiet… let's begin the lesson."
Hidara looked at Neil.
"Why doesn't he speak a single word? Is he depressed? Or is he bullied like me?"
"Hello… it's you!"
"…Huh?"
"Do you want to have lunch with me after class?"
"And why would I do that?"
"Hmm… because we are friends."
"Hah… who said I would be friends with someone like you? Are you delusional?"
Hidara whispered:
"Is he really being bullied?"
Teacher:
"Stop, Hidara!"
"Yes."
"Explain this."
"Hmm… I'm sorry."
All the students laughed at Hidara and called him stupid and an idiot.
"He's nothing but an idiot, another idiot came to us."
"Alright, tomorrow bring the homework complete with explanation."
"Alright."
The class ended, and Neil sat alone for lunch.
"I'll sit with you for lunch."
"Hidara, you have a nice meal!"
"What an annoyance!"
"Do you want some of my pasta? It's delicious."
"Thanks, I don't want anything." Neil looked at him. "Just get out of my face."
"What's wrong with this man? Very annoying… maybe just an idiot."
A boy and a girl in love passed by. Hidara looked at them.
"Look, what a beautiful sight… I want to love and be loved."
Neil stuttered and coughed.
"Love? Love is nonsense… it cannot happen between two intelligent people. One of them must always be an idiot."
Hidara smiled.
"You will find someone who pulls you out of this darkness."
"Why pull me? I think I see clearly. There is no darkness."
Hidara laughed, saying:
"You'll understand soon when you fall in love."
Neil choked.
"Huh? What are you saying, idiot?"
"Nothing."
Later, the second class began.
"I'll go ahead."
Hidara left.
Neil sipped his juice, saying:
"Who would love someone like me?"
"Is he just an idiot? What is he thinking? Very annoying."
The dismissal bell rang.
Hidara looked at his watch.
"Today is my first day at work, I must… huh? Neil, he's going home! Hey, Neil, wait!"
"Hah, where did you come from?"
"Your way home is the same as my way… it's better that we go together."
Neil opened his phone.
"I don't care. Do what you want."
Hidara stood in front of him.
"Wow, you are cold-blooded! Is this how you treat your friend?"
Neil looked at him angrily and ignored him.
"Alright, no need to be angry… I have something important… see you tomorrow."
Hidara ran and reached home.
"I must change my clothes… 1:40 PM, I must hurry."
"Alright, I'm ready… I'll eat at the restaurant. No time… I'll lock the door."
He gestured to a taxi.
"Taxi… do you know this address? Take me there."
Taxi driver:
"Alright, get in, young man."
Hidara admired the beauty of the city, smiling strangely.
Taxi driver:
"We have arrived, young man."
Hidara stopped before a large and beautiful restaurant.
He entered and was welcomed by the waiter.
"Welcome, sir. How can I help you?"
Hidara spoke, his eyes roaming the place:
"I came to work."
"Are you Hidara Mahmoud?"
"Yes."
"Follow me."
"Sir, a new worker has arrived."
Restaurant manager:
"Alright, let him in."
Hidara entered.
"Hello."
"Welcome, son of Mahmoud. You will start today. I will assign an employee to guide and train you. Nasreen."
Nasreen:
"Yes, sir, what do you want?"
"Take this new worker as your trainee."
"Alright, follow me please."
Hidara whispered to himself:
"Beautiful and organized restaurant…"
Nasreen:
"Go to the staff room."
Hidara entered.
"What… Neil? What are you doing here?"
Neil:
"Wait, maybe this idiot is a new worker…"
Nasreen placed her hands on Hidara's shoulder.
"He will be your colleague, Neil… please help him."
Neil:
"Nooo… maybe… no… can this be real? What have I done with my life?"
Hidara approached him and whispered in his ear:
"We will be best friends!"
"Do you know each other?"
Hidara laughed.
"Yes, he is my friend."
Nasreen:
"Wow… that will make things easier. Good luck!"
Hidara laughed bitterly and patted Neil's back.
Neil got angry and looked at him, saying:
"Change your clothes quickly; I'll make you do all my work."
Hidara:
"What? Alright, I'll go change."
"I'm ready."
Neil spoke without looking at him:
"Alright, you have a pile of work… wash this, this, and this… our job revolves around washing dishes."
"Hidara, why is all the work on me?"
"You don't like it?" He placed the mop down. "Then I'll tell the manager you don't want to work."
Hidara:
"Alright, wait."
Neil laughed.
"It seems you are obedient."
"Alright."
"Wash this and this… wash these dishes too."
Hidara looked at him angrily.
"Alright."
Evening came.
Hours of work passed.
The manager entered.
"You can leave. Your shift is over."
Hidara whispered:
"Finally… I'm exhausted. What do you say we go to dinner?"
Neil looked at him.
"If you finish my work… yourself."
Hidara spoke with excitement in his eyes:
"Really?"
"Yes. Just this once. To remind you that I'm only exploiting you."
"It doesn't matter as long as you become my friend."
"What? No, answer honestly, are you crazy?"
Hidara, while changing clothes:
"No, I'm not crazy."
"Then I'm the crazy one here… anyway, it doesn't matter."
They went to dinner.
Neil:
"Please bring me some alcohol."
"Alright, sir."
"You drink alcohol?"
Neil said:
"I think… it's none of your business."
Hidara held his glass of juice.
"I know… for your sake, you shouldn't."
"Mind your own business. You don't know what's inside me."
Hidara looked at him mockingly.
"What's inside you, organs?" He laughed repeatedly.
"I'm sorry."
"You're right, I don't know… but the only thing I know is that you are a good person… who cares about your past? You alone make your future; don't destroy your life."
Neil became angry.
"Shut up… what life are you talking about? Leave me alone… I'm going home. Don't follow me."
He looked at him with a cold stare.
Hidara laughed.
"Are you crazy? I won't follow you… and leave all this food."
Neil walked in the street, tears falling, remembering Hidara's words.
Hidara looked at the food.
"Ah… I'll finish my meal alone… I'll take Neil's portion too."
"I wonder… what is Neil thinking? I think I annoyed him… tomorrow I will apologize."
Hidara entered the house late.
"It's late… I must sleep."
The next morning, the alarm rang.
"Ah… today I will apologize to Neil… I'm ready. Where is my umbrella? Heavy rain today."
At that moment,
An unknown car stopped at the end of the street.
He left the house with his umbrella.
He opened it in the street.
"Alright, today I will apologize to Neil."
A car moved quickly toward Hidara.
It stopped beside him, and men got out.
Suddenly, unknown men attacked him.
He tried to resist, but they covered his face, and he lost consciousness, feeling suffocated.
Hidara:
"Ahh… what? I can't see… I can't breathe… these men! Help me… I think I'm losing consciousness."
Hidara lost consciousness.
The phone rang.
On the phone:
"Yes, sir… the mission is complete. The boy is with us."
The reply:
"Alright. Bring him to the place."