(From Leo's perspective)
I woke up to the sound of a gunshot. Melisa wasn't beside me. And the key wasn't in my pocket either. The door was open; the key had been left on the TV stand after the door was opened. I picked it up and went out. And I locked the room. I looked around for her, but I couldn't make her out because it was dark.
I heard Melisa calling my name. I ran towards her. I ran towards the sound, my eyes barely open.
I looked for her, but couldn't find her in the darkness. A woman grabbed my ankle and said,
"Isn't she your wife?" Melisa was in a woman's arms. Her eyes were closed.
The young blonde woman said,
I asked her,
"Who are you?"
"My name is Lara. The girl next to me is my daughter, Lina. She girl was looking for something… She must have been surprised when she suddenly heard the gunshot behind her. I quickly pulled her aside. She fainted from the commotion…"
—Thank you for saving her. (Approaching her ear.) Could you tell me which man opened fire?
—The old man next to us.
—Thank you.
I pulled two guns from my pocket. Most of the people around were out of ammo anyway. When they saw two loaded guns, they got scared and moved away. I shot the man I was targeting in the leg. And I walked away. I bent down and continued talking to Lara further to the side.
—You seem like a good person
She said to me.
—It's funny that you say that after I shot the man in the leg. Besides, there's no such thing as a good person here… I did a lot to protect my wife. I don't think I can be considered good… I'll do even more, frankly. You might be talking to the most ruthless person here.
—What is a good person? It's a concept that varies from person to person. If you treat me well and with privileges, you're treating someone else badly and without privileges. You might seem good to me, but bad to someone else."
—You're right."
I lifted Melisa from the ground. I held her in my arms. She was unconscious, still unconscious. She could open her eyes a little and was uttering meaningless words. She must have been really scared.
"—Onion pizza.
—You're right, Melisa. I'm craving it too." Her eyes were closed, she was talking nonsense.
—A hamburger would be nice too. I wonder that can we order here?"
—I don't think so Melisa.
—But we don't have any money.
—(I laughed.) Money can always be found."
Lara asked curiously:
"Why have you come here, sir? When you are given one wish, what will you wish for? You can wish for anything. You will have unlimited wishes. Money, fame, peace… and everything else. So, which one will you choose?" He asked me,
—I trust you, after all, you are my wife's savior. Therefore, I will tell you openly. I will wish to save my wife. I will wish that she never use things that messed up with her head.
—But according to the rules of wishes the old man mentioned, a person who dies here cannot be brought back to life with wishes. And the wish will be granted to the last surviving person."
—"We won't have a problem with that." —"How?"
—"Don't worry about that."
—"How wonderful… You will save your wife. How sweet."
I stayed silent.
—"I found a necklace. It's your wife's."
She said.
—"Yes. It's hers. Thank you for bringing this back to me."
Lara asked curiously:
—There's a photo inside. Is this you and her?
—That's a photo from over 10 years ago. We were young back then. Of course, a lot has changed now.
—I met my husband around that age too.
—Ms. Lara. You saved my wife, and I am very grateful to you. I can't leave you here alone with Lina. If you want, there's a room where my wife and I live, just the two of us. You can stay there. We can help each other for now, okay?
—Okay, sir. Thank you.
—Thank you too.
I invited Lara to our room, and she came.
I said to her,
—You three can use the bed. I'll stay on the sofa. Or, if you prefer, I can take Melisa with me…
—No. I wouldn't dare throw a pregnant and unconscious lady onto the couch.
—As you please.
I said.
Lina wasn't very talkative. Her mother put her to bed. I put Melisa to bed next to Lina.
When I turned on the light in the room, I saw Lara's wound.
—You're wounded. I said.
—Really?
—Can't you feel it? —No…I'm feeling a slight pain now.
—Let me examine it. I'm a doctor.
—You are? How ironic, your wife is an addict. —Yes, I was an addict too.
—How could you become a doctor? It must be difficult when you're addicted to something. —I wasn't like her, to be honest…I usually took it so Melisa's share would decrease. Otherwise, I didn't use it. After I quit, I somehow found a job. Honestly… I had a professor at the hospital. He liked me. He supported me in quitting. In fact, to be more precise, he pressured me to quit. He became the father I never had. And I didn't want to disappoint him. He would do everything he could to make me to leave Melisa. Of course, he didn't succeed in that. But thanks to him, I improved myself a little. Of course, in the end, Melisa… took an extra dose. Because I wasn't there for her at that time. I couldn't reduce her dose.
—I guess you sacrificed yourself for this girl. Why would you do this for another woman? You could easily find another woman. You have a good profession and a handsome face.
—I wanted Melisa. No one else.
—Why?
—Because she wanted me too. Even when she was at her most level of mind, she still chose me. She couldn't think of anyone else. Even when she was not on her right mind, she only thought of me. I'm the same way. I wanted her. Since high school, we've always been enough for each other. She's mine, and I'm hers now. Wherever the front wheel goes, the back wheel follows. Wherever she goes, I go.
—You're being unnecessarily romantic.
—It's none of your business.
—My husband was like that too… Every day he'd come home with drugs. He made my life hell. Yet when we got married, we promised to love each other forever, that we would never hurt each other. It didn't happen that way.
Sadly, I was so happy the day he died… We both had knives in our hands… I was happy, but my happiness didn't last long.
—Will you also wish to save your husband?
—No, I'll wish I had never married him.
—But… your daughter?
—It would be best for her never to have been born.
—I can't say anything.
—Actually, when you think about it, we resemble each other so much, don't we?
—No. If I were reborn a thousand times with, I would still marry her.
—I still see a resemblance between you and me. You know? From the first moment I saw you, I couldn't take my eyes off you.
—Then take your eyes off me. I'm married, madam.
—That girl continues her addiction even though she's pregnant. Will you marry someone so irresponsible? Lara put her hands on me. She pushed me onto the couch. I fell to the floor. She climbed on top of me. She was pressing down on my leg and holding my arms with all her strength. Even though I knew it was a completely unbecoming act, I had to kick her.
I panicked. I didn't mean to do that. But I didn't know what to do. I apologized to her.
She was angry.
Seeing this, Melisa started laughing; I hadn't noticed she was awake. Lara, perhaps triggered by her laughter, said,
"What are you laughing at?! You're disgusting! Both of you are disgusting!"
She took her daughter and left the room.
Melisa looked at me,
—You almost cheated on me... Didn't I tell you not to trust everyone?! Besides, your looks and attitude attract women..."
She said.
—Almost cheated on you?! I even kicked her!
—(She laughed) I know I shouldn't laugh, but…How could you do that…
—(I laughed.) I panicked! What could I do?
—You look so sweet to me now.
—Don't I always look that way?
—You always do. That's a different story.
—You don't sound like you were a woman who was secretly trying to escape from me about an hour ago.
—I learned my lesson when I heard the gunshot near me.
—(I laughed.) You can't fool me with those words. I know you.
—Even if I promised?
—If I saved 1 dolar for every promise you didn't keep, I'd be rich.
—Yes, maybe I can't keep my promises. But I love you, isn't that enough?
—(I smiled.) I guess it is.