The darkness invaded the alleys, while the buildings illuminated the streets and pavements, being a pleasant sight with a bunch of people walking.
The city looked alive, the laughter, the conversations; I longed for my life when everything was calmer.
In front of me was the person who got me out of the mess.
"Although he got me out of that trouble, I don't know this guy,"
I told myself as I sharpened my gaze. "Or maybe he's someone this body knows?"
It was the obvious answer, after all I was in a world I didn't know. "I'd better ask," I said in a quiet voice.
—Thanks for what happened a moment ago.
I smoothly started the conversation with something neutral so it wouldn't seem too strange.
The other person noticed my voice and turned his head with surprise.
—Is something wrong? You're not the type who speaks first.
Did I make a mistake? The man's face mixed between astonishment and a slight open smile.
Oh, I could take advantage of that reaction.
—I just wanted to thank you, I didn't know I would get into trouble.
The middle-aged man smiled; had he never seen me thank him or talk to him?
That pleasant gesture made the man cheerful, who turned his head forward as he walked.
—Dinner is ready, let's get home as soon as possible or it'll get cold.
"I'd better go along with it," I thought, I don't want to raise suspicion unless I'm sure.
In a moment we arrived at a residence near a park with a vivid atmosphere, with dazzling lights reflecting in every corner of the benches, with roots full of flowers that helped provide shade.
Although the moonlight had its own effect, this artificial light gave a warm touch to that beautiful park.
With just one turn, I was in front of a five-story house with detailed features and a fresh white look, and if I compared it to other houses I know, this one wouldn't fall behind.
"Surely they're rich people," I told myself, while I followed the middle-aged man who brought me here, and as soon as we entered through the door, I found myself surprised.
—Soma! How are you!
Expressed enthusiastically someone inside the house with open arms. "A neighbor?" would have been the right guess, but it wasn't exactly what I expected.
—Haha! Liam, why are you surprised if I only left for a few hours! —said the middle-aged man (Soma).
No… it was something I didn't even want to know, because these guys were hugging and kissing passionately.
"Ugh, at least they're not kissing mouth to mouth." My gaze darkened while I wore an expression of disgust.
The other person beside the middle-aged man, apparently named Liam, had a different aura; unlike Soma, Liam gave off an aura of confidence and maturity, with a healthy body and short red hair with white streaks like graying hair.
It was clear that the difference here was age, but how was it that Liam, despite having a tired expression, had such a lively attitude?
The confusion in my head consumed and stressed me, but… something else occurred. "What if they're homosexuals?" I stared at both of them with trembling eyes.
—H-hello —I said with a trembling voice.
I tried to catch their attention with a greeting, and in response they both turned to look at me without concern.
—Haha, go eat and then go to your room, the others will take a while to arrive.
He said in a cheerful voice, squinting his eyes slightly as they kept showing affection. Meanwhile, I decided to go up the stairs with a serious, dark expression and a pale tone.
"What horrible horror scene is this!"
The house was divided in such a way: the first floor was made up of the living room, kitchen, bathrooms, while on the second floor were the rooms of the— kids? How many do they have!?
Unfortunately, I didn't go up to the third floor; when I saw the staircase leading to the door, I felt an atmosphere that gave me goosebumps, not out of fear, not out of curiosity, but because that place would be anything but pleasant for my holy eyes.
I walked through the hallway of the second floor, surrounded by doors with different hangers, each distinguished by colors, names, and designs.
Briefly walking on the creaky wooden floor, searching with doubt for my room, I found what seemed to be mine because it had my own name.
—Dante? —I whispered, puzzled.
"Could it be a coincidence?" I slowly crossed the door, making as little noise as possible. A somewhat ordinary bed with clothes on top, an old computer, and a pile of trash on the floor.
I pinched my nose, not even in my worst moments would I have my room like this!
I turned on the light, opened the window forcefully, grabbed a bunch of trash bags and threw all the room's garbage into a metal trash bin.
I hurried downstairs to the first floor, grabbed a bucket, filled it with water, and rinsed it, desperately trying to clean my room.
Half an hour later, the room looked at its best, fresh and inviting to curl up on the well-made bed.
And better yet, the clouds darkened, resulting in a calm rain.
I threw myself onto the bed, looking at the ceiling; I stared at the palm of my hand without any emotion.
—I hadn't noticed, this place feels so real that I had forgotten I'm not from here.
It's strange that I would forget that old life in the shadows, controlling a large part of the country and earning myself a feared name worldwide. Compared to this new experience, I don't know if I should consider this a reward or…
I didn't know, but at that moment tears rolled down my face.
A fleeting scene: in a sunset as beautiful as the meadows, I held the delicate hand of a woman lying in a hospital bed.
—Back then I was still a brat.
I clenched my teeth, almost biting my lips, trying to stop the tears.
—Son~… be a good boy~
I clenched my fists, every vein standing out.
—Okay mom! I'll be someone good, someone you'll be proud of! Just… don't leave me…
My voice trembled, crying. I thought I had overcome it… but I think it's better if it hits me hard.
In the end I still miss you… no matter how many years have passed, I still remember you… mother.
Covering my face with my arm, I closed my eyes until I fell into a deep sleep.