In a narrow, dimly lit alley somewhere in an Arab city, Hikaru walked alone, his footsteps slow and heavy. The exhaustion from his grueling work weighed down on his shoulders, and the burden of his difficult life pressed hard on his heart.
He was heading home, to the very same place where he had spent most of his life—an old, modest house filled with memories both bitter and sweet. His mind was blank, lost in the monotony of his daily routine: work, sleep, and then the endless return home.
All he wanted, more than anything, was a simple life—one filled with peace and quiet.
The cool evening breeze brushed past him as he finally reached the worn wooden door of his house.
He raised his hand and knocked softly.
Hikaru: "Mom? Are you home?"
Silence answered him back, thick and unsettling. No footsteps, no voice, just an eerie stillness.
Growing concerned, he took out his key and carefully unlocked the door.
The sight inside stopped him cold.
His mother lay motionless on the cold floor, her body soaked in blood. The silence around her was deafening, broken only by the pounding of his own heart.
Hikaru (trembling, voice cracking): "Mom! Is this some kind of joke? Could this really be a nightmare?"
Suddenly, a chilling voice echoed from the darkest corner of the room.
Mysterious Man: "No, you fool. This is no joke... Oh, I almost forgot something—goodbye."
Without warning, the shadowy figure bolted toward the back of the house and climbed over the high wall with ease.
Summoning every ounce of strength and determination, Hikaru sprang into action, chasing after the fleeing man.
Mysterious Man (mocking): "Good luck catching me if you can!"
Within moments, flashing blue and red lights filled the alley as the police arrived. The crowd parted to reveal Hikaru, who now stood accused and alone.
Police Officer: "Are you the one who did this to your mother?"
Hikaru (shocked, voice desperate): "No, I swear I didn't! I would never!"
Days turned into weeks, and Hikaru was imprisoned, shackled by suspicion. But with no evidence to condemn him, the courts finally released him after a month behind bars.
Alone in the dark silence of his small room, he whispered to himself, burning with a newfound resolve.
Hikaru: "I will get revenge... that is what I was born for."
As he stepped out of the house, his breath visible in the cold air, his eyes caught sight of a lone figure standing quietly near the wall.
It was his grandfather—the old man Hikaru had not seen in many long years.
Grandfather: "You've finally returned, my son... I was waiting for you."
Hikaru stared in disbelief, a flood of emotions rushing through him: pain, confusion, and a glimmer of hope.
Hikaru: "Grandfather... what are you doing here? How did you know?"
The grandfather smiled sadly, his eyes filled with worry.
Grandfather: "Things have become dangerous, my son. Time is not on our side. We have much to do."