1 i. cause of death: ludwig

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8:49 pm.

January 13, 2XXX.

Fifth Avenue, Syl City,

Sylembourge.

Gustazó Café.

Ludwig Pagano.

NUISANCE.

If there is a suitable word that can describe my whole existence. . . that would be. . . nuisance.

My family abandoned me. Earth dislikes me. Even Heaven and Hell does not welcome me.

I was seven when I become a criminal.

A classmate of mine stole my pencil. I knew it was him who did it so I reported it to our teacher.

She confronted him. The least she can do.

He denied it. As expected.

I insisted. I should be 'cause it's mine, anyway.

In the end, I was accused of blaming an innocent kid.

I flared up. Fuming with anger, I stormed off the classroom while thinking that that guy should just die being hit by a truck.

The next day, our teacher announced a news. That thief was hit by a truck while he was crossing the street. Funny how a truck appeared in our small village, hindi naman iyon main road. Iyon pala, may naglilipat bahay sa kapareho nilang street. Hindi nila siya napansin kaya, ayun, nasagasaan.

Don't know why but I did not feel anything. Guilty? Nah. Fear? Nah. Nervous? Not at all. I was just. . . excited.

Like, hey! I may have a super powers. What should I do? Should I test it again. Can this power make me rich? Damn! Excitement ruled over my mind. I almost forgot that it was me who wished that guy to die.

I thought about my dad coming back to us and my mom stopping her drug addiction.

That day, the first time I walked home eagerly. Normally, I will take my time to reach home but that day, I did not.

I even shouted 'I'm home' with the hopes of having a respond and I did.

Yes. I did.

I received. . .

"Putang ina mong bata ka! Bakit buhay ka pa? Bakit hindi ka na lang mamatay!"

I halted my steps then smiled. A smile that no one can decipher.

And in the deepest part of my mind. Can you just rest in peace, mother.

Then she did! She died due to drug overdose.

I was glad my power does not work the way I first thought it would be. Cause if it is, I might become too greedy.

Though there's nothing wrong with that but I prefer not to become one. I mean my life would become that dull if everything is within my reach.

And that was what led me to a job that officially branded me as a criminal. Though I prefer calling myself as a crime enthusiast. It sounds better.

Eventually, I was caught. My bad. The guy who caught me knocked me down before I can start to think. But that only lasted for a couple of minutes. I woke up and fortunately, escaped.

It has been a month since that encounter. Hindi ako bumalik sa trabaho ko. I became a fugitive. Inuubos ko na lang ang natitirang pera sa wallet ko.

Inuubos sa isang tasa ng Cafe Americano sa loob ng isang tagong coffee shop na nahanap ko noong araw rin na tumakas ako. Gustazó Café.

Who would want a coffee in the evening? The weirdest human alive. Ludwig.

And who will start a 24 hour coffeehouse business in an inconspicuous alley? The three idiotic owners of Gustazó Café.

"Another Café Americano?" asked Stavroux. The guy who has a shoulder-length hair. Siya ang nag-iisang naka-assign sa counter.

"Uhm. Café Americano for a Sylem," I answered with a grin.

Uhm. There's a pun intended there and I know it's not funny.

"You seemed to arrive earlier than the usual," he commented while validating my order on his computer.

Oh? So he noticed. Usually I stay here around ten to twelve in the evening but today I arrived at exactly 8:40 pm.

I giggled as I remembered how a fool I am to believe in the message written in a piece of cloth.

"Cause I thought there's someone waiting for me."

He raised his finger and pointed somewhere. "It isn't him?" I followed where his fingers pointing.

Outside. Outside, there is a man walking back and forth. Both his hands were inside the side pockets of his oversized black sweatshirt. He'll stop for a moment but will continue pacing again.

He looks like an amateur criminal waiting for his target.

I took my eyes back at the counter. "Maybe yes. Maybe no."

Stavroux shrugged his head then headed inside the kitchen. He'll be passing my order to Freigu.

I sat on my usual table-- in the left corner near the glass wall. I always choose this place for I can have a better view of the whole shop. Nakikita ko kung sinong papasok, saan sila uupo at kung ano ang ginagawa nila. Kita ko rin ang labas kaya kung sakali mang may mga taga-Corps na mapadaan dito, makakatakas ako kaagad.

Mabuti na lang sa loob ng isang buwan, wala pa akong nakikita. The usual customer here are those drunkards nearby.

"One Café Americano for a Sylem customer."

Gaya gaya ng pun.

Wala pang limang minuto, Stavroux served my coffee.

"Zonezer isn't here, huh?" I casually remarked.

"He'll be here soon," he answered while placing down the cup of coffee. "Enjoy your coffee," he bowed then leave.

As I was about to take a sip, the door swung opened creating a chant-like sound. The lad outside entered with a grumpy face as he walked towards the counter. Stavroux welcomed him with a smile.

A new face, huh?

It only took a moment before the grumpy guy turned around to leave--

Uh? Aalis siya kaagad? Akala ko magkakape rin siya?

Sighed. "Another fool who believed in the cloth."

Napalakas yata ang pagkakasabi ko. Grumpy guy stopped his track and slowly turned his head towards me giving me a nasty glare. But me-- he-- both of us was taken aback. . .

"Would you believe me if I say that it was a momentarily slipped of tongue and it wasn't really my intention to mock you?"

I gave him a lopsided grin. His forehead creased as realization knocked him bit by bit. And he really looks mad right now. Really mad like he's going to kill me.

Oh God! I need your salvation.

"I'm going to kill you. You damn traitor!"

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