A PAST

The city stood tall and resplendent under the night sky, its shimmering lights creating a mesmerizing tapestry of colors. It was 9 PM, and the urban landscape was alive with the bustling of city dwellers enjoying the nightlife. The towering skyscrapers seemed to touch the heavens, and the streets buzzed with the energy of a metropolis that never slept.

Amidst this urban symphony, two 13-year-olds, Kim and Kian, were on a mission that would take them into the heart of a desolate part of the city. They closed in on a building that appeared to have been abandoned for years, its façade marred by graffiti and broken windows. The air was heavy with the scent of decay and neglect, but the two friends pressed on, driven by a clandestine meeting that held secrets and risks.

Kim was the more assertive of the two, with a determination that matched the city's relentless pace. His family was the proud owner of a prestigious jewelry company, boasting over 50 branches across the city. Tonight, he was here to meet with three men who held the key to confidential information about a rival company's new jewelry design. This clandestine rendezvous could give Kim's family the edge they needed in the cutthroat world of jewelry commerce.

Kian, on the other hand, was the quieter and more cautious of the duo. He had reluctantly agreed to accompany Kim on this mission, feeling a sense of foreboding about the entire situation. He had no direct involvement in the dealings, but friendship had led him down this shadowy path.

As they approached the derelict building, the trio of men stepped out of the shadows, their faces obscured by the dim light. Kim and Kian exchanged wary glances, aware that they were in a precarious situation. The men wasted no time and handed Kim an envelope containing the coveted design outline and illustrations. In exchange, Kim surrendered a briefcase filled with money.

The transaction seemed to go smoothly, and the trio of men turned to leave. However, as Kim and Kian followed them, they couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. Kim's instincts kicked in, and he whispered to Kian, suggesting they take a quick turn into a nearby alley to avoid any potential threats.

In the confined space of the alley, tension hung thick in the air. It was here that the situation took a perilous turn. The three men, driven by greed and deceit, suddenly appeared at the mouth of the alley, blocking Kim and Kian's only exit.

A chilling realization washed over the two friends: they had walked into a trap. The men's intentions were no longer hidden—they wanted to take the design, seize the money, teach the boys a lesson, and disappear into the night.

Kim, who had taken martial arts classes at school, understood that they had no choice but to defend themselves. With a swift and precise movement, he lunged at two of the men, his lithe frame transforming into a whirlwind of strikes and parries. His fists and feet became weapons, striking with accuracy and power.

The fight was fierce and brutal, echoing through the narrow confines of the alley. Kim's training proved invaluable as he managed to hold his own against the two assailants. Every move was calculated, every strike deliberate.

Meanwhile, Kian found himself in a perilous struggle of his own. He was pitted against the third man, who seemed to have the upper hand. Kian fought valiantly, but his lack of combat experience made him vulnerable. Blow after blow landed on him, each one taking a toll on his body.

Desperation set in as the third man drew a knife, its glint in the dim light sending a shiver down Kian's spine. He knew he had to act quickly to evade the deadly blade. With a burst of adrenaline, he dodged the slashing attack, narrowly avoiding a potentially fatal injury. However, his arm was not as fortunate, and the blade left a deep gash that spurted blood.

In pain and fear, Kian tore off his shirt and used it as a makeshift tourniquet to staunch the bleeding. His vision blurred with tears as he struggled to remain conscious.

The third man, driven by rage and determination, moved in for the kill. His eyes gleamed with malevolence as he poised the knife for a fatal strike. The situation seemed dire, and Kian's life hung in the balance.

It was then that Kim, hearing Kian's cry of distress, sprang into action. With a speed and precision that seemed almost inhuman, he intercepted the attack. The rusted metal in his hands became an extension of his will—a weapon forged from desperation and the primal instinct to protect his friend.

As the man wobbled, the piece of rusted metal found its mark, striking the man's eye with a sickening squelch. His screams of agony pierced the night, and he crumpled to the ground, clutching his bleeding eye.

Kian, his eyes wide with shock, watched the scene unfold before him. He saw his friend in a new light—a young boy transformed into a determined and unyielding protector. The moonlight illuminated Kim's silhouette, his black hair tousled by the night wind, and his blue eyes devoid of remorse. In that moment, he seemed more like a fierce beast than a 13-year-old boy.

Breathing heavily, Kim turned his attention to the fallen man. The alley bore witness to a stark tableau—a wounded assailant writhing in pain, a trembling boy trying to stanch his own bleeding arm,

and another boy standing resolute, the rusty weapon still in his grip.

Jay's eyes snapped open as he jolted upright in his bed. His heart raced, and his body was drenched in sweat. His room was bathed in the soft, eerie glow of the moonlight seeping through the curtains. It took him a moment to catch his breath and shake off the remnants of the vivid dream that had just gripped him.

"That memory... and at this time," Jay muttered to himself, still trying to make sense of it. His chest heaved with the lingering adrenaline of the dream, and his thoughts swirled in a haze. Memories of his past life occasionally resurfaced in his dreams, but this one had been particularly intense.

/// NEXT CHAPTER: COULD IT BE ME? ///

Edited by: JJ