Cards Effect

Arriving home that night, a cascade of unanswered questions echoed in my mind. As I approached my house, the red car I had noticed earlier in the day was parked by the side. While studying the car, I overheard the clamor of people nearby, their boisterous laughter indicating that they were likely in high spirits, possibly fueled by alcohol.

The raucous sounds drew my attention, and I couldn't help but glance toward the source. A group of people, seemingly intoxicated, exuded an air of revelry. Their loud voices carried through the night, creating a stark contrast to the quiet mysteries that had accompanied me throughout the day. As I entered my home, the enigma of the red car and the celebratory commotion outside lingered, adding another layer to the unfolding tapestry of inexplicable events.

Seeking respite, I decided to take a break and lay down to alleviate the ceaseless whirlwind of thoughts in my mind. Changing into more comfortable clothes, I settled onto my bed. However, the tarot card nestled in my pocket tugged at my attention, prompting me to retrieve it.

Examining the card, I noticed its sturdiness, resembling a metallic material with shiny gold linings. Its surface, an unyielding black, framed the haunting image of myself in the throes of death on that fateful night. The surreal nature of the card added an additional layer of mystique, leaving me to ponder the significance of its presence.

Turning over the tarot card unraveled a cryptic message that deepened the mystery of my newfound reality:

"THE FOOL: You have been chosen due to your willingness to change the world's system.

Crows Count: 1

Effect: You can control anyone's brain for three minutes, but you must always carry this card.

Default Effect: Anyone touched by your blood will suffer a violent and painful death.

Note: This default effect is a preference person selected."

The card held a promise, or perhaps a burden, tied to my resolve to reshape the world's system. The mention of "Crows Count: 1" hinted at a tally, suggesting that the power to control minds was limited, at least for now. The condition to always carry the card underscored the gravity of this newfound ability.

However, the sinister default effect cast a shadow over the potential good the card could bring. The power to inflict death through my blood was an unsettling revelation. The note about the default effect being a preference person selected raised more questions than answers, leaving me to grapple with the intricate web of choices and consequences that lay ahead.

Clutching the card in my hands, I couldn't help but feel the weight of destiny settling upon me, marked by the mysterious crow's count and the enigmatic role assigned to "THE FOOL."

Despite the strangeness of the words written on the card, belief became my only recourse, especially after the series of inexplicable events I had witnessed since my return to life. The wonders that unfolded served as undeniable evidence of the extraordinary circumstances surrounding me.

As fatigue set in, a wave of weariness washed over me. I gently placed the tarot card down and dimmed the lampshade. However, before my eyes could close entirely, a disruptive clamor from my neighbors startled me. The rowdy drunks seemed oblivious to their surroundings, their boisterous shouts resonating without regard for those nearby.

Curiosity led me to glance out of my window, only to be met with another surprise. Among the revelers was none other than Joseph Trillan, the man featured in the news for the heartless murder of his girlfriend. It appeared that he had relocated, seeking refuge in our community, casting a shadow of uncertainty over the tranquil surroundings I had once known.

A surge of anger ignited within me at the sight of Joseph, the son of the once-feared policeman in our area. While lacking concrete evidence of his involvement in the reported murder, the fury intensified, fueled not only by suspicions but also by the disruptive behavior of his rowdy companions.

My gaze shifted to the tarot card, and a moment of stunned contemplation followed. Determination welled within me, prompting a decisive course of action. I hastily picked up the card and donned a hat along with a thick black jacket, intending to obscure my identity.

Descending the stairs, I advanced towards the boisterous group of people engaged in revelry, my steps carrying a sense of purpose and an air of mystery. The tarot card, clutched in my hand, held the promise of an ability that could potentially influence the unfolding scene.

Approaching the group of rowdy men, their boisterous shouts greeted me, accompanied by derisive comments about my dark attire. 

"Hey, it's a dark night, you're wrapped up in a black dress. What are you going to dance with?"

Laughter reverberated within their intoxicated circle, drowning out my plea for them to lower their voices, emphasizing the necessity of peace during the late hours. My aim was to sidestep any potential trouble, yet their revelry persisted.

Despite my calm request, they scoffed and jeered, dismissing my words with laughter. One particularly belligerent man, seeking confrontation, stepped closer. "Don't you know us?" he sneered, a prelude to a physical altercation.

"This is my last plea to you," I asserted with a composed tone, but my words seemed lost in the alcohol-fueled cacophony. The man unleashed a potent punch, the impact sending me sprawling to the ground. As I rose, their collective laughter echoed around me, a symphony of mockery. Wiping the blood from my face, I observed that the man's hand bore the unmistakable stain of my blood.

In a sudden and calculated twist, I joined their laughter, a calculated response that ushered in an eerie silence. Unbeknownst to them, the connection with my blood had set in motion an unpredictable chain of events, a reality that would soon unveil the unforeseen consequences for those who dared to come into contact with it.

The tenor of their laughter underwent a gradual transformation, evolving into a collective gasp of surprise as the assailant who had struck me began to falter, eventually collapsing onto the floor. He convulsed, vomiting blood uncontrollably, writhing in agony. Amidst his screams of pain, I stood as the lone figure in the room, a silent witness to the unfolding repercussions.

While their comrade suffered, I found myself unable to contain a chilling laugh. The remaining inebriated individuals regarded me with a mix of fear and hostility. Curses were hurled my way, accompanied by accusatory demands to explain the sudden affliction befalling their companion.

In response to the escalating tension, one of them seized a bottle, smashing it against a nearby table to fashion a makeshift weapon, heightening the air of danger in the dimly lit room.

The brilliance of the moon cast an ethereal glow on the scene, illuminating the myriad emotions etched across the faces of the intoxicated men confronting me. Anger and bewilderment played out vividly in the moonlit tableau as they grappled with the sudden and mysterious demise of their comrade.

In the ensuing moments, their efforts to revive the fallen man proved futile. A realization settled in that their companion had transitioned from a living, breathing presence to an unyielding, cold corpse. The atmosphere shifted, and their once-boisterous laughter and bravado now hung heavy in the air.

Fueled by a surge of anger, they collectively charged toward me. Swiftly, I seized a shard of the broken bottle strewn on the floor, inflicting a calculated injury upon my own hand. As blood dripped from my wounded hand, I sprinkled it in their direction, leaving them perplexed and incensed.

In the midst of their confusion, a sly smile played on my lips, concealing the true extent of the enigmatic power I held. The moon bore witness to the unfolding drama, casting an otherworldly ambiance on the brewing confrontation between the wielder of newfound abilities and those oblivious to the consequences of crossing paths with my blood.

Within mere seconds, the once-aggressive men found themselves paralyzed, succumbing to the same fate as their fallen companion. Each one collapsed, writhing in pain and vomiting blood, mirroring the gruesome scene that had unfolded moments before. Their desperate struggles to breathe and endure the torment became a macabre symphony that, to my ears, held a twisted sense of satisfaction.

As their agonized gasps filled the air, I remained unmoved, devoid of pity for those who had shown none themselves. "People who don't know the word mercy should not be pitied," I declared, the cold finality of my words resonating as each one gradually transformed into a lifeless corpse.

Surveying the aftermath, I noted a conspicuous absence in their group—Joseph, the seemingly proud and strong-willed individual who, in truth, was a coward reliant on his father's authority. Scanning the surroundings, my search for him proved futile until I noticed the open door of the conspicuous red car parked nearby. A smile played on my lips as I approached the vehicle, tauntingly shouting, "You really are a coward!" I knew, with a certainty that fueled my amusement, that the coward Joseph lurked within the confines of the car.