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As Curtains Fall

Author: Sartaz
แฟนตาซี
Ongoing · 20.3K Views
  • 12 Chs
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  • 4.7
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Synopsis

A quiet house, a lurking intruder - the story of a single mother battling her trauma and past mistakes, just to protect her children. What begins as a simple tale of horror, slowly spirals into a confrontation with forces beyond human comprehension. As more and more supernatural events continue to unfold, the lines between reality and illusion blur. And soon, the terror within the house gets entangled with a political conspiracy, threatening far more than its walls. Join our movement - https://linktr.ee/zaffnest

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Chapter 1O' Josh, Listen

Josh just had a brutal argument with his dad.

The kind where words just float in the air, even long long after the shouting stops. He tried to convey his thoughts, but as always, no one listened. 

A conversation - it was supposed to be a two-way thing, wasn't it?

They never listen. do they?

Josh stormed into his room, slamming the door behind him. The room felt hollow, like a void ready to swallow him whole. 

But maybe….. this is it. The void was the only thing patient enough to hear him. 

Because the people….

They never listen, do they?

"The perks of being a mute guy, I guess." he smirked at himself.

In his head, though, he was talking.... talking so much.

"I am fed up," he thought as he collapsed into the worn-out chair at his desk. His tired head fell into his hands. 

Maybe the wall's just as tired of me as I am of it.

With a deep sigh, Josh turned on his computer, aimlessly searching for something to distract himself. The screen blinked to life, and the first channel that came up was a news segment where - few women were locked in a bitter debate over the latest policy changes. They were shouting, angry.

A new law, empowering a group of vigilantes known as the Troopers, had just been passed. They now roamed freely in sector 5 under the guise of law enforcement, wearing badges.

Typical, Josh thought, rolling his eyes. 

The women's voices grew louder, as if each was trying to out-shout the other. 

"What I don't understand is, our great beautiful country doesn't have any shortage of police officers! We're fully armed with well-trained forces. So why..... Do we need these Troopers?"

The other woman's response was quick, "We've gone through this conversation several times already. The Troopers are only deployed in Sector 5, and you know that! Dead Coral Project. For that project, we, our people, the government need help. Help from the natives. Troopers, They're needed for security and a lot of other reasons. You can't deal with natives without following their ways. Those troopers are really loved there."

"Don't lecture me!" the first woman snapped. "Now we are calling someone a criminal after seeing their popularity?"

The second woman interjected, "It's not about popularity; it's about respecting the culture. did you forget what happened last time we didn't? Blood was shed. even this Troopers team was born because we undermined their sector. Don't forget-"

The first woman laughed, "I didn't forget anything. Not a single problem with their culture. It's just those troopers that create issues. Listen, just because they are loved in those neighborhoods, it doesn't make them right. We've all seen their so-called methods. Violence at every turn. Just three months ago, they burned two people alive in broad daylight. Is that what justice looks like now?"

"They were criminals."

"I don't care!" the first retorted. "Every human has rights. If we keep letting this slide, we'll have complete chaos. and we won't be able to contain it anymore."

The debate raged on, but Josh wasn't in the mood for any of it.

His mind wandered as his left hand reached for a tissue and then.... without thinking, that hand slowly moved into his pants. His glasses slipped off his nose, landing on the desk.

But that didn't stop him.

The tension in the room mounted. His breath quickened, chest rising and falling... And then—

A sharp crack shattered the air. Gunshots.

Da-da-da-da.

The sound of plates crashing downstairs... heavy.

The noises came from below, where his parents slept.

But Josh didn't move to check what's happening. His mind was too lost to the escalating tension. His hands moved faster, in sync with the arguing voices on the screen and the chaos unfolding beneath him.

I'm close, he thought, lost in the haze.

And then it happened. He came.

The semen splattered across the screen, blurring the image of the two women still locked in their furious debate.

Surprisingly, right at that moment, the noises from downstairs stopped.

And left behind a chilling silence.

Before Josh could even register what had just happened, the door to his room burst open with a loud crash.

Someone's lifeless body fell into the room.

Someone...

Some...

No, It's my father.

Josh froze. His mind was struggling to catch up with his surroundings. His hands were still trembling, from shock, urgency and fear.

The room, once filled with noise and frustration, was now unbearably quiet.

Then, from the broken doorway, something else emerged.

A figure cloaked in a wolf's skin.

Its eyes were glowing in the dim light, and it moved slowly towards... Josh.

Its form shifted as it drew closer. The fur faded, replaced by the face of a man. 

Josh looked away in fear. his hands went above his head....

Just wanted to surrender, just wanted to----

"I wasn't doing anything wrong," he thought.

"I'm now 18. I can do whenever I want in my private space, right? Then who the hell is this? Am i going to get punished or get dragged into hell or..."

Before he could think anything else, the monster stood right in front of him. 

"What's your name?" 

Josh's fingers twitched, attempting to form letters in sign language. But the uncontrollable shaking made even a single word impossible.

The monster laughed seeing him struggle, "Oh, you can't talk? Poor soul."

He leaned closer, 

"Don't worry. I won't kill you. I am a bit soft on disabled people. Just need a place to stay for a day. I'll leave after that."

His voice dropped to a whisper, "But you... don't you ever go out of my sight. Is it fine baby?"

Josh's body moved on its own, a weak nod. Not because he understood, but because he didn't know what else to do.

The lights in the room flickered.... a warning from the universe itself. The air grew heavier and heavier with each passing second. 

Josh's fingers trembled but this time, he managed to form a hesitant question in the air. And those gestures asked,

"Who... are you?"

The figure paused mid-step. A chuckle rumbled from its throat, a sound that felt too heavy for one person.

The intruder reached into the folds of his coat and pulled out a cigar. With practiced ease, he lit it.

For a short time, The flame illuminated his sharp features. Smoke coiled around him like some serpent.

"Who am I?" he said, his voice smooth but laced with mockery.

"A bloody God."

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As Curtains Fall presents a gripping narrative that delves into the complexities of law enforcement and the moral dilemmas faced by those in power. In Chapter 2, titled "Troopers and Freedom," the story intensifies as Kostas and his team grapple with the repercussions of their actions. The chapter opens with Kostas reflecting on a critical mistake: the impulsive killing of a high-profile criminal turned media symbol. This event sets the tone for the unfolding drama, highlighting the tension between the Troopers' methods and public perception. The narrative effectively captures Kostas's internal conflict and the looming threat of media backlash, adding depth to his character. The introduction of Harry, a nervous messenger from the capital, adds another layer of intrigue. His presence signals the higher authorities' concern over the Troopers' recent actions, hinting at potential consequences and the precarious nature of their legitimacy. The interactions between Kostas, Harry, and other team members like Kamala and Freddie are well-crafted, showcasing distinct personalities and underlying tensions within the group. The author skillfully uses dialogue and setting to build suspense. The scene transitions—from the restroom confrontation to the common area with a heated TV debate—mirror the escalating stakes and the scrutiny the Troopers face. The debate on television about the Troopers' legalization serves as a clever narrative device, reflecting the broader societal conflict and differing viewpoints on their role. However, the chapter leaves several questions unanswered, particularly regarding the implications of the Troopers' actions and the specifics of the mission mentioned by Harry. This deliberate ambiguity piques curiosity, encouraging readers to continue exploring the story. Overall, Troopers and Freedom is a compelling chapter that balances action, character development, and ethical quandaries. It sets the stage for further exploration of the Troopers' world and the challenges they will inevitably face. Readers who appreciate nuanced storytelling with moral complexity will find this chapter particularly engaging.

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