Section 1: Shadows of Misunderstanding
Location: Bank
Time: Day
Scene One: Revelations at the Bank
Despite his unfruitful search for Black, Skull’s spirit remained unwavering. Waking up to the blissful morning sun, Skull began his day with renewed determination, setting out once more to find Black. With hopeful anticipation, he headed to the bank, hoping to catch a glimpse of his elusive acquaintance.
As he arrived at the bank, Skull's keen gaze quickly fell upon Black, who was engrossed in his usual routine of polishing shoes. Without hesitation, Skull made his way towards Black's workstation, determined to confront him about his recent demeanor.
"Hello, Black!" Skull greeted warmly, his voice carrying a hint of concern.
Upon hearing Skull's familiar voice, Black raised his head, his expression guarded and distant.
"Please, go away," Black responded curtly, his tone tinged with frustration.
Skull sensed that something was amiss and pressed for an explanation. "Is everything okay?" he inquired, his concern growing.
"No, everything is not okay," Black replied tersely, his voice betraying a mixture of anger and despair.
Skull persisted, eager to understand the cause of Black's sudden change in attitude. "What's the matter? Why are you acting this way towards me?" he asked, his tone gentle yet probing.
"What happened? I'll tell you what happened. I met you. That's what happened," Black retorted bitterly, his emotions bubbling to the surface.
Skull struggled to comprehend Black's hostility, recalling their previous interactions with confusion. "I don't understand. We had a fun time together, didn't we? Why the sudden change? Please, explain," he implored, his voice tinged with urgency.
Black's expression softened momentarily as he reminisced about their brief moments together, but his demeanor quickly hardened once more as he spoke. "Just leave me alone, okay? Things were tough for me before, but now they're even worse. My mom thinks I'm a terrible son who does drugs, all because of you. Just go away and let me be in peace," he pleaded, tears welling up in his eyes as he struggled to maintain his composure.
Perplexed by Black's sudden outburst, Skull found himself grappling with a flurry of thoughts, desperately seeking clarity amidst the confusion.
"What does he mean? How am I at fault here?" Skull mused to himself, his brow furrowing in deep contemplation. Suddenly, a memory flickered in his mind, shedding light on an explanation for Black's distress.
"Hold on. I remember him getting a beat down the night I dropped him off. Could it be since that night, his mom has been more violent towards him?" Skull pondered, connecting the dots as he pieced together the puzzle of Black's troubles. Determination sparked within him, propelling him to act.
"This ends now." Skull resolved, his thoughts firm with conviction. "I'm sorry, Black, but I can't allow your situation to escalate further. I need to intervene before it's too late."
With a renewed sense of purpose, Skull set off towards Black's home, determined to confront the source of Black's anguish and put an end to the cycle of violence and despair.
Section 2: Crossroads of Truth
Location: Black’s Home
Time: Day
Scene One: Confrontation and Confessions at the Bates Residence
Arriving at Black’s home, Skull strides purposefully towards the door, his every movement infused with the weight of his intentions, resonating through the tranquil neighborhood like the steady beat of a drum heralding change.
**Knock, knock. His firm raps on the door echo through the entrance like a solemn declaration, demanding attention, and respect. After a few moments, Mrs. Bates appears at the threshold, her expression a curious blend of curiosity and caution, like a vigilant guardian protecting her domain.
"Good day, ma'am," Skull greets, his voice carrying an undertone of determination and urgency, like a harbinger of transformation in the air, poised to disrupt the status quo.
"Do I know you? How can I assist you, sir?" Mrs. Bates responds, her brow furrowed with a hint of recognition, attempting to piece together where she might have encountered Skull before amidst the tapestry of her memories.
"I'm here regarding your son, Black," Skull announces, his gaze unwavering, resembling a sentinel guarding a sacred secret, ready to unveil hidden truths.
"Oh, that boy. I apologize if he's caused any trouble, sir," Mrs Bates offers a quick apology, her demeanor shifting slightly, resembling a flicker of candlelight in the dimness, offering a glimmer of warmth amidst the uncertainty.
"May I come in?" Skull requests politely, his tone suggesting a deeper purpose, akin to a seeker of truth embarking on a solemn quest.
"Certainly, please come in, sir," Mrs. Bates welcomes him into her home, stepping aside to allow him entry.
Inside, Skull takes a moment to survey his surroundings before settling into a seat, his posture exuding a quiet strength, reminiscent of a lone wolf in a forest clearing, poised and alert.
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"Can I offer you anything?" Mrs. Bates offers warmly, her hospitality acting as a shield against the tension hanging in the air, offering a comforting embrace in a moment of uncertainty.
"No, thank you. I won't be staying long. Let's have a conversation," Skull replies, his tone firm yet respectful, resembling a commander issuing orders on the eve of battle, determined to confront the challenges that lie ahead.
Mrs. Bates, sensing an underlying tension in Skull's demeanor, reluctantly agrees. "Okay," her voice a cautious melody in the quiet room, betraying a hint of apprehension.
"So, what has my son done?" she inquires, her concern evident in her voice, resembling a mother seeking answers in the darkness, desperate to understand the turmoil brewing beneath the surface.
Skull pauses before responding, his gaze penetrating, resembling a seer peering into the depths of the unknown, ready to unveil the hidden truths that lie buried within the shadows. "Your son is quite remarkable. I'm not here because of anything he's done wrong," he reveals, his words cutting through the stillness like a clarion call, demanding attention and respect.
Confused, Mrs. Bates questions, "Then why are you here?" her voice rippling the surface of their conversation, hinting at the deeper currents swirling beneath.
Standing up, Skull meets her gaze directly, his eyes ablaze with resolve, resembling a warrior ready to face his foe, determined to confront the challenges that lie ahead. "I'm here to address his suffering," he declares, his words a solemn vow, resonating with the weight of his purpose.
"Suffering?" Mrs. Bates repeats, her confusion growing like a storm on the horizon, threatening to engulf them both in its turbulent embrace. "What do you mean?"
Skull fixes his gaze on her, his expression intense, resembling a beacon in the darkness, offering guidance amidst the uncertainty. "Don't pretend you're unaware. I know how you treat him. I know how you've treated my son," he accuses, his words striking like lightning in the stillness, illuminating the hidden truths that lie buried beneath the surface.
Perplexed by Skull's accusations, Mrs. Bates rises from her seat, her movements cautious, resembling a dancer stepping onto uncertain ground, unsure of her footing amidst the shifting sands of their conversation. "Your son? Sir, I think you have the wrong house. I need you to leave immediately," she insists, her voice a note of finality in the air, like a door closing on the past, sealing away the secrets that lie within.
As Mrs. Bates turns her attention back to Skull, she suddenly recalls where she has seen him before. She observes Skull's true complexion, as dark as that of her own son, Black. Skull has revealed the technique he used to lighten his skin tone: a flame technique called Malaser, which heats up the melanin pigment in his skin using concentrated beams of flame, resulting in a more even-toned and less dark complexion.
Scene Two: Shadows Cast: A Bitter Parting
"It's you... it's really you," Mrs. Bates choked out, her voice trembling with a mix of emotions as memories flooded back to the night when she first encountered Skull. Tears streamed down her cheeks, carrying with them a lifetime of longing and uncertainty. This long-awaited moment unfolded before her like a bittersweet dream—the chance to finally confront the father of her son, a culmination of years of anticipation and unanswered questions.
Skull's expression remained stoic, unmoved by the flood of Mrs. Bates's emotions. He interrupted her abruptly, his tone devoid of warmth or understanding. "That's enough. This isn't a joyous reunion."
Mrs. Bates's heart sank at the curt dismissal, her attempt at expressing her deepest feelings cut short by Skull's cold demeanor. Yet, beneath his impassive exterior, Skull's mind raced with a blend of impatience and determination. There was no room for sentimentality in his urgent mission.
As Mrs. Bates struggled to articulate her thoughts, Skull's frustration simmered beneath the surface. Her words seemed like meaningless chatter, irrelevant to the pressing matters at hand. With a decisive resolve, Skull prepared to act.
"I'll make this brief," Skull resolved silently, his focus already shifting to the next phase of his plan. With a subtle gesture, he summoned Core, his deadly weapon of choice. In a swift motion, he unleashed its power, directing its lethal force towards Mrs. Bates's lungs with chilling precision.
The sudden onslaught of agony left Mrs. Bates gasping for air, her body contorted in pain on the ground. Skull's actions were swift and merciless, driven by his unwavering determination to sever her ties to his plans. With a cold detachment, he turned away, leaving her to suffer alone as he departed.
Left writhing in torment, Mrs. Bates could only pray for Black's swift return, hoping that his arrival would bring an end to her suffering and offer a glimmer of hope in the darkness.
Section 3: Descent into Darkness
Location: Black’s Home
Time: Day
Scene One: Shadows and Silence: A Grief Unveiled
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows over the bustling city streets, Black trudged wearily homeward, his mind heavy with fatigue and apprehension. Along his familiar path, he couldn't help but notice a flashing billboard screen, its urgent message warning of an impending disaster: a meteorite hurtling towards Earth, its target—the iconic Star Tower—loomed ominously in the distance.
Finally arriving home after what felt like an eternity, Black's heart lurched at the sight of his mother sprawled on the floor, her fragile form wracked with spasms of agony. Dropping his bag with a thud, he rushed to her side, his hands trembling as he cradled her head in his arms.
"Mom, please, what's happened?" he implored, his voice trembling with emotion as he cradled her head in his trembling hands. Despite the strained nature of their relationship, Black's love for his mother burned bright, and seeing her in such agony tore at his very soul. "Talk to me, Mom. Tell me what's wrong," he begged, tears streaming down his cheeks unchecked.
With trembling fingers, Black fumbled for his phone, dialling the emergency hotline with shaking hands. Amidst the chaos, his mother managed to utter a few fragmented words, her voice barely audible through the veil of pain.
"Your dad... your dad," she gasped, her words laden with an urgency that cut through the haze of confusion.
"Don't worry, Mom. Help is coming. Just hold on," Black reassured her, his heart aching at the sight of her suffering, not fully comprehending the weight of her words.
As they waited for the ambulance to arrive, Black felt a sense of helplessness wash over him. "Mom? Mom!" he called out, his voice tinged with panic as he realized she had fallen silent. "No, no, no!" he cried out, the anguish in his tone echoing through the empty rooms of their home.
In the agonizing moments that followed, Black found himself grappling with the enormity of his grief, his mind a tumult of unanswered questions and overwhelming sorrow. When the paramedics and police finally arrived, they swiftly whisked his mother away, leaving Black to wrestle with his newfound solitude.
Hours later, as Black sat alone in the stark hospital waiting room, the weight of his loss pressed heavily upon his shoulders. The news, when it came, was as devastating as it was inevitable—his mother had passed away before they could reach the hospital. Though he had braced himself for the inevitable, the reality of her absence left Black feeling adrift, his world suddenly devoid of meaning.
With nowhere else to turn, Black reached out to Skull, his voice heavy with grief as he shared the tragic news of his mother's passing. Without hesitation, Skull was by his side. Together, they navigated the sterile corridors of the hospital, seeking solace in each other's presence amidst the quiet hum of machinery and whispered condolences. As they departed from the hospital, heading towards the sanctuary of Skull's residence, Black found himself gravitating towards the slender thread of hope woven through Skull's companionship. It shone like a guiding light against the engulfing shadows of his despair. Unbeknownst to him, the very source of solace he leaned on—the pillar of refuge in his storm-tossed world—was intricately tied to the origins of his sorrow, the architect of the very darkness he sought to escape.