The bustling streets of Lalbagh were alive with the usual cacophony of sounds: honking rickshaws, vendors calling out their wares, and the constant hum of people going about their daily lives. It was just another typical day in old Dhaka city, where the air was thick with the scent of street food and the energy of a city that never seemed to sleep.

Right now, the most populated place was the front gate of Lalbagh Govt College. It was 4 PM, the time when students finally left the college for the day, eager to go home and relax. The chatter of students filled the air, a symphony of laughter, gossip, and plans for the evening. Today, there was an extra layer of excitement - the cricket team of Lalbagh had just won the tournament against a tough opponent, becoming the champions. Cheers and congratulations echoed as students, especially the boys, celebrated the victory.

Among the throng of students was Sizan, an 18-year-old college student. Just a normal dude with a laid-back attitude, he was joking around and having fun with his buddies. He congratulated his two cricketer friends, Mostafa and Farid, both part of his close-knit friend circle.

"Dude, you guys are legends! Hahaha! Where's the treat for your victory, bro?" Sizan teased, slapping Mostafa on the back.

Mostafa grinned. "Bro, you want the treat? Let's go to a good restaurant nearby. We can all have a nice meal together. You pay for it, nothing more. Hahahaha!"

"I'll pay the bill, don't worry. You'll be the one giving me the money to pay it, that's all," Sizan shot back, laughing.

"That won't do~" Mostafa laughed loudly.

As they laughed and joked, Rudro suddenly came between them. "But bro, why don't we just hang out at Dhanmondi Lake Park and also have a restaurant treat all together? All the dudes seem to have enough money for that too."

"Great idea! I was also thinking of hanging out somewhere. You just said it at the perfect time!" Sizan agreed enthusiastically.

"Then why wait? Hey bros! Gotta start going before it's too late!" Mostafa shouted.

Twenty-six guys in total gathered and made their way to the lake park together. The entire time at the lake park was filled with them buddies joking, laughing, taking photos, walking, talking, and having fun. They sat and relaxed in between, then started walking again, making the hangout truly memorable.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm orange glow over the park, they said their goodbyes and parted ways. Sizan and Rudro walked home together, as their homes were close by. They continued chatting and joking along the way.

"So can you give me some notes on Biology tonight? Tomorrow's my coaching exam, and my preparation is all over the place," Rudro asked, a hint of desperation in his voice.

"Okay, man, don't worry," Sizan replied.

Rudro looked at him with doubtful eyes. "Don't be late like the last time, though. Make sure to give me the notes just after you get home!"

"Probably not, man. Got plans for a hangout after refreshing at home. Maybe by 11 PM you'll get your notes."

"Hangout, my ass. You'll probably hang out for like half an hour and then go all the way to her!" Rudro teased.

"That's for later," Sizan laughed.

"So you actually are going to do it?!" Rudro's eyes widened in mock surprise.

Sizan laughed as Rudro kept staring at him. "Yeah, I know you pretty well."

"Come on, bro, you gotta understand your bro. What's wrong with spending some special time with his girl?" Sizan defended himself with a grin.

"Yeah, yeah, just send me the notes in time."

"10 PM will do?"

"Deal," Rudro sighed.

After returning home, Sizan refreshed, ate some snacks, and then started getting ready to go out. He lived in a modest apartment in a middle-class family, not far from college. He usually didn't like to stay at home much, as his relationship with his family wasn't very good.

At this time, a familiar looking face run toward him. That little boy seemed to be ver excited.

"Big brother, look at this new fighting game! It looks so fun! It's a two-player game, so please play with me?" his younger brother pleaded, eyes wide with excitement.

"Why don't you fight me in real life? That'll be more fun!" Sizan teased, trying to hide a smile.

Even though the relationship with his family wasn't great, his younger brother was the only one he got along well with.

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"B-but big brother is so strong..." his brother stammered.

"Hahaha, take the brass knuckles then! The spiked ones, of course!" Sizan pulled out a spiked brass knuckle from his bag and tossed it to his brother. "Wear it and then go all out! Equal fight!"

"B-but big brother will get hurt!"

"Ahhh, come on, I'm super strong! No need to worry, just don't punch my eyes."

He made his brother wear the knuckles and went into a fighting position.

"N-no, I can't! Big brother will die. How can I accept that?!"

"Dumbass, I'm not so weak to die to kids!"

"Still!"

"Ugh. Okay. Let's just play the game instead."

After playing the game for some time with his little brother and losing seven times in a row, Sizan admitted his defeat with a pouting face while his brother laughed joyfully.

He then started getting ready for his hangout. Before going out, he took the brass knuckles and batons from his collection and put them in his pockets. Sizan had a strange habit of collecting deadly weapons. Melee weapons like brass knuckles, batons, and blades - he had a variety of them. He also wanted to have guns and had enough connections to get one from the black market, but since it was costly, he hadn't bought one yet.

In usual times, he don't go out this armed. There was a reason for his extra caution today. Recent political instability had triggered a series of gang wars, making the streets more dangerous than usual.

Despite the warnings and the increased presence of gang members, Sizan found a thrill in carrying his weapons, a sense of security against the unpredictability of the streets. Today, however, fate had a different plan for him.

As Sizan met up with Rafsan and his other buddies, they hung around for a bit and had a coffee in a nearby coffee shop. The air was thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the soft murmur of other patrons' conversations.

"Okay bros, have your fun time. I gotta go. Got some work to do," Sizan said while standing up, stretching his arms.

"Yeah, we all know what you're up to, bastard," Rafsan replied with a knowing smile, sipping his coffee.

"Yeah, bro. Wish me good luck. Hahaha," Sizan laughed, giving Rafsan a playful punch on the shoulder.

As Sizan was about to leave, Rafsan called out from behind,

"Though be careful on your way. The situation in Dhaka right now ain't so good, especially in the area you'll be crossing."

"Don't worry, man. I got a few goods with me for that too. I'm not so careless, you know."

Sizan left the coffee shop and started to walk toward Azimpur. He had promised his girlfriend they would netflix and chill together tonight, and the thought filled him with excitement. His mind was a whirl of playful thoughts and anticipation, momentarily lifting the weight of his usual worries. Normally, it wasn't easy to detect his depression or his shitty life, but today he didn't want to think about it at all.

As he made his way through a narrow alley, a distant but sharp sound echoed.

*Bang*

"That sound just now...a gunfire?!" Sizan muttered, eyes widening in realization. Panic surged through the people around him as the gang war erupted once more, this time too close for comfort. An underlying tension pervaded the air, palpable and suffocating.

"Gotta get outta here as quick as possible!" Sizan quickened his pace, his heart pounding. He decided to take a shortcut to get out of the area and enter Azimpur right away, hoping to avoid the chaos and any other danger.

But the shortcut proved to be a mistake. Halfway through, he stumbled upon a group of gangsters, their faces twisted with malice. Many of them were carrying metal pipes, hockey sticks, and even daggers.

Sizan was already expecting for the worst. He already called Rafsan and his buddies the time quickened his pace before entering this shortcut.

"I got into some trouble here infront of fort alleyway bro. Come with others quick and don't forget to bring few revolvers. Fvckers got guns here. Come on quick!"

As these gangsters looked at Sizan, Sizan

recognised one of them were from the same group he with some of his buddies beaten up badly. That guy was able to escape with minor injuries back then.

Recognizing him as someone who had recently stood up to their intimidation, they saw an opportunity in the chaos to settle scores.

"Need to hold on for 5 minutes? No problem! All of you are dead meat today!!"

Sizan said that with a smile full of confidence in his face.

Sizan's hand instinctively reached for the baton in his bag, flipping it open as he prepared to defend himself. In other hand he was wearing brass knuckle, clenching to break jaws and bones today. Even without anyone's help Sizan still wasn't someone to be taken down easily.

The gangsters charged at him, weapons drawn. The alleyway erupted into a bloody brawl - the clang of metal, the grunts of pain, and the adrenaline-fueled rage filled the confined space.

Years of pent-up aggression and the will to survive drove Sizan. He swung his baton with precision, striking down assailants one after another.

The brass knuckles added a brutal edge to his punches. Amidst the chaos, Sizan found himself in a trance of violence, his instincts guiding his movements.

Blood splattered, bones cracked, and cries of pain filled the alley. Sizan fought like a cornered beast, overwhelming numbers soon took their toll.

Injured and exhausted, he bore cuts and bruises all over his body. He was reaching his limit, but he kept fighting, hitting every opponent's head and weak spots. Most of them fell down, unable to get up.With having most of them taken down, he saw an opportunity to escape, but as he was about to run, a sharp pain pierced his back.

"Huh?"

He turned to see a man with a gun. The man fired again, the bullet tearing through Sizan's chest.

"Guh..."

The world seemed to slow as he looked down to see blood spreading from a gunshot wound. His legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the ground. At this moment, he saw a gunfire tthis.down that man, a full headshot.

Sizan saw his Rafsan and his other buddies rushing all the way with revolvers and iron rods. A slight smile was seen in his face after seeing this.

"Y-you....could h-have come.....ear-lier...bastards..."

"Sizan!!"

" Argg are we late? "

"He got shot by that bastard! Quick take him in the hospital!"

His vision slowly blurred as Rafsan and others were rushing at him. Memories of his life was flashing before his eyes. His childhood, his family, his friends, his loved ones and his dreams, everything.

Darkness enveloped him, and the sounds of the world faded away.

As time went, Sizan started to feel like he was lying in a unfamiliar place, something he couldn't just imagine at all.

"Where...am I?"

He whispered to the emptiness.

Little did he know, this mysterious place was just the beginning...

(End of chapter)