My body, once a canvas of pristine innocence, now bore a collection of vivid bruises, each with its own story etched upon my flesh. On my arms, the hues of blue and purple wove an intricate tapestry, a testament to the battles fought and the blows endured. Each bruise told a tale of resilience, a mark of strength in the face of adversity. They whispered of struggles fought in the dark corners of existence, where shadows danced with tenacity. My legs bore the weight of my journey, as specks of discoloration painted a mosaic of endurance.

And on my torso, a map of contusions bore witness to the vulnerabilities that lay beneath the surface. The shades of black and blue formed a somber symphony, a harmony of pain and resilience. Each bruise told a different tale.

"Now, little shit, life will be so easy when you follow us, alright?"

How did I get here?

"Welcome to Barter State High!", the crowd cheered high.

As the newcomers' orientation at Barter State High commenced, I found myself caught in the clutches of the notorious faction known as "The Magnifico"- or so they called themselves when they mugged and forced me in becoming one of their lackeys. Situated between gangsters who exuded an air of dominance, I was their puppet, forced to obey their every command. From fetching them bottles of water to carrying out their whims, I became nothing more than a subservient call boy, a mere pawn in their game of power. Beside me was another lackey, though he was properly treated. It seemed like it was the gang boss' younger brother.

"You, fetch me some chips.", a Magnifico gangster called me up as I was listening to the principal's instruction to the freshmen.

"But, I have no money.", I replied.

I mustered the courage to resist their demands, a fleeting act of defiance against their iron grip. But my rebellion was swiftly met with a punishing blow, a forceful punch to my groin that left me crumpled on the floor, gasping for breath. It was a painful reminder of the consequences I faced for crossing their path.

"- Here- and for the newbies, please-", I couldn't focus on the principal's speech. It has only been three days since I arrived in this city, but it felt like a year-long horror.

The school conference unfolded in the expansive gymnasium, teeming with students who occupied every nook and cranny. The air was electric, buzzing with the energy of countless voices intertwining in a symphony of noise. Amidst the sea of faces, I couldn't help but feel inconsequential, overshadowed by the vastness of the gathering.

As I surveyed the scene, it became apparent that the hierarchy within this assembly was not based on academic prowess, but rather on the affiliations students held with various gangs. Colors and symbols adorned their clothing, and unspoken loyalties bound them together. It was a stark realization that in this domain, individual achievements and grades held little significance.

Lost in my contemplations, I found myself drenched in thoughts, my mind absorbed in the complexities of this social web. It was then that a figure with striking, pointy eyelashes approached me, his presence commanding attention amidst the crowd. His voice cut through the surrounding chaos as he initiated a conversation, his words directed at me.

"Where are you from?", the boss' brother asked me as my gaze was on the floor. I wonder what horror shall they do when I make direct eye contact.

"Uh... Salug..", I spoke hesitantly. "I'm from Salug."

"That's quite far...", he replied. "You're a freshman too, right? For senior high school?"

"Yeah, I am..."

"How unlucky you are to become a slave first thing you arrive here from a faraway province.", he chuckled. "Do you want to raise in ranks?"

"...", I remained silent.

"Be strong.", he smiled. "These fuckers can't lay a finger on me. Can you, Daniel?", he spoke to the gangster who punched me in the groin.

"No, sir.", the shivering gangster replied.

"If he can't, then you can't too.", he spat on the floor next to me.

I remained stoic.

As I endured their degrading treatment, my gaze shifted across the conference hall. There, on the other side, I spotted my roommate, Addu, standing tall among a group of intimidating figures. It dawned on me that Addu was not just an ordinary student but a captain of another powerful gang.

"Where are you looking?", the boss' brother looked at my gaze. "Ah yes, Addu.", he cleared his throat. "He's been here since Junior High School, so he's made a reputation. He's a captain there now. They're called the 'Pioneers'.", he looked at me from head to toe. "How do you know him?"

I remained silent.

His position in the hierarchy of the city's underworld was evident, and it left me grappling with conflicting emotions. My roommate is a high-ranking hippie?!

While I sat on the floor, being spat upon and subjected to the vile taunts of the gangsters, Addu's eyes briefly met mine. In that fleeting moment, I saw a glimmer of sympathy in his gaze, but he remained stoic, unable to intervene due to the potential repercussions it could have on the delicate balance between the factions. It was a stark reminder that even within the intricate web of allegiances, loyalty came with a heavy price.

The orientation finally drew to a close, and the gangsters though hesitant, released their hold on me under the boss' brother's sympathy. A sense of relief washed over me, knowing that I was free for the time being. But as one of them menacingly uttered, "See you tomorrow," a chill ran down my spine, the words echoing in my mind like a haunting refrain.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Leaving the chaotic orientation behind, I felt a growing sense of unease settle within me. The stifling atmosphere of gang dominance had begun to suffocate my spirit, and I yearned for freedom from the clutches of their grasp. Determined to break free, I navigated the labyrinthine hallways, my steps purposeful and my heart pounding with a mix of fear and anticipation.

As I slipped through the dimly lit corridors, the distant echoes of raucous laughter and assertive voices reverberated through the air. Every twist and turn seemed to bring me closer to the edge of their territory, closer to the chance of liberation. It was a treacherous path, fraught with the risk of being caught, but the prospect of reclaiming my autonomy propelled me forward.

Emerging into an open courtyard, bathed in the soft glow of sunset, I paused to catch my breath. The stillness of the nearing twilight offered a temporary respite from the turmoil that had consumed me. The distant sounds of the orientation faded into the background, replaced by the symphony of crickets and the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind.

With a renewed urgency, I hastily made my way back to the boarding house, my heart pounding in my chest. I sought solace within the familiar walls that shielded me from the treacherous streets outside. It was there, in the safety of my room, that I found Addu waiting for me.

We engaged in a somber conversation, and Addu explained his inability to interfere in my predicament. With methodical precision, Addu reached for a cloth and began to wipe down the surface of his desk, sweeping away the remnants of past neglect. He meticulously rearranged the scattered papers, attempting to create a semblance of organization. Each crumpled note found its place, and for a moment, it seemed as though his efforts might yield tangible results.

However, as time wore on, it became evident that Addu's progress was merely an illusion. Despite his earnest endeavors, the mess stubbornly clung to its chaotic form, defying his attempts at taming it.

"So you've become a slave to Magnifico, huh?", he sighed.

"It seemed like it. I did not expect you to become a captain.", I cleared my throat. "I apologize for being rude to you."

"No, no.", he pointed his index finger at me. "In this room, abolish the system. We're equals. Outside, we're not, but here..."

"Thanks...", I felt like releasing a slight tension down my chest.

"If I could have known, I could have recruited you.", he added.

"...", I was speechless.

"But now that you're under Magnifico's watch, then there's nothing I can do..."

"Why's that?", I asked like a curious cat begging for a 10th life.

"It may stir conflicts and may cause some war. The potential fallout from a faction war was too great a risk, it's something that I couldn't afford to take."

"Oh...", I smiled and nodded, understanding the gravity of his words. The city was a labyrinth, and we were mere players in its intricate game of power.

"Take some coins on my desk and get yourself some food.", he showed mercy. "You look... distasteful.", he resumed reading the weekly magazine.

"Thank you for your mercy... Addu.", I picked up some coins, and though embarrassing, I couldn't resist. I was starving and would do anything to put some crumbs on my tongue.

In just three days, this city had stripped away the very essence of who I was. My once confident and optimistic self had been reduced to a mere shell, covered in wounds, bruises, and the lingering stench of despair. The weight of it all settled upon my shoulders, threatening to crush me under its unforgiving burden.

I gazed at my reflection in the foggy mirror of our bathroom where the doors are open, pity welling up within me. The person staring back seemed unrecognizable, a testament to the horrors I had endured in this wretched place. Every cut and bruise told a story of humiliation, of being treated like nothing more than a disposable pawn in this urban nightmare. Anger swirled within me, mingling with the pain, morphing into an unwavering resolve.

My mind raced, searching for some semblance of solace amidst the chaos. And then, like an echo from the past, my father's voice resonated in my mind. "When the city curses you, curse the city." The words echoed with a newfound meaning, a mantra that ignited a spark of rebellion deep within my core. Yes, I would curse this city, with every fiber of my being. I will pay back tenfold... no, a hundredfold. No, I must curse it infinitely.

A bitter smile crept across my lips as I delved into a torrent of monologues, releasing the intense emotions that had been simmering beneath the surface. The words tumbled out, fueled by a mix of frustration, pain, and a newfound determination to rise above the torment. I cursed the city for the countless sleepless nights spent hiding in its shadows, for the countless betrayals that had shattered my trust, and for the countless dreams that had withered away like petals in the wind.

The world around me seemed to fade into the background as a subtle, high-frequency pitch pierced through the silence, resonating within the depths of my right ear. At first, it was barely noticeable, a mere whisper of sound that tiptoed on the edge of perception. But as the seconds ticked by, it grew in intensity, gradually seeping into my consciousness like an unwelcome guest. Then, it just disappeared. What was that?

I brushed it off.

As I walked through the halls outside our room- in reaching tears, ready to face the solitude of my own thoughts, I noticed the landlady standing before me, holding a mysterious black book, facing me.

I approached her, her eyes held a mixture of curiosity and concern. With a solemn expression, she extended the book towards me, its cover bearing a single word inscribed in an elegant script I couldn't read. German? Or perhaps, Dutch? I don't know...

"This was just delivered for you, Juju," the landlady said, her voice tinged with a hint of urgency. "A courier dropped it off moments ago and left without a word.", she seemed busy watching some series on her small television.

Surprised and intrigued, I reached out and accepted the enigmatic book, my fingers grazing the smooth surface. It exuded a sense of weightiness, as though its contents held profound significance.

I expressed my gratitude, but as I turned to give my thanks, she was already immersed in her series. With a mixture of apprehension and curiosity, I took the black book into my hands, its weight a tangible reminder of the secrets that lay within its pages.

What is this? Who could this be from? Oh, a note.

It had a sticky note on it. Though the handwriting was horrible, it was legible.

"Read this if you're tired of being spat on. Be not a pitiful prey, rather be the vigilant lion."

Huh? What... does this mean?

As I contemplated, I watched Addu walking past me, holding some sort of an item covered in crumpled newspaper. "I'll be out.", he winked. "Don't follow me though."

He walked through the halls loudly, the soles of his shoes clacking all over the wooden floor.

Amidst the hustle, I suddenly felt a dissonance, a jarring interruption that sliced through the fabric of reality. It was as if a whisper, carried on an unseen wind, slipped into my ears with haunting clarity. What...

"This is your chance to curse the city.", the ethereal voice echoed within the corridors of my mind. The words were laden with a weight that resonated deep within my being. A mixture of confusion and curiosity washed over me, as I struggled to discern the origin of this intrusive auditory hallucination. Where is this coming from?

My eyes were on the book. Here?

My heart quickened its rhythm as the voice repeated its urging, the words dripping with a potent mixture of desperation and temptation. "Curse it. Curse it.", The insistence grew stronger, wrapping itself around my thoughts like tendrils of mist. Though I must admit, I'm intrigued. I am convinced. Haha, I will.

Yes... I will curse this city.