They then resumed their journey on foot, trekking for half a day.

Amy had become visibly fatigued. She couldn't help but voice her exhaustion. "Souta, we've been walking for hours. Are we there yet?"

I chuckled in response. "We're pretty close. Let's have lunch and then continue our journey."

We've been walking for hours yet we're still not there, but I'm sure that we're now near it, we enjoyed our midday meal on the big tree we find to rest on, we pressed on for another an hour until, finally, we reached our destination.

"We're here!" I exclaimed out of excitement

Relieved, Amy sighed, "Thank God we're finally here."

To their surprise, they found themselves standing in front of a magnificent mansion that Souta told them to.

Steff questioned me, "What are we going to do, now, Souta?"

"I happen to know the owner of this mansion, and he's kind enough to let us in," I replied.

"Is that so?" Steff replied, seeking confirmation.

I raised my voice and rang the doorbell. "Hey! Can you let us in? It's me, Souta!" I sais shouting

However, no one responded to my call. Amy's keen observation led her to spot someone inside the mansion.

"Hey, isn't that the owner?" Amy pointed towards the window.

Me and Steff struggled to see. "Where?" I asked, confused.

Amy clarified, "Over there, can't you see him?"

Steff joined in, "I don't particularly see anything."

Amy stopped pointing and suggested, "We should probably climb the gate." she said with a cold tone

Although me and Steff were bewildered by Amy's sudden change in tone, they didn't dwell on it and decided to follow her lead.

We assisted Steff in climbing the gate, as she was lighter and more athletic than Amy, again, climbing into my shoulder and using it as a ladder, She successfully made it over and proceeded to unlock the lock, allowing us to enter.

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Steff and Amy admire the mansion while I secured the gate. Amy had been quiet for a while, but we didn't think much of it.

I immediately made my way to the door and knocked Excitedly, the man who I treated like a second father! I'll meet him again "Old man, it's me, Souta!"

To our surprise, the door was unlocked. I entered the mansion Immediately and headed straight to the room where Amy had spotted the old man.

As I excitedly opened the door, my eyes fell upon a grim sight—the old man had taken his own life. Hanging himself on a rope tightened on the ceiling. The shock and devastation consumed me. I felt like I was in a nightmare, unable to move or speak. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. The room was silent except for the sound of my own breathing. I felt like I was suffocating. I wanted to scream, but no sound came out. I felt like I was trapped in a nightmare that I couldn't escape from. I didn't know what to do. I was paralyzed with fear and sadness.

"Why? Why?! would you choose to end your life when you have the most desirable house here!? huh!? you should have to wait for me to come!"

I didn't manage to control my emotions, I cried out in anguish as I fell on my knee on the floor.

Amy and Steff immediately rushed to my side, embracing me tightly. Steff offered comfort, assuring me, "Souta, I'm so sorry," Steff whispers softly, her voice a soothing presence in the midst of the overwhelming grief.

Amy adds, "We're here for you. This is a lot to process, but we're a team, remember?"

Their comforting words do little to dispel the shock, but the warmth of their support provides a lifeline.

I wept as the girls held me, feeling the weight of the loss. The old man had been like a father figure to me, treating me with kindness and generosity. The realization that the old man had chosen to end his own life left me devastated.

Suddenly, a loud shout broke the somber atmosphere. "Open up! I know you're there!"

What's that? He dares to shout to me!? I stood up while Amy and Steff followed, looking at me with their worried eyes, I ignored them and I peer through the window. I saw a bald old man at the gate, demanding entry with force.

"Who's that?" Amy asked while Steff suggested to take caution, "We should probability take cautious, we never know what that man wants"

While I'm is still on a devastating state, I have no choice but to decide whatever let the man in or not, "We should go and see him" I said wiping my tears with my hand.

Steff and Amy are worried about me as the man who is like a father to me just died, I can't handle another problem at the same time with that kind of state so Steff suggested to not approach the man and let him think that weren't inside.

"We should just let that man be, He can't break the gate nor climb into that large gate of the mansion by himself. We will take turns watching over him," Steff stated

Her worries even got worser when I replied, "We can't just let that man be, if he wanted to he would, he might bring us trouble if we don't settle this immediately" I said with a bad mood, there are many things going through my mind now

…

I think I'm going crazy.

Amy and Steff just closed their mouth and followed my lead to not anger me, more than I already was. They know that they can't do anything, it's the first time they saw me like this, they probably scared what to say that's why they are being careful.

We approached the gate, drawing closer to the old man. As we neared, the old man shouted, "Open the gate!" As he shake it out loud

Still grappling with his emotions, I questioned, "Why?" While glaring at him.

"Because I said so!" the old man retorted.

"Is it wrong to help an old man, a fellow human?" the old man continued.

Amy interjected, "Hey, why not open it up? He's not one of them, after all…" Amy said pitying the old man.

"Yeah, why not open it up?" the old man chimed in.

Steff remained silent, gripping her hunting rifle, unsure of what to say, and scared to anger me.

My mind is currently clouded with confusion, but I decided to follow Amy's suggestion, unable to think straight in that moment.

I unlocked the locks and opened the gate. But As soon as I did, the old man suddenly forcefully pushed me to the ground! strangling my neck with both of his hands.

"HAHAHAHAHA! You sure are an idiot!!!" He's fcking rejoicing that I opened the gate, I know this is a bad idea "I'll kill you now and have my way with your girls later! Those are some nice equipments you have eh? But with a young man like you, you probably just stole it right?" old man jeered.

"Did you really think I would let you live after seeing you three climbing on the mountain with that equipmens!?" The old man continued

"I know you, you were the man that the owner of this mansion treasures, he care for you and loves you, so of course he would let you in! But things have changed, naive man! I have the power. I'm on top! After killing you, kukuku, I'll be having non-stop sex with your friends later! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" The old man said all his devilish plan