I opened my eyes, but it was really bright so I closed them immediately. Taking time to adjust I was finally able to take in my surroundings; I was at a hospital, as expected.

Though what I didn't expect was my mother sleeping with her head resting on the side of the hospital bed. Sensing my movement, she opened her eyes, stared at me for a while, then came close and hugged me carefully, “How are you feeling? Are you still in pain honey?” her voice was choked.

“No… Mother why are you crying? It's okay, it's my fault for getting involved with the wrong person. And it only hurt for a bit. Don't cry…” I wiped her tears with the hand I could lift up, my right hand was broken, as it seems.

“I'm so sorry, son, I didn't know what had happened to you until one day later, I feel horrible for not coming to you sooner…”

Wait, “One day later?! How long was I asleep for?” I inquired, “it's been three days, I took a break from work to stay with you and your sister for a while until you get better.” she smiled weakly at me.

“That won't do. Wouldn't that hurt your career? I don't need it, it's already hard enough for you and father, I can't be a burden,” I firmly commented.

She looked at me sternly then said, “… This isn't something for you to decide, I have already chosen to do this. Not only for you, but for your sister and me aswell. We already have plenty of money saved up. Also here, take these glasses, I bought you new ones,” she put them on for me, and my vision returned to normal.

My mother has very sharp eyes, she's especially threatening when she wants to be, so I could only nod my head and agree with her, “speaking of which, do you remember the face of the bastard who hit you?” she then went on a rampage of swear words directed to that guy, cursing his entire family line.

Everytime I heard her swear I trembled more and more until I couldn't keep it in and burst out laughing. It was the first time I had seen my mother curse so much, “What are you laughing at?! Are you still so young to laugh at swear words?!” she looked disapprovingly at me— or atleast she tried, because her smirk betrayed her.

However, I soon stopped laughing because I started to feel pain from my chest, I said to her, “No, I don't remember his face. I didn't even see it clearly in the first place since my glasses had fallen off at the time. And I am laughing just because I am glad that you believe me and worry for me. It's the first time I have seen you so serious, thank you,” I hugged her again.

She hugged me back, “of course I will believe you, you're my son and you have been well-behaved since you were young. You have never gotten yourself into trouble, so how could I not believe you? I wonder who you take after for you to be so clueless,”.

“Oh, maybe you can try to look at the security camera footage to identify him?” I suddenly proposed, remembering that there are cameras around the Capital University to ensure security.

My mother stiffened and looked a bit unnatural, “Speaking of which, that's the weird thing, Ash, I have already went to request the footage along with your professor and after we finally found where the event took place. We were confused as to how this whole bizarre thing transpired. You and a boy your age were talking and suddenly a man whose face was blurry knocked you down and started hitting you. His face was not visible at all. Passerby didn't seem to notice anything out of the ordinary and kept walking. When interrogated by police, non of them could remember anything. Infact, they gave a whole different recollection of what had happened. Weirdly enough, it was the same description from every person…” she bit her finger while thinking deeply.

“What was the description they gave?” I asked, curious.

“… They said that man didn't exist, and that you and that boy walked together into the university after having a friendly chat. Then you both separated, you went into the exam hall, while the boy went to do an interview, and both of you were perfectly fine. However in reality, you went into the exam hall with heavy injuries and the boy had gone into the cafe nearby and went back after about 2 hours, without doing an interview,” she looked puzzled, and honestly, I was just as, if not more puzzled than her.

“What did the boy say?” I asked, “He recounted everything as the camera had recorded, but he said he was confused at the time so he couldn't remember in detail what had happened. Speaking of which, an officer will be coming soon to take your account and recollection of the matter,” she answered.

“Oh yeah, I do remember that man saying some weird stuff about searching for someone and me getting in his way,” I scratched my head, trying to recall anything more to this whole thing, but my brain didn't have any other memories whatsoever.

“Stop pushing yourself and have some rest. I heard from your sister about how you've been taking care of all the housework and how you have not been getting enough sleep. I know you're trying to be helpful honey, and I appreciate it, but look at you now. I don't want to see this happening again. Part of the reason why you slept for so long was overwork,” she said while peeling an apple and giving it to me.

I took the apple and hummed. Still not being able to understand what had happened that day. I thought of the words the man said; about how people act stupid around someone, ofcourse, unless the man has split personalities, I don't think he is referring to himself. Then who can it be? Is it that boy? But if that guy can identify that person then why didn't he identify the boy? Then is it not the boy? Then why were only the boy and I able to remember the man?

I give up… haah… this apple is sweet…

Creak! Bang. The door opened with force and my sister came in running and threw herself on me, as I was preparing for the pain, my mother held my sister in place, “Arina! Your brother's hurt and his ribs are broken, you shouldn't recklessly jump on him!”

“I- I'm- I'm *sniff* sorry I *sniff* just worried, when I saw him a dew days ago, I- I, he looked like he was dying,” she was crying so much her eyes were blood shot, I felt guilty that I had worried her so much, I reached out and patted her head softly, “Don't worry Arina, it wasn't that serious I'm here..”

“Not that serious my ass stupid—” she gasped, realizing our mother was behind her she turned her head to our mother who was crossing her arms and looking at me, not Arina, “I'll let it slide this once, because really? Not that serious? Your sister's right! Not that serious my ass! You have many fractured ribs, a broken arm, and even some internal bleeding!” she pointed at me, scolding me. I felt a sense of déjà vu...

The words are quite harsh, but I feel warm.

I have a higher pain tolerance than most people, I believe. Sometimes I don't notice how serious my injuries are because of it unless I look at them.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

I studied myself by lifting up the hospital gown… but there was nothing to study, I was all wrapped up… I guess that in itself says a lot.

During the time I had been distracted observing myself, a sturdy man with a cheerful smile had already entered the room. He was conversing with my mother. After they exchanged greetings, my mother turned to look at me then she called my sister and both of them went out.

I tilted my head at the man and his smile became even brighter, he introduced himself, “Hello Mr. Valen, my name is Felix Amberson. I am the detective officer working on your case, feel free to call me Felix!” he extended his right hand.

… An awkward silence stained the air, he also looked quite shocked after realization struck him, with his smile fluctuating. Before he could take his hand back, I extended my left hand and shook his hand somehow.

“It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Felix,” he returned to his composure and usual smile, “Though I must ask, is this such a big problem that a case was opened for it?” I inquired.

Sure, I had been beaten severely, but do they open a case for a trivial matter such as this so easily?

His lips widened even more, “Hahaha! You're a funny guy!“

What a weird person…. I whispered in a hushed tone.

”To answer your question, there are many things that went into consideration before opening this case. First of all, you are a student of The Capital University. Of course the university will try to uphold it's reputation by solving any troubles that may affect it. Second of all, this isn't a simple matter of a beating, as the cameras were tampered with and the stoplights had been malfunctioning at the time. Which is a mystery considering how only the man was blurred and inaudible while everything else was clear. It doesn't seem to be a coincidence either,” Felix said.

He paused for a while, “Third, someone in our department couldn't control themselves and published the case's information to the public. By the time we realized, it was too late. The case is already a hot debate on online websites and social media. Also with the fact that the guy in our department had posted everything online with enough proof and official police documents without censoring anything, it was something that we couldn't deny,”.

So that's the reason.

He bowed to me, “I apologize, you probably don't want a video of your face around the public in which you get beaten. That guy has already been fired. To compensate you, we have decided to give our all to find out who the assaulter in the video is. And as a personal service, if you have any request, you should tell me. The officer who published your information was under my supervision, I should be held accountable as much as him; yet I was only given a warning,”.

“… It's okay, I suppose… I accept your apology. You weren't the one responsible for the leak of information after all. Now, Mr. Felix, how may I help with the investigation?“ I said, my tone sounding impatient. I was a bit ticked off, as he said, I don't want a video like that of me circling online.

He stiffened, looked down, his face looked a bit gloomy. Is a detective supposed to be so easy to read? I frowned.

A serious look formed on Felix's face as he started asking me many questions regarding that day. Many of which I found unnecessary, for example, what time I had woken up.

After a long time of questions and answers, he finally put down his notes with a thoughtful expression, “You said you felt like you were not in the normal state of mind when the incident happened, do you happen to have an idea as to why?” he asked, leaning forward on the chair.

I took my time to think, “there are many, reasons… I hadn't had enough sleep that day, and I slept for a while on the train, so I could have just been drowsy or confused because of t—”

A memory flashed in my mind, because I stopped mid way, Felix also thought I must have remembered something, so he leaned even further to listen carefully, “I don't know if it's useful, but I did hear that guy saying something about how 'people' act 'stupid' around 'someone' and he is looking for that 'someone' to intervene in their affairs and let them 'die'” I scratched my head with my left hand.

“I also think it's nonsense, but that's the only thing I can think of that could be a reason that people were acting weird that day… it's still farfetched to believe such incomprehensible words though. All I can take from those words is that he is a dangerous person who wants someone dead,"

Felix wrote something on his notes and then bit the pen, pondering, “that boy, Yury, said something similar…”

“Yury? Is he the one who was next to me?“

“Yes, I questioned him that day,” Felix stood up, “I should get going then, you have provided helpful information. Here's my number. If you were to run into trouble, don't hesitate to call me. I should take my leave,” with those words he opened to door and left, walking confidently.

I took my phone which was next to me, the screen was still cracked, and opened social media. It didn't take long for me to find several articles regarding me.

----------------------------------------

[Shocking! A crime committed in broad daylight! No one to help the poor student!]

[Assault on The Capital University student! Is the university as secure as it boasts to be?!]

[A mysterious incident! Police have verified the validity of the video themselves!! Triggering!!!]

[Is it a Ghost??! Is it a well thought out plan!?? No one knows! Watch this absurd video!]

…

…

----------------------------------------

… Wow, so dramatic. I clicked on a random article. Some of the content was true, but very exaggerated, and some was just made up. I also noticed that only my shout was audible since it was so loud. Why is there audio anyways? I went to look at the comments.

----------------------------------------

[User#303: i don't believe this is true!]

[User#532: @User#303, the police have come forward and verified that this is indeed true and under investigation. It is also said the student is in a coma!]

[User#8690: lololol look at that dude sitting in the corner so dumb not even being beaten but acting like hes the one getting their ass kicked]

[User#303: @User#532, where did you get that information from?]

[User#5751: am i the only one creeped out by how everyone walked forward like nothing is happening? ;-;]

[User#1924: Lmao “What is with that bastard~?!” dude getting beaten has a good temper, I would have cussed out his whole generation if I were is his place]

[User#532: @User#303: i know the guy he went to take a test in his state of being like that he fainted after he finished the test…]

[User#2463: @User#532, a test?!!! in that condition?! No wonder he got beat up what a nerd]

…

…

…

----------------------------------------

I was distracted by the comments for a while, reading through them. There were plenty of people not even taking the situation seriously. I don't blame them, it is outlandish.

Having had enough of those articles, I closed my phone. My sister and mother said they'll come back soon; so I'll stay awake in order t—

…

…

…

Two head peeked into the hospital room, seeing Ash asleep they both sighed with relief. One of the two said to the other “He's really stubborn, if we had gone in he wouldn't have slept, who does he take after? Mom?“

“I really don't know, even your father is nowhere near as stubborn as him…” the other one replied.

“So he takes after you?”

“…”

“Ouch! It hurtsh! Shtop it!”

----------------------------------------

Four days later…

I had recovered enough to be discharged. However, I still had to sit at home in order to recover fully for atleast a couple weeks.

My mother had insisted on me staying in the hospital, but I firmly opposed it. It would be costly. On top of that, I would feel more relaxed at home.

On the day I was supposed to discharged, to my surprise, my father showed up.

A gentle big bear hug, and a sniffle. A sniffle?!

“*Sniff* Son, I should have come earlier to check on you *Sniff* I'm sorry… u—” I patted his back, to console him.

“Come on, Theo! Cry later your son is tired,” my mother urged my father.

Why are my family members such crybabies? I had seen my father cry before, so honestly, seeing my mother cry was more surprising. But still, it doesn't fit his image nor temperament.

After arriving home, we had a family dinner together for the first time in months.

I should get beaten more often…

I felt a sharp stare from my front, it was my mother. As though she could read my mind, “We'll try to have more dinners together from now on,”.

I grinned clumsily, trying to hide my previous thought, “I would be glad if that can happen,” I said, biting a piece of bread.

----------------------------------------

Days passed by peacefully, they were one of the best days in my life. Where our family sat together and had fun, carefree.

But soon, my parents went back to work. Morning and noon were also spent alone, because my sister is at school. I also had to study for university.

Thankfully, that exam I did after the incident was the last one for a while, so I didn't have much to do.

I had gotten better enough to walk around. Feeling bored, I dressed up casually, put on a thick coat, packed a little shoulder bag, and went out on a walk to the nearby park. It had gotten colder, today is the 27th of January.

The park was fully white, covered with snow. The trees had a layer of white above their dark branches, creating a striking contrast. And with intermittent sunlight passing through the sparse clouds, It was an alluring sight, to say the least.

Spotting a shop selling candy close by, I went in to buy some for Arina. I hadn't bought her any that day and I still felt like I needed to get her some.

Picking a strawberry flavoured cake along with some other sweets. I asked the shopkeeper to wrap them up for me.

While I was counting the bills in order to pay, I spotted someone running across the park in my peripheral vision.

Isn't that… Yury?

I paid swiftly and tried to walk out in order to follow him, but I was held by my arm.

“Excuse me?” I looked at the shopkeeper, confused.

“What are you doing? You shouldn't go. Everything is in sync. You shouldn't do things out of order. Let the story flow.” he said, his hand squeezing my arm tighter and tighter with each sentence he said.

I felt a bad premonition...