There I laid, in the broad daylight with no one able to see me; I was in a back alley with no foot traffic. It was a paradise for the down-and-out. Except, there was no longer any homeless here, for now, and no one except that thing, that monster, that demon knew I was here!
I was paralyzed.
Too frightened to move.
The horrid brigand had finished the devouring of his appetizer and was ready to devour me as the main course. How could I be so foolish? Thinking that I could save humanity by handing out some food and cash. What sort of arrogance took over my brain? Is this because I was living rich for the first time in my life?
I had never experienced being on this side of the fence. Actually, there was no fence for my entire life. Things were different in Bhutan. Poor, yes, financially. Hungry, no, we had plenty. Unhappy, certainly not! The love and bliss I felt from my family and community were real, tangible, genuine; a day couldn't pass without a fit of great laughter or kind words from those who loved you.
What did this act of selflessness get me? I wanted to experience the high life of western society so bad, and what did it bring? Pain. Is that what living on the top means? To always be in pain? Or is it because everyone is always trying to claw, and bite, and scratch, and rip their way to the top, no matter who or what they trample? This society is missing something major, I thought; humility.
Then I thought again because that's not why I got stuck in the position in which I found myself! That creature would have been there whether the homeless man had thanked me and been happy with my gifts or not. If this ability of mine is truly real, I would have seen this monster, or any monster, sooner or later. Then suddenly, while thinking, something popped into my head.
"Is this a test? It has to be. Otherwise, I can't go on. I don't have to be a victim. My idea to help this deprived soul may have been wrong, all wrong, but I DO NOT deserve this! This monster sees me for a reason! I see him for a reason! I won't be eaten!"
This was my change of thinking.
I went there, to the exact place where I met Jacob for the first time. Many homeless men were in the area that day. It was certainly a poor district of the town. A slum. Burned, or boarded-up buildings, people begging on the streets, no sight of reputable business or services.
Completely the opposite of where I was staying now. And all in the same city of the same country. Wow! I thought I could help them. Give them something to aid their daily life! I felt so righteous! That was foolish of me. Damn well foolish and arrogant!
I had the limousine driving me pull-over to the alley where men lay restlessly on cardboard boxes with refuse covering them, the ground, and causing a wretched stench. Perhaps it was the men emanating the odor as well. They were horrendously filthy. And here I was, stepping out of a vehicle that was worth more than millions of men like this. Dressed in designer clothes, just as Nidar has advised me to do, suddenly looking like, and feeling like someone extremely important.
You see, the general looks I would receive from the common people had changed. Changed dramatically. Whereas before, folks would see me like some foreign traveler, or even a beggar myself, now, all respect was given to me, and folks saw me a someone important; a person to hold in high regard. Yet, I hadn't changed at all! Well, changed my mind anyway.
I was the same boy from a poor country in Southeast Asia. Just my appearance alone changed and was made the day after I had checked into the hotel. I purchase clothing worth more than my entire life, had my haircut by a famous stylist, and starting rolling around in a fancy car complete with a driver. This was enough to shift people's minds into thinking I deserved better treatment which made everything so much easier even without spending a dime on them directly.
People held doors for me. They spoke politely to me, always. They helped me without my even asking about things I would have never asked for at any rate. And when I did start tipping, giving away cash for services not even asked for, my goodness, I was flocked over and treated like a god. What an experience!
Why then? Why would I decide to come back here, to the homeless corner? With all the attention and service, I received, I truly thought it was a great idea. I thought by giving these lowly people free gifts, they would be overjoyed! I realized, that I desired that special feeling of self-gratification more than actually being concerned for these poor people.
I had been intoxicated by this lavish lifestyle, even if it had only been days, and I had forgotten what my grandpa has once told me after an injured bird pecked me hard, drawing blood on my finger when I bent over to pick it up and help it,
"Remember the first time you fell down, as a baby, and screamed when you were picked up? It wasn't because you were hurt, or scared. You were disappointed. Disappointed your mother didn't let you get up on your own, try again, and teach you how to walk properly. People won't refuse help unless it is offered in the wrong way."
I had handed out "care packages" to half a dozen people, who usually didn't thank me, only passively took it, and ignored me. That's when I came to the alley near where Jacob had found me that day I had stopped to rest. I had the limo driver pull up and park just in front of the alley and saw just one man laying on the ground. I walked to him confidently and handed him the package, saying that I was there to help him. He was the first to respond to me so clearly by saying,
"What's this? Help you say? How does this help? Some snacks and a few shillings? You have some nerve coming to me like this? Well, this is my lot! My home! Get lost! Get out! Leave me be!"
I was shocked by his reaction. And when I turned to go, another homeless man was standing meters away looking at me. He pulled down his hood and raised his head; locking eyes. And I saw him, the real him, similar to the demon at the wrestling event. He wasn't human. This time, though, he wasn't inside the body of a human.
He simply had rags thrown over his hulking form. It was shocking! I froze. This demon was a dark reddish color, with black eyes, fangs, claws, and ears that formed as horns over his head. It was as tall as a human, yet broad and thick! Bigger than even a pro-wrestler, in size and presence!
He didn't run at me as the last demon had done either. This one opened by speaking,
"Are you ready to become my power? Silly boy! We love your kind! Able to see us clearly and even travel into the outer-underworld realm. Our realm. Such a feast I haven't had in years! This will sustain me for decades to come! Come now, and fulfill me with your agony!"
"Ah, leave him be you disgusting thing! Go back to hell!" the homeless man called out from behind me. Somehow, he could see this monster too? Perplexed and full of fear, I stood and stared at the demon, unable to do anything for what seemed like hours. Time stood still.
The demon, however, was not still. He shot forward, knocking me into the wall of the building with a simple push, slamming my head, and spilling me to the ground. I opened my eyes and was surprised. He wasn't here. Wasn't on top of me, ripping me to shreds! I tilted my sore head upwards and saw him, devouring the homeless man! The ghastly sight made me sick! And fear crept up like a colony of spiders running from my feet to my head! My head dropped down again, my eyes closed, and started to think.
Then the revelation came. After my self-reflection and doubts. Yes, there must be a reason I can see him. And yes, I have abilities I can use to stop him. After my courage rose and my mind changed from a helpless victim to a strong warrior, I no longer felt pain. My head ceased to hurt. There were no spiders swarming my body! It was all in my head. I sat up. A clear seriousness overtook me. My dark brown eyes changed.
I could feel it.
I could see them, in my mind, change to emerald green and start glowing. I sprang up to my feet! I felt the look on my face that spelled doom! Doom for this hellish fiend standing before me, consuming a man who nothing but foolishly stand up to him!
Then, the beast's own fear and confusion hit me as it turned around, looked into my eyes, and changed its expression from domination to a slight sense of panic! The homeless man was completely consumed. Not even a drop of blood was left behind.
The demon screamed at me,
"You are him! The one who burned my brother!" it screamed. His voice had changed. A tingle of worry had crept into his tone.
"Yes, I did. Burned the disgusting devil to ash as it should have been! And now it's your turn, vile beast!" This change of tone from me I did not even recognize. I was confident, strong, and back in the deep recesses of my mind, the original me was there, stupefied!
"No! You shall die!" It hollered while charging in my direction!
I thrust my hands forward and felt the burning fire release from inside my body. It was scorching, yet, it didn't hurt me. Instead, it felt invigorating! A stream of flames shot out at the demon, who was able to leap at the right moment and avoid the blast, landing behind me.
It backhanded me across the face with his sharply clawed hand! I didn't feel it. I jerked my head forward again with an angry expression and grabbed the beast while the fires coursed through my arms, out of hands, coming from the core of my soul!
Right there, in a filthy alley, I was holding a great beast in my actual hands while it burned into oblivion! It wasn't done though. Despite the fire, the fiend used his tail which was not yet burning to wrap around my waist and throw me into the wall on the right side. The bricks exploded with the impact! I was dazed this time. And then it pulled me back outward and tossed into the wall at the back of the alley, some six meters away! After crashing into the wall, causing it to collapse upon me, I could still see as my head was exposed while my body was buried!
The monster, still burning slowly, started to walk my way before falling over. The fire was consuming him. I pulled myself free from the rubble and went to the blaze which was slowly burning down. Nothing but a black goo lay boiling within the flames. It was defeated. I fell over.
I suddenly heard clapping. Looking up I saw Nidar walking towards me with a smile, celebrating my victory.
"Well done! Well done indeed, Druk! You certainly have more power than I had expected for a young fledgling! Captivating!" he said while flashing a giant smile with perfectly white teeth rowed exquisitely on his face that resembled a young man like myself, but with time. Time etched into his bright blue eyes.
"What are you doing here? What is happening?" I asked. The jolt from my powers had faded, and I felt exhausted, scared, and worried. Back to my normal self-doubtfulness. "What am I?" I asked.
"You are a superhero, Druk! Let me explain….."