Since I was young, I've always believed that life is full of uncertainties, but also of answers. In a single moment, everything can turn upside down, while other times, changes happen gradually over time. However, one thing is certain: change always comes, whether it's planned or spontaneous, and brings with it various challenges. These challenges can make you stronger or considerably weaker, but in the end, what matters is how much you can move forward after all these changes and how much you learn from them. They can help you remember something, save or protect someone, or even emotionally strengthen you.
At least, that's what I clung to before these abrupt and sudden changes occurred in my life shortly after arriving in this city. It all started on a winter day when my father was poisoned while pursuing a highly dangerous criminal. Thanks to that bastard, who is still at large, he had to be hospitalized to survive... That was about seven months ago.
I know this city is dangerous and that, at some point, my father could have an accident at work. But I was never really prepared for this. After all, my father is a 5-star Warrior, someone who can easily destroy a wall with his bare hands, and an officer of rank just below the sheriff. As much as Cindre is always affected by criminals, most of them don't have enough strength to represent a real threat to someone with his strength. Except for that guy, but that's a story for another time.
After the incident, the old man had to stop working and now lives in a hospital bed, taking medication every day in the hope of a miraculous cure that will bring him back to active duty to take care of us. Unfortunately, the only positive thing we can take from this is that as a high-ranking police officer, he is entitled to free treatment at any hospital in Cindre with agreements with the government, regardless of the severity of the injuries.
However, the family's financial situation did not improve. His salary was cut and the compensation offered was insufficient to last more than three months. After that, I had to go out and find a job to support the household and ensure that Julie could continue her studies. Unfortunately, in Cindre, a highly competitive city, people without academic qualifications have difficulty finding decent jobs, as labor laws are full of loopholes and the mayor doesn't seem interested in fixing them.
Despite the existence of wealthy and powerful people in Cindre, it is the workers and consumers who sustain the power and influence of this elite. Unfortunately, they are often treated as disposable or ignored by the authorities.
Despite the various mental disorders and constant stress, I managed to be hired for two part-time jobs. Both paid well for a part-time job, but I could only ensure that Julie lived without difficulties. My routine became turbulent as I studied in the morning, worked in the afternoon, and even late into the night. The "luck" was that my neighbor, Mrs. Zina, being retired, took care of Julie when she was not in school. However, she still charged a certain amount monthly to do so. After all, she had other personal issues that required her to charge for her services.
'Only two more stations to go until I get home... I'll finally get some rest!' — Gendred sighed in relief as he thought to himself.
After a few minutes of walking, the moment he had been waiting for had arrived. Finally, he was in front of his house and hoped everything was in order.
— Is anyone home? — Gendred called out as he opened the door.
— You're home, dear. Julie has already eaten and finished her homework, but she fell asleep a few minutes ago — Mrs. Zina pointed to the sleeping child on the couch.
— Thank you so much for taking care of her again, Mrs. Zina!
— No problem, dear... could you give me this month's payment in advance? I think I'm going to need it… — Mrs. Zina asked, a little awkwardly.
— Alright… — Gendred replied as he went to his room to check the secret spot where he kept his reserves.
However, something strange happened, and Gendred, perhaps because he was too tired, didn't even notice. The gray-haired, glasses-wearing, blue-dressed old lady was spying on him, trying to figure out where he was rummaging.
'Why didn't someone his age keep this money in a bank? What a strange boy…' Mrs. Zina thought.
After collecting the money, she returned to her spot and pretended she had never left. After saying goodbye, Gendred took Julie to her bed and took a well-deserved shower. When he got ready to sleep, he looked at the clock and realized it was already 1:00 in the morning.
'Tsk! Am I only going to get 4 hours of sleep again?' — he thought regretfully and fell asleep quickly due to exhaustion.
Growling stomach
'Now it's going to be even harder to sleep... Should I at least drink some water to fool my stomach?' — Gendred thought as his stomach growled fiercely.
Drim Drim Drim
Waking up to the loud sound of the alarm, Gendred struggled a bit to get out of bed and, with pure willpower, completely destroyed, made breakfast. He woke up Julie and got her ready for school, and then they ate together. Sitting at the table, the two enjoyed one of the few moments they could interact during the day.
— How's school going, Julie? — Gendred asked.
— I made a new friend this week, papa! And I learned the four basic math operations! — Julie replied.
— That's great, and your teachers? Are they treating you well?"
— Yes! Yesterday they…
Julie began to speak, and both engaged in a warm conversation about the things that happened the day before. However, Gendred only listened to what she said and spoke little about himself.
He had already noticed that Julie was a child a little too smart and with a mature mindset for her age. She was turning 9, but never asked for toys or to play outside. She had never received complaints since she started attending school just over a year ago, and always got good grades. Sometimes, she even wanted to help tidy up the house during the weekends when he didn't work, instead of insisting on playing any kind of childish games.
He had in mind that if he slipped up and revealed something unnecessary about his routine to her, the girl would probably come up with some surprise like, "I'm going to start working too, dad!"
— Okay, young lady, you can finish getting ready so we can go! — said Gendred.
The black-haired girl with blue eyes immediately ran to her room to finish packing her backpack. When she returned, she noticed that Gendred had already finished getting ready, but something didn't escape her sight.
— Papa looks thinner!
— I-It must be just your imagination! I'm still as bloated as I've always been!
'My God, how did she notice? I know I must have lost a few pounds during these months, but I didn't think she had noticed... I know!' — Gendred
— Okay, you found out... Your Papa has been doing some exercises lately!
— So that 's it! Papa is making an effort to get healthier?
— Y-Yes! That's right! — Gendred tried his best to disguise his improvised lie.
After struggling to change the subject, Gendred dropped Julie off at school and headed to Sunny College, the place he least wanted to go during his entire stay in Cindre.
'Argh, I'm still hungry. I haven't eaten enough since yesterday afternoon... In fact, I can't even remember the last time I was able to eat until I was full... What a shitty life…' — Gendred thought as he approached the school.
SLAP!
However, seconds later, a long sound of a slap echoed around, and it was Gendred who had just slapped himself in the face with both palms.
'You need to be strong, Gendred! This is all for her good, so skipping a few meals won't make your determination weaker!' — His determination seemed to gain a new surge of energy.
Gendred headed to classroom 3-A, sitting in his favorite spot at the back and next to the window. He always found that place extremely pleasant, especially because of the refreshing breeze that came in through the window. To his surprise, Roger's two henchmen were not present in class and probably did not go to school that day, which meant that he probably would not be chosen as the delinquent's target. However, Gendred's joy was short-lived.
'It looks like the next class is basic training with Ether' — Gendred thought.
Seconds later, a woman entered the room, wearing a military training sweatshirt and with a terrifying scar on her face. She exuded a strong aura that gave the impression that she was not someone simple.