The sun hangs high in the fair blue sky. The wind gently lifts through the air, navigating in eddies that enrapture people with its amiable presence.
A boisterous crowd roars in a united anthem, drumming and chanting lustily whilst gazing down on the awaited spectacle that builds up in spirit and nerves, sparking in a provocative and electrifying tension that thickens the atmosphere.
The announcer stands tall with his flamboyant outfit, building up the fever that contaminated anyone present or watching back home. The two gladiators step up from each side of this modernised colosseum as the commentary introduces the two warriors. The two Rankers.
"And in the first corner, we have the rookie star who emerged out of nowhere and seemingly climbed the Global rankings within a flash. They say he's poised, quick, strong and unyielding, please give it up for South Korea's strongest and number one in the world...it's Jihun Seo!"
The crowd rose like a tenacious wave gaining momentum as they called out my name. The world's strongest Ranker, Jihun Seo.
"Jihun Seo!"
"Jihun Seo!"
"Jihun Seo!!" My eyes shot open to the slowly dimming light of the cantaloupe sun that set over the horizon of buildings. A deafening shout awoke me followed by a chop to my head as my boss walked into my line of sight, which frolicked at the view out of the transparent glass door.
"What did I tell you about dozing off at work!?" He bellowed at me, an angered veil that hung over his usually friendly face.
"Sorry sir! I didn't mean to. It just sort of happens. I'm sorry, I'll try to get rid of this habit." I rose from my seat and bowed my head before him.
His bleeding heart spilled onto his face with compassion as he sighed. "Look kid, I know your life is tough. Far tougher than it should be for any teenager of your age. But you know I can't keep paying you just because you turn up. If you continue to slack off I'm going to have to fire you, and I don't want to do that to a poor kid who dropped out of school and fends for himself."
"I understand." My head slowly raised itself to meet his eyes.
"Go on. Your shift is over for today. You best start heading back now before it starts getting dark." He instructed me as he went back to organising the boxes in the back of the shop.
"I suppose dreams only do stay dreams..." I muttered and froze in my spot for a minute or so. I then excused myself from work, saying goodbye to my boss and grabbing my bag to leave.
As I walked outside in the bustling streets of Seoul, the capital of South Korea which was my home, I reached for my phone in my pocket.
The screen was fractured and the flat edges were chipped. I could only solemnly look at my screen before turning it on.
I navigated into my contacts section as I began pacing back home and manoeuvring through the large crowd. My fingers hovered over to the only contact registered in my phone.
"Mum..." I repeated the words I saw on the screen and looked at my phone's battery.
15% it read.
An exasperated sigh left my mouth and a bitter sweet smile slipped on my face as I dialled her number.
In three rings, she picked up the phone.
"Hi mum....Yeah, yes it's good to hear from you too. No, I won't be able to visit you and dad today. I know I'm sorry, I really wish I could see you as well. Eh? No please, mum, don't apologise. You didn't make me do this. I chose to step up as the man of the house when my father struggled. I love you mum. Tell dad I love him as well and I'll try to see you as well at some point." With those last words hanging in the air, I hung up and turned my phone back off.
I continued making my way back to my apartment, dusk falling and the humidity in the air increasing like it was due to rain. The streets became quieter and the path I took began deviating from the main sector that the crowd would walk through to reach my house on the outskirts that most people would comment on as the less fortunate side.
Of course, they weren't wrong.
As I approached my house, I reached an alley that I would usually pass through to reach my apartment. "What happened here?"
Douses of blood marked the wall as they dragged along in a widespread marking that mimicked ink gushing onto a white page. I approached closer to inspect the dishevelled crimson, tracing my fingers over the wall.
"It's still faintly wet. That means it's fresh."
My head dashed around the area, looking for any stalking eyes or injured people and moved on. I continued walking along, but almost creeping, my breath becoming rugged and uneven. My eyes scattered around and I flinched awkwardly at any sound I heard. I began building up to a fast paced walk, then a jog and finally full blown sprint, my feet hurtling me forwards without a second glance backwards.
I eventually arrived at my apartment stairs, glancing backwards for the first time. Only silence followed me and that was veritable. The wind whistled a sweet melody that eerily crawled up my skin, but alas I sighed and gingerly grasped my shirt.
My head turned to the stairs to walk up to my apartment, but through the visible gaps between each step, below the stairs laid an unconscious man. His lips dry and his complexion sickly and losing colour. His crimson hair weakly fell into his eyes, blood sprawling from the side of his stomach into a viscous mess on the floor.
"Oh my god…"
I quickly rushed to his side and checked his breath. It seemed rocky and unstable, his chest rising in a vague tempo. I grasped his arm and placed it on my shoulder as I heaved his weight with little struggle, dragging him up the steps and into my apartment. I rapidly set him down on my bed and pressed a cloth to his open wound before skillfully wrapping the bandages around his waist. I then boiled hot water and poured into the hot water bottle, squeezing out the contents of blistering steam that seethed as it was removed and placed on his wound to heat him up.
I finally finished treating him and I rose at his side, wiping the sweat off my forehead. "How did this even happen?" I muttered. "Lets make some food for the patient I suppose."
A cheerful smile swept across my features as I began preparing the few ingredients I had in my fridge.