Everyone departed, leaving only me and the boys inside Ipoz. An eerie transformation took hold of me. Uncontrollable laughter erupted from deep within me, deforming my face into an unsettling, almost demonic visage.
The four boys stared at me, their expressions a mix of concern and confusion, witnessing this unsettling shift in my demeanor.
As I gradually regained composure, I made my features into an emotionless, bland face, concealing the remnants of the unsettling transformation. Addressing the boys, I spoke in a steady voice, devoid of the previous eerie laughter.
"Let's go home. Our job is done," I stated, leading the way cautiously down the unstable stairs.
Leaving the building, I instructed Darjan to hand over the signed contracts from the junkies. Once he passed them to me, I bid the boys farewell and began my journey home.
Arriving at my block, Instead of going up the hallway I made my way downstairs. I carefully stored the contracts in the same briefcase where I kept my money, hidden away in the basement, away from my family.
Walking back upstairs to the 2 floor I Knocked on the door, my brother greeted me as he opened it, and I stepped inside. After removing my shoes, I went to my room and spend the rest of the day in it, until midnight hit and I went to sleep.
Morning arrived quickly, and I needed to send the crack heads to the rehabilitation center, it annoyed me, but I knew that my actions would ultimately benefit me in the near future.
With that thought in mind, I rose from my bed and began preparing for the day. I brushed my teeth, had breakfast, watched a YouTube video, and dressed for school.
During the third period, which was chemistry, I entered the classroom to find everyone staring at me with curiosity.
I took a seat next to Borce, my table mate in the back of the room, and asked, "Why is everyone staring, man?"
"Because you look so casual," he replied. "That's why they're all looking at you."
"Why shouldn't I?" I questioned, taking notebooks out of my bag preparing for the class.
"Bro, you're going to have an oral test in front of the whole class," he explained.
"What?!" I exclaimed in disbelief. "That bitch of a teacher didn't tell me anything about it."
As I uttered those words, the old bitchy teacher with soggy tits walked into the classroom. She took her seat, placing her glasses down slightly and fixing her gaze directly on me.
"Dionis, come forward," she commanded.
Reluctantly, I made my way toward the teacher, but instead of feeling scared or nervous, I felt irritated.
"Teacher, I don't recall you telling me that I would be taking a test today," I voiced my protest.
"Dionis, if you miss a day of school, it's your responsibility to call your classmates and ask them for any information you missed," she retorted.
"I know, and I'm sorry. Can we reschedule the test for tomorrow, please?" I pleaded.
Instead of giving me a direct answer, she proceeded to test me right then and there. "Dionis, can you provide information about the chemical formula and elements present in a peroxide compound?"
I stood in front of the class, silent and unable to provide an answer. Silence engulfed me, and after a few seconds, I stuttered, "Teacher, I didn't skip school without a reason... It's just that m-my grandma passed away," I revealed with a sorrowful tone. "I had to go to Kosovo for the funeral. So, please, teacher, give me another chance."
Her expression softened as she said, "Oh, Dionis, why didn't you say that sooner? Let me know when you're ready to be tested."
She thought I didn't want to be tested because I was lazy and hadn't studied. Well, she was right, but still...
I nodded, tears surfacing up in my eyes, and walked back to my seat where Borce asked with concern, "Dionis... Are you alright?"
Wiping away the tears that threatened to fall, I replied with an apathetic tone, "Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"Well, it's just... you know, your grandma and all," he trailed off.
"Oh, about that... I lied to the bitch," I grinned, gazing at the teacher while explaining her lessons.
"What? You sick bastard, hahaha! How can you lie about something like that?" Borce exclaimed.
"It's not that deep, bro. Now, shut up and look forward," I retorted, while writing down notes.
The rumor of my grandmother's demise spread throughout the entire school. Now, I was free from any exams because I had a valid excuse to use for a while.
School ended, I put my backpack inside my locker and instead of going home, I headed to Ipoz, where the drug addicts were waiting for me.
As expected, when I arrived, they were all patiently gathered inside Ipoz. Upstairs, they were engaged in conversation with each other.
When I entered the room, all their eyes turned towards me, filled with admiration.
"Look, it's Dionis!" one of them exclaimed, pointing loudly.
And that's when it struck me: I had been using my real identity with them.
A surge of panic coursed through me, but I quickly regained control without anyone noticing.
They were all dressed in ordinary clothes, no longer dirty and torn. They appeared to have showered, making them look somewhat presentable, but their eyes still lacked life. Their almost anorexic frames indicated they were far from ordinary.
"Sigh, yes, I have arrived!" I raised my fist in the air, flashing a determined smile, standing on the grimy concrete. "Did all of you say goodbye to your families?"
Everyone shouted, "Yes!" except for Muhammed, the older man with the tragic past, who approached me and said, "Dionis, I'm incredibly grateful for everything you've done. Your heart is pure and angelic. If only everyone in the world were like you."
I looked at him with a broad smile, but behind that smile, there lay a wide, sinister grin. "You're all going to be my slaves, you dumb fucks! HAHAHAH," I thought to myself.
"Hahaha, your words flatter me, sir. I'm not as good as you make me out to be," I humbly replied to his godly compliments.
After hearing Muhammed express his gratitude, all the other addicts gathered around me, showering me with compliments and thanks. I stood there, unable to move, scratching my head and laughing. It was an incredible feeling to be thanked by so many.
"Ahem," I cleared my throat, and they all fell silent, crowding around me. "Gentlemen, I appreciate all of your kind words, but I didn't come here just to boost my ego. Let's walk to the place where you will transform into respectable people."
And so, I, Eman, Darjan, Marko, David, and the approximately 15 junkies left Ipoz together and began walking.
As we strolled along the sidewalk, people stared and avoided us, some even running away. It was a natural reaction considering the sight of a large group of men, many appearing to be drug addicts, walking together like a gang, instilling fear in the public.
In the middle of our journey, a police car approached with its sirens blaring, and it quickly pulled over. Two officers emerged from the vehicle, one remaining inside and speaking into the radio while the other officer approached us cautiously.