[scene : first person's view of darkness]

I hate this world.

[scene : Darkness fades. A figure appears, his face is invisible to us, shrouded in darkness ,blurred by white lines appearing and fading, it's a first person's view of a television, it's a conference, headlines have only two words "WE'RE SAVED"]

The figure : "It's a new age for this country, and its people.. I'm only here to serve you."

They all say the same things.

The figure [in another conference] : "In order for us to research ways to protect the environment we're asking you to endure a little, this tax raise is only temporary."

They all look like angels, act like angels…

The figure : "Peace is our number one priority."

Then, as soon as they take full control..

The figure : "We will be allocating additional resources from our economy to fund military research."

A reporter [face shrouded in darkness, blurred by lines] : "Sir, what about the tax raise years ago? When will it end?"

The figure : "We're still researching saving our environment, it's taking a little longer than we thought."

Says the one who ordered the trees removed.

The reporter : "When can we expect the taxes to be lowered?"

The figure : "Soon enough."

Later, the news announced very briefly that that reporter was arrested for tax evasion..

The same one who asked about lowering them.

Who would dare to speak now?

[scene : news headline "Our country expands its nuclear arsenal"]

I hate it. I hate it. I hate it. DAMN HYPOCRITES

[scene : eyes open, a grey ceiling comes into view. Still a first person's view.]

A dream.. how long has it been?

*The man looks out the window, his reflection in the glass is blurred.*

*The scene outside shows a hospital garden, someone pushing another on a wheelchair, an old man sitting on a bench.*

How long has it been?

*Looks at the monitors next to him*

Since I came here…at those times, when my head is painlessly killing me.. I wonder.. what was the point of it all?

[series of flash backs]

How did it all start?

[scene : Third person's view of a five year old on his birthday with his parents, every detail is clear, the gifts, the cake, the decorations. Except the faces, all three faces are blurred]

When did it happen?

[scene : A ten year old reading on a tablet, books about finances, engineering, psychology, people float in the background]

Was it when I learned the truth?

[scene : The kid walking out of school next to a friend]

His friend : "Did you hear the teacher? We can be what we want! When I grow up, I'll live in a big house, we can have fun together"

The kid : "That sounds nice."

If only it were that easy… what was his name?

I can't remember.. not his name or face

[scene : The kid, now in middle school, about 13 years old watches another kid get bullied and one of his books being torn apart]

Even back then.. I was too weak

I didn't get bullied, but I never stood up to one before

When you think about it, all our lives are like that..

Why didn't I do something back then?

[scene : A teacher scolding a student over a torn book]

The teacher : "This book is a mess. How could you be so negligent?! You will be punished and.."

I didn't care.. yet this time, I tried to do the right thing.

The kid : "It was your son who tore that apart Mr. "…""

[scene : Both students are in detention, that teacher is watching them]

The student : "Thanks for trying to help.. I'm sorry you got here."

I didn't care.. I wasn't happy hearing the praise.. I only felt intense hatred towards that teacher and his son.

When was it? That I lost it all?

[scene :The kid coming home from school, he's met by his mother, her face is blurred yet her eyes are clear, eyes full of worry, yet, with no life in them]

The mother : "I was so worried, why were you so late?"

The kid : "I'm really sorry, something came up.. I couldn't help but being late, won't happen again."

The mother [leaning down taking her son in her arms] : "What matters is that you're safe."

Why didn't I hug back ?

Was it then that I realized? That I lost it all?

[scene : a white background appears, a single file of different colored flames comes into view, orange, emerald green, pink, violet, dark beige, deep blue, yellow]

Hope.

*The first flame, the orange one, goes out*

Happiness.

*The green flame is extinguished*

Love.

*The pink flame is extinguished*

 Appreciation.

*The violet flame goes out*

 Fear.

*The beige flame is extinguished*

 Sadness.

*The blue flame is no more*

 Curiosity.

*The yellow flame goes out*

Did knowing the truth so early.. take away something that can never be re-obtained?

I have two left..

*The view moves a bit forward, we see a bright red flame*

Wrath

*From behind the red flame a pitch black one appears. It keeps burning increasing its size until the whole background becomes black*

And hatred.. engraved on my soul for eternity.

[scene: The now young man, about 17 years old, studying in his room]

Work harder.. it's better that you lost them.. now you can focus.. you're a machine.. nothing but a machine.. no time to be tired.

Do what you must.. no matter what.. whatever it takes.

[scene : the young man listening in as his parents are discussing money on the table]

The father [face darkened, same white lines, though his white hair is very apparent] : "…And then there is the tuition, we can make it !"

He's only 45.

The mother : "We scraped by this month too"

For a long time, our lives have been like that, salaries cut in half due to taxes.

The taxes they use to oppress us.. they have airplanes, castles, servants.. and then they have the gall to say that they're giving us a luxurious life style.

[The black background re-appears with the red flame being the only one burning. The black flame is unseen in the darkness]

YOUR TABLE SCRAPS ARE NOT A LUXURY YOU DAMN DEMONS.

They don't care…to them, we're cattle.

Cows to be milked for money, they rule over us to give themselves a sense of power.

[scene : 20 year old, now in college, sitting in an exam]

For years I was a model student, I did what the teachers said, followed the rules to the letter.

Turns out, I'm a hypocrite too.

I hate it . I hate it. I hate it.

[scene : darkness spreads from the center to cover everything]

I'm the worst of them all.

[scene : eyes opening, the ceiling reappears]

Why am I remembering this now?

I don't even feel any regret.

*The view changes as if he was trying to get up. Up, down, up, down*

I can't move anymore… So, this. Is it.

Death.. people fear it so much, but I welcome you.

An escape from this world.. this world..

This rotten world where everything is taken from the moment you're born..

[scene : the kid as a 10 year old watching something on a tablet]

Ah yes, when I wasn't busy evolving my brain.. I used to do one thing : watch all the isekais I could find.

A chance in another world.

I wish I had one.

*His eyes close for the last time.*