In a busy street stood a plump girl, searching for someone. She took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her face. Her eyes scanned the dark side streets and the beggars until she found him.
A skinny, fifteen-year-old boy looked desolate as he observed his surroundings. Others might perceive him as an ordinary street urchin, but she knew how special he was.
She walked over to him, and when she stopped by his side, he warily looked up at her.
The plump girl took a purse from her pocket and rummaged through it. She pulled out a 100-dollar bill and waved it before him.
Blankly, she stated,
"I have to talk to you for an hour. A hundred dollars now, a hundred dollars after an hour. Nothing creepy, just go with me to McDonald's for a meal."
He stared fixedly at the bill, and after a brief moment of contemplation, stood up, took the money, and followed her. She asked what he wanted, and he ordered a few burgers, fries, and a Coke. She got the same drink but had nothing to eat.
After receiving their food, she searched for a secluded place to eat and talk. He followed obediently with his tray, and they ended up sitting across from each other.
When he began to wolf down his meal, she started.
"You have to listen until I finish, no matter how unbelievable it sounds." She took out her handkerchief again, fiddling with it after wiping away fresh sweat. She took a few gulps of her drink and waited for his affirmation.
First, he merely shot her a glance before continuing to eat. Then, as she failed to continue speaking, he looked up again and nodded.
She took a deep breath.
"You are the protagonist of this world." She paused but didn't look at him, continuing to play with the handkerchief, plucking at it slowly. Her teeth started to chatter, and sweat poured from her forehead.
"Your name is Lance Walker; you were born on March 31. You are now fifteen years old and presumably orphaned." Her fingers began to tremble.
He tensed for a moment but listened as she continued.
"But that's not true." Her voice started cracking.
"You were kidnapped as a child. You were imprisoned, and I know what they did to humiliate you... you had to drink and eat from a bowl on the floor, barking like a dog." Her arms and legs began to twitch as she clenched her teeth, trying to endure the pain.
She didn't want to reopen the protagonist's wounds, but otherwise, he would never believe her.
He froze for a moment. Then, before she could react, he reached for his folding knife and pressed it to her neck. He continued to chew the rest of his burger lazily while holding the knife, leaning over the table.
Yet, he had to move the knife away slightly to avoid hurting her, seeing that she was shaking like a leaf, her face red and drenched in sweat.
"You... h-h-have no r-r-reason to be hostile a-a-a... a-against me," she stammered.
She took deep breaths, trying to remain calm. "Y-y-you w-w-will have a happ-happy e-e-end."
He snorted at that.
The redness on her face faded, and instead, she began to look deathly pale. Her sweat turned cold, and she knew she had to act quickly. She moved her hand toward the knife he was holding, sliding her fingertip against the blade. He flinched and sat back down in shock.
She showed him her fingertip, and he stared at it in wonder. Even after some time, despite it being a deep wound, there was no blood.
He widened his eyes in disbelief at what he saw.
She did her best to keep her finger still so he could see, but after a moment, she faltered and trembled again.
He grabbed her finger, bringing it to his eyes so he could take a closer look. Then, he rubbed the wound and pinched her fingertip.
There was no blood.
He scrutinized her. She was chubby, with black hair and eyes, her hair tied in a messy bun. Wearing an oversized black T-shirt, she looked mediocre beyond compare. The girl allowed him to observe her as much as he wanted; his eyes wandering all over her until he processed what he had witnessed. Meanwhile, she tried to ignore the shrill sound in her head, roaring,
[WARNING!]
[WARNING!]
[WARNING!]