[A/N: Chapter soundtrack: The Weeknd - Heartless]
Three words: A deafening roar.
Looking up, the duo rooted to their spot on the chandelier, unfazed, witnessed a breathtaking scene.
What a strange sight, hundreds... thousands... perhaps, millions...
Aybel couldn't decide how many bodies tumbled through the air.
This really seems like something out of some half-assed comedy sketch. All it needs is the laugh track.
As if on cue, Caine let out a small laugh as he slowly lowered his head, staring down at the people falling past them.
"Brother, it seems that the heavens have answered your prayers, huh?"
Horrified screams of terror reverberated through the vast chamber.
Casting a sidelong glance, Aybel silently questioned: Is he simply entertained by this circus show, like I am? Or does he not feel any actual empathy for their lives?
Involuntarily, he sighed. Well, I can't say I'm any different on that either...
"This is definitely not the kind of situation I had in mind when I said I wanted to meet some new people."
Aybel watched as an endless stream of bodies fell recklessly in all directions.
To think that all of these people are now in the same boat... is honestly a pleasant feeling.
Although there was one thing that he couldn't help but worry about.
"Just the way in the heck does something like this even happen? You don't happen to know, do you?" Aybel glanced at Caine.
"Heh, good question." The taller boy shrugged his shoulders as he met Aybel's gaze. "Not a clue. I'm just about as surprised as you are."
Aybel let his eyes drift back towards the heavens above. "If there just so happens to be a god up there, he has a horrible sense of humor."
"Tsk, tsk, tsk I'd watch my words if I were you. You can never truly tell just what the fuck a god is capable of... But I'd certainly love to have some words with him. Not that I'd expect anything to come of it, but at least I could make it clear just how much I appreciate all of this! Hahahaha~"
Caine laughed in delight staring up as the heavens continued to rain down terrified people from above.
It was then, suddenly, the chandelier lurched violently, almost toppling them over...
Someone had desperately grabbed onto it, begging for help as the chandelier swayed dangerously...
"Help! Please!"
Scooting closer to the edge of the chandelier. Aybel glanced down at the poor person.
Well, this is quite the development. A man, mid-thirties perhaps? His expression, that of one who is afraid. I can see why he's so worked up. He's afraid of death.
"Help!"
Hmm, he seems like a decent guy. Definitely better than I am, for sure. I don't think I can blame him for acting so desperate.
I technically understand how frightening it is to be in his shoe's right now.
Going by his worn-out dress clothes and exhausted look, he must have been on his way to or from work today. He obviously has no idea what's going on.
"Hey kid! Help me up, please!" The man's eyes looked up towards Aybel.
Ignoring the cry, Aybel wrinkled his nose adjusting his glasses.
If I had to guess though, from the faint smell of coffee on his breath, I'd say he was probably off to work.
The scent of ink also suggests he could be a writer or at the very least someone who deals with paperwork.
Halting his analysis for a moment, Aybel watched as the trembling man changed tactics, desperately pleading with Caine instead.
"Please! Spare me!! Please, please let me on. Look, I don't want to die here! I don't know what's happening, and I don't understand what I've done to deserve this! Can you please at least give me a hand, please?"
The chandelier continued to sway precariously.
"Wow, someone's shitting his pants." Caine snickered while crossing his arms on his chest.
"Well, to be fair, this entire situation is already so absurd that I'm honestly not even sure what would make it any crazier. Hahahaha~"
A wicked grin slowly formed across his face as he continued to stare at the man.
"Give you a hand? That's very naive of you, mister." Without hesitation, he kicked the man's hand.
"Gah!"
But, ever so determined, the man held on for dear life. "Could one of you just please be reasonable people!?"
Indifferent to the person's pleas, Aybel watched the scene unfold without uttering a single word.
"You're quite persistent, aren't you?"
Caine's smile faded...
"Fall."
With an uncaring kick to the face from Caine, just like the rest, the young man plummeted into the abyss below.
"AaaahhhhHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh...!!!"
The chandelier stabilized once again...
As if nothing happened, Caine's blissful smile returned. "Farewell, my dear friend!" He yelled in the man's direction.
"Isn't this entertaining, Aybel? They're like ants..." He giggled excitedly.
"...Are you really so heartless? Do you not feel bad about what you just did?" Aybel finally spoke up, his face expressionless.
"Heartless?! Heh, that's a little rich coming from you. You might want to take a good long look in the mirror, brother. Who was it that tried to ditch me when it was convenient for them?"
"When you put it that way, I can't deny my own guilt in all this. Still... Aren't you being a bit... too cruel, especially considering we were in the same position moments ago."
"Ah, but you see," Caine beamed raising a finger, as if giving a lecture.
"You and I both know why that had to happen. Don't pretend to underestimate the weight of the chandelier, dear brother. From my analysis, we can only afford to support one more person, precisely between the weight category of 41 kilograms to 59 kilograms."
"And unfortunately, that poor fella," he stated casually gesturing below, "exceeded the weight limit."
"It's all a matter of numbers, and of course, survival of the fittest... quite literally."
Aybel remained silent for a moment staring into the dark abyss below.
Hmm... is a life really not worthy if they are only weighing a few kilograms more than the limit? That's an interesting question to ponder... nonetheless, he's right.
The Chandelier itself isn't too large, like a round coffee table. But instead of wood, it's made out of some kind of metallic material that's able to support a relatively large amount of weight.
It doesn't seem fair that we should have to be the judge of who might live or die. But as cruel as it is, it's our only choice. Otherwise, we would be dragged down into the abyss along with him.
"Fair." Aybel conceded. "Your reasoning is sound then."
"Why, thank you." Caine grinned satisfied.
They were two sides of the same coin, favoring logic over sentiment.
Perhaps, him even more so than myself...
With absolute indifference, unaffected by the desperate pleas of help surrounding them, Aybel calmly stepped towards the edge of the chandelier.
Leaning forward, he looked down at the falling masses, observing their different reactions: "Fear, confusion, panic, desperation, hopelessness..."
Most cried... while others prayed to a god to save them, as they all fell recklessly towards an unknown fate...
"Every single person's fate, hanging in the balance. We're no different from any of these people... Life is indeed fragile."
"So, where do you think they're all going?" Aybel asked, turning his attention towards Caine. "I mean, there must be a reason behind this organized hell."
"Hm, now isn't that the million dollar question," Caine hummed placing a hand on his chin as he stared up above.
"It could be that we all share a sin with each other, and that this is our judgment... or it could just be that someone simply thought this would be entertaining to watch. Who knows?"
"Either way, you're taking the fun out of this..."
"Hm?"
A playful smile suddenly formed on Caine's face as he turned to Aybel.
"So why don't we play a game instead?"
To Be Continued...