Light flickers in the hallway. Thud. Thud. Thud. The steps grow heavier, drawing closer, and a face emerges from the stairs.
A glowing blue eye scans the area as the steady thud of footsteps echoes closer. It stops outside a room. He unlocks the door with a click.
The room fills with light. The floor is covered in dresses, and the bed sheet hangs off the bed, touching the floor.
"Damn it! I failed another job interview."
Livio hides himself under the bed sheet and starts punching the wall.
"At twenty-two, I haven't achieved anything."
Livio covers his eyes with his elbow and lies on his bed. The bed sheet lies crumpled on the ground as he wallows in regret.
Flashback:
The atmosphere was dim. The stairs were barely visible. Thud. Thud. Someone descended the stairs, it was Livio.
His eyes held no life. He was just a dead man walking, a shell of a person.
"Don't you believe in him, dear?" Livio's mother placed her hand gently over her husband's, resting it on the dining table.
"What are you talking about? In the end, he is our son."
Livio's father held Livio's mother's hand tightly.
"Every student goes through failure; Livio is no exception."
Livio's father turned his head towards the window.
"Yes, you're right. Our son didn't clear any scholarship exams at top universities. We just have to pay the full fees." Livio's mother slowly withdrew her hand and moved towards the sink.
"I will sacrifice everything for my son, so that he can become successful." Suddenly, the beautiful sunlight fell on his father's face.
"I am sure he's going to achieve greatness in his life. It's alright; we can go without a full meal for a couple of years." Livio's mother turned towards his father with a smile, though her face was covered in tears.
"Obviously, our son will succeed. In the end, he is our son." Livio's father's smile pierced through Livio's heart as he listened from behind the wall.
Thud. Thud. Livio slowly ascended from the bottom step where he had been eavesdropping.
At the top of the stairs lay a silent hallway, engulfed in darkness.
Livio touched the wooden door and gave it a soft push. The door opened without a sound, revealing a dark room.
Livio slowly leans on his bed, looking towards the dark ceiling.
"Why? Why, damn it! Why me? All my friends passed the tests, and I'm the only failure."
Livio covered his face with the pillow.
"My parents sacrificed everything! Why was I even born?" he thought, hitting the bed with his fist.
Present:
"Why didn't my mom take that abortion pill?"
From his bed, Livio pounds his mattress in frustration.
"I am nothing but a burden, a freeloader to them. It would be better if I simply disappeared from this world."
Livio buried his face in the pillow as tears shone like diamonds.
"Why was I chosen? From millions of options: a celebrity, a scientist, a doctor….... Why a worthless piece of shit like me?"
Livio clenched his fists so hard that he started bleeding.
In the pin-drop silence, Livio's phone starts buzzing. His face turns pale when he sees his mother's name on it.
The room echoes with a sweet conversation, filled with positive energy. Livio's mother's kind words and encouragement make the room feel lively again.
"Do you need more pocket money?" Livio's mother asks excitedly.
"No, I have plenty left for another week," Livio says, looking at his nearly empty wallet.
"Take care! Remember, Livio, we will always be there for you. Don't fall into despair, okay? Your father and I are living happily, so don't worry about us." Livio's mother gives him a goodbye kiss.
Tears start flowing from Livio like a fountain.
To distract himself, he looks out the window. The birds are chirping, children are playing, and the beautiful scenery lightens his heart. As he enjoys the view, the wall clock strikes 5 o'clock, followed by the sound of his growling stomach.
"I think I can afford bread, at least."
Livio puts on his shirt and heads out. When he steps outside, the fresh smell of coffee fills his nose. The beautiful road and shops lift his spirits. The serene lake, the boats on it, the trees, and people walking with their families make Zurich feel vibrant.
On the long, scenic road, people are entering a popular bakery. The glass door opens as Livio steps inside.
"Welcome, Livio! You're a little late today," Ilena says, handing him bread with sweet custard and dried fruits.
Livio opens his wallet and finds it empty. Ilena places her hand on his head.
"How many times have I told you? You don't have to pay me. Aren't you going to listen to your elder?"
Feeling embarrassed, Livio takes the bread with a trembling hand. Ilena grabs his hand.
"Why are you like this? I can't stand it when you're so depressed. I like your smile. Please, at least smile for me."
"Thanks!" Livio says, giving her a bright smile.
The bakery is filled with the sweet smell of bread, and the TV broadcasts the news while Ilena holds Livio's hand.
Ilena pulls back her hand and starts cleaning the glass counter. Livio gets ready to leave.
"Three players have died because of the game. Their families are in shambles," the news anchor announces, showing their photos.
Livio stops to listen for a moment.
"The whole world is a mess. Neither men nor women are safe. After reaching a certain level inside the game, people can use their powers in the real world. Neither the military nor the government can do anything. They are at the mercy of these players. Livio, I'm begging you! Please don't play the game. Life is tough, but you don't have to risk your life for this."
Ilena looks at Livio with concern.
"Don't worry, I promise. I won't risk my life by entering the game." Livio leaves the bakery with a smile.
Outside, Livio overhears a conversation.
"Their Prabhavali wasn't strong enough," someone says, turning off the news on his phone.
Ignoring this, Livio looks up at the sky. He is surprised to see six stars shining in the day while one remains dim.
"Please, let me go! I'm begging you!"
A girl is pleading on the road.
"Damn you, woman! Can't you understand? You belong to the owner of Switzerland now," a man in a black suit says, pulling the girl.
"Please, I have a family to take care of. I'm only twenty-three. What can I offer the king?" The girl struggles to free herself.
Suddenly, a man appears out of thin air.
"I can't believe you messed up such an easy job," he says before grabbing the woman and vanishing. Everyone watches, but no one does anything.
Livio sighs. "Now each country is ruled by a player, with the government under their control. Sigh."
He takes a bite of his bread and heads towards his apartment.
On the way, he feels a sharp pain. Before he can understand, he finds himself sitting on the road. He looks for his bread, which is now lying on the ground.
"Sigh! Can't even eat." He then picks up the bread and puts it in the dustbin.
He then finds a card sticking to his leg. The card shows one man and two women. The woman with red hair and red eyes is pulling the man away from the woman with white hair and silver eyes. Both women are really beautiful. Livio throws the card into the dustbin.
"Ouch! Can't you walk properly?" says a girl in her mid-twenties, touching her left leg.
Livio then realizes that he has collided with a woman.
"I am sorry! My hunger got the better of me. Please, forgive me."
Livio extends his hand to help the girl.
"Okay, thanks!" She takes Livio's hand and stands up.
"You should pay attention while walking." She starts wiping her clothes.
"I am sorry!" Livio puts his right hand behind his head and looks down.
"I saw you were eating. Did it fall?" She starts looking around.
"No, it's nothing. I am full." Livio smiles.
Then Livio's stomach growls, and he feels embarrassed.
"No, you are hungry. Wait here." She starts running towards the bakery.
Livio waits there because he is hungry.
"Here you go." She brings a small bag full of different breads for Livio.
"Excuse me! But I don't need this many. You can keep some, please!" Livio offers her.
"I am not hungry!"
She gives Livio a death stare.
There is something in her gaze.....too intense, too eager, and a bit of coldness. Livio's instinct flickers for a moment, but he pushes that thought away.
"She is just being kind! Isn't she?"
"Ummm, if you don't mind, can I ask what happened?"
Livio looks at her with a nervous smile.
"I failed every exam! My parents are rich, but I want to make them proud. Sigh! I am just a burden to them."
She then looks toward the sky.
"You are not the only one! But why give up when we can change that?"
Livio smiles brightly.
The girl looks at Livio for a bit.
"Maybe you are right." She pushes her hair back from her left ear.
Seeing her a little motivated, Livio feels happy.
"Can we talk a little bit more in the park, please?" she blushes and looks away from Livio.
"Sure, I am free now. Let's go."
Livio follows the girl with a bright smile.
They sit on a corner bench, the trees covering their heads.
People around are going about their business, children are playing, and elders are enjoying the beauty of nature. The green grass flutters, birds fly in the sky, and the sun is slowly setting.
After taking their seats, the girl accidentally sits on the edge. She loses her balance and is about to fall, but Livio manages to catch her.
"Careful!" Livio looks at her with concern.
The girl's face remains carefree, showing no panic, only that unsettling smile.
The bread bag is on the ground, and the girl is hanging slightly. She then gives a sly grin.
The girl pulls Livio towards her, causing both of them to fall. Livio ends up on top of the girl, who is facing him. It looks like Livio has pinned her down.
The girl's expression changes in an instant, her eyes widen, her lips tremble, and she lets out a loud scream.
"Please! Don't! Someone save me! I don't want to be assaulted! I am begging you, please spare me!"
Her voice cuts through the peaceful park like a knife.
The gentle breeze that was touching Livio suddenly feels cold. The birds start flying away from the field.
The girl tries to push Livio away from her chest, her movements are deliberate.
Livio's time stops for a moment.
The park echoes with the girl's scream; all the men start rushing toward her, mothers hide their children's faces, and old people also move toward Livio.
The whole incident is observed by two silver eyes in the sky.