The Journey Of The Wretched Spring

The First Companion

It's morning, but the sky's gloomy. The heavens are crying and seem to be pouring tears; it's time.

As I was moving out of the mountain forest, the memories were pouring out. It's been a year since Zuan and 015 left, and I'm thankful for everything you guys have taught me so far.

It's time to make use of it; I'll be the villain you guys always wanted. Wait for me, Christian.

Days passed, and I reached my hometown. As I saw our broken house, it felt nostalgic. Christian, you didn't even spare our house.

I sat down and prayed, mourning, and silently planning my next move. It's better to think this through.

I was about to leave when I saw Jaymar drinking a beer; he had already finished two bottles of it.

I walked in front of him; he seemed miserable. You betrayed me and had the guts to be more helpless than I am.

"What are you doing here, Jaymar?"

"It's been a while, Gareth. You seem to have changed."

"I am; you still looked like a rat."

As he crackled with his dead expression, he bowed down.

"Blame me all you want, but I apologize. You don't need to forgive me."

"Why did you do that? I thought we were friends?"

"I can't help it; my family had a huge debt to his father."

"Christian's father? Why?"

"As you know, my father's a small businessman. He borrowed money from Christian's father since they had known each other for quite some time. He treats him like a benefactor."

"The debt kept stacking up while my father didn't succeed. He told me and my mother to wait, that it would bloom someday."

"However, it didn't."

"It didn't? Why? Your father was known as a genius."

"Genius, you say? He was, but Arthur, that bastard, used his connections. He monopolized the sales and lowered the price of the motor parts. My father slowly broke down and finally committed suicide."

"What? Your father died?"

"Yeah, he jumped off the bridge. I saw him smiling before he left. I never thought he would commit suicide and leave us with a huge pile of debt."

As Jaymar stood up, I saw his face full of tears while he smiled at me and said, "I'm sorry."

"There's nothing we can do; I understand your circumstances. "Of course you should have been much braver."

"I don't want my mom and dad to add more problems to them; even though my father left early, my mom's doing her best to support me while slowly paying the debt, but I don't think she can fully pay it. The debt kept on piling up."

"Why don't you help her? What are you doing these past few years?"

"I tried, but no job owners wanted to accept me. I think it's that bastard's fault."

I sat down and drank a beer with him. Our conversation continued, and his life worsened after his father left them.

He stopped going to school while trying to look for a job, but he didn't succeed. Apparently, he's doing house chores and was taking care of her mom after her work.

Murphy family, you've caused too much pain and agony in this world. I should hasten my plan to stop these people from continuing to commit more crimes and destroying other families. My family and Jaymar's family are enough.

When night arrived, Jaymar left and told me to take care and live a peaceful life. Jaymar, you're wrong; instead, I won't let the Murphy family live a peaceful life. I'll ruin their plans and their lives. Wait for it. I'll avenge our families who have gone down the drain.

I have no time to mourn right now; I should make preparations. As I remember, there's a gang near here.

For now, let's absorb all the gangs in downtown and unite them. I'll make use of their connections and their money.

I stopped by the nearby cafe where I and my dad used to hang out. This sure is nostalgic and brings back old memories.

"Welcome, dear; please have a seat."

"Thank you, ma'am. I would like to have a strong coffee with milk."

The cafe owner was flustered and surprised, I don't know why.

"Dear me, I apologize. It's just that there's only one family who would order this kind of specific coffee."

"Oh, I understand. No need to worry, where are they now?"

"Are you perhaps a tourist or new here?"

"Yes ma'am."

"Hays, unfortunately. They both died in a car accident."

Hm? Did Christian hide the fact? But why? I don't see any reason for him to do so.

"Well, they were both handsome and kind. It's unfortunate, but we can't do anything about it."

"How about the one who crashed on them? And the driver?"

"You sure are a curious fellow. No, they died while driving a rented car; the news said that they crashed into a wall. Uhm, the news said that they were driving while drunk, but I've never seen them drink alcohol. It's strange."

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Alright, hold up. Your coffee's coming."

Ha. How bold of them to use connections to tweak and hide the truth! You guys sure are powerful.

"Your coffee's here, and a salad."

"I didn't order a salad, ma'am."

"It's free; take your time."

"Thank you."

The truth is, I will make sure it comes to light and pay you multiple times.

"How's your coffee? Ma'am! One for me too! Milk with a yolk!"

"What are you doing here, Jaymar?"

"Nothing special. What are you going to do now?"

"Why should I tell you?"

"I'm just asking; don't tell me if you don't want to."

Jaymar is my childhood friend, and we shared our problems and sufferings with each other. We were like brothers, but that changed after we went to college.

We have gone our separate ways since he studied business. I don't want him to know much, or he might find himself in a difficult situation.

"I'm going to unite the gangs near downtown and use it for my plan."

"Wow, you sure have guts now. Let me in too."

"I'm not playing, nor is this a game."

"I know, but give me money to pay my debt after we conquer all the gangs here."

Yeah, Jaymar would be a great help for me. He's trained and disciplined, too. He achieved great feats and acquired many medals and trophies in both taekwondo and jiu-jitsu.

"Why should I? After all that happened."

"I know you need help. "Based on your appearance, you've worked hard, but that's not enough."

"It is, if it's me."

"Anyway, just let me in. I won't be a burden. I just want to repay you."

"Repay me for what?"

"For betraying you. I know it was hard for me, but I also know that your suffering is incomparable to mine. Just let me sail with you too."

"Gather me intel about all the gangs here."

"What else do you want?"

"Nothing else; just give me their hideouts and the profile of their boss."

"If that's all you want, then consider it done in a day."

I left after giving him a sigh. Companion, huh?

"Hey, give me your number."

"What?"

"Hey! If I don't have your number, then how can I contact you when I'm done?"

I got flustered when I heard him say that because I don't have a phone.

"Just— just meet me here; I'll be waiting."

"Ha. I'll buy you a phone tomorrow; wait for me here."

That's right, if I want my plan to work perfectly, I need the current technologies and guns.