The Journey Of The Wretched Spring

The Nightmare In The Storm

"Dad! I'm home!"

"Where were you? Why are you covered in dirt? Did your girl dumped you? Hahaha!"

"I was at school doing some projects."

"Alright, I've cooked some mojos for dinner, let's eat."

This life, although it was a messed before I regressed, atleast it isn't that bad anymore.

I loved the mojos made by my dad; he worked as a street vendor that sold different kinds of snacks before the accident happened that took my mom, my dad's ability to walk, a part of my life, and the accident that broke my heart.

I don't know what to feel either; every time I'm reminded or think about that time, my heart always aches.

It's midnight now, and I'm on my bed, but I'm still confused but happy at the same time. It's hard to even try to understand what happened. This time, I'll do my best to rewrite the life I had.

"Knock— knock—"

"Police! Anybody home?"

I'm in my room, but I hear the voice of the officer. When I heard about it, I felt terrified, scared, and trembling. I knew this was going to happen, but why so early?

"Hello, Officer, what's up?"

"Hello, are you Michael? Father of Gareth?"

"Uhmm, yes, what's the problem?"

"Your son assaulted the son of a known politician; do you perhaps know Senator Mill?"

"W—wait! You are telling me my son got into a fight?"

"Yes, sir. He assaulted Mr. Christian Mill at the University Convenience Store."

"We have some finger prints of your son on Mr. Christian's collar."

"The victim's friend, named Jaymar, also testified about what happened. I would like to invite your son to the police station so we can hear his side, and Mr. Christian said an apology is enough for him. He just wanted to address this issue and resolve it, so no further problems occurred since they are classmates."

Jaymar? Wait!! A—aren't we friends? What the fuck is going on? I don't understand!!

"Hey, Little shit, remember this. This is what money and connections do. You need 5 things on life to succeed. Money, a good connection, good background, wit and Power!"

"W—wait, hold on, let me call him!"

As my dad rushed into my room, my mind went blank, and I didn't know what to do or say!

"Son! A police officer came here, and he told me you assaulted someone! Get out and explain it to me!"

"D—ad, I can explain bu—"

"Why did you assault someone? What on earth are you doing with your life?"

"Wait, dad, please listen to me first!"

"Sigh, it already happened; change your clothes; we are going to the police station."

As I see the angry and terrified face of my dad, and with a big sigh, it stutters my heart. Will my dad, on whom I can rely, not understand and trust me?

I can already see the police station, but I can't seem to calm down and think properly. He assaulted and embarrassed me many times, but I didn't even consider calling a cop or anything to retaliate. But why did he—

"Little shit, this is what weak people who depend on money and connections do. They always try to take advantage of everything, as if everything belongs to them. The weak will be consumed by fear since they know themselves to be powerless, but the strong will always look for a way to overcome adversity. From now on, you should start to decide if you want to follow my instructions and become strong, or be what you are right now, a weak, insignificant bug who can't decide for himself and be consumed by fear again just like the last time, for the rest of your life."

So what if I can become strong? If I can't have a good background and a good connection, what does it mean if they can just use the law however they want?

"Look here, kid, I know what you're thinking, but becoming strong itself is a great advantage for you. A strong person can make many connections as long as they do their best, and there are more ways to make a connection with others."

"If you follow my instructions, you can become the greatest shit to ever exist."

When I heard what Zuan said, it filled me with hope again, but how can I do it? Can I even do it?

"Son, whatever you say to the police station, I'll believe it." Don't blame yourself too much."

My heart ached when I heard what my dad told me. I regret that I've done it, it was too much and too painful for me. It's too unfair—truly unfair!

*sob—* "Dad, I was carried away, it's just because he always bullies me and provokes me. I'm sorry, dad." *sob*

When we arrived at the police station, My eyes were already red, my body was trembling, and my heart and mind were unstable, full of rage and pain. I saw Christian covered with bandages and a cast on his hand. He really knows how to pretend.

"Good evening, Mr. Wells, I'm Christian, I'm a classmate of your son."

"Good evening, dear. I'm sorry for what my son did; we will pay for the medical!"

"It's fine, Mr. Wells; I just want to apologize to Gareth for provoking him; it was entirely my fault!"

I saw how Christian pretends to be the good guy and how he smirks when he bows down. What an actor!

"Little shit, this guy knows how to play the victim while being kind, you should be wary of how you talk and your face expression."

Zuan's right! If I play on his plan, then I will be at a greater disadvantage!

"Christian, I'm sorry! *bows* I should have been more reserved! I'm so sorry!

"It's fine! I just want to resolve this; I'm going now! My dad will be angry if I come home late! See ya!"

You're more concerned about coming home late than him seeing you full of bandages with a cast on your hand? Nonsense!

"Just you wait, Gareth! I'll make your life a living hell!"

"Son, don't do it next time; even if you need to bow, just bow. I'm sorry, son, if I'm just a competent dad."

*sob* "Don't worry, dad, it will be fine."

As we walked away from the police station and took a taxi, my face was grim, and I'm so down, I don't know what to do!

The moment I lifted my head, I saw a light in front of us, a huge ligh—

*crash—* *boom*