Fragment 1: Devastation
Fragment 1 is where the story begins. I initially thought it would be nice to make the main character a girl, but I realized; that won't make sense according to the plot.
Fun fact: I made this fragment while I'm eating Mrbeast's Feastables. I tried to share some with the line of ants beside me, and they took it.
Julius Monarchy’ perspective.
6:30 PM
When I heard the news that my father died, I was extremely devastated. I could not see myself going to school with a heavy burden within my heart. All I can do was cry in my bed.
Rainle, My mother, was most sad about the news. She could not hold herself as her beloved passed. All she can muster is a wine for comfort.
Ever since dad died, her eyes always seem to wander in air, and she’s just sitting on the living room, always.
Ariel, my sister, is no exception either. Ever since dad died, she cope herself by going outside. I believe she wants to cry alone.
Even if we didn’t need money, she got herself a job as a cashier on a convenience store. She did that so she can stay busy with something, while she’s grieving, and whilst far away from home.
Understandable.
These all happened about a month after Owen died.
The house was quiet, the dust cast by the sun yet unmoving. On the living room seem filthy, and the kitchen looks awful, the pile of dishes still untouched.
In my room, I was looking for clues regarding my father’s passing.
Maybe I missed something. What I gathered so far is that the administrator of the mission led my dad astray, but there’s not much I can do of the matter.
I’m not as influential as I hope I would be;
other than that, I had not thought of other possibilities as it appear too vague jumping to conclusions; because in the end, my goal is to know what happened to my dad in details rather than know who caused it.
There is one more thing. Today, I’m suppose to meet a person that may give me valuable information regarding the matter in exchange for money, ofcourse.
He/She probably got the information from NASA without permission, but I never cared. Whether you took it illegally or legally won’t matter, afterall, my motives are honest and good.
...
An hour later, I got up from my bed and prepared to meet the person.
The meetup place is quite hidden, a place where a normal streetlight would have a hard time navigating through.
Before I left, I made sure to cook mom some food;
though only canned food, I made sure to incorporate some veggies.
Afterwards, I seek permission to leave the house, but mom’s head looked fairly blank at the moment, so I kissed her forehead instead.
...
I was now at the meetup place and it seems that the person whom I suppose to meet weren’t here yet.
I was hoping that they might be honest, but it appears I was mistaken.
Turns out, they we’re toying with me. Sucks to be desperate...
But just as before I took a step for leaving, I heard a bicycle coming through. SHE were here.
I lost hope but it reignited anyway.
“Hey, sorry I’m late. I got stuck in a traffic. Name’s Janna.”
She’s odd.
She does not strike me as the kind to steal confidential information on a government.
She looks mostly modest.
“Hey Janna. I started to think you were toying with me last second.”
“Oh, no, I won’t do that. I’m quite diligent when it comes to money.”
She also does not strike me as the kind to do anything for money, but I guess you don’t know what other’s circumstances is at right now.
“So... did you brought what I want? Let’s try to make this quick, some policemen are roaming around this evening.”
“Yeah. They might think we’re up to something. Technically, we are, but.. it’s a different matter.”
Now that she mentions, it does feel like were doing an illegal scheme here. Not this kind of illegal scheme, but the other one involving white powders.
“All right then. Let’s get this over, quickly.”
“Right. So I have this piece of envelope...” She pulls a paper right out of her jacket.
“It contains all possible information regarding Owen Rybak’s duty and purpose on the mission.”
“Right..” She handed it over to me. The envelope in question looks nicely put.
I can’t help to be disappointed, though, since I already know most of the things regarding my father’s duty, but I guess it won’t hurt for more information.
“There’s one more...” She pulls another, this time, it’s a transparent envelope.
It’s not as neatly organized as the first one but it looked more promising.
“This one contains all the conversations of the administrator of the mission. I don’t really know what they’re talking about so I just printed all messages so you can read it. Some messages may not be as valuable as the other but at least it’s complete.”
Now this, this is what I’m talking about!
My eye’s lit up and my smile grows as I receive the envelope.
I felt like I did it. The only thing I need to do is read it and compile all possibilities. I won’t question how she got it; probably involved illegal ‘techniques’.
“A-are you sure these are official conversations? You did not altered it, right?”
“Of course not. Why would I do that? I’m not interested on the matter. I only happen to have access on the facility and steal much valuable so I can sell it to people like you.”
She does have a point. I should not suspect her at this point; I should thank her instead.
“Ok’y...” I said to her, now bending my knees on the floor, lowering my head to the ground.
“I thank you with all my heart! You don’t know how much this means to me!”
She was flustered at the sight of me doing this. She probably like this kind of compliment.
It’s like one of those ‘Egyptians praising Cleopatra’ thing. I think she likes those.
“W-wha- What are you doing! Stop that! You only need to thank me by giving me the money.”
“Oh, yes...” I stood up and searched in my wallet to find a card.
“Here. Take this. It’s my credit card.
The PIN is 0102 and it’s officially yours.”
“How much is in it?” She took it and inspected it.
She was suspicious it’s a fake.
“Last time I check, it’s about 2 million.” Was that correct? I think it’s much closer to 1.7 I think.
“And also... If you’re suspicious it’s a fake, I can test it right now on my phone.”
“T-two million?! I was only expecting like 150 or something. I can’t take this! It’s too much!” She insisted that she can’t take it, but by the look of her face, I bet she’s thinking ‘Please reject my offer. I really want this money. I was just being modest.’
“No, really. Take it. I have no use for that money. I guess... This is a good use of that, atleast.” There.
That’s the respond she wants.
“W-well... If you say so.” She’s so bad at acting.
I can see through her that she’s hiding her smile.
“Oh.. by the way...” She turns around to her bicycle and took something underneath the sitting post.
“I have this, if you’re interested, that is...”
“What is it? Some kind of picture? What for?”
“I believe it’s a picture taken by Ramon Imusan. He’s quite famous for his space photography.”
“Does that have something to do with my father?” I asked, since the picture doesn’t look very enticing to take.
“Abruptly, yes. Though, it took place on when the last 4 astronaut landed back.” I took it from her hands.
Oh I get it;
this is probably one of the images that NASA bought when a bunch of photographers took pictures of the landing of the astronauts back to Earth.
There must be a reason why NASA bought this that make it some valuable.
“So, how much is it?”
“It’s free. It belongs to you now since 2 million is a lot of money. I don’t know what to do with it, plus, it’s kind of a liability in my position.”
“Alright then.. Do you have more in your inventory?”
“No. Nothing more. That’s all I’ve got.” She said while crossing her hands.
I think she wants some kind of praise or something. She does not deserve it, though.
I gave her much sweets for now.
"Well. Alright then. Thankyou for doing business with me.” I said as I position my hand for a handshake.
She appears to not like the idea, just glancing at my hands, but she eventually shook it.
Me and Janna parted ways.
We exchanged much valuables to each other, almost too much actually. I started to think I was a criminal because that felt like an illegal transaction, and it was.
Being a criminal isn’t fun kids, I guarantee.
...
After the meetup with Janna, I walk straight towards home.
I do not plan on staying outside for so long because it’s pretty dangerous, even with the police roaming around.
I bought some desserts on the convenience store where my sister work to share it with mom, but Ariel appears not to be in the counter.
"Hmm.. That's strange." I said to myself.
I think she went home by now, besides, it’s past her work shift; maybe, her substitute is just late. That’s what I thought of, at least.
...
As I walk through an alleyway, I heard strange noises coming from the left.
It reminds me of what me and Janna could’ve done if I pressed the conversation a bit further; in other words, the sound I’m hearing is the sound of arousal.
Music to my ears.
Some couple are probably having a good time, all alone, in an alleyway at that.
Bad news is that I was there, and I’m curious enough to sneak a peek.
As I walk much closer, the moaning got louder, my body is certainly responding to the sound so heavenly. It felt like a fever dream;
but in all honesty, I didn’t exclude the probability that this might be a rape, that’s why I stayed on guard.
I hid behind some trash bin and it smells horrible, but I gotta live with it.
If this was by chance a rape scene, I’m ready to spring into action to save the woman. My dad would be proud.
“Ugh! Y-ye, just like that! D-don’t stop...”
"..."
Why do I feel like I know that voice.. too familiar...
Well, if she’s talking like that, then that means it’s not a rape, so I better get out of here before they sense me.
“I’ll give them some privacy.” I said to myself, in whisper.
As I get out of the situation I’m in, my body was shivering in fear that they might sense me.
It’s like one of those horror chasing game where the monster is trying to find you and you’re staying quiet.
Then, I bump the metal lid of a trashcan. It made noises, echoing in the narrow, but tall space I’m at.
The rats got out of the trashcan, making all different noises that added even more terror in my skin.
“Whose there! Is someone there?” The man said, still in shambles. He’s trying to pull his pants up.
“Is anyone there? You don’t have to worry if you come out. We will not hurt you.” The woman said, in reassuring tone.
“...”
I know that voice a little bit too well, even if my head is turned away from them.
Am I dreaming? Is this a nightmare? Because if it is.. I want it to stop. It’s not funny...
I shook my head, tried to reassess the voice I just heard. There’s no way...
The chances of this to happen is really low but...
If by chance..
i-is it...
My sister?
===
To be continued...
Julius' sister? Quite the outcome... Oh, I get it! Julius thought Ariel went home after seeing she weren't on the convenience store. In truth, she was in an alleyway, having sex with a stranger.
Ariel got depressed, in result, she cope herself by having intimacy with strangers. She does not want this to happen, but the circumstances forced her emotion to do unreasonable decisions.
===
I'll post Fragment 2 tomorrow. I need to compile some stuff for my school (I'm a good student).
