Chapter 12: The Truth Comes Out

Bloody tears streamed down my face. A figure staggered into my arms. She said something, but I didn’t catch it all. But I understood the gist.

She said:

“When the President and Rachel passed by here, Rachel said, ‘This place is so spacious. If it could be made into a mansion, it would be nice to come and hang out anytime.’

‘Coach, please give it to your protégé?’

The President’s face was full of affection: ‘How could that be difficult?’ With a laugh and a joke, he summoned the overwhelming fire.

Big Ben tried to stop them. But someone kicked him to the ground. Big Ben got up and tried again. He said this was his and Zoe’s home, and it couldn’t be taken away.

The President scolded Big Ben, called him a beast, said he didn’t know how to give way to Rachel. He had the security guards hang Big Ben’s life by a thread, and sliced Big Ben’s body to pieces.

Zoe, Big Ben was tortured to death.”

I held Big Ben’s huge head, trying to wipe the blood from his face. But the more I wiped, the more blood there was. In the end, only I was left in this world.

My hands shook, blood mixing with ash, as the sky above seemed to hold its breath. Alone—completely, achingly alone.