Dreadful Society

A high pitched ringing can be heard through the ears of one unfortunate soul. Blood trickles down their face, warm and viscous blood. A little girl no older than 7 crawls weakly. Dazed and disoriented, she clings to the ground, pulling herself through broken glass and oily fluids. The little girl crawls forward, fingers digging into the rough pavement as she struggles to drag her body along. The world spins around her, the ringing in her ears a persistent, maddening buzz that drowns out all other sounds. Blood from a gash above her eye stings her vision, but she blinks hard and keeps moving.

A car crash—she was in a car crash. Though to shocked to realize it, she’s still able to will herself to some sort of safety. Though with her senses slowly returning, she can feel warmth behind her. Warmth, or rather, heat. Very hot heat. Her head tilts backwards as if drawn in by this heat. She sees her family’s car set ablaze. Flames lick at the metal of the wreckage, creating a hellish orange glow that illuminates the debris field around her. The heat intensifies as seconds pass, searing the air and causing the girl’s skin to prickle with sweat despite the shock numbing her senses. Her small hands instinctively release their grip on the pavement, fingers curling inward as she absorbs the horror of the scene.

Through the chaos, she sees a hand protruding out of one of the windows. Then next, a face. It’s her sister, being slowly engulfed in the flames, trapped in the misshapen hunk of metal. She screams. Which one of them? That remains a mystery. From the car, the little girl’s sister cries out, “Layla!” She reaches for her little sister to no avail. The heat was unbearable now, crawling along Layla’s skin like molten fingers. The distant ringing in her ears had been replaced by the roar of the fire—an angry beast consuming everything it could reach. She blinked, tears mixing with the blood already drying on her face as she stared at her sister.

The sisters face was twisted in agony, her eyes wide with something beyond terror. Her outstretched hand shook violently, skin peeling from the back of it already. The car frame had twisted around her, trapping her like a vice. Layla watched, helpless, as her sister’s face contorted further, a strangled cry escaping her cracked lips.

Then suddenly, hands protruded from behind Layla, grabbing and quickly pulling her away from the burning wreckage. A bypasser who had come across the crash stumbled into action. Layla didn’t know what else to do but flail helplessly, trying to reach her sister. The heat pressed in from all sides, forcing sweat down the girl’s forehead. Her lungs fought against the thick, suffocating smoke as she clawed at the stranger’s arm, fingers pressing desperately into flesh. “No! Let me go! L-let me go!” Her voice was shrill, panicked, cracking as she strained against the man’s grip. But he was strong. His hands gripped her body with unyielding force, dragging her backward, away from the inferno.

Until, a large explosion ripped through the street in front of them. The man threw himself and the little girl down against the ground, using his body to shield her from percussive harm. The explosion was deafening, a sudden roar that drowned out Layla’s desperate sobs. The shockwave sent debris scattering in all directions, but the man’s body protected her from the worst of it. His arms were tight around her, his grip so firm it nearly hurt.

When the man finally rolled off of her, he coughed violently, dust and smoke pouring from his mouth as he tried to catch his breath. Layla stared at him with wide, red-rimmed eyes, her small chest heaving with quick, panicked breaths. She didn’t recognize him—he was just a stranger with blood on his face and singed eyebrows. But he had saved her. The stranger wheezed as he struggled to breathe, his body shaking from the aftershocks of the explosion. He turned his head to look at Layla, and despite his obvious pain, he placed a hand on her shoulder. “Are you... hurt?” He asked in a rough voice, his face smudged with dirt and soot.

Layla didn’t answer. She stared past him, past the billowing smoke, past the fire still raging. Her sister was gone. The explosion had ripped apart what remained of the car, leaving nothing but charred wreckage and an unbearable heat pressing down on the scene. Layla could still hear the screams. Or rather, she was still screaming herself.

The world is unfair. It’s not just this little girl, but all across this world and many others, unfortune will follow innocent victims. It’s the way of the world, the universe. Everyone will meet misfortune at some point. But why do some have to have it worse than others? Why do bad things have to happen to innocent people?

The year is XX43, a boy with snow white hair and abnormal orange eyes plays with his older brother. The boy’s name is Ghxeno and he turns 10 today.

“Hey Levi! Check this out!”

Ghxeno performs a semi-decent back handspring.

“Hey, you’re getting better at that.” Levi says with a kind smile. Ghxeno smiles proudly at the praise, then wipes the sweat from his brow. The afternoon sun casts a warm glow over the backyard of the large mansion where he and Levi live with their parents. In a way, Ghxeno and Levi represent the perfect picture of childhood innocence—two brothers bonding through play, oblivious to the world’s harsh realities.

Levi is only 3 years older than Ghxeno, but yet he tends to act more like a parent towards Ghxeno rather than a sibling. Their father is rarely home due to work and their mother, though she works from home, finds herself busy more often than she’d like. So Levi decided to look after Ghxeno when his parents couldn’t. The curse of being an older sibling.

Ghxeno walks up to his brother with a playful grin, rolling his shoulders like a boxer preparing for a match. “Watch this!” he declares, and before Levi can react, Ghxeno lunges at him, arms wide, aiming for a hug.

Levi catches him easily, hoisting his younger brother into the air and swinging him around once before setting him down with a chuckle. “Easy there, killer,” he says, mussing Ghxeno’s hair. Ghxeno giggles and swats at Levi’s hands, his pale hair sticking up slightly.

Suddenly, Levi perks up a bit, turning his attention back to the mansion. Ghxeno stares at him, “Hey? What’s the matter?”

“I think I just heard the doorbell.” Levi states.

“Huh? No way you heard the doorbell! We’re outside and all the way on the other side of the mansion!” Ghxeno exclaims. Levi raises an eyebrow at Ghxeno’s incredulous expression. “Let’s go.” He says and then starts heading towards the mansion. “Seriously?” Ghxeno groans, but still follows close behind, skipping alongside Levi as they walk toward the mansion’s rear entrance. The stone pathway underfoot is warm from the afternoon sun, and the air carries hints of fresh cut grass and the sweet aroma of the lavender bushes lining the path.

Soon they enter the mansion and make their way to the front doors. Ghxeno bounces slightly on his heels as he waits for Levi to answer the door.

Levi opens the door swiftly, revealing an elderly gentleman with greying hair and the same emerald green eyes as Levi. “Jeez boys, what the hell took you so long?” He grouches in a playful tone. The boys gasp. “Grampa!” They exclaim in unison, Ghxeno rushing forward. The elderly man scoops Ghxeno up in a tight hug, patting his back with rough but loving hands. “Happy birthday, Ghxeno!” he booms. Ghxeno squeezes back just as tightly, already beaming with delight.

“Grampa, I didn’t know you were coming!” Ghxeno exclaims as he’s set back on his feet.

The man chuckles, ruffling Ghxeno’s hair. “Of course I’m here, you little rascal. When have I ever missed a birthday?”

The two boys stare at each other for a moment, their eyes lowering, “5...” Levi states. “And those were just Ghxeno’s.” The man’s face bears a sheepish smile as he recalls the times he’s missed. Levi sighs but gives a small smile to show he isn’t mad. “Come on, let’s go inside. You didn’t drive all this way to stand in the doorway.”

Ghxeno’s grandfather walks in, greeting his other grandson with a warm hug and a pat on the back before being ushered toward the living room. The space is spacious and elegant, with high ceilings and plush furniture arranged around a grand fireplace. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in streams of golden afternoon light, casting everything in a warm glow. The grandfather settles onto the couch, and Ghxeno immediately jumps up to sit beside him. Levi follows, taking a seat in the adjacent armchair. “So,” their grandfather begins, his voice carrying a note of forced casualness, “is your father around boys?”

The pair look at each other, “No he’s not. Now that I think about it, he’s usually back by now, even if his business trips are usually really long. I don’t think he’s ever missed one of our birthdays.” Levi states. The grandfather’s face tightens, his fingers drumming against the arm of the couch. Ghxeno leans closer to him, “Grampa? Is something wrong?” The older man hesitates for a long moment before sighing. “No... Not at all.” Their grandfather smiles, “I’m just lost in my head boys. Sorry. How about your mother? Is she around?”

Quite clicks can be heard echoing off the spacious walls inside the mansion. Growing closer and closer to the three boys in the living room. “Indeed I am.” A woman’s soft voice speaks out through the silence. The boys turn to see their mother entering the room, holding her hands together below her stomach. She’s dressed casually, but her posture remains elegant—straight-backed and poised. Her long blonde hair is pulled back into a loose braid, strands framing her face. She smiles at her father in law. “James. How nice of you to come.” James rises from the couch, crossing the room to embrace her “Irene,” he murmurs before releasing her. “You look tired.” He speaks with fatherly concern as he studies her face.

She waves a hand dismissively. “Just finishing up a project. I got caught up.” She glances toward Ghxeno, whose sweet eyes give way to the joy at seeing his mother. “Happy birthday, sweetheart.” She bends to kiss his forehead, then straightens and turns to Levi. “How have your two’s day been so far?” she asks, eyes flicking between the boys.

“Fine,” Levi answers. “Great!” Ghxeno beams at the same time, practically bouncing in his seat. His mother smiles warmly at him, reaching out to gently tug a loose strand of hair from his face. “I’m glad.” She looks back at her father-in-law. “James, would you like something to drink? I was just about to put on some tea.”

James nods, smiling at the offer. “That would be lovely, dear. Thank you.” Irene nods and turns toward the kitchen. As she walks away, her steps appear measured, controlled. Ghxeno watches his mother go before turning to his brother and grandfather.

It’s odd. There’s a sort of tension in the air. It’s not audible, or even permeable. It just lingers, ominously.

A voice calls out in the darkness. It’s like the low hum of old lights in a dilapidated building. Present, but on noticeable when you’re focusing intently. It calls out to whatever may be lost in this unforgiving world. Or whoever. The question is, why does it call out?

“Ghxeno!” Levi calls out, snapping his fingers in front of his brothers face. “Hey, earth to Ghxeno! Snap out of it dude!” Ghxeno blinks rapidly, shaking his head as if trying to clear it. “Huh? What?” He looks between Levi and their grandfather, then glances toward the kitchen where his mother disappeared. A faint creak echoes from somewhere in the house—the old wood settling under the heat. The grandfather leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “You alright, Ghxeno?” He speaks with a concerned edge.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Ghxeno says quickly, rubbing at his face. Levi gives him a skeptical look but doesn’t press it. Ghxeno forces a smile. “Just... Got lost in space I guess.” His grandfather studies him for a moment longer before nodding.

Ghxeno can hear the lights. The low hum they emit, almost imperceptible to the human ear.

“So Ghxeno,” his grandfather chimes, “are you excited?”

Ghxeno looks confused, “Excited about what grandpa?” James leans back in his seat, “you’re 10 now Ghxeno, that means it’s time for you to unlock your dominion.” Ghxeno blinks rapidly, his mind immediately locking onto the conversation. “Wait really?! I completely forgot about that!” Levi snickers at his brother’s enthusiasm. “How? You’ve been yapping about in nonstop for days.” His grandfather laughs softly. “If I recall Levi, you still haven’t unlocked yours.”

Levi sighs, “Woe is me.” The grandfather shakes his head, smiling fondly at his grandsons. “You will soon enough. You’re just a late bloomer son.” Ghxeno bounces slightly in his seat, his enthusiasm scarcely contained. “So how does it work? Do I get to choose? Will mine be better than dads? Oh! Will it be the same?!”

“Hold your horses there son! 1 question at a time. No you don’t decide. Whether it’s ‘better’ than your father’s is controversial, and no I doubt it will be the same.” Ghxeno pouts at the idea that he won’t get to pick what he wants. “Dang it. I wanted lightning powers.”

Levi rolls his eyes playfully, “Because that’s super practical. What, are you gonna zap all your classmates every time they look at you the wrong way?”

Ghxeno shrugs with a grin, “Maybe just the annoying ones.” Their grandfather chuckles again, shaking his head. “Lightening eh? Well u don’t know about that being your dominion, but if lightening is what you’re after...” Their grandfather stops momentarily and reaches through the air.

From seemingly nowhere, he pulls out a sword. A Katana, deep orange scabbard with yellow lightening bolt patterns strewn across it, and right above the hilt, a g written in a fancy style, carved into the luscious wood.

Ghxeno’s eyes go wide. “Whoa...” He reaches out hesitantly to take it. “Just hold it, Ghxeno,” his grandfather says gently. “It’s okay.” Ghxeno accepts the blade, and as his fingers close around the hilt, the sword hums. A faint glow radiates from the hilt, and Ghxeno’s grip tightens instinctively. His breath catches in his throat as the humming grows stronger, vibrating up his arm.

“It’s so loud,” Ghxeno murmurs, his eyes flicking between the sword and his grandfather.

Levi and his grandfather both raise their brow. “Loud? What are you talking about? I can’t hear a thing.” Levi pipes.

“Really? You can’t hear that?” Ghxeno asks softly, still lost in the sound. The elder man and Levi look at each other with confusion and concern.

They don’t have to give it much thought though as suddenly, the two boys father busts through the front door. He scans the mansion frantically. Distraught evident on his face.

“Irene! Boys! Where are you!” The father’s voice cries out in panic. The boys stiffen. Their grandfather stands up quickly, alarm crossing his features. “David? What’s wrong?”

The father doesn’t even acknowledge him, scanning the room for his wife. He catches sight of the boys, “where’s your mother!?”

“I’m right here sweetheart.” Irene rushes to her husband. “What’s the matter?”

He shakes his head, “There’s no time to explain! We need to leave, now!” The grandfather steps forward, his tone deepening with authority. “David, what the hell is going on?” But David doesn’t even look at him. He grips Irene’s shoulders tightly. “They’re here! We need to go. Now.”

Irene looks at her father in law, fear creeping into her expression. “Dad, Take the boys to the safe house!”

James straightens. “To hell with the safe house! I’m not leaving you here alone if they’re coming.”

David shakes his head, frustration in his eyes. “There’s no time to argue! I need to get my children to safety!” Levi steps forward, anger flashing across his face. “Dad, you’re scaring Ghxeno. Just tell us what’s going on!” Ghxeno, still clutching the katana, looks between his parents with wide eyes. He doesn’t understand why his father looks so frightened.

David finally turns to his sons, eyes haunted. “You two need to run! There’s no time! It’s the Soc-” a loud sound suddenly rings through the air, cutting him off.

He looks down. A red liquid has started to spread across his shirt. Like a pool, growing larger and larger. Irene screams. Ghxeno stares, the katana slipping from his fingers as he watches his father stagger. James surges forward, grabbing David’s shoulder. “David!” he barks, but David doesn’t answer. He sways slightly, then collapses, crumpling to the floor. Ghxeno’s mind struggles to comprehend what he’s seeing. His father lying there, bleeding. His mother clutching her face, shaking her head in denial. His grandfather crouching down, fingers pressing against David’s neck. “David! Damn it, speak to me!”

Then suddenly, a figure appears. A man. He wearing a mask and standing very close to Irene. It almost looks like he’s giving her something. But her eyes are wide. Maybe because that man isn’t giving her anything at all. Rather he’s taking something away. A blade pierces her stomach. Her blood coats it, dripping down and covering the man’s gloves. Irene lets out a strangled sound, her hands flying to the wound. The man says nothing, just withdraws the blade and turns away as if this is an ordinary thing to do. Irene stumbles backward, cradling her stomach. Ghxeno finally finds his voice, screaming “MOM!” as she falls.

The grandfather moves like lightning, grabbing the man’s arm as he tries to turn away. “You son of a bitch!” James roars, throwing a punch that sends the masked man stumbling back. The stranger doesn’t seem surprised. Doesn’t even flinch. He just straightens his posture and raises his other hand. James winces as he sees the masked man raise his arm. “Boys! Get down!” he shouts, pushing Irene to the side before throwing himself onto her.

The masked man doesn’t speak. He simply moves his fingers slightly. A wave of energy erupts from his palm, slamming into James and Irene. Their bodies slide across the floor as if hit by an invisible force. Ghxeno and Levi instinctively move away from the blast. James groans, clutching his ribs as he pulls himself up. “Ghxeno! Levi! Run upstairs! Find the-”

A second blast interrupts him, throwing him and Irene aside again. Irene’s eyes flicker between her husband and children. Blood coats her mouth. She raises a shaking hand toward Ghxeno. “Ghxeno...” Her voice is weak, almost inaudible over the ringing in Ghxeno’s ears. The masked man doesn’t hesitate. He strides toward them with purposeful steps.

Levi’s arm snaps around Ghxeno’s shoulders, yanking him back. “Come on!” he shouts, pulling Ghxeno toward the stairs. Behind them, another explosion rocks the room. The grandfather rises with a growl, launching himself at the masked man with an uppercut that would have knocked a lesser person clean off their feet.

Ghxeno stumbles up the stairs, his feet unsteady, his grip on the railing tight. “Mom! Dad!” he shouts, each word cracking with terror.

Levi keeps pulling him up, his grip firm. “We can’t stop!” he yells. “Let’s go!” Ghxeno sees his grandfather struggling back to his feet, then glances down to the foyer where his mother now lay dead. Another explosion rocks the house as Ghxeno reaches the top of the stairs. Levi jerks him into a doorway, slamming it shut behind them.

“Ghxeno, listen to me!” Levi says, grabbing his brother’s shoulders. Ghxeno’s eyes are wild, locked onto the door, waiting for it to burst open. “He killed them... He killed mom!” The words come out in a choked whisper.

“Focus!” Levi snaps, trying to jolt Ghxeno back to reality. “We’re in danger! We have to run! I know they’re gone, but we’ll have to worry about that later! We need to live!” Ghxeno blinks, dazed. Levi shakes him slightly. “Do you understand?”

Ghxeno finally looks at him, his face pale, eyes wet with tears. “We... We can’t... We can’t just leave them...” His words catch in his throat.

“We have to!” Levi grits his teeth. Ghxeno shakes his head. “But we can’t just leave them down there!” His voice breaks, tears spilling down his face.

Levi’s face tightens with grief and frustration. “They’re already dead, Ghxeno!” He speaks with raw anguish, his words trembling as he tries to control himself.

The boys wasted too much time speaking. The door busts open, another masked man breaches the room without warning. Levi yanks Ghxeno aside just as the stranger strikes, his fist passing through the space where Ghxeno had stood. The masked man turns smoothly, gaze falling on the brothers.

Ghxeno trembles, his back pressed against the wall. Levi positions himself in front of his younger brother. “What the hell do you want?” he demands, voice shaking despite his attempt to sound strong.

The masked man says nothing. He simply raises a hand toward Levi. A crackling energy erupts from his palm, slamming into Levi and sending him crashing into a dresser. It shatters under the impact, sending shards and drawers scattering across the floor.

“Levi!” Ghxeno lunges forward, grabbing at his brother’s arm, but Levi’s body is limp. Ghxeno yanks him onto his knees, noticing a bruise already forming on his face. His own heart pounds so violently it hurts. The masked man stands calmly, watching them with an unsettling stillness.

Levi groans, lifting his head with obvious effort. “Ghxeno... run...” His voice is hoarse, barely audible. Ghxeno shakes his head frantically, tears falling onto his brother’s face. “I can’t leave you! I won’t!”

“You have to.” Levi struggles to sit up, pressing a hand to his side where pain flares hot and sharp. “Please...” Ghxeno chokes on a sob, holding Levi’s face in his shaking hands. The masked man steps forward, close enough that Ghxeno can see the faint shadows under his mask where his face should be. The lack of expression makes it worse—like this is just an ordinary task for him.

“I said run,” Levi grits out, pushing weakly at Ghxeno’s chest. Ghxeno hesitates, torn between wanting to fight and needing to obey. Another step from the masked man makes the decision for him. He scrambles back, then turns, sprinting for the door

Behind him, he hears another impact—Levi groaning in pain.

Ghxeno doesn’t get far as he collides with another masked man in the entrance of the door way. This one’s grip is cold and unyielding as it clamps around Ghxeno’s wrist. He twists his arm with inhuman strength, flipping Ghxeno onto his back before he can react. His shoulder slams into the hardwood floor, a jolt of pain shooting through his body.

“No...” Ghxeno breathes, scrambling backward as the masked man steps closer. His heart pounds so hard he’s sure it’s audible in the silent room. The masked man kneels, his free hand lifting to Ghxeno’s throat.

Ghxeno’s hands fly up, grabbing the masked man’s wrist just before the fingers can tighten around his neck. “Stop! Please stop!” His grip is weak, his arms shaking violently. The masked man doesn’t hesitate. His fingers curl into a fist, and Ghxeno’s vision immediately blurs as he’s yanked forward. His back arches, legs kicking uselessly in the air as he’s lifted off the ground by his throat.

“Ghxeno!” Levi’s agonized cry cuts through the haze. Ghxeno sees his brother forcing himself to his feet, stumbling forward with unsteady steps. The masked man holding Ghxeno loosens his grip just enough for Ghxeno to take a shallow gasp of air before squeezing again, his eyes stinging with tears.

“Put him down!” Levi shouts, fists launching at the man holding his brother.

The man drops Ghxeno and throws a swift punch at Levi’s throat. Levi chokes as the air is forced from his lungs, stumbling back against the wall. His vision swims, dark spots dancing before his eyes. Ghxeno’s world tilts as he slams onto the floor, gasping, clawing at his bruised throat.

The man that was behind Levi now procures a blade and advances him.

“Levi!” Ghxeno gasps. His younger brother scrambles to his feet, hands still clutching his neck as he stumbles toward the masked man with the blade.

“Stay back!” Levi chokes out. Ghxeno stops, frozen between terror and fury. He watches as the masked man raises the blade, sunlight glinting off the blade as it plunges toward Levi’s chest.

Time slows. The world narrows to this moment. Ghxeno sees the blade pierce fabric, the way Levi’s face contorts in shock and pain. Blood blooms instantly across his shirt, a crimson stain spreading outward from the point of entry.

“No! No! Levi!”

The other masked man wastes no time and once more advances towards Ghxeno. “No! Stay away!” Ghxeno backs away, his feet sliding on the polished floor, his hands shaking uncontrollably. The masked man steps deliberately forward, reaching his hand out to grab the boy.

But suddenly, a fist collides with the masked man’s face, sending him flying back several feet. It’s Ghxeno’s grandfather. He’s still alive. “Run, Ghxeno!” James shouts, his gravelly voice rough with exhaustion. His face is bloodied, his left arm hanging limp at his side. He moves to stand between the masked man and the boys.

Ghxeno hesitates, torn between obeying and watching his brother, who has fallen to one knee, blood pooling around him. “Ghxeno... please...” Levi rasps, clutching the knife in his chest. His face is pale, lips quivering.

His grandfather doesn’t have time to wait. At least one of them needs to survive. So using his pocket dominion, he pushes Ghxeno through what could essentially be called a portal, as far away as he could transport him.

This distance is roughly 5000 meters in any given direction. In the the blink of an eye, Ghxeno finds himself in the middle of an unknown road. He’s left confused and afraid. His family is gone. They’re all dead.

Why? Why him? Why their family? What could they possibly have done?

Ghxeno screams at the top of his lungs in pure sorrow. Tears permeate his eyes as if they were trying to drown him. He claws at his hair and beats the ground. What’s he supposed to do now? Somebody has to pay for this. They all need to die. But who are they?

Why do bad things happen to innocent people?