The road was alive with activity, a vibrant atmosphere of sights and sounds. Bright lights from shop signs and street vendors selling everything from spicy food to glittering bangles brighten the path. The air was filled with the hum of conversations and laughter, blending with the distant melodies of street musicians playing their hearts out.
Life is unpredictable, and we should embrace everything it throws at us with a positive attitude. That's what I've been told by my mom when I was a child, and I think it's true. Otherwise, who would have thought that 'I,' Kevin ashcroft, would ever travel out of my country 'shalenpor' in my whole life? Heck, until now, I had never experienced what traveling to the neighboring state felt like, but here I am, taking a leisure walk on the streets of 'walesin', one of the top ten city in the world's second-strongest and third-most populated country 'Austavise'—all because of my best friend, David, who have gotten married in a foreign country because this is where his love of the life lives and I am absolutely sure that he is not doing this to get a PRA (permanent residency card).
"Sigh, when will my fortune smile upon me and grace me with a partner to stand beside me" Kevin thought with a sigh leaving his mouth.
Even after standing at an impressive height of 5'9", an above-average appearance that never failed to turn a few heads (in his imagination). light brown eyes had a certain warmth and depth, making them the windows to his thoughtful and engaging personality. Contrasting with his eye color, his jet-black hair was neatly styled, accentuating his sharp features. The overall effect was both striking and approachable, giving him a unique charm that drew people in effortlessly. He is still a bachelor with no prior experience.
Shaking his head to remove useless thoughts, Kevin said,;
"I am going to remember this day for the rest of my life"
with a smile that kept threatening to break free on his face no matter how much he tried to conceal it.
Today he had finally achieved one of his goals, although not on his own but who cares? Again shaking his head, Kevin kept walking while enjoying the views.
Every step brought a sense of peace and harmony. The vibrant energy of the city intertwined seamlessly with the beauty of the night sky. It felt as if the stars were not just lighting the path, but also his soul, reminding him that he was part of something much larger and wonderful picture.
Kevin's peaceful time did not last long, as suddenly his smart phone began to ring.
Caller ID: Di#k-David
After answering the call, before he could say anything, a series of questions were shot from the other side.
"Where the hell are you, man? I just got to know from the hotel reception that you haven't reached your hotel yet."
"Don't tell me you got lost! Listen, I am not going to help you there because I am a married man now, so don't expect anything from me."
"Hello? Hello? Anybody there? Hey man, I understand that you are upset that you are still a virgin little bi*ch while I am already married and smashing the bed; but hey, what can I do when God has blessed me with this fatal charm?"
Listening to the questions of his best friend, which started with a hint of worry but kept getting more and more narcissistic, Kevin's lips began to twitch uncontrollably.
"This fuc#r, he is flaunting just because he got married,"
Kevin's thoughts began to darken, but he held back his curses by reminding himself that today is his friend's day, so he should let him have some fun. After taking a long, deep breath, Kevin replied with an equally friendly tone that masked his annoyance.
"I am just taking a stroll, trying to make some memories or perhaps score a night partner for myself."
"Oh I understand your emotions dude but still, just stay safe. Even though it's one of the strongest countries, it does not mean there will be no crimes. Understand what I am saying?" David said, this time with genuine concern.
"Chuckle"
"Okay, okay, I got your point. Now go and keep your wife company, shoo shoo," Kevin replied while chuckling, clearly not taking the advice seriously. After all, if even this country is not safe, then what's the point of having a first rank in GPS (Global Public Safety) and cut the call before david could respond.
"I don't know just what is this bi#ch thinking calling me this late on his wedding night. If only I was as lucky as this bastard."
Kevin thought while looking at his phone screen, a small smile playing on his lips. It wasn't jealousy that reflected in his expression but rather his true emotions toward his suspiciously lucky and wealthy friend.
Yes, suspicious.
After all, Kevin had to admit that this bastard's luck in nearly every situation was nothing short of world-defying. No matter how difficult or impossible David's circumstances seemed, they always resolved themselves in a strangely convenient way.
For instance, if David were late for a meeting, his boss would somehow also be late—or not show up at all. The reasons could range from suddenly falling ill to an unexpected vehicle breakdown in the middle of the road. It was uncanny. But the most glaring sign that David belonged to a wealthy family was his ability to keep such privilege hidden.
Considering that the two of them had spent nearly seven years together in foster care, orphaned and under the same guardian, it was remarkable how David had managed to maintain that facade.
If Kevin had to guess, there was definitely a juicy story behind David's family situation—one that was just waiting to come to light.
Kevin shook his head to clear his thoughts, muttering under his breath,
"Life isn't fair for everyone. Be positive."
After a brief session of deep inhalation and exhalation, lasting no more than a few seconds, he glanced around, trying to remember his way back to the hotel. Almost immediately, a realization struck him.
"I'm lost."
Normally, Kevin would have taken his time, wandering and exploring, indulging in new and often useless discoveries. But remembering his friend's recent words of caution, he decided against his usual approach and go for a more direct solution.
"Let's see where I am," he said to himself.
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out his smartphone and opened the PLM application (Personal Location and Maps). The blue dot blinked reassuringly on the screen, marking his current location and tracing the quickest route back to his hotel. It was a 45-minute walk, not too far from his current location.
His brows furrowed slightly as he noticed the route passed through a series of narrow alleys. He sighed, shrugged off his hesitation, and set off to follow the digital path.
As Kevin ventured deeper into the alleys, the noise of the city faded away, replaced by the soft echoes of his footsteps against the worn out road. The walls around him were adorned with vibrant spray painting—splashes of color in an otherwise dim and uninviting maze of passageways.
Unease began to creep in with every step.
Turning a corner, Kevin found himself in an even narrower alley. The space was barely wide enough for two people to pass side by side, and the dim light seemed to shrink even further as he moved forward.
Then, the silence shattered. The sound of hurried footsteps—fast and frantic—echoed through the alley, growing louder with each passing second. Kevin's senses sharpened as he scanned his surroundings, trying to pinpoint the source of the sound. Before he could fully grasp the situation, a woman in her mid-twenties emerged from a connecting alley to his right, rushing toward him with a look of pure desperation in her eyes.
"Please, you have to help me," she cried, her voice trembling as though fear itself was clutching at her throat. "There are people following me."
Kevin froze for a moment, her urgent words catching him off guard. But it wasn't long before his instincts kicked in. He blinked, clearing his mind as he quickly assessed the situation. Glancing over her shoulder, he spotted faint shadows moving at the far end of the alley, their shapes threatening and drawing closer.
"Stay close to me," he whispered, his voice steady and confident despite the growing tension. "We'll get out of here together."
Kevin's heart pounded in his chest. As an avid reader of novels, he had often fantasized about being a hero, rushing in to save the day and perhaps earning admiration along the way. But now, faced with a real-life damsel in distress, the gravity of the situation shattered those romanticized dreams. The harshness of reality gripped him, anchoring him firmly in the present.
"Stay close, and trust me," he urged again, his tone carrying a steadiness.
Taking her trembling hand into his, he led her down a side passage, scanning his surroundings for a potential escape route.
But it seemed as though fate had other plans. Before they could turn onto another path, three men emerged from the alley the woman had just fled, cutting off their escape. Their lower faces were obscured by masks, their cold and lustful eyes fixed intently on Kevin and the woman.