Chapter 8

-20 April 2021- A flashback

Adam is sitting at his place in the class while playing games with his smartphone. Then come a male student crouching beside him looking a little caution.

“Adam, can I use the basement tonight? We want to do a little game.” The male student ask politely.

Adam did not take of his gaze from his smartphone, “Why ask me? Isn’t it Laura’s responsibility?!”

The male student gaze at a certain desk that is empty and look back at Adam, “The things is Laura didn’t come today. Laura already give permission yesterday. We just need the card key.” The male student smile stiffly.

‘Tch’ Adam take out the card key from his pocket and give it to the male students. His gaze still focus on the game.

When the male student receive the card key, he bow deeply to Adam and say his thanks. He just about to stand up and walk away but Adam call him back which halt his movement.

“Kyle! Make sure nobody irrelevant knows and clean afterwards.” Adam said while still playing his game.

“I understand!” the male student, Kyle said.

Kyle walk out from the classroom and met up with another two male students who is waiting for him. Kyle show the card key to them and both of their eyes lit with happiness.

“The game is on. Let us invite the participant.” Kyle said.

“Alright!” the two male students shout happily.

The three of them walk away and then went to another classroom. From the classroom back door, Kyle scrutinize inside the class looking for someone. His eyes lit when he caught the person he is looking for.

With a smile on his face, Kyle walk in and approach a student who is sitting at the front desk who is now packing his things inside his school bag.

Kyle tap the student shoulder which jolt him, “David! Ready to go back already!”

David movement halt. He cowered and lowered his head. His face instantly turns pale.

Kyle bend his waist and rest his left hand on David shoulder. A small piece of paper is clip between Kyle’s two fingers, “Bring all the things listed on the paper tonight to the basement. Same time as usual.”

David shaking hand take the note from Kyle.

Kyle move closer to David, “We have a game tonight. Make sure you come. Make sure you give me a good performance.” Standing upright again Kyle said, “Don’t forget David.”

Kyle pat David shoulder a few more times and walk out from the classroom with the other two male students that is giving David a mocking smile as they walk out.

David look what is written on the piece of note given to him and sigh heavily. He look toward his surroundings. Few students met his gaze but hurriedly move their gaze away from him, continue to do their own things. React as the things happening to him did not happen.

He put the piece of note inside his pocket and continue packing his thing. With heavy steps, he walk out from the classroom.

Taking his bicycle, David ride it toward the direction of a small convenient store. He then bought everything that listed on the note given to him by Kyle.

“So many thing, are you having a party or something kid?” the cashier was a man that stay in the same complex as David, so he is familiar with him.

“Me and my classmate is having a group study together. Just snacks to pad the stomach.” David answer.

“You look pale. Are the lessons hard? Don’t push yourself to hard.” The cashier said.

David only nodded while smiling. After paying the amount needed, he take all the stuff and ride back to the school with a heavy heart.

He want to escape but where can he escape? He want to ask for help but from whom can he get help?

When money is power, wrong can be turn to right, a lie can be turn to truth, evil can be turn to good.

A place that should be call his ‘road to future’ are now like a ‘road to hell’ to him. People see but become blind. People hear but become dumb. People talk but become mute.

An insignificant person as him, no one would care. Even if he disappear, no one would care.

In ‘this place’ where predators is in the highest part of the food chain devouring the weak without betting any eyes.

We the insignificant persons are just a ‘side dish’.