Chapter 5: I'm not stupid

Ethan dashed out of the tall building, his breath heavy and heart pounding like a caged animal desperate to escape. Those deep, golden-red eyes that glowed like lava would forever haunt his sanity.

The sound of cracking bones, the screams, and the blood replayed in his mind. Though Professor Lucian had saved him, it still terrified him.

A loud honk snapped him back to reality.

"Watch out, you fool!" the driver of the car that almost hit him yelled.

"Sorry," Ethan gasped, catching his breath as he continued running. He only stopped when he was far enough from the place.

The area was well-developed, an estate with tall buildings that seemed to touch the sky, their architecture grand and imposing, reflecting power and wealth. The windows mirrored the hues of the setting sun.

With directions and help from people he met along the way, Ethan found a nearby bank to withdraw some money to get home.

An hour later, Ethan stood before his apartment. It hit him that Professor Lucian now knew where he lived. Maybe he should spend a few days with his mom at the hospital, just like he sometimes did.

But then, he saw the unexpected. His belongings—television, couch, clothes—were all outside. His eyes flicked to the door, where the landlord's notice was posted.

~Six months is up, boy, and you're still not paying your rent. I'm not a patient person, so get the hell out. Don’t bother calling to beg; I'll block you.~

Ethan sighed, his arms dropping to his sides as the paper slipped from his fingers. As if the heavens were against him, it began to rain, soaking his things.

Ethan didn’t move, tears streaming down his face. When had his life become this bad? No matter how hard he tried, things only got worse.

His boss probably hated him by now—he had missed several days of work and likely wouldn’t get paid this month. His mother’s diagnosis was due soon.

It was too much.

Too suffocating.

It felt like the world was closing in on him, not giving him a chance to breathe. When would things ever be okay again?

Ethan walked through the streets, hands tucked into his hoodie. He had nowhere to store his belongings. He had no relatives or friends to turn to. Maybe he should visit the landlord and plead, though he doubted the man would listen.

If that didn’t work, he planned to sell everything and gather the money for his mother’s treatment.

Ethan reached the hospital, drenched. His mother was asleep when he arrived. He held her hand and broke down in tears.

He missed his mother, his father, and the life they had before the tragedy. Everything had happened so fast. He remembered how the police barged in, cuffing his father and dragging him away like a criminal.

His mother had cried for days and nights. A month later, she fell ill. They thought it was just a regular sickness until she collapsed one day, bleeding from her mouth and nose.

She was rushed to the hospital, thanks to the neighbors. The doctor explained her illness to Ethan, and he had to use all his savings to start her treatment, desperate not to lose her.

Why was the world so cruel?

Ethan’s phone dinged, snapping him out of his deep thoughts. His eyes widened at the message that popped up.

~This is Professor Lucian Draven. Come over; we need to talk.~

Professor Lucian?

How in the world did he get his number? What did he want?

Ethan put his phone away, unwilling to respond. His heart raced with fear. What if Professor Lucian wanted to kill him after what he had witnessed with James and his friends?

His phone dinged again.

~Don’t ignore me. Get over here, or I’ll come to the hospital and slash her throat. You know who I’m talking about.~

What the hell? He knew he was at the hospital? Ethan’s eyes darted around the ward, but he saw nothing unusual. He dashed out and found no strange figures, just a few patients and nurses.

With trembling fingers, he texted back.

~What do you want from me?~

His phone rang immediately. It was Lucian’s number. Ethan hesitated, unsure whether to answer, but in the end, he had no choice. This man had just threatened his mother’s life.

“What do you want from me?” Ethan’s voice shook, despite his efforts to hide his fear.

“I want to make a deal with you,” Professor Lucian’s voice came through the line.

“A deal? What kind of deal?”

“You’ll have to come over to hear it, Ethan Wave. Tonight,” Lucian demanded, like a master speaking to his apprentice.

“I’m not coming to you, and if you threaten my mother, I’ll call the cops,” Ethan said, jaw clenched, though he knew his threat was futile.

Lucian chuckled softly. “You amuse me, Ethan Wave. How about this: I promise not to kill you or your mother. And if you come here right now, I’ll pay you ten thousand dollars.”

Ethan’s eyes widened. Ten thousand dollars? Or had he heard wrong?

Wake up, Ethan. He’s trying to lure you into a trap. Don’t fall for it.

“I’m not stupid,” Ethan muttered, gripping his phone tighter.

Lucian sighed. “You know I’m not a fragile human like you, right? One thing about my kind—we keep our promises, or we face the heavens' consequences. Now get over here, Ethan Wave, or I’ll come pick you up myself. You won’t like that.”

With that, the call ended.

“Mr. Ethan,” the doctor called from behind him.

As they sat in the doctor’s office, Ethan struggled to focus, Lucian’s words still lingering in his mind.

“Your mother’s diagnosis schedule will have to change. It’ll be sooner than expected. Her health isn’t improving, and I won’t lie to you… but we’re close to understanding her condition. So close, Mr. Ethan.”

A whirlwind of emotions hit Ethan—fear, anxiety, anger. He didn’t know which one was strongest.

“So, when is the next diagnosis?” he asked.

“Tomorrow,” the doctor replied.

“What?”

“I know it’s sudden, but it’s for the best, Mr. Ethan,” the doctor said, his gaze serious but filled with concern.

How in the world was he going to find seven thousand dollars by tomorrow? He had one thousand, which wasn’t even half of what was needed.

Just how was he going to…

It struck him—Professor Lucian’s deal. Ten thousand dollars if he showed up at his doorstep.

No. That was too dangerous. There was no way he would go there.