“So, where are we going? I don’t remember seeing this place have tables outside.”
“Don’t worry, we have a special table set up in our back alleyway.”
Charlie thought about the possibility that this mysterious waiter could in some way be connected to Tamashi’s criminal case.
“We’re disappointed with ourselves for being sub-par when it comes to our standards, so we’ve prepared a special table for you in our back alleyway.
‘Man, this guy’s a terrible actor.’
As they left the building through a side door and walked towards the back, Charlie skimmed over his surroundings, looking for signs of danger. His checks also included watching over Anna and Tsuru.
Anna was walking slowly, maintaining a slight distance from the group. A look of determination was visible in her eyes, but Charlie could tell that that was a facade.
Tsuru was maintaining a close distance to Charlie, almost to the point of hiding behind him. Her face was full of pure fear, and she was on the verge of crying.
‘Wow, she’s really cute right now! But this isn’t what we need right now.’
After spending what felt like a painful eternity walking, the group eventually made it around the building.
In the center of the alleyway, there was a small dinner table covered with a white tablecloth. Surrounding the table were four white plastic chairs.
“Please, have a seat.”
“Before we do, I have a question. How is this any better than being inside?”
“My apologies. This was the best we could come up with. We really wanted to provide the best experience possible, but the inside area just won’t-”
“Then answer me this. Why isn’t anybody else outside?”
The waiter paused, seeming to be thrown off by the question. After a brief moment, he slowly turned around, his eyes closed.
Charlie started to focus on the waiter’s appearance. He appeared to be a young, fit guy with brown hair that was down to his ears.
‘I know what he looks like now, but that’s not gonna help much. I need to get some info out of him, but at the same time, I can’t let anyone get hurt.’
Before Charlie could continue his though process, the waiter began to speak again.
“Alright, let’s get down to business. You guys all know Tamashi Yosha, correct?”
“So what if….“
Charlie’s words trailed off as his eyes widened and his face sunk into horror.
The waiter’s eyes slowly opened to reveal his blood-thirsty red eyes. He matched his eyes with an ominous smirk.
“You guys might want to sit down. No one’s leaving for a while.”
——
Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEight
Episode: Framed Perspective - Part 7
——
“What do you want from us?”
“Wow, look who decided that he’s just gonna speak for everyone here. I personally want to hear more from the ladies that tagged along with you.”
“Again, what do you want from us?”
The waiter leaned back into his chair, using his body language to show his discontent.
“Let me ask you something. Can we at least start by introducing ourselves? You can’t start a conversation without properly introducing everyone who’s involved. I’ll be nice by going first. My name is Max. Nice to meet you guys. Now, Mrs. Icy Black-Hair to my left, what’s your name?”
Anna forced herself to form a proud smile.
“My name is Shove.”
“Shove? That’s it? Tell me what your last name is.”
“It.”
“Mrs. Shove It. What kind of parents would name you Shove It?”
“My French parents would.”
“Ah, the clever one. And now to my right, the very bashful and beautiful brunette. Can I have your name, miss?”
Tsuru gave Max a brief glance, then snapped forward and down towards the table.
“I see your eyes are fearful. I don’t understand why, I’m just here to talk to you guys, that’s all.”
“If you want to talk so badly, then start talking. Who sent you here?”
Max sighed with annoyance and proceeded to prop his chin up on his fist.
“I’m from a certain organization. That’s all I can really say.”
“Look, ‘organization’ means the government or a gang. You don’t seem to be the government type, so you’re a gang member.”
Max showed off a cocky half-smile.
“So what if I am? What are you gonna do about it?”
Charlie moved into a thinking pose, attempting to mask up with his best poker face.
Behind the mask, Charlie began to sweat.
‘SHIT! He’s a gang member. Man, why are there even gangs in our area? Who knows what this guy could do. We could be in some really deep shit here. Ok. For know, I need to try to gain more info from him. If I see an opening, then I have to take it and get all of us out of here.’
As he repeatedly thought over his plan for escape, Charlie began to let off a light shudder.
“Oh wow, it looks like all of you are shitting your pants at the sight of me. Do I really look that bad?
Time passed without anyone forming a response for Max. He began to grow incredibly impatient.
“Look. I’m here to talk to your guys, but now you lot are all getting too quiet. Am I supposed to talk to myself? I’ll look like a freaking idiot if I do. Hell, I’m pretty much talking to myself now-“
“We need to go. Sorry, we have things to do.”
Max’s agitation began to grow from simple impatience into a raging inferno.
“Huh? You really think I’m gonna let you guys go now? I need you guys to understand something.”
A brief flash appeared in Charlie’s line of vision. As soon as he could comprehend what was going on, Charlie saw that Max was stretched out across the table. Max’s face was leaned in to his, close enough to where they could kiss.
Charlie felt a sharp and light point on his neck. At that moment, his mind began to destabilize as his soul filled itself with complete and utter fear.
Anna and Tsuru could only watch in horror as Max held a knife to Charlie.
Max’s face was full of smugness and content. His eyes were full of pure rage.
“Listen here, buddy. Listen real close. I’m in charge here. I’m here to make sure that you guys stay put. Don’t you freaking dare to defy me.”
He began to convert his smug rage into a cold smile.
“Now, tell me about your friendship with Tamashi. I love stories, and I’m also starting to get bored here.”
A chilling, whistling breeze traveled throughout the alleyway. The warm and welcoming sunlight slowly began to dwindle as the source sunk farther and farther into the west. The discolored, abhorrent walls absorbed the sunlight for nothing in return, contributing to the dark and dingy atmosphere.As the ghostly breeze made its way through the unsightly alley, it left behind a song of horror and despair. The unnerving song unified accordingly with the perilous situation that Charlie and his friends were intertwined within.In between the wet walls of unease was the ignition of a heated battle. On one side of the generic and ominous dining table was the brown-haired assassin, whose blood-crimson eyes were occupied by pure mania. As the man who called himself Max perched himself on the table, he aggressively deployed his knife and brought it to the neck of his opponent.The blond-haired receiver of the threat suspended himself in time as he began to process the fact
The calm, orange sunset began to fade into a blood red canopy as the once-friendly ocean converted into a ferocious beast. For the first time since his mind arrived at the lonely and windy island, Charlie lifted his head out of his legs. He watched as the color shift occurred in the sky. “Oh… It’s begun. Someone’s hurt… It’s probably my fault.” Charlie lowered his attention to his shoes. The beastly ocean water had flooded his feet and was up to his ankles. “Not long… Before it ends…” As the waves continued to crash into Charlie’s feet, he continued to watch the waves, waiting for the moment it all ends. —— Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEight Episode: Framed Perspective - Part 9 —— “Let’s get started, shall we?” Dark, dreary clouds interrupted the sun’s path of light, which led to darker, more lifeless alley. As murky, repulsive water gently dripped down the grime-stained walls, Max held Char
“Well now, look who decided to get up. You decided that you need more of an ass-beating?”“Please, that cheap shot was nothing.”Anna’s current appearance contradicted her retaliatory statement.Blood was exiting through a gash above the bridge of her nose and running in between her eyes. Her left eye had remained closed, and her nose appeared to be crooked.As Tsuru watched the standoff, she attempted to convince Anna to back down.“Stop, Anna! You need to sit down! You’re going to hurt yourself more-““Tsuru, it’s fine. I don’t want to see you, or that useless dork, die.”Max flashed a nauseating grin.“Look who decided to step up and play hero. I’ve gotta admit, I thought you were just relying on that wannabe for protection.”Anna responded with a face of conviction and determination.“I always thought I was stronger
Both Anna and Tsuru expected a fiery rampage from Max, but instead, he closed his eyes and grew quiet.Tsuru began to worry that he was going to blindside Anna.“Hey, please be careful, Anna. Don’t get yourself-““It’s fine. I know he’s up to something.”As Anna cautiously waited for Max to make his next move, he reopened his eyes and formed a conceited smile.“Wow, you truly are a worthy opponent. I haven’t had to fight this hard since I trained with my brother and the boss. You are one truly special person.”Max began to make his way towards Anna with a slow walk. His hands were in his pockets.“Huh, so you respect me as a worthy opponent now? No more ‘girl’ insults?”“I had my doubts, but you truly seem to be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I have to acknowledge that fact and offer some respect to you. Let’s properly begin this
The fierce waters that were overtaking the island calmed down in an instant.The orange sky continued to radiate overhead as Charlie observed a woman who seemed to be standing on the ocean.“Wha… Wait…”“Get up already. I know I didn’t teach you to be such a dumbass wimp.”“Why…”The woman locked her glare with Charlie’s and formed a mischievous grin on her face.“Are you gonna get up, or am I gonna have to drag you up? Don’t make me start counting…”Charlie jerked away from his position as the woman started him down. Her bright blue eyes were a perfect match to Charlie’s gaze.“My dear son, I think I’m gonna kick your ass.”——Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEightEpisode: Framed Perspective - Part 12——“Anna… ANNA!!!”Tsuru
Dark, gloomy alleyways. Sky covered with gray clouds. The only sound that could be heard was the quiet rustle of a cat hunting a mouse.Just before the cat could pounce, it broke its stance and looked up. After staring for a brief moment, it bolted towards the nearest trash can.For a brief moment, everything was silent.Suddenly, a streak of lighting shot through the alley, sending trash cans flying in every direction. Just as fast as it appeared, the lighting was gone, leaving behind a ferocious thunderclap.After a few more moments, the cat reappeared from one of the tossed bins. It jumped onto the ground, shook, and began to look for its next prey.——Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEightEpisode: Framed Perspective - Part 13——“Oh, look who’s finally awake. How was your nap?”“Drop the knife.”“Or what?”Charlie closed his eyes
Darkened skies turned the alleyway into a grayscale landscape.“I’ll start by making you regret ever coming here today.”Unsteady scene.As Max began to shift his attention to his left shoulder, Charlie swung his left elbow towards Max’s face.The smooth and swift movement of the elbow was met with the quick action of Max’s hand.Max’s detailed eyes. Fiery rage.“Wow, you’re fast. But… I don’t need any fire to deal with you. I’ll end this quickly.”Charlie’s picturesque blue eyes.“Wow, you really think I’m gonna lose to you? In your dreams.”Charlie lifts his left knee and drives it into Max’s chest. Simultaneously, he shoves Max down with the hand he had on the shoulder.Falling backwards. Coughing blood.Moments before impact. Cocky smile.Max lands on his hands and swings his right leg out. Char
The day was unusually bright and sunny for an autumn day. Leaves danced through the air and collected on the grimy sidewalks and streets. The tender breeze that carried those leaves served as a deterrent to the minimal heat. There was a sense of calmness that swirled within the soft and gentle breeze. As Tamashi stepped out of the house, he turned his head to the sky, glaring at the cotton-like clouds against the cool blue sky. As his mind began to drift towards the clouds, one thought looped through his mind. ‘Charlie and Anna. I need to find them.’ —— Savior: Original Story by OneSevenEight Episode: Framed Perspective - Part 15 —— ‘I need to talk to Charlie and Anna, but how do I do that? I can’t go near the school and I don’t have a phone. So am I just gonna have to stand around in the streets and hope they pass by at some point?’ As Tamashi thought about his next steps, he began to approach an int