RUSHHHHH...
The sound of heavy rain poured down.
Today, the rain was truly relentless. The atmosphere felt darker, with fierce winds howling alongside the rain and the rhythmic boom of thunder. The streets emptied in an instant, as no one dared to brave the storm. Without immediate shelter and cleaning, the rainwater could cause skin to rust and become filthy. Furthermore, the biting cold of the rain could leave a body numb and seized with cramps.
At a bus stop, Alpha Trion stood alone, seeking shelter. But the rain showed no signs of stopping. He sat back down, lost in thought as he stared at the rainwater flowing from the street into the gutter.
In his reflection, he repeatedly rubbed his forehead and the side of his neck.
"...I can't believe it..."
"...He just went away like that!" Alpha Trion muttered.
A few days ago...
It was the day Nexus Diggito was laid to rest in the Voltage City cemetery. Alpha Trion was there, along with the security guard, Dr. Drugger, and a few other guests. It was a pitiful sight; only about a dozen people attended.
Once the funeral ended, nothing happened. Everyone left except for Alpha Trion and Dr. Drugger. They both stood there, gazing at Nexus's grave.
"Nexus..."
"...Nexus and I were actually relatives!"
"We were distant relatives, but my parents were quite close to his. When we were toddlers, we were always together,"
"...I wanted to bring Nexus to live with me. My parents gave their permission,"
"But Nexus refused to come, no matter how many times I tried to persuade him,"
"...He probably thought I hated him, too. In truth, I only wanted him to be safe," Alpha Trion confessed directly to Dr. Drugger.
Dr. Drugger stepped closer and placed a hand on Alpha Trion's shoulder.
"Son!..."
"..."
"...I believe... Nexus is happy now in the great beyond. He no longer has to feel afraid, or feel hated...!" Dr. Drugger said reassuringly.
Alpha Trion then turned and walked away.
He picked up his pace, hurrying past the cemetery gates. Tears were streaming down his face, and he didn't want anyone to see him cry.
"Aw-aw! Hu-hu-hu!!"
The sound of a woman's voice.
...
Back at the bus stop.
The rain was still heavy as Alpha Trion sat there, brooding. A woman arrived to take shelter from the downpour. "Oh my, it's freezing!" she exclaimed. Alpha Trion remained silent; he was aware of her presence beside him but refused to look.
...
"Eh...?"
"...Trion?" the woman asked.
Trion turned toward her. It was Onyx Vatum.
BOOM...
A crack of thunder echoed, followed by a flash of lightning.
...
"UGHH!!"
Alpha Trion suddenly stood up, gripped Onyx's shoulders tightly, and pinned her against the wall behind them. He glared intensely into her face. Onyx trembled, paralyzed with fear by his piercing gaze and his ragged, heavy breathing.
"How can you just forget after killing someone?"
"You must take responsibility, Onyx! I'm going to report you to the police and put you in prison for THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!!" Alpha Trion roared.
Tears welled up in Onyx's eyes. "I'm sorry! I—I—"
"TRION!"
...
Another boy approached them. "What do you think you're doing to her?!"
It was Maximus.
Alpha Trion shifted his cold stare to Maximus.
"...Who are you?" Trion demanded.
"I'm Maximus, the new student in class 4B,"
"...You're an ugly-looking guy, aren't you? You don't even hesitate to hurt a woman like this!" Maximus snapped.
"Let her go!" Maximus continued.
Alpha Trion released Onyx and stood tall, inches away from Maximus.
"...Do you even know who this woman is?" Alpha Trion asked.
"I already know!" Maximus replied.
Alpha Trion sneered.
"Heh..."
"No, you don't!... You need to hear this!"
"Onyx..."
"This wretched woman..."
"...She killed someone!"
...
Maximus replied, "You mean Nexus Diggito?"
"...Besides, nobody cared about him, Trion. Everyone knows Onyx was involved in his death, and nobody cares about that either. You don't need to act like you're the only one who gives a damn!" Maximus scoffed.
Those words pierced Alpha Trion's mind, instantly igniting his rage. Consumed by anger, Trion lunged forward and choked Maximus with both hands.
"Die, you bastard!!!" Alpha Trion screamed.
"Hey... Stop it!!" Onyx tried to intervene.
But then Maximus kicked Trion. Both of them recoiled—one clutching his throat in pain, the other doubling over from the blow to his stomach.
"You two!... Please don't fight because of me!!" Onyx cried out through her tears.
"HIYAHH!!!!"
"RGHHH!!!!"
Alpha Trion and Maximus began to wrestle, rolling toward the edge of the road under the heavy rain. They traded blows, but neither could gain the upper hand; their strength was perfectly matched. Their struggle eventually spilled out into the middle of the main road.
Fortunately, a man passing by intervened to stop the boys from fighting in the street.
"Good heavens, hey—stop this!!"
The man pulled Alpha Trion and Maximus apart. He then sat at the bus stop with Trion, Maximus, and Onyx. Alpha Trion and Maximus still refused to look at each other, their faces battered and bruised.
"You two, why were you fighting in the middle of the road? That's dangerous. What if a car had come along and hit you?" the man scolded.
"Let it happen, Sir. At least I could make sure he died too!" Alpha Trion spat.
"I won't die, you jerk. My skin is tougher than your cheap hide!" Maximus retorted.
"Ehh? What was that? I didn't hear you clearly!" Alpha Trion challenged.
...
Before they knew it, the rain had calmed to a drizzle, making it safe to travel again.
"Well, the rain has finally let up!" the man observed.
"This is all my fault... they fought because of me!" Onyx sobbed.
"Listen to me, children. I don't have much time, but I'm asking you... don't fight in the streets again,"
"Be good friends—understand and care for one another. Fighting serves no purpose. Don't harbor bad assumptions; speak kindly to one another from the heart,"
"Fighting won't solve any of your problems!" the man advised.
...
"There is no mercy for you!" Alpha Trion hissed at Maximus.
"You want me to add another lump to your face?" Maximus barked back.
As they started bickering again, the man finally gave up, rubbed his forehead, and walked away.
"This is exactly why I never wanted kids!" the man muttered as he disappeared into the distance.
To be continued....