“SIR, can I ask for a second chance? I pledge to work hard in class. I am begging you, sir! I just really need this scholarship,” I said to Sir Alan as I battled to earn another chance at University. He let out a sigh. “Please accept my apologies, Mr. Villanueva. But you failed, miserably. You not only have a failing grade in one subject but nearly all of them.” “Sir, I’m sorry. I’m just having a hard time with architecture at the moment,” I said to him as I lowered my face in shame. I thought I could do well in this subject’s courses, but it did my brain cells done for architecture. Studying this is extremely hard and challenging. I’m not only attending college, but I also work hard to support my family. In my spare time, I manage the library in the institute, work as a server at a fast-food restaurant after my class, and after my shift end

THE car came to a stop in the middle of a vast ocean. I took a deep breath and got out of the car. How many times have we almost been in an accident on the road because of Dabria’s driving speed? Cops have also chased us down for over-speeding! We were fortunate that we departed around morning and that the route was spacious. I thought I was going to die. I rotated my eyes all over the place and spotted a gigantic ship on the edge of the ocean. We must be in a private ocean because I didn’t see anyone else but the three of us. The surroundings were dark, but it didn’t stop me from noticing the broad trees around us, abandoned huts, dilapidated boats, and life jackets on the floor. I was out of the car while Dabria and Azrail departed for a bit because they stated they needed to take care of things here, so I was the only one in my area now. The wind was howling, and sand was flying into my eyes. “Ouch! The sand had gotten into my eye!” I yelled that I

UPRIGHT JERKER, what’s that? According to Adrastos, Mr. Duke Dalton selected the method of the upright jerker to kill me. I’m not familiar with that, but based on his comment, he said it’s easy. I shook my head. Is there a simple way to kill yourself? Nothing, of course. Why would he spend so much money if he was just going to kill me with the simplest method he knew? I’m also baffled by his statement that he sees himself in me, but we’re not the same person. What does he mean by that? Does he also plan to trade himself in exchange for money? Adrastos went over in front of me after saying goodbye to the audience and promising to return later. “Follow me to my office,” he said after he reached my place. “So, what are we going to do over there?” I moved closer to him. What are our plans? I expected to be killed as soon as I arrived, but there was st

WE ENTERED through the enormous door, and the people dangling from the building’s eaves fell in front of my sight. They chained their hand behind their back, and they plugged their neck in the rope, pushing their body upwards. They are executed by hanging.  My pulse raced, as I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. Is this what’s going to happen to me? Will they kill me in this method and then leave me to rot away? I observed a variety of people hanging from the ceiling, all of whom were lifeless. I’m not sure how long they’ve been there because some of them are decomposing and others are just skin and bones. Their gender is only discernible in their clothing. I put my hand over my nose. I could smell their decaying corpses up here in my place. Fortunately, they had removed the rope from my grip before we reached the chamber, otherwise, I would have died from the sten

“DO YOU want to die?” I read that on a leaflet I got when I got out of the hospital after sending mom to the hospital because she had a heart attack.   I bit my lip and smiled bitterly as I remembered what I’d read. Do I want to die? Why? Do I still have the right to live?   As the torrential rain poured down on the city, I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. I want to be hit by a car, but I don’t want to disturb anyone because I’m planning to commit suicide. I want to leap from a lofty structure, but I don’t want my blood and flesh to scatter in various places, making the cleanup process complicated. I wanted to stab myself ten times just to feel the anguish, but I was afraid of blood and blades.   I just sighed and stared up at the dark sky. There are no stars, moons, or other celestial bodies visible in the atmosphere, but absolute darkness. The weather was pleasant, sympathizing with my pain and sorrow. &