Hidden Life

03. Strange Gang

Zeyn tried to calm his racing heart. The painful memories began rising again, clawing their way up from the deepest parts of his mind. His own words echoed relentlessly in his head: 'Yes, Jane was my sister. They were my family.' Guilt twisted inside him, sharp and suffocating. 'It's all my fault,' Zeyn thought bitterly. 'I left them here alone. I wasn't there. I failed them. I'm the worst son... the worst brother in the world.' He could feel the weight of his own self-blame crushing him, drowning him in the regret of choices he could never undo. 'Remembering them only tears me apart. They're never coming back. There's only pain now.'

Zeyn shook his head, trying to pull himself back to the present, but the gnawing ache in his chest remained. As the cab pulled into the city of Western Polly, Zeyn paid the driver and stepped out. His mind still buzzed with a storm of emotions, but he forced himself to focus. He crossed the busy road, weaving through the chaotic swarm of cars and people.

Now, he stood in front of the large market, 'Tai Rousen,' one of the busiest and most popular spots in the city. The wide entrance loomed ahead, bustling with a throng of shoppers, and Zeyn could hear the vendors shouting out their deals, trying to attract customers. He sighed, his eyes scanning the sea of people. 'Hmm, today's not a great day for shopping,' he muttered under his breath. The crowd was overwhelming, but he had to do it.

Zeyn had always liked coming to Tai Rousen, despite the crowds. There was something about the place—the air-conditioned coolness, the variety of goods. It had everything you needed, and the quality was the best in town. But there was more to it than just the practical appeal. This market held memories for him—bittersweet ones, connected to the life he once had. He couldn't shake the nostalgia it brought, though it often came with a sting of sadness.

After waiting in a long line outside, Zeyn finally made it into the cool, inviting interior of the market. The chill of the air conditioning hit him, bringing a momentary sense of relief. He grabbed a basket and began wandering the aisles, picking out enough supplies to last him the next month. As he moved through the rows of brightly lit shelves, his mind wandered, though he forced himself to focus on the task. He loaded up with essentials and finally made his way to the cashier. After paying for everything, Zeyn stepped outside, feeling the weight of his purchases in his hands and the weight of something far heavier in his heart.

Just as he was about to head toward the exit, a sudden commotion erupted. Shouts and screams echoed through the market, sending a ripple of panic through the crowd. People began pushing and scrambling, their eyes wide with fear. Zeyn froze, his body tensing as he tried to make sense of the chaos.

'We're all going to die!' someone screamed, their voice shrill with terror.

Zeyn's eyes darted around, searching for the source of the panic, and then he saw it. Near the cookie aisle, a man stood with a bent knife, its blade etched with strange, glowing runes. The light from the runes pulsed in an eerie rhythm, casting an unnatural glow around the man. He wasn't alone. Behind him, a group of people stood, each holding bizarre, menacing weapons. They looked nothing like ordinary criminals. Their clothes were strange, out of place—almost ancient, as though they didn't belong in this century.

The leader, the man with the glowing knife, stepped forward, his eyes cold and calculated. He walked straight toward a middle-aged man who had been shopping, his voice low but filled with deadly intent. Zeyn couldn't make out the words, but the menace in the air was palpable.

Zeyn's blood ran cold. He knew that man. 'Oh my god,' he thought, a shiver running down his spine. 'It's him. He's come for me.' The recognition hit him like a punch to the gut. This was no random attack. The man with the knife was from his past—a past filled with blood, screams, and loss. Zeyn's heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel the walls closing in around him. He had to escape. Just Now.

Without a second thought, Zeyn turned and slipped through the crowd, his body moving on autopilot. The screaming and chaos blurred around him as he pushed his way toward the exit, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. He couldn't let them find him. Not now. Not after everything.

Within two minutes, Zeyn was outside, his heart still racing. He flagged down the nearest cab, his mind spinning. As the car pulled away, he glanced back at the market, his thoughts a whirlwind of fear and confusion. The past was catching up to him, and he wasn't sure how much longer he could keep running.*