The Good Man's Blood Path

CHAPTER 3

  One cold night changed everything. Mack and his father were enjoying a walk and sharing stories along a highway in Manila. The peaceful moment was abruptly shattered when an unknown man crashed into them. The force of the collision caused Mack’s father to be thrown to the ground, leaving him injured and incapacitated. Mack, initially stunned by the incident, witnessed the man surreptitiously place something into his father’s bag. 

  Before Mack could even open his mouth to explain what he had seen, the police arrived on the scene. They immediately restrained Mack’s father, searching his pockets and examining the contents of the bag.
  To Mack’s horror, the police discovered illegal drugs inside the bag. His father, shocked and confused, tried to explain that the drugs did not belong to him, but his please were ignored. Despite Mack and his father’s protests, the police were unyielding.

  This incident occurred in 2019, a year when the president had intensified his campaign against drug-related activities, leading to severe crackdowns on suspected drug pushers. Given the context, anyone found with drugs faced harsh consequences. The police took Mack’s father to a dark, secluded location, and because of Mack’s young age, he was ignored and left behind.
  Determined to stay close to his father, Mack attempted to follow the police car but failed to keep up.
  
  Exhausted and desperate, Mack kept running, driven by the fear of losing his father. Suddenly, he heard gunshots in the distance. Guided by the sound, he raced towards the source and arrived to find his father lying lifeless on the ground. The scene before him was both devastating and surreal, marking the beginning of a profound change in Mack’s life.

  The police officers who had apprehended Mack’s father had vanished, leaving the scene deserted. As dawn broke, Mack remained at the location, clutching his father's lifeless body. The area was now crowded with onlookers, but Mack was inconsolable, shouting and insisting that the police were responsible for his father's death. Despite his desperate pleas, no one seemed to believe him or offer any assistance.

  In the midst of his despair, a man approached Mack and urged him to join his group. This man was none other than Kurt. Kurt, seeing the raw pain and determination in Mack, explained the purpose of his group. After hearing Kurt’s explanation and understanding the group's goals, Mack felt a deep sense of resolve. He agreed to join Kurt’s group without hesitation.  However, Mack was firm about one condition:  “Before I join you, I need to ensure my father is given a proper burial,” he stated with a mixture of sorrow and determination. Kurt, showing empathy and understanding, agreed to Mack’s request. He assisted Mack in arranging a proper funeral for his father, ensuring that Mack’s final wishes were respected.

  Once the burial was completed and Mack had paid his last respects, he and Kurt left together. They embarked on their new path, with Mack’s life forever changed by the tragic events that had unfolded and the new alliance he had formed with Kurt.