The redhead endless sufferings

chapter 6:pity party

Chapter 6: Pity Party

The screen flickered to life again in the dim theater, casting a soft, haunting glow over the silent audience as the next memory unfolded. The scene was different this time. The colors were brighter, almost cheerful, yet the atmosphere was heavy and melancholy. Cale was alone, standing in the middle of what seemed like a birthday celebration, but something was off.

He looked younger, a faint vulnerability in his face that was almost unrecognizable. The decorations were vibrant and lively, the table laid out with cake and festive ribbons, yet the room was empty, save for Cale. He looked around expectantly, the faint smile on his lips fading as it became painfully clear that no one was coming. It was supposed to be his party, but he was alone. He had prepared everything, set out every detail, yet no one was there to celebrate with him.

"Did my invitations disappear?
Why'd I put my heart on every cursive letter?"

The lyrics rang through the theater, echoing in the silence. Cale's face twisted in confusion, then hurt, and finally resignation as he sat down at the empty table, blowing out the candles on his cake with a hollow, bitter smile.

In their seats, the group watched, the emotions stirring inside them ranging from sadness to anger.

Choi Han clenched his jaw, his hands balled into fists. Watching Cale sit there alone, in that vulnerable state, made his heart ache. He'd always thought of Cale as someone invincible, someone who could take on anything. But here he was, clearly hurt and abandoned, and it shattered the strong image Choi Han held of him. "How could they just... leave him like that?" he muttered, his voice thick with emotion.

Ron's face remained impassive, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of sadness. He had seen Cale endure many hardships, but this kind of loneliness struck a deeper chord. "He's been carrying this pain all along," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else. Ron knew Cale prided himself on being independent, but even the strongest could break under the weight of isolation. The scene was a stark reminder of how much Cale kept hidden.

Beacrox sat rigidly, his fists clenching and unclenching on the armrests. He wanted to reach into the screen, to shake some sense into those who had left Cale alone, to make them see what they'd done. "They're fools for abandoning him," he growled under his breath. "Fools."

Alberu's gaze was intense, his mind racing. The loneliness Cale had endured wasn't just a product of the present-it had been there for years, a part of him he had hidden away. Alberu couldn't help but wonder how much of Cale's strength was born from necessity rather than choice. "It's as if he never had a choice," he whispered. "He was always alone, wasn't he?"

The lyrics continued, the melody taking on a haunting quality that only made the scene more painful to watch.

[Maybe it's a cruel joke on me
Whatever, whatever
Just means there's way more cake for me
Forever, forever]

As Cale sat there, pretending to enjoy his own birthday celebration, he laughed. It was a hollow, bitter sound, like someone trying to convince themselves they were fine. He cut a piece of cake, his hands shaking slightly as he tried to enjoy it alone.

In the background, the colors grew darker, the decorations starting to twist into shadows, giving the scene an eerie, unsettling feeling. The candles burned low, casting flickering shadows around him as if mocking his loneliness.

Lock felt his heart break. He'd always looked up to Cale, admired his strength, his resolve. But this... this was a side of Cale he hadn't known existed. "He shouldn't have been alone," Lock whispered, his voice trembling. "No one should be alone like that." The image of Cale's sad, bitter smile would stay with him long after the screen went dark.

Suddenly, a voice spoke up from the back of the theater, breaking the heavy silence. It was Clopeh, his eyes wide with a fervent, almost manic gleam. "This-this only proves how strong and resilient Cale-nim truly is! To endure such pain, to be left all alone and still rise above it... He is nothing short of a legend!"

The others glanced at Clopeh, their expressions a mix of irritation and disbelief. But Clopeh continued, undeterred, almost reveling in the scene playing out before them. "Can you not see it?" he went on, his voice filled with awe. "This pain, this loneliness... it has only forged him into the hero he is today! Cale-nim endures everything, and he emerges stronger each time. He-"

"Enough," Alberu snapped, cutting Clopeh off. His gaze was steely, his voice cold. "This isn't something to glorify. This is pain, real pain that no one should have to bear alone." The weight of his words silenced Clopeh, though he continued to watch, undeterred in his twisted admiration.

The song's chorus began again, the haunting lyrics filling the theater.

[It's my party and I'll cry if I want to
Cry if I want to (cry, cry, cry)
I'll cry until the candles burn down this place
I'll cry until my pity party's in flames]

The scene on the screen changed, and Cale's laughter grew hysterical, echoing through the theater. He was laughing and crying, the two emotions blending together into something unsettling and heart-wrenching. His expression twisted with despair as he clutched his head, the weight of his loneliness crushing him.

The audience watched in stunned silence, their hearts breaking as they saw Cale's mask crack further with each passing moment. Choi Han struggled to hold back tears, his throat tight as he watched Cale's descent into hopelessness. Ron reached out, his hand resting on Beacrox's shoulder, a rare gesture of comfort.

Beacrox was seething, his anger barely contained. He couldn't stand the thought of Cale suffering alone, of everyone abandoning him like this. "We're here for him now," he said, his voice low but fierce. "No one will leave him alone again."

Alberu nodded, his expression fierce. "We'll help him. We'll make sure he never feels this way again."

Clopeh, however, sat in quiet awe, his admiration for Cale only growing. To him, Cale's pain was further proof of his strength, his endurance, his greatness. He felt a surge of pride, his loyalty to Cale solidifying even further.

As the final notes of the song played, the screen went dark. The group sat in silence, the weight of what they had just witnessed settling heavily on their shoulders.

Choi Han was the first to speak, his voice hoarse. "We can't let him face this alone. Not anymore."

Ron nodded, his expression determined. "Cale deserves more than this. He deserves friends who won't leave him."

Beacrox's gaze was fierce. "He'll never be alone again. Not if I have anything to say about it."

Alberu looked at each of them, his resolve clear in his eyes. "We're going to help him. Together."

They had seen the depths of Cale's loneliness, the pain he had kept hidden for so long. And now, they knew what they had to do. They wouldn't let Cale face this darkness alone. They would stand by him, no matter what, and help him find a way out of the nightmare that had haunted him for so long.