The Other Breed

alism, where every gesture seemed tied to transactions of flesh, fortune, and power, love was a mere luxury a fleeting moment that could make someone vulner

would only laugh at you if they saw you become too attached. Too emotional. Too human. Love, to Mike, was an inv

ting cold, fractured reflections across the room. He felt disconnected from everything around him, the sharp gleams of light like distant stars, unreachable and cold, just l

ofoundly disturbing. It made his stomach churn. The acrid stench of rotting flesh crept into his nose, a toxic reminder of everything he tried to bury within him. A cruel metaphor for his life. A searing pain gripped his che

er over him. He had faced worse he had seen the worst of people, the most grotesque real

s elusive, just out of reach. His body was trembling, and the once vibrant light in his eyes had dimmed, replaced with hollow emptiness. His skin had lost its usual glow, now pale an

seemed to mock him. A faint light blinked from its screen, the only thing in the room that had any semblance of life. A call. Someone was trying to reach him.

hovered above the phone for what seemed like an eternity before he finally reached out, his fingers trembling slightly as they brushed against the cold surface of the

ith the force of a storm. "Where the hell have you been? I've been trying to reach you for hours! Do y

Mike could barely focus. The moment he heard that voice, something inside him broke, and his resolve shattered. The tears he had been holding back for so long f

ane's voice softened, no longer harsh, but laced with genuine c

from his ear, taking deep, shuddering breaths to steady himself. The words were stuck in his throa

ane was no fool, and he heard the faint trace of fear in his friend's words. "Mike, " he said

more. But he also couldn't tell him the truth not the full truth. "It's nothing," he

're not fooling me. Something's wr

on him. "I'm... just not feeling well. But I'll be fine." He swallowed hard,

ry. I'm staying with my sister for now, but I'll be in Sand City soon. I'm coming to find

ast of all someone who knew him so well. But he couldn't keep running. He couldn't sh

o see you whether you like it or not. I've had to reject so many peopl

che that was intensifying. "Where does your sist

l text you the address. It's been ages since we last saw each other. You've be

rained. "I'm not joking. I need to ask

but the sincerity was clear. "Of course I trust you, Mike. You're my brother. I've trusted you fo

d to unburden himself. But the words wouldn't come. Not yet. "I... I need your help. I need you to help me buy

ry now. "Mike, what's going on?

uest consuming him. He had no time to explain everything. The walls were closing in, and the darkness was getting closer. But for the first time in a l