❝TO INFINITY AND BEYOND ❞

5

"Mother...?"

You mumbled weakly when you saw two shadow figures in front of you.

"Father...?"

Reaching for them, you could only move your other hand; it was as if your body was paralyzed, and you felt cold shivers on your skin as you desperately called out their names.

In a spur of a moment, a light appeared behind them, the two figures you saw were slowly fading away, succumbing to the dark red light.

Not just that they were shadows, but their face was far than visible.

Attempting to scream, nothing came out of your mouth, no sounds, nothing.

"Save us."

You jolted awake, feeling a pang of ache in your head.

Gasping for air, you just had a nightmare, a familiar one.

You couldn't remember anything about it, and when you tried to close your eyes again to sleep, it didn't work, and you banged your head in frustration.

Who are they?

Still, it was no more use now.

Looking around, the place is different.

It's not the usual white plain walls, popcorn ceiling, lanky ass apartment with paper scratched thin walls.

This appeared to be more modern, with a high ceiling, the ceiling design resembling cloud haste, and white walls with grey and black shade, with other miscellaneous.

The room appeared to be a living room because it was so large and spacious.

The bed's pillars were gold with silver decoratives, and it had a roof-like structure with curtains on the sides.

Your first instinct was to get your phone, and you smiled as you quickly found it.

Taking it, you opened your phone and called your friends or anyone else.

But then a hand snatched your phone from your grasp.

Your eyes widened as you looked up, and there, by your side, was the man from yesterday.

"It's you again!" You yelled, but he was unfazed. He only looked down at you, both hands in his pockets, leaning against the wall.

"Damn, it's too early for you shouting like this." He yawned as he sat by the side of the bed, and you backed down a little, sitting a little too far away from him, which he noticed.

"Don't be scared, I won't bite." He only smirked as he lazily turned his head to you.

"How can I be so sure?" You angrily replied. "You look like you bite. You have Pennywise's teeth."

"What am I even doing here?! Get me out of here right fucking now. I have more shit to handle. Don't add up to my damn problems." Many questions and problems linger in her mind, but the man in front of her can't solve those.

"Done?"

"What—?"

"You need to calm down." He mumbled.

"Let me introduce myself first." The man stood up, walking in front of the bed.

He looked at your state. You're sitting on the bed, a furious but terrified expression on your face. You're confused, lost, and had no idea what brought you to this moment.

Overall, he loved it.

"I'm Sanzu Haruchiyo."

"I couldn't care less."

"We need to work on that attitude, yeah?" He said.

"Keep saying that while you still can, but you'll regret saying those filthy words from that mouth of yours in the future days." His tone abruptly changed from cheerful to stern.

"Wait, what do you mean future days?" You uttered, perplexed and everything, unable to comprehend what was going on.

"Isn't it obvious from the start?" Sanzu raised a brow.

"What?" 

"You still need a role to take. You missed a lot."

"Stop with this bullshit. I don't understand a shit you're saying." You said as each word has a rough tone in it.

Sanzu clicked his tongue, then leaned closer to you, his eyes level with yours, a menacing look he gave, looking directly at you, his hand went to your cheeks, his calloused veiny hands in contact with your soft skin.

"You won't understand for now."

Grazing your cheeks, brushing strands of your hair behind your ear, his mouth went to your ear, whispering something as you felt his hot breath on your neck.

"But for now, just do whatever we say, okay? It'll bring you a fortune."

Your eyes widened, staring at the wall behind him, feeling your heartbeat quicken in fear as his tone was menacing and full of nefarious schemes.

"Let me repeat it once again, we—"

On cue, the double door opens, revealing three men.

"Sanzu, what the fuck are you doing?"

"Ah, they're there," Sanzu said as he went off the bed and straightened his posture.

The three men stood in front of you, looking in your direction, while you sat at the side of the bed, not looking at any of them.

"Hi, Y/n." Ran asked. "How are you ?"

You remained silent, refusing to respond, your lips not moving as if only quivering.

"Well, let's start with the introduction first. Can't have a foreign face being so confused." Ran sarcastically said, especially on the 'foreign'.

"The name's Ran Haitani." The one with short hair said, standing in front of you as you were sitting at the side of the bed.

"What?" Rindou grunted while Ran nudged his younger brother. The younger one clicks his tongue in annoyance, hesitating to speak up.

"...Rindou Haitani."

"And lastly, Koko Hajime."

You sat on the bed, hands on your lap, your gaze fixed on the floor, never leaving it, never daring to make eye contact with the four men in front of you.

"How long will she be acting like—"

"Shush it, Sanzu, she's still new here." Ran cut him off, while Sanzu raised both of his hands in front of his chest and scoffed.

"Well, let's start, shall we?"

"Huh?" You finally let out even just a single sound. It relieved them a bit.

"Follow us." The four men said, finally standing up from your seat, they made you walk out of the door first before them, finally taking a final glance at the room that you stayed in, the door closed with a loud thud.

Walking through the corridors, you observed the place. It was so wide and large. You notice that you're on the third floor, with a large chandelier on the high ceiling, and the walls were a shade of mixed white and black, with portraits on each wall that had a golden frame. Each hallway was filled with rooms, yet it was so spacious and well-organized.

And there, a wooden double door was met.

The double door opened to reveal a large room inside, a dining table inside, fancy chairs on either side of the table, and a range of food served at the table.

Bodyguards were positioned in the corners of the room.

"Sit." Koko commanded.

You sat in the middle, still refusing to look at any of them, your sight fixed on your lap, feeling the cold ambiance of the room.

"Before we say something, eat first."

Your hands gripped the utensil tremblingly, and you ate the food slowly, still wary of your surroundings.

After all, you had no idea what brought you here, waking up in a different place with no idea where you were, meeting unfamiliar faces except for the four men whose credibility was low and they were basically threatening and for who knows what their intentions were.

"Enjoying the food?" Ran asked while he sat on your left side while the younger brother on your right. Koko was beside Sanzu as they were sitting on the opposite side, facing you.

"Can you not fucking watch?" You mumbled, your gaze still fixed on the food, anger still churning in your chest. 

For now, they ignore those risky words you've been hurling at them.

"How was it?" Koko asked, of course, you gave them nothing in response but a simple nod.

You ignored all of their questions, not caring or paying attention to them, but one question has lingered in your mind since you awoke earlier, one question to yourself that you want to answer.

Where's Mikey?

"Something on your mind?" Sanzu raised his brows as he looked at you.

"We can easily read you, you know. Mind sharing any of your thoughts with us?" Sanzu asked, casting a sly glance at the men, giving them hint looks.

Not wanting to give them any answer or hope, you just continued eating. You don't care about a single thing at this moment except for your sanity.

Well, of course, except for your stepmother who's still in the hospital.

"First of all, why am I here?" You asked, wanting to see your stepmother already.

You've been silent the entire time, and the first sentence they heard from you was that. Admit it or not, they were a little hurt, but they also felt a little hope from you finally being able to speak to them.

"And what am I going to do here? Also, when can I go home—"

"You're not."

You finally looked at them after hearing their answer, they smirked as they finally got your attention, finally looking at them with those gazing glossy e/c eyes.

"You'll be staying here with us."

"For what reason exactly?" You retorted, finally responding with full sentences.

"Don't you want a job? A proper home living, perhaps." Ran said.

"Let's place an offer. You'll be working with us, serving us in the same way you did at your previous job, but just in a different place." He added.

"Fuck no. I have a stable job—" A flashback from last night hit you as you paused to continue your words.

You panicked and looked at them with a troubled expression.

"It's gone! You have nowhere to go, Allura." Sanzu laughed, as if enjoying my misery.

"And why is that, you may ask? You have no source of income now." They added.

"I can always pick another job!" You answered back.

"Well, that's the problem; what if we refuse? After all, you are so stubborn." Sanzu responded, while you only rolled your eyes at him, which was immediately noticed by the men.

"Don't give us that look." Rindou sternly said, the sudden drop in his voice startled you a bit.

"Or else we'll actually give you a reason to actually do that."

You widened your eyes from the statement, not wanting to anger Rindou, you just stayed put, but you were cursing them in your head.

"You have no rights-" You retorted.

"Hmm, still don't want the offer?" Koko said, you only shook your head in response, still refusing.

The men exchanged looks, then they nodded as if they were having a conversation.

Sanzu threw a photo at the table.

Looking at the photo, your brows furrowed in confusion.

"Who?" You whispered.

It seems like a family photo was shown in the photo, with a woman on the right side, and on the left side, is a man.

"Your parents," one of them said. "Who else?"

Your family photo?

"Wait... Where did you get that?" Your curiosity was piqued even more. I know I'm the one in the middle even if my mind is in haze.

It can't be. You've been working hard to find your parents as well, but they just found this just an instant. A group of strangers? Tho' except for one man.

But a red X mark was drawn on both of your parent's faces.

"Why is it there?"

Remembering how your parents are already dead, you can't help but connect the dots.

"Is it something that it has to do with you...?"

Many, a lot, other questions have been asked, yet all of these are unanswered questions.

"How can you be so certain, accusing someone without making a strong statement or providing evidence, hm?" Sanzu said.

"You're fucking vile!" You shouted but you heard a gun click, Sanzu suddenly stood up and pressed the gun on the photo.

For now, they let your tone slip for a while.

"Stay with us, and maybe you'll know about your parents." The man spoke.

"Give me that photo!" You tried to reach the photo at the table but Sanzu quickly grabbed it, his reflex was fast enough.

"Fucking son of a bitch." You cursed under your breath.

"Accept our offer, and we'll help you find them," Sanzu said as the photo slipped between his fingers, waving it in front of your face.

"How can I be so sure?" You asked in suspicion.

"Don't you remember? We are almost leading half of Japan!" Sanzu hysterically laughed.

"You think our credibility is low, right? So explain why we have your 'lost' family photo that even you can't remember?" Ran tilted his head.

"We are capable of everything." They added.

Guns, a large mansion, owning several residences, surrounded by bodyguards, bulletproof glass, bank vaults...

Gulping, you removed your gaze from him, furrowing your brows.

"Oh, right, we forgot to mention. Perhaps this will make you remember your place."

Suddenly, heavy rain began to fall, colliding with heavy thunder.

"You're working with a gang."

Feeling your heart thump out from the words, your body froze in your seat as you heard the word.

The room fell silent, only the rain outside was heard.

You weren't stunned by the fact that they were in a gang, but rather by the manner in which he mentioned the word.

All sorts of colors left Y/n's face, chills ran down your spine.

You loathed gangs, for a reason that you also despise.

"I don't want this."

Was there really a choice?

"I'm sorry, but I'll gladly refuse the offer."

That was your final decision. Any offer, any job, you will accept it regardless, not just when something is in the way, especially if it is associated with gangs.

Ruining innocence, wreaking havoc, and committing crimes were sure in their dictionaries.

You were well aware of how dangerous this organization could be, how time could be so unjust, how history repeated itself, and how the cycle never ends in even the most endless possibilities.

For the most part, your scintilla was strong enough for them.

Yet anything that is related to those, you fucking despise it, hate it in any way and angle.

You loathed gangs, for a reason that you also despise.

Never imagining yourself becoming one of them.

Your intuition was correct. They are a part of the gang ever since in that VIP room.

But you? You never want to be any part of it.

The men were startled by your sudden action as you stood up from your seat, the utensils clanking as you dropped them.

Their eyes were drawn to you, astounded by your little stunt, and they were intently watching every move you made.

You reached for the door handle, but as you twisted it, the double door opened.

You looked up, and there he was, the man from last night.

"Mikey..." As you saw the man in front of you, your voice got stuck in your throat, shivering with fear.

You stepped back as he walked towards you, staggering back as you only avoided his gaze.

"What's the commotion?"

He looked behind you and he saw the four men who were sitting there comfortably, while they had a smirk on their faces an amused look, rather.

"Y/n is acting like a brat once again; she refused the offer and stated that she would leave." Koko informed as he bought a glass of wine, drinking.

"Oh? Is that so? I see."

Mikey then grabbed your wrist, shocking you a bit as he looked at you with a darkened narrowed gaze. 

"Is that true?" You were dazed by the sudden drop in his voice.

"Did you perhaps forget what they told you a while ago?"

You refused to speak. You only gave him a hostile look directly into his eyes. 

"You will stay here, you're not going anywhere, you hear me?"

"What about my sanity? All of you are too selfish, to begin with." You said, trying to let your wrist off of his grip, but it only tightens more.

"I have my own fucking reasons why I loath such people like you."

You are filled with more than wrath, anger, and anguish as you recall how much you despised the expression on his face, the same expression you scorned days ago with Draken in the hospital. Oh, so this is Mikey, huh?

"I just want to go home. My living state is already miserable, and you just add it up!" You raised your voice at him, rage filling your chest.

Suddenly, a deep chuckle erupted from the men and the others. You expect them to respond, heck, shoot you or kill you. You are unfazed. Those goals you had quickly gone down the drain. 

Mikey lifted his Glock, your eyes flew to the gun, you didn't notice he was holding one until he lifted it, he bought the Glock under your chin, forcing you to look up at him. He then leaned forward, getting closer to your ear, feeling his hot breath on your skin.

"I am not the Mikey you heard from that friend of yours." His tone was blunt and stern. "Keep that in your fucking mind."

"How many times must we remind you? All of these childish acts will be for naught in the end."

"Because you know why?" The tip of the gun dug deep into your neck, your lips quivering as he looked you in the eyes, eyes to lips.

"Your chances of tasting freedom are as good as gone."

Tears welled up in your eyes, but you forced them back, gulping as the cold metal weapon grazed your throat. Mikey then removed the gun, walking away as he faced his back to you.

"Lock her up, I want security 24/7 for all corners in this place."

"Starting today, my rules will be more than strict."

"No one will get out or roam freely until I said so, bring her to the room."

Mikey's commanding tone is orotund, clearly wanting everyone to hear, including the men, especially you.

"And most and foremost, never leave your eyes on her."

Mikey looked back at you with a blatant stare, a stare that can remind you of his demeaning stone-cold presence.

"For who knows what she can do."

Then there, Mikey left the room, closing the large double doors with a loud thud.

Your eyes widened. My body froze as you were standing there. Behind you were the men. There's held-up long breath in my chest as they looked at you amusingly.

You looked down at your trembling hands, your pupils dilated as you jolted when you felt a man walking behind you.

You didn't miss the smirk forming on Sanzu's face as he walked in front of you, leaning forward and leveling his eyes on you.

"Aw, did you hear what he said?" He pouted, imitating your pity look with a fake sad expression on his face.

He's clearly provoking you.

Your body is tense. You glared angrily at Sanzu, and you bit the inside of your cheek. You wanted to punch him right now, but your clammy hands refused to move.

"Let's go to your room." Ran told as Rindou, Koko, and Sanzu walked outside of the room.

Following behind, you walked in the same hallway again. You want to forget this place.

Walking into your room, the men left you alone, you closed the door harshly behind them. You sat cautiously at the edge of the bed, and you finally let out your tears.

You sank deeper into the sheets, hugging your knees as you placed your chin on top and curled yourself even more.

You sobbed about how baffled, threatened, scared, and lost you are.

You cried, pleaded to God, and even to thin air for an answer, and you have a lot of questions running through your head.

The sudden boom of thunder outside scared you, and the way you jolt every time when even a single sound resonated had an effect on you.

You sobbed even more, finally letting the tears from a while ago flow, finally letting the lump out of your throat, thinking the men were all gone and they couldn't hear your pleading cries, your despair mewls, and your frantic begging.

Well, that's at least what you thought.

On the other side of the door, a man was standing there.

Carefully listening to your words, his heart showed no remorse.

No remorse.

"What a loss," Mikey muttered.

Thunders and lightning, just like the path, how all immense prospects can lead to a solitary grievance, destroying everything in their paths, their words marking your skin like permanent, how you stumbled upon this.

"In endless possibilities..."

After all, nothing is impossible, right?

"...Your fate will be subjected to us..."

Yet, here you are, living under the same roof with the thing you despise the most in your life.

"...May it be the past, present, or future."