Chapter 24: Love Is Out Of The Devils Reach

Leading him to Darjan and Eman, the old man's rough hands curled around a gun, his grip steady and practiced. As he raised the weapon, a veil of smoke curled from its barrel with each precise shot. His eyes gleamed with a mix of pride and experience.

Setting his gun on the holder, he placed his arm across my shoulders and exclaimed, "Hey, boys! Want to learn how to shoot like a pro? I'll teach you everything, thanks to your friend here for covering my fee."

"Yes sir!" Both screamed with excitement.

Eman eagerly took hold of the gun, his finger tightening around the trigger. In ten shots, he managed to hit the target twice. The old man's voice reverberated through the field.

"After you're done shooting, for God's sake, turn the damn safety on, you numbskull!"

Hurriedly he engaged the safety mechanism, sheepishly handing the gun back to the old man. Then it was Darjan's turn. As he raised his gun, his actions stunned both me and the seasoned veteran. With each shot, he struck the target nine times out of ten. The old man's eyes widen as he witnessed a genius in play.

"Wow, kid, you've got some serious talent! Have you really never fired a gun before?"

"Nah, it's just all those countless hours spent playing Call of Duty finally paid off, I guess," Darjan replied with a hint of pride.

For the next two hours, Eman absorbed the basics of shooting while Darjan honed his skills further. With every round expended, their confidence grew.

Observing their progress, I couldn't help but think, "Eman and Darjan are half prepared to shoot and hit someone. Well, that's enough for now, since a shootout is very unlikely to happen when I'm around."

I informed the boys that it was time to head home. We returned the guns to the receptionist and made our way towards the exit. Just before we departed, the old man halted me with a question.

"Young man, why did your friends choose to shoot those old guns when you obviously have better options?"

In a cold ruthless tone I responded, "None of your fucking business old man, now fuck off your, job is done."

He was surprised, but left without saying a word, just shook his head.

"Where did you disappear to, bro?" Eman asked,

"I was having a chat with that old man," I explained.

"Oh, alright. Let's head home then."

Since Darjan needed to wait for the bus, Eman and I bid him farewell and continued on our way. Riding through the breathtaking mountain landscape, I seized the opportunity to broach a sensitive topic with Eman.

"Eman, do you ever feel guilt when you reflect on what you did to Pia?" I inquired.

"No, why would I?"

Small emotions seeped through my voice as I said, "Well maybe because you ruined her fucking life."

Eman burst into laughter, his insensitivity stunning me.

"Hahaha, you're funny, dude. I didn't ruin her life. She did it to herself. I didn't force her to buy drugs from us, did I? Everyone knows better than to buy what they can't afford," he explained mercilessly.

His lack of empathy sickened me, but I knew he was just acting tuff. Unless someone was a psychopath, it was difficult to believe they wouldn't feel even a sliver of remorse in such a situation.

"Ha, You're right. By the way, how is she doing?" I asked, gazing at the city as we rode down the mountains.

"She got used to her life as our personal prostitute. She doesn't even put up a fight anymore,"

"Good, destroy her more till Monday and when we're going to meet Adem Krasniqi bring her with us" I instructed, though I couldn't help but feel a wave of hypocrisy wash over me as I said those words.

"Man, you're evil. The poor girl will have to satisfy a fourteen-year-old. Hahaha," Eman chuckled.

He dropped me off at my house, and with that, I surrendered myself to idleness, spending the rest of the day lounging on the couch, fixated on the television.

Eventually, Sunday arrived, bringing with it my birthday. As I woke up and stepped out of my room, I was greeted by a house adorned with decorations. Upon entering the living room, my family and a few relatives awaited me.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" they all exclaimed simultaneously, bursting their confetti poppers.

My face flushed like a ripe tomato as confetti dropped on my head. We began the birthday celebrations, and after a few hours, the guests departed.

While cleaning up the house, an unfamiliar number flashed on my phone's screen.

"Hello, who is this?" I answered inquisitively.

"Hii, Eva here~"

"Oh, the beautiful girl with pigs as friends!"

"Hahaha, that wasn't my friend; it was my annoying classmate. We met there to work on a group project," she clarified.

"I see. So, why did you call?"

"Are you really asking me that boy? You caught my attention with your boldness" she teased.

"Boy? How old are you?" I questioned.

"17."

"Then stop calling me 'boy' and call me Dionis."

"Sure BOY~, so wanna go on a date?" she proposed.

"Fuck you and fuck yea."

She initially suggested meeting on Monday, but I explained that I couldn't make it due to a family matter even though that was the day I meet up with the Krasniqi's head. So instead, we agreed on meeting today.

I took a refreshing shower, putted on cologne, and dressed elegantly. My mother, curious about my good-looking appearance, inquired why, and I simply informed her of my upcoming date. She was ecstatic.

Leaving the house, I met Eva in a large park. She wore a stunning casual white dress, resembling an angel in human form.

"Y-yo" I managed to say, cursing my stutter internally. "Fuck, why did I stutter!"

"PFH why are you so nervous boy, am I really that beautiful?" she taunted.

"Ahem, yes you're beautiful, nothing embarrassing about that. Anyways, how are you?" I replied, attempting to regain composure.

We embarked on a leisurely stroll through the park while engaging in conversation. Eva excelled in every aspect of life. She achieved excellent grades in school, was a talented athlete, and possessed captivating beauty. She was, in essence, a perfect girl. Eventually, we noticed a bench and settled down on it

"Dionis you seem really mature, it's like you're 50." she said sarcastically

"Am I really that boring?"

"No, it makes me eager to uncover every aspect of your persona," Eva admitted.

"Hahaha really? Well, with time you'll see me in a different light." I responded mysteriously.

Before she could further inquire, our conversation was abruptly interrupted by an unfamiliar man approaching us and saying, "Yo, dude, why are you hanging out with my bitch?"

"Who the fuck are you?" I questioned him, staring him up triggered.

"I'm Eva's boyfriend, now piss off,"

"Is that so?" I turned my head and cast a disappointed gaze at Eva.

"No, Dionis, he's lying!"

Without allowing her to finish, I stood up and silently walked away.

"It's better for me not to have loved ones. They'll only hold me back. There's no room for romance in my life, for I have greater concerns... Tomorrow could be the downfall or the rise of The Hidden World Organization, so I better focus up." I ruminated as I made my way home.