Sam was just about done. He was only staying standing with pure adrenaline and willpower. His body is tired and painful, which is good. He can still feel. But even that pain is dampening.
Sam knows, he doesn't have much longer. He is pale, clammy and he knows he is clinging on to life. But how could he stop now? Tanzania was right in sight.
But there was a problem. He snuck into Burundi from Nyungwe Forest, which goes into Burundi. But he was now at the Tanzania and Burundi border and he couldn't find another way to go around it.
He needed to sneak past the guards. Luckily, Makamba is a common place for refugees to flee into Tanzania. This is because the border patrol here is much more lax. But still, it's there. And he needs to proceed with caution.
'Think. Think! What to do…'
Suddenly, he sees a truck. He can hear it coming. He is right in a forested area right by the border patrol. He is hiding there. If he can run towards the truck, that is clearly entering Tanzania, he should be clear.
This… is going to be risky. He needs to get on, without getting caught by the guards and the driver.
Sam only can think of one thing to do. It is risky. But that's the name of the game.
The moment he sees the truck, he sees it heading right towards the border. A guard exits his post and gets ready for the truck to stop.
And it does. It slows and finally stops right before the gate. The guard, looking relaxed, heads to the drivers window.
'Now!'
Sam hurries to the truck. If he opened the back door of the truck, it would be heard by the two up front. In order to avoid their attention, he can't make noise.
'This is dumb… it's not gonna feel nice.'
He made the hide into a dress, rather than a cloak. And he moved the leaf bag towards his front. He then laid on his back, which killed.
His back was infected and still agonizing. But he had no choice. He laid on his back and grabbed the underside of the truck. He pulled himself underneath the truck.
'Damn it! It's lower than I thought.'
Sam wanted to do a sneaky way to hold onto the underside of the truck without getting dragged, but Sam couldn't do that. He grabbed onto the underside and clung to it, but his back was hovering the ground. Just a rock on the road, will shred his back. He will have to risk it.
He hears the gate open and the guard waving the truck in. Unbothered to check the truck.
The truck starts to move.
'Gah!'
Sam can feel the ground against his back.
He is clinging to the underside as close as he can, but his back is grazing the ground.
'This hurts… so bad!'
He can feel his back being assaulted by rocks. The road isn't just a straight road. It's dirt and gravel. He keeps getting rocks to graze his back.
He holds on for dear life. He looks behind him and sees the border growing smaller and smaller.
He feels like he is about to pass out from pain as more and more rocks graze his back.
'3… 2… 1… now!'
Sam let's go.
"Argh!"
White hot pain. All Sam feels on his back.
"Fuck!"
Luckily the driver didn't hear him and kept driving.
Now Sam was lying on his side. His back, a bloody mess. All the healing skin was probably torn off by rocks.
He was now in the middle of a dirt road in Tanzania.
'If I had… let go later… the speed would be too much… and I would likely die just from the fall… but still… I don't think that was good… no… not good at all…"
Sam was seeing double. His back, which was infected, yet healing from the leopard attack and the cauterizing, was now a shredded up mess and it had dirt all over it, most definitely not good for the infections.
"I need to hurry… I am almost there… almost there!"
Sam shakily gets up.
He takes off the leopard hide and uses it as a giant bandage to at least do something to contain the messed up back.
"Owww fuck!"
Just getting to a standing position felt like murder. He tied the hide as tightly as he could. He can feel his back bleeding badly.
'I need to hurry.'
Sam finally started walking. Walking towards freedom.
———
It's been a day… a day of walking… he found a river and cleaned his back as much as he could. It was bad. Very bad. So many cuts. The rocks from the road were like knives cutting up his back. It looked like someone cut it up. Or whipped him with a cat o' nine tails whip.
He was pale, hungry, thirsty and sick.
"Grrr…"
He was laying on his stomach, resting. He was walking for 2 hours. Non-stop. He did that before but now, he feels like he did a marathon.
'Almost… there!'
He needed to walk towards the lake. Lake Tanganyika. He might find peacekeepers there. He gets up and starts walking.
Using the last of his energy he walks. Right beside the road. As he walks, he sees a safari expedition.
He didn't even notice that he entered a such a scenic area.
All around him, he saw some zebras and water buffalos. He even saw elephants.
'Have to be careful…'
Sam knew better than to fuck with those animals. All of them are dreadfully dangerous. So he steered clear of not only the animals, but the safari tourists. He couldn't trust them.
He couldn't really trust UN peacekeepers, but he needed to take a chance.
He kept walking.
———
Another day later.
More walking.
This was it.
Sam was officially out of energy.
Luckily, he found out where he was.
Kazilamihunda.
Right by Kigoma.
He was right outside this place. From his knowledge… he was sure peacekeepers were there. But he didn't think he could reach it.
"Please… one last… push… please… Zola… Charles… Mom… anyone… please… plea…se…"
Sam finally succumbed to the darkness.
———
Professor Heinz Jakobson, was doing some research in Tanzania for his Geological Survey.
As someone devoted to rock research, he was more of a hands on kind of researcher.
He arrived at the Kigoma airport a few days earlier and met up with other researchers and even some humanitarians. Kazilamihunda was right by a Great Lake of Africa. Lake Tanganyika.
Many environmentalists have been researching the lake as it is an important source of water for the nearby nations Burundi, Congo, and Zambia. Not only Tanzania.
He was doing a survey of some rock structures and hoping to find some deposits of minerals nearby.
As he was walking, he reached a road.
"Oh, I went further than I thought."
He turned around to head back to the city.
"Ahhhh…"
He stopped.
It was a groan.
"Is that an animal?"
He started sweating. He had a quirk that made him control his body hairs. But they only grow so long. And the hair on his head doesn't count. So it's pretty useless.
"Ahh… this was quite foolish… I heard there was a mineral deposit nearby… but I'm close to a safari if I'm not mistaken. I should have brought escorts."
Professor Jakobson cursed himself for his excitement.
He turned carefully and saw leopard fur.
"…shit. A leopard."
Just as he was about to slowly walk away, he saw a hand twitch.
He looked closer at the leopard, and saw it wasn't a leopard. It was someone. A human with white hair. White hair and brown patches.
"Hey! Are you okay?!?"
"Help… please… don't… send me… to… them…"
The boy only managed to say that before he finally passed out.
The professor took off the cloak and saw the kids messed up body.
"What the fuck?!?"
He saw his back, his face, his chest and his ankle. His ankle was hurt badly. It was fucking black!
He looked closer and saw that it was a snake bite.
"Was he bitten by a snake?!? A puff adder?!? King cobra?!? Gaboon?!?"
He didn't know l, but he had to help this guy.
He took out his phone.
"I need to you come to my location right now! Someone is dying! Get those humanitarians moving!!"
He hung up and kept the boy from moving.
He would pay money to hear the boys story.
Not long after, a jeep with the UN logo arrived.
Right away, some people stepped out and saw the boy.
"Jesus Christ! How is this dude alive?!?"
Just one glimpse and they saw this guy was literally hanging from a thread.
"That is no dude. You're a dude. This… is a man."
"Alright you idiots, shut up. Let me examine him."
A female doctor was there checking him out.
"Holy shit… he is critical. We need an airlift!"
"How are we gonna get an airlift in Tanzania?!?"
She looked at her phone… should she call them?
"I've been in contact with the US embassy. They told me of a nearby base. They have the tools for surgery. And they have a helicopter. I'll call them."
She immediately called for help. Her home country had a base nearby, so they would be able to help.
"Hah… I wonder what Cathleen would think if she saw this guy? She might like this guy. She has a thing for mysterious boys. But she is devoted to her job. Can't be easy being the number one in America."
The doctor said, thinking of her old room mate.
Finally, they all hear the sound of a helicopter.
"Alright buddy, we are almost there. Hang in there okay?"
The boy didn't respond. He was done. He wouldn't be moving for a while.
———
"Welcome to the final test."
The head instructor stood before the 5 kids. He was pleased with their state right now. All of them were broken. Either physically or mentally. This was what they wanted. For the project to succeed, they needed a broken toy.
However, Sam Suzuki. 7 years old. A prodigy. Was still full of hope. His eyes showed nothing but rebellion.
'I'll make sure you break, brat.'
"For this final test. You have only one job. Live."
This confused the 5 of them. Then, 3 knives were dropped on the ground.
The instructors eyes showed the glee and elation he was feeling, as they all understood what they planned for the final test.
"Only one will remain. That's it. If all of you still live, all of you die. If you want to live, fight."
The instructor turned around and headed towards the door.
The 5 boys just stared at the knives.
Then, they looked at each other.
"Charles. Don't listen to them. All of you. Don't listen. Don't give in!"
Sam tries to persuade them to not try and kill each other.
Before anyone could say anything, the Russian kid found himself with a knife in his throat.
"No!"
"Shut up! I'm tired of you! All this hope, it is worthless. We are in hell! We need to adapt! You want to be a good boy?!? The die!"
The Latino guy charged at Sam, despite his missing nose, was desperate to kill Sam.
"Fucking kill you! Hahahahahaha!!"
Sam teared up. The kid was insane. He lost his mind.
'I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.'
Sam realized he couldn't help him. His eyes were too far gone.
Just as the knife was about to thrust into Sam's face, a red line appeared on the Latino kids throat.
"Gahh.."
He turned around and saw the Russian kid be stabbed in the neck, barely standing. His eyes filled with madness too.
"D-die with me…"
Just as he said that, he collapsed.
And the Latino guy, gurgled and reached for anyone to help. But he could do nothing but let the darkness take him.
And then, there were three.
"Oh god!"
The Spanish kid was horrified. He was the least broken out of the 3 strangers of the final 5.
"Stop! Calm down! Don't trust those bastards. They want you to kill each other! That how they make war machines!"
The Spanish kid looked at Sam. He walked up to him.
He looked Sam in the eye.
Stab!
Sam looked down, and felt a knife in his abdomen.
"W-why?"
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry. But please… die for me…"
The Spanish boy took out the knife he stabbed Sam with and held it to Sam's throat. Just as he was about to sever his throat.
Stab!
Gurgle!
He fell and held his neck. Behind him, was Charles.
Holding the other knife.
Looking down at the Spanish kid as he tried to gulp for air.
Finally, he stopped.
Now, all that remained was Sam and Charles.
He kneels next to Sam.
"You okay, buddy?"
"Yeah. I'll live. Missed my vitals."
"Good."
Sam looked at the three kids. All of them. Just kids. 7, 8, 9 year old kids. Just… dead. Like they meant nothing.
"Just for being quirkless, they were forced into this hell."
"It's fucked isn't it?"
Sam only nodded.
Suddenly the door opened.
"I'm sure your instructor told you… fight until only one remained."
Sam didn't know who that was, but just being near this person brought an instinctive fear to him.
"Let's make it fun. If the two of you still breathe in 5 minutes, I'll personally harvest your organs and make a profit off of them. That way your meaningless lives can have some use in the end. After all… I wasted millions on little quirkless brats like you."
Sam and Charles had their eyes widened.
Right before them, dressed with a bulletproof vest, with many knives on it. Black cargo pants and steel toed boots. His arms… scarred and more dangerous than anything Sam ever saw. Even a bomb.
Charles picks up the knife.
"Looks like… we have to do this."
He looked towards Charles.
Charles tossed aside the knife.
"If I have to kill my friend. I'll do it with my hands."
The man soundly smiled.
"4 minutes and counting."
Charles charges at Sam.
"Charles wait-"
Charles slugs Sam across the face.
"Come on, lad. Let's beat the shite out of each other."
Sam teared up. Not from pain. But from the resoluteness in Charles' words.
Sam knew, he couldn't tell him to stop. He could only respect his precious friend.
"…okay. I'll fight you."
Sam also charged at Charles and punched him back.
"Oww… ya pack a wallop."
"You're not so bad yourself."
They both smiled at each other. Now the fight began.
Charles aimed a kick at Sam's head. Sam tried to dodge but the wound in his abdomen wasn't letting him.
He could only block.
"Gahh!"
Charles' kicks were not to be underestimated.
He was someone who prior to this, was training to be a hero. He was also older and larger than Sam. Sam, however, had two hands. Both of them, were even.
Sam rushed forward with a kick, Charles blocked it.
Charles rushed forward with a punch from his only hand, Sam grabbed it and threw Charles to the ground.
Charles hits the ground hard, but spins his leg to kick Sam's shin.
"Oww!"
That hurt. Sam could feel the minor fracture.
Sam responded with a kick to his rib cage.
"Gahhh!!"
Charles felt a crack too.
Now they both were hurting.
"3 minutes and counting."
That cold and merciless voice still spoke to them. Watching.
Sam and Charles sped up the fight, one after another. Punch, kick, punch kicks.
By the 2 minute mark, they were both swelling up. They beat each other silly.
They both felt like falling.
But they kept going.
Until…
Charles fell down to the ground. On his back.
Sam had one knee on the ground.
"1 minute and counting."
Sam walked up to the fallen Charles.
"Looks like I won this time."
"Aye. Looks like it."
Sam just sat next to the downed Charles.
"30 seconds."
"I won't kill you Charles."
"27."
"Stupid brat."
"26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, 20."
"Say what you want but I'm not killing you. I won't let them win."
"19, 18, 17, 16."
"You idiot. I know. You are the most stubborn person in Africa."
"Yeah. I am."
"15, 14."
They were silent.
"13, 12."
Sam felt like crying. He knew he would die. But he'd die with his friend.
Charles was already crying.
"11, 10."
"I'm so sorry, Sam."
Charles started crying hard.
Sam did too.
"I brought misfortune to you too."
Sam chuckled.
"9, 8."
"Shut up, idiot. I'm glad to have met you. You're my friend. Hell, you're my best friend."
Charles gasped hearing that.
"7, 6."
"Sam…"
"Let's go to hell together, Charles."
Charles looked at the resigned look in Sam's eyes.
Yet, he still smiled.
Charles smiled too.
"5, 4, 3, 2."
Stab!
Sam's eyes widened.
Charles smiled.
But blood started seeping through his lips.
And it puddled around his head… flowing from his neck… where a knife was stabbed into it. Charles' hand on the hilt.
"1."
Sam couldn't even respond.
He looked at Charles. His best friend.
"No…"
Charles kept smiling.
Sam was crying and holding Charles close.
"Thank… you… Sam…"
"No, no, no, no!"
Sam tried to think of how to save him, but it was too late. Charles was dead. His eyes, dull and lifeless. But he had the smile on his face. All the way till the end.
Sam could only stare.
"0."
Sam started to cry. Really cry. Harder than ever.
"Well, looks like I have my Canvas. I would have preferred you kill him, but hey, that was a dramatic finish. Good show!"
Sam's cries were interrupted by that cruel and cold voice. He looked and saw the man still standing there. A monstrous smirk on his face.
Right before Sam's eyes. The architect of this hell.
"You…"
"Me…"
"You are the one in charge."
"Yeah. And you… are my canvas."
"What?"
"I wanted to see if a quirkless person could become a work of art in themselves. They are like a white canvas. Most just sit in mediocrity all their life. But I want to see if I can make a canvas that headlines the louvre. A masterpiece. I think I got it."
"Y-you mean… this was all just to make… a toy?!?"
"Bingo."
Sam only looked at the man before him. He stood up and stared at him. His face still obscured. But the cruel smile that showed no remorse or shame was all Sam needed to see.
'This man… is evil given form.'
"Hah. I can feel your killing intent boy. This is why I'd rather you kill him rather than him killing himself. That way, you would blame yourself, and your mind would break by itself. Now this is going to be more difficult. But hey… I got a nice show."
Sam was so angry. He hated that beast. All these kids. Dead. For a show?!
"I'm going to kill you!!!"
Sam charged the man with a knife.
He wasn't thinking, and so he forgot that everything he learned, came from the man before him.
Before Sam could even process it, he was on the ground.
'I…I didn't see anything.'
"W-what…"
"Well, looks like I gotta clean that mind of yours. Let's get it done."
He grabbed Sam by the collar.
"Sam couldn't even move. He was completely unable to move.
"W-who are… you…"
"Me? I'm the leader… but if you want to know my name… well… you won't remember so I might as well… it's-"
———
Sam gasped as he woke up. His heart beating.
"Huh?"
He felt his eyes. They were crying.
He remembered that memory.
"Charles…"
But then he thought of that… monster.
Sam sat up. Near him was a mirror. He gasped at what he saw.
His face had a patch over the claw mark. But his hair. Completely white.
"Not even a bit of brown."
Sam laid back down. Wincing at his back pain.
"Fuck."
Sam was petrified. That thing. It was a monster. He couldn't even see him move before he was paralyzed.
And because of him, Sam lost everything. His memories and his best friend.
All of it because of the sadistic fantasy of a vile man.
"What kind of monster are you… Wushan?"