Clarity searched repeatedly, but to no avail. He headed toward the storage room—or "Apollo’s room," as Clarity knew it. He opened the door slowly, fearing he might encounter Apollo. But... Clarity’s eyes widened. Jake was there, asleep.
Clarity pushed the door open and rushed inside, approaching Jake. It was unmistakable: the dark circles under Jake’s eyes had reached their limit, his skin was deathly pale, and his breathing was shallow.
"Jake," Clarity whispered.
Jake opened his eyes to see Clarity before him. He sat up calmly, looked up, and whispered, "Why are you here?"
"I should be the one asking! Why are you here? Why is the leader sleeping here?"
Jake let out a faint sigh and whispered, "Because I am not the leader anymore."
Clarity’s eyes widened, and he spoke up, agitated, "And why?!"
"Lower your voice!"
"Are you telling me you’re working here? Cleaning weapons?"
"Yes," Jake answered coldly.
"Who is the leader now?"
"Apollo"
Clarity smiled in bewilderment, trying to control his temper. After a few seconds of silence, Jake rose from his bed, gripped Clarity’s shoulder, and whispered, "Let’s go out, to the Clock Park."
Clarity pulled away, staring at him with anger. "You lied to me too! You said the Boss trusted you and dropped the matter, that the problem was over. But you... you’re here, as a servant to Apollo!! Jake, how many lies have you spun since I’ve known you? Thousands!"
"Yes, I lied! This is reality, as you can see. What, did you want me to tell you the Boss ordered me to hand Clarity over to him, or else... he would strip me of my command? What would you have done if you were in the same position?"
"Bring me to him! If he is a just man as you say, he won’t wrong me. But where is his justice after what he did to you? You have worked under him for five years! You were his first and most loyal follower. The idea of you working here is unacceptable..."
"Stop that. Soon you’ll say you’re going to turn yourself in to him."
"You’ve uncovered my plan, then."
"Clarity, please, set your stupidity aside. Since the Boss stopped believing me and doubted my intentions, the problem has become mine alone. So leave yourself out of it. As for me, I won’t remain silent for long..." Jake smiled from the corner of his mouth. "You know Jake well."
At the Clock Park:
The cold wind stirred the tree branches, creating soothing sounds, mixed with the murmurs and whispers of the people in the park. A quiet, chilly atmosphere.
Clarity entered, followed by Jake, who turned on the lights near one of the long benches. Then, Jake quickly took Clarity’s hand and whispered, "Wait... wait. There are many traces of wounds on your face, I see. I’m not imagining it, am I?"
"Ah, this," Clarity smiled in annoyance. "I survived by a miracle. I intended to tell you some of what I’ve been going through lately, so sit down. I won’t be finished until sunrise."
Jake whispered, "I am all ears."
In the City Center:
There, where massive buildings and modern houses of the officials, managers, and important figures of the country stretch, a car stopped in front of a massive palace in the heart of the capital: the Governor’s Palace.
Eve stepped out of the car, while a gate guard stared at her, saying to his colleague, "Look... that is what they call a four-wheel-drive car! It’s the fifth car to enter the country; it looks amazing! I wonder when we will be allowed to use cars freely."
"My friend, cars and modern equipment are all private property of the rich. So, let’s not dream too much."
"Haven’t you heard that the ban has been lifted outside the capital, in other cities? But inside... it’s nearly impossible."
Eve was listening to their whispers. Indeed, the Governor pursued a policy that limited the use of advanced and smart technology; their usage was rare and strictly controlled by the Governor, his children, and then senior officials. Thus, the wealthy and the country's elite seemed as if they belonged to another world!
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The Governor had issued this decision after the last war, when he noticed that modern equipment and smart devices would have caused a devastating loss to the country, as enemies had managed to employ them in their service. So, he passed a law restricting them... as if they didn't exist at all.
Eve took a deep breath, ignoring that. Those were her grandfather’s decisions, after all. She entered the palace, heading toward the vast palace hall.
A girl who looked 14 years old approached to hug Eve, shouting enthusiastically, "Sister!"
"My little Wendy, how are you?"
"I’m fine. Since you and Aaron are back, also Grandfather is here... so be careful."
"Oh, he’s arrived early, then."
Eve entered one of the palace rooms, where her grandfather, the Governor, sat at the head of the dining table (he appeared to be in his late seventies, bald with a thick white beard). Sitting there were Aaron, Conar, and his wife, Mira.
Eve stepped forward to sit at the table, greeting everyone. The grandfather spoke in a booming voice, "Everyone seems to be fine... I finished my tour safely and visited my sons and grandchildren. The cities surrounding the capital are in perfect, even wonderful condition."
Conar: "I’m glad to hear that."
"Shouldn't that bother you?"
"Why would it?"
"I’ll let Bruno have the rule, there’s no point in you."
Aaron interrupted in annoyance, "This is instead of finding a solution to stop that scoundrel! Shouldn't you support your son??"
Conar whispered, "Shut up, you brat."
The grandfather spoke, raising one eyebrow, "Aaron? I heard you visit all the old alleys at the edges of the capital, fooling around and playing there."
"I am not fooling around."
"So, will you form a gang to confront your uncle?"
"He is no uncle of mine," he said, gritting his teeth. "I will never acknowledge that."
"And will that make a difference? You pathetic little boy!"
Aaron stood up from his chair in anger, speaking in a high tone, "What kind of Governor are you? You know there are those who threaten your authority and your son's authority in the capital. To date, two institutions in the capital have become affiliated with him and his gang, and you don't care! He recruits children and makes them his shields!"
"Oh, he’s truly wonderful," the grandfather smiled in annoyance. "Aaron, my little one, you will leave this palace and will not return until I pardon you."
Aaron turned away in annoyance and shouted, "As if I would stay! This is much better."
All of this happened while the others remained silent. Even Aaron’s mother showed nothing but looks of worry; it seemed like a normal, routine occurrence.
The grandfather continued, "And you, Eve. I heard your institution is working wonderfully."
Eve (nervously): "Yes..."
"Entry into the institution depends on sharing property? As I heard?"
"Yes, that is correct."
"The girl is following in her uncle’s footsteps, then." He finished the sentence with a mocking laugh.
Eve took a deep breath, thinking about their state. Yes, this is the royal family; it is a symbol of arrogance, fragmentation, hatred... and suspicion. How can a family like them lead a country as great as this?
Back at the Clock Park:
Jake spoke in a chiding tone, "So all of that happened, and you tell me only now!"
"The situation was truly difficult."
"Clarity, you will quit working in that institution or whatever it is. You know that girl is Conar’s daughter and Aaron’s sister. I saw him hovering around you with malicious intent. I will give you the money to treat Mother Lydia."
"Don’t worry, Eve and Aaron don't hate me at all. What happened with Aaron was just a bad coincidence. He already hates the gang, and you know the reason. I cannot ruin my relationship with Eve; she is the one taking care of my mother right now."
"Well, you’re right on that point. Let’s focus on the mother’s treatment, and also..." Jake patted Clarity on the shoulder, "You’ve truly matured. You’ve been through a lot and managed to overcome it... I’m proud of you."
Clarity smiled shyly and said, "I’m just trying to imitate my brother."
Jake smiled faintly, then his smile widened as he said, "I know you were hurt, and I’m sorry for that... but... that situation with the one named Eve and her brother... it’s ridiculous!"
"Don’t mock me, I’m trying to forget it seriously... Ah, how did I become so stupid and tell you!"
"Never mind, I won’t speak of it again."
Silence lasted for a few seconds, broken by Clarity’s question, "By the way, may I know where you got the idea of the Red Fog?"
"The Red Fog... it’s the stupidest idea I’ve ever proposed in my life."
"How so? It’s the gang's symbol; everyone realizes its importance."
"Clarity... you asked me about the idea of the Red Fog. It wasn't just an idea... it was a series of things in which I tried to challenge myself, but I remain defeated by it. Perhaps you’ve always noticed that I participate in battles... but... after the Red Fog disappears."
"Yes, you said you couldn't see because of it."
"The Red Fog is a nightmare that usually haunts me. I see myself in a place, surrounded by red fog, and my breath is about to stop... as if I am actually dying."
"You never told me that before! I knew you suffered from nightmares, but not this."
"In an attempt to exorcise that fear, I turned it into reality. I gave the idea, and when it was implemented for the first time, I felt the same feeling, as if I were in the same nightmare."
"That’s why you stay away from the Red Fog! I started hating it suddenly!"
"Don’t worry, Clarity. Don’t hate it because of me."
"I hate fog in general. It is the only thing that disturbs clarity and purity. It goes against my name."
Jake (smiling), "You are Clarity; you are so clear that I can see through you. My clear one, you must get up now, and let’s enter the depths of the city, to the markets."
"Why?"
"Haven’t you noticed today's date? And the atmosphere outside? Today is a special day." He pointed to the large clock in the middle of the park, which indicated 12:00 AM, and added, "It is the Day of Lights."
"February 15th... Ah, that’s right. But I didn't wear good clothes, and I’ve really started feeling the cold."
"Let’s buy something from the city market and celebrate a little. We’ve been through a lot, and we need a period of respite."