Random Leaf #1636

"That's a knife!"

"I saved them!!"

"You're holding a knife and it's soaked in blood. Blood is dripping from it's tip to your hand holding it to the end of it's hilt. That is a knife!"

"I saved them!!"

"They believed in you."

"And I saved them!"

"You are holding a knife!!"

"I saved them."

"For pete's sake, there were children with them. They all.. They all.. How- Wha.."

"I saved them with this! I saved them."

"You are holding a knife!!"

"I.. I- There is no other other way."

"But there is!"

"No! That's the only way I could save them."

"THAT IS A KNIFE THAT YOU ARE HOLDING!"

"I saved them."

Random Leaf #1635

"Hey! What took you so long to open?"

"Good evening, why are here at this hour."

"That, give me that."

"This meat here?"

"Yes, give it to me."

"..."

"..."

"I thought that we're fri.. in the end. He's just like anyone else."

"Hurry up. I need to take a shut eyes after this."

"Okay, okay. Just hold on a bit."

"... Give me."

"Hey, is that blood on your shirt?"

"This meat is just compensation of what just happened. This is a fair deal to both you and I if yoi're going to ask me. Go back to sleep and don't remember any of this tomorrow, alright?"

"Okay. Goodnight."

"..."

"Those are blood on his shirt, and they looked fresh too. What on Earth did he do?"

Random Leaf #1634 IG

"Have you ever thought of giving up?"

"What?"

"Oh, come on. With the way things are going. Don't you think, maybe, you know, at this point, maybe, you're not actually cut out for this?"

"Oh. That.. that haven't crossed my mind for a while now. I think a few years ago it did."

"What?"

"Yes, I thought of giving up once."

"So why are you still here?"

"It's a bit of a funny and embarrassing story, actually. You know I'm not great when, you know, when things actually need actions and such. I told myself I'm quitting after the last mission, assignment? I think. And you know, quitting isn't something you just up and go. You need to tell your superiors about it first or at the very least, a senior. At that time, the captain wasn't the captain yet, we're the same no body as those in the back quarters. The captain was the senior in charge of me back then, and I think he still is until now.-"

"Get to the point, why are you still here?"

"He told me that it doesn't matter how others think or how I think about myself. Yes, I know, the captain's quite the self centered person, right? So he goes on to tell that, it doesn't matter because how negatively I look at myself or how other does, what matter is to people who cares that I'm here."

"I.. I don't.. what? I don't understand."

"Basically he's saying it matters to him that I was here, that I'm here. No matter how inferior skills are or how little I can contribute to our squad, I think he's saying he's thankful I'm here."

"What? The captain? The captain said that?"

"Not word by word but that's how I interpreted it. So here I am. Still beside him or rather now, under his wings, under his command."

"Hard to believe. This is in a romantic way or something?"

"I don't know. Maybe? We have Arthur there who we also go way back but the captain doesn't treat him differently compared to others. Maybe the captain's in love with me?"

"Isn't he like married?"

"He is?"

"He's got that ring on his necklace. Doesn't that symbolize anything?"

"Oh, you mean that ring he wears. I gave that to him, I think."

"What? Wait, wait, wait. Hold on, we've lost track here. I was trying to make you leave the squad but now I feel like-"

"What? Leave the squad? Why would I?"

"Not going to lie but your skills aren't up to par. If you get what I mean."

"Oh, yeah, I get you. This is looking out for me or just because, you know, I'm dragging the team down?"

"At this point, I really don't want to lie to you. Yes on those two accounts."

"Hurts a bit but that's the truth. But my answer's no."

"What? Why?"

"I know I'm just a baggage to everyone at this point but I won't quit."

"Some of the members in our squad would agree with me with you leaving, you know that?"

"I know."

"What?"

"So are they like, harassing you or something?"

"Not really. I told this to the captain, you know."

"Really? What did he do?"

"He said he'd do something about it but things just got not as hard as before I told the captain about it."

"What?"

"Before, the squad members were going too physical about it, I even got injured once. The captain was most concerned, I think. He personally carried me to the infirmary once."

"What? When?"

"Way back before when the captain is not yet the captain of the squad. He knows about my situation but since we're all the same rank he couldn't do much but comfort me and stay by my side. He'd protect me but since we're all in the same rank, despite having strength as the way to determine respect, when the captain's not around, I'd get bullied."

"What? So back then you're like sweethearts or something."

"Sort of. I think? Now that you mentioned it, I think we were."

"What? Wait a minute. I'm not harassing or bullying you, alright? So in any case, please don't tell the captain about me."

"Oh, the thing is. When the captain became the captain, the physical bullying stopped but insults and verbal abuses, it's still there."

"What?"

"The thing is, he actually said it to me when he became captain."

"What?"

"For me to quit and just stay in the city or the country side where it's safer."

"What? Wait, wait, wait, hold on just a minute. Wasn't he protecting and enco- Oh, oh."

"He said I'm not good for the squad and I'm just dragging everyone down."

"Seriously, what? I thought, you know, he wants you to settle down as in marrying him or something."

"That's what he said. He told me to leave and quit, find love and settle down."

"What?"

"Then I told him I want to stay by his side, no matter what."

"So you mean like, you propose to the captain?"

"Propose? Propose as in get married?"

"Yeah?"

"I wasn't the one who proposed. It was him."

"What? I'm confused. Seriously, what?"

"After our conversation about me quitting, it was days or a week I think before we spoke with each other. And during those days and weeks, things were really were weird. The people in the squad were very polite with me, supportive of me even. Yeah, the mean people against me were acting kind. It was so strange. It was as if I was the second in command or something. It felt a bit awkward the way things were going so I tried looking for the captain and have a private talk with him. Funny thing is, for those few days or so, I couldn't get a hold of the captain. As if he was deliberately avoiding me."

"Wh.. what does the captain's looks like when he sees you?"

"I think it's the same way as he does when we first met here."

"What?"

"So, anyway, when I got a hold of him. It was him who proposed."

"Why am I only hearing this now?"

"Well, you just recently joined the squad so it isn't much of a big deal."

"Not a big deal? The captain is a big deal so this.. this thing going on between you is not not a big deal."

"I told him I don't-"

"Wait, what? You rejected the captain?"

"No, silly. Let me finish. I told him I don't know what to say. He handed me the ring and said I should keep it. If I do not take it as an engagement ring or something, I should just take it as a gift from him."

"And? Where's the ring?"

"I gave it back."

"What? So you really rejected the captain. Oh! Man! So how did the captain react?"

"When I handed it back his stern and serious face started to crumple. He looks face looks so cute then. Not that it matters, he's handsome, however you see him"

"Wait, hold on. He cried? The captain cried?"

"No, he didn't. I said about to cry. I stopped him when I said that he hold on to it and only give it to me the moment I actually leave and go back."

"So you two are engage?"

"In a way, yes. I think? I introduced him to my family once were on a vacation and on another me to his."

"Wait, wait, wait. You said the squad members were still harassing and verbally insulting you, so no one knows you and the captain are a thing?"

"Oh, they know about it. Their smiles were hurtful when I see them whenever me and the captain walk beside each other when we do the routine inspection."

"What?"

"And their remarks reminding me how beautiful and calm the scenes are in the country side and how buzzling and exciting a life in the city is, don't you think it's still harassment? No matter how politely and kindly they tell it to me, I can see through their masks. I can see through their facade. They want me to quit."

"What?"

"You know what? I think the captain is in it too. Why I ought to tell him how disgusting they're treating me. Wait, there's a better idea, I have to go to the HR about this-"

"Wait, wait, wait. Let's calm ourselves first, alright?"

-------------

B: Have you ever thought about giving up?

A: What?

B: Come on. With how things are going… don’t you think maybe, at this point, you’re not really cut out for this?

A: Oh… that hasn’t crossed my mind in a while. A few years ago, maybe.

B: So you did think about it once?

A: Yeah. After my last mission—well, assignment, I guess. But quitting isn’t something you just do. You have to tell your superiors first—or at least a senior. In my case, the captain.

B: And?

A: Back when he wasn’t a captain yet… before his promotion. We were just nobodies in the back quarters. He was my senior then, and I guess he still is now.

B: So what happened? Why are you still here?

A: Funny story… kind of embarrassing, too. He told me it doesn’t matter what others think of me—or even what I think of myself. Sounds odd coming from him, right? But he said what matters is that I’m here. That it means something to people who care.

B: Wait—the captain said that?

A: Not word for word. But that’s how I understood it. So here I am. Still under his wings… under his command.

B: Wow… so this is like… romantic or something?

A: I don’t know. Maybe? We still have Arthur, and the captain doesn’t treat him any differently. Maybe the captain’s in love with me.

B: Isn’t he married?

A: Married?

B: He’s got that ring on his necklace. Doesn’t that mean anything?

A: Oh, that ring? I gave it to him.

B: Wait… you what? I was trying to make you leave the squad, and now—

A: Leave the squad? Why would I?

B: Not gonna lie… your skills aren’t up to par. You get what I mean.

A: Yeah, I get you. Are you saying that because you’re looking out for me… or because I’m dragging the team down?

B: Honestly? Both.

A: That hurts a little—but it’s the truth. Still… my answer’s no.

B: No? Why?

A: I know I’m baggage at this point… but I won’t quit.

B: Some of the squad would agree with me about you leaving. You know that, right?

A: I know.

B: So… are they harassing you or something?

A: Not anymore. I told the captain.

B: Really? What did he do?

A: He said he’d handle it. Things got better… just not by much.

B: That doesn’t sound like things actually got better.

A: Before, they got physical. I even got injured once. The captain was most concerned. He personally carried me to the infirmary.

B: What? When was that?

A: Back before he was captain. He knew my situation, but we were all the same rank. He could only comfort me… protect me when he could. When he wasn’t around… the bullying came back.

B: So… you two were kind of sweethearts?

A: Sort of. I think. Now that you mention it.

B: Okay, just to be clear—I’m not harassing you, alright? Please don’t tell the captain about me.

A: Relax. When he became captain, the physical bullying stopped. But the verbal stuff? Still there.

B: Even now?

A: Yeah. And when he got promoted, he told me to quit.

B: What?! I thought he was protecting and encouraging you!

A: He said I wasn’t good for the squad. That I was dragging everyone down. That I should go back to the countryside, find love… settle down.

B: Wait—what? That sounds like a breakup speech!

A: He said it kindly. He wanted me to live safely… peacefully.

B: So what did you say?

A: I told him I’d stay. No matter what.

B: Hold on—does that mean you proposed to him?

A: Propose? As in marriage? I… didn’t see it that way. And if it’s the proposal you’re talking about, he was the one who proposed.

B: What? Are you serious?

A: Yeah. A few days after that talk, he started avoiding me—like a shy school kid. Then the squad treated me nicely… even the mean ones. It felt like I’d suddenly become second-in-command.

B: So then what happened?

A: When I caught up with him, he handed me a ring. Said I should take it as an engagement ring… or just a gift, if I didn’t feel the same.

B: And?

A: I gave it back. I wasn’t sure what to do with it. My heart was all over the place… I just froze.

B: What?! You rejected the captain?!

A: No… not really. I told him to keep it until the day I actually leave the squad. Then he can give it to me again.

B: So you two are… engaged?

A: Yes? I think? Like two best buddies, right? We’ve met each other’s families, at least.

B: You serious?!

A: Excuse me?

B: Really?

A: What are you on about—

B: So things actually changed for the better.

A: I guess. Though the insults… they still come.

B: The squad still insults you? Even after all that? Does everyone know about you and the captain?

A: They know. Their smiles sting the most. When the captain and I walk together during inspection, they’ll say things like, “The countryside must be peaceful,” or “City life’s exciting, don’t you think?” Polite… fake. They just want me to quit.

B: I think you’re misunderstanding—

A: I think the captain’s in on it too. Maybe it’s all some plan to push me out. I should report this to HR—

B: Whoa, whoa, whoa. Let’s calm down first, alright?

Random Leaf #1633

If the afterlife is real,

Let's see each other again.

Random Leaf #1632

"It's unfortunate I am not unfamiliar with sacrifice."

"You are what not?"

"I'm trying to be poetic here."

"More like romance, once more. You're just doing that because you like her, right?"

"No."

"Wait, don't tell me? Again?"

"What do you mean again? What is it?"

"It's just like last time. You're feeling lonely."

Random Leaf #1631

"It is stories and poems that move people."

"Said by who?"

"Please let me hit you just one with a hardbound dictionary. I beg of you."

Random Leaf #1630

Over a thousand lifetimes

And you chose her to be happy

Instead for you to be.

You are not the king

Who is punished to keep trying

Only to meet with tragedy indefinitely.

You are not the god

Who so chose the blind

Only to be routinely punished.

You are not the boy

Who, so young and innocent

Is introduced to freedom both in life.

You do not need to be

A hero of a tragic tale

Written as a comedy.

Go on and love someone else.

Even the child Narcissus is

Right one time more than you.

Random Leaf #1629

I choose to be kind because

I also want others to be.

I choose to be kind because

I want people to accept me.

I choose to be kind because

Of the sins I will after.

More like collecting debts.

I choose to be kind because

this world isn't always.

I choose to be kind because

I don't have much time left.

I choose to be kind because

Someone have also been kind to me.

I choose to be kind because

I know it's a good deed.

I choose to be kind because

people aren't always.

I choose to be kind because

I want a better world.

I choose to be kind because

I want to set an example to others.

I choose to be kind because

I'm going to hell anyway.

I choose to be kind because

there people who are.

I choose to be kind because

the world doesn't need to be ugly.

Someone else already said that. I know.

I choose to be kind because

I just want to.

I choose to be kind because

I know people need kindness.

I choose to be kind because

My father told me to be.

I choose to be kind because

My parents are.

I choose to be kind because

Somehow, despite how grim things look,

I can give hope to someone else.

It doesn't have to be me, I already know

Where I'm going but

For hope.

I choose to be kind because

people expect me to be.

I choose to be kind because

I need to be.

I choose to be kind because

That's what the religious people said.

I choose to be kind because

We already live in a cruel world.

It does not have to be ugly.

Someone said this, not my own.

Wait? Someone else other than me

Already said this? And they said it's also

from somewhere else?

I choose to be kind because

I have no other choice.

I choose to be kind because

Sometimes I want to be

And sometimes I don't.

No particular reason, I guess?

Maybe for a favor?

I don't know, sometimes I just do

Without even me knowing it

Until someone else says it to me.

I choose to be kind because

that's what I to be when I grow up.

The boy said it. You know,

The boy, horse, fox, mole,

Poet, king, soldier.

I choose to be kind because

I want to be noticed.

I choose to be kind because

There is something I want.

I choose to be kind because

Peace.

I choose to be kind because

It's a good content.

I choose to be kind because

I have faith.

I choose to be kind because

What else can I choose?

I don't want to go back, you know?

I'm a changed man.

I need to be a changed man.

I choose to be kind because

That's what my favorite

Fictional character said.

I choose to be kind because

That's my favorite artist said.

I choose to be kind because

Good music exists.

I choose to be kind because

That's what my favorite song

Is trying to convey.

I choose to be kind because

That's what my favorite teacher said.

I choose to be kind because

I don't want to be like

Our strict and scary teacher in class

When I grow up.

I choose to be kind because

That's proper manner.

I choose to be kind because

That's just I am.

I choose to be kind because

I get to eat good food with my family

We eat and stay together because

I'm kind, my daddy's kind,

my mommy's kind, my sister's kind,

my brother's kind, even Bruce is kind too.

One day, he didn't bark

At the kind mail man

Who often delivers mail on

Sunday and Tuesday

When everyone's out except me, mommy

And Bruce.

I often hear mommy and the mail man do

Repairs on the second floor

I don't know what they're repairing though.

But mommy's always exhausted when they Come down after an hour or so.

I choose to be kind because

I want to be a cop just like dad.

He shoots bad guy.

One time, I saw his picture in the TV.

Mommy said people are looking for him.

Maybe they want to award him.

When dad got home that day

It was already very dark

I heard mommy crying. 

When I went to the stairs

I saw dad for one last time.

He was hugging me mommy.

I called out to dad.

I don't know what they were talking,

I heard daddy telling mommy not to cry.

Dad looked at me and gave me a salute.

I saluted back.

Dad said he's going out for a while

And I had to take care of mommy.

When dad left,

mommy started crying again.

But it was more gentle.

That's the last time I saw dad.

But I know one day he'll come back.

People are probably preparing

A big reward for him when he get back

That's what I saw on the TV

And the posters.

It has a lot of zeroes.

One, two, three, four,

I think seven.

Seven zeroes and a one, because

Dad's number one.

I choose to be kind because

There's nothing else to be.

I choose to be kind because

In a way I'm talking to a higher being,

Doing the purpose the assigned me.

Yes, it was a higher being that said to me

To put that powder

In the drinking water tank of our school.

I did't kill anyone. I just did

An act of kindness.

I was told the powder is something like

That boost energy. So I did.

I did an act of kindness. That's all.

I choose to be kind because

Somehow the world notices this deeds.

I choose to be kind because

This is a good world, full of people.

That are in need of kindness.

I choose to be kind because

People are also kind to me,

Why shouldn't I be?

I choose to be kind because

There are good and kind people,

I want to be just like them.

I choose to be kind because

I want to help people.

I choose to be kind because

I want to be rich. Let's be honest,

We don't do favors for free.

We do it because we want something.

Martha, my office mate, she does favor,

A lot.

And you know what?

Martha's already an executive

In our company.

We started at the same time, actually,

but look at me,

I'm still in my crammy desk,

With a sometimes defective airconditioner

And a bossy and moody team leader

Who just can't fu-

Oh, sorry.

Who just can't shut..

Who just can't be kind.

Maybe that's why she's already

In her retirement age and still just

A team leader.

I don't want to end up like her.

I'll be like Martha.

I choose to be kind because

The film The world is Beautiful exists.

I choose to be kind because

Of that one movie

With that special case dad.

God! I love that show.

I choose to be kind because

I just want to be.

Random Leaf #1628

Wait?

Something's not right.

This isn't it, right?

No, no, no.

You did your best.

You did your best.

I know.

I know.

It's not over yet.

It's not over.

I'm here.

I'm here.

Even if the world

Is against you,

I'm here.

I'm here.

I'm here with you.

I'm here with you.

We can fix this.

We can fix this.

Everything's alright,

You hear?

Alright?

Let's try again,

Shall we?

Alright?

There.

That's the smile,

The smile I only need.

We can fix this.

We can fix this.

I'm here.

I'm here.

Emontionless Man in the E.R.

Breath!

Breath!

Please! Breath!

Live!

Live!

Please! Live!

Don't you die.

Don't you die on me.

Please!

I don't care

If I'll be

The first

To cause

You tears.

I don't care

If I'll be

The first

To cause

To cry.

I'll save you.

I'll save you.

I'll save you.

Random Leaf #1627

"Being kind isn't always about being kind."

"What?"

"I met a kind god. You could even say he is the god of kindness. He is very kind."

"Wha- Okay, god of kindness. I know you're speaking through the meds you took and right now you're-"

"He offered me his name."

"Huh?"

"He offered me his name. He's willing to give his title to me. The title of being the most kind. The god of kindness."

"Okay, then what? Did you take it?"

"I failed his test."

"What?"

"I failed his test."

"Wha- How?"

"He said to me: to be kind, one should also know when to be."

"Okay, what did you exactly do?"

"I offered man fire."

Random Leaf #1626

"And you can't even handle a graze of an arrow on your butt. What makes you think you're ready for a knife to your throat? Face it, one way or another we either win this war or we go down sinking with this castle unabandonded by hope. Although, I can't say much for the hope thing but I'm certain each one of us is hoping, right?"

"..."

"What made you think you can go on ahead of any one of us without you yourself being steadfast and ready for what is to happen?"

"I-"

"Wait! Don't tell me. This is like the time you. Yes, now I get. Your life. Give it to me."

"It's not like-"

"I said! Your life! Give it to me!"

"Alright, I swear."

Random Leaf #1625

"You're going to die soon."

"Yes."

"..."

"..."

"No remarks for it?"

"None, I guess. Right now, I'm just trying to absorb everything that happened."

"..."

"..."

"You're seriously not going to say anything when, you know, death is coming for you."

"What more can I say? I wish I could write more and tell more people about silly tales and witty stories. I wish could talk to more people. I wish I could've written on more leaves. I wish of a lot of things but if this is it. Then this is it."

"..."

"..."

"You aren't afraid, are you?"

"How can I not? I don't know what's beyond life  No one really knows. Will I go to hell for many sins I've done? Will I even get a chance to speak with The One who made us? Will I be forgiven and be let in paradise? What's paradise like? I hope it isn't boring in there. Will I be reincarnated, just like the many characters I've read and watched? I wonder what the world will be like in another world? Or would I be reborn in a different time? I wonder if I could keep a bit or all the memories I have in this life. I wonder if there's magic there. I wonder how things would be in that other world. Or will things just be like how our old or broken eletronic is, things will just go blank or fade to black? I don't know. Will death be like the reaper as portrayed in fictions or will he be something else? Is it even a he? Maybe she's a woman. I wonder if I could woo her. So on and so on. Bottom line, I am not unafraid. You know me, my good friend, I get scared easily, I don't like creepy stuffs. And with death coming for me. How can I not be fearful?"

"You don't seem to be afraid."

"Don't I?"

"You seem calm about it."

"I don't know. Must be my ADHD kicking in?"

"You're going to hide behind you're.. mental.. ill-"

"Trait, it's a trait. Not an illness."

"Okay, okay, so how can you look calm?"

"With acceptance, I guess? I don't know. If I don't act calm, I might act anxious, nervous, hysteric. This is a mental illness that easily spread and I don't want that. Does that satisfy your question about me being calm."

"..."

"..."

".. Yes."

"..."

"Does it hurt?"

"It does but years of experience let me endure this bits of pain. What's like thirty, twenty, ten years of being hurt can compare to but a fleeting moment of struggle? It hurts but not as much."

"..."

"..."

"People will cry for you."

"..."

"Not going to say anything about that?"

"Not that I'm not going to say anything but I can't. This one time, I know I will hurt them, I hope they could forgive me but.. I don't know. I don't know how to say clearly how I regretful and sorry I should be to them."

"..."

"If I could then, for each and everyone of them that I'll hurt, I wish I could apologize to them after."

"Why not now?"

"I haven't died yet."

"So why not now?"

"Truth be told, I don't know what to say, except to ask for an apology. That's it, nothing more."

Random Leaf #1624

He is strong, or rather that's how he wants the world to see him. The facade he wears, he wears it all too naturally. But that isn't his truth. He is strong. No one knew that he's also a crybaby if he cries. Not too many knows about it except his closest friends. Not even himself knew they're aware. But they all love him, anyway. He is the strongest one among all of them. Truly the definition of a true hero, and what's magical is when drought comes and the world needs water, he'd cry not just a river but entire seas and oceans. That's just how resillient and how weak he is. He is never unfamiliar with tears. He too can cry. He too cries.

Random Leaf #1623

"So what was story about?"

"Do you know the movie titled My Dinner with Andre?"

"Dinne with Andre? Another movie? What's it about?"

"No, I mean. The movie is just like the movie Dinner with Andre."

"I don'r understand, sorry."

"The movie Dinner with Andre is a two hour talk of two guys over dinner in a restaurant."

"A two hour talk? What? Isn't that kind of boring?"

"It sounds like that but it isn't. Well, if you' nor into long talks and is more of an action, drama fellow, I guess you wouldn't be too engaged in the movie. But enough with that old master piece, this new one is just like that but a bit different."

"Does it also involve a lot of talking?"

"It's a three hour movie."

"So there's more to it?"

"Yes.. No.. it's a three hour talking and dicussing of a group of friends. They're seven."

"A three hour talk, discussion movie?"

"I think I'm going to have to pass on it."

"No, you must not. It's a great movie. Seven friends reunites 20 years after they graduate from highschool. They planned on going on a vacation home on one of their rich friend. Unfortunately, on their way to the vacation house, the van they have stopped. They ran out of fuel and they're in a lonely and long road. The sides of the road are overgrown with corn fields. So it's quite dark, and errie. You'd feel like yoi're watchinf a horror movie."

"Just like Jeepers Creepers?"

"Yes, but there's no demonic monster entity in the entire movie."

"It's boring then."

"No! The director made sure you're engage with the talk and it's quite comedic actually. So they got stranded, you see. They drew lots for one of them to get fuel."

"Get fuel? And just a single person? It's a perfect formula for a horror movie."

"One of them gets picked. But the guys, Gustavo, is a scaredy cat."

"Gustavo.."

"Fortunately, his bestfriend Tim went with him. The two went on a walk to the nearest gas station. It is quite far. The road gets dark and the silence and ambiance of no background music makes things eerily engaging. But it's not entirely missing in the movie."

"What? Wait, I thought you said the movie focused on the talk and discussion of the group of friend. Why are you focusing on the journey of Gustavo and Tim?"

"Well, the scenes jump from one end to the other and it's funny how parallel the talks of the five friends left and the two that went to get gas."

"I'm lost."

"After the two went to get gas, the five friends left takes the emergenct light they have and then the cooler they packed with them. It's like they camped to drink in that dark cloudless night. They discussed quite a lot of things, from politics, to what's going on with the lives, their dreams yet to be realized, their other friends who are still chasing stars, the ones who've caught one, the one who gave up early and a lot of things."

"So it's drinking session of a group of friends. That can be interesting."

"I told you that the background music is missing in the most part, right?"

"Yeah."

"Well, the thing is, the two who went to get gas, they have that background music, ambiance with them. And it's quite funny. There's nothing horror about thr movie except for the sudden startling music accompaniment while they discuss scary things. As I said, the nearest station is quite far and road is dark and the sides are filled with corn field. It's hilarious how the music kicks in and Gustavo would suddenly turn his head on his side. Tim is quite a prankster on Gustavo but that's just him teasing his bestfriend."

"Is that all?"

"I think so. But their discussion is truly engaging and the ambience is wonderfully immersive. It feels like you're drinking with them or in the shoes of Gustavo as he gets scared easily on their two man trek."

"How'd the story end?"

"Gustavo and Tim arrived safely in the gas station, the crew is a bit irratating at first but hearing about their story, the crew helped the two get back with their other friends. When the two meet with othersx the rest were welcoming them to have a drink. Gustavo got mad that they started withour them. But with Tim there, things got deescalated. They gave the kind gas station crew a generous tip and two cans of beer before leaving them. The rest of the friends continued drinking and told each other their many tales. The scene fades to black and return to them waking up. Tim is manning the wheels while the rest are either still asleep or just doing their usual road trip thing."

"Everything that happened is real, right?"

"Yes. They just skipped the part with clean up and the what nots."

"That's all that happened?"

"Yes. But I think you should really watch the film, you'd get invested in it. I promise you that. I know you like a good drink and a good chat, so yeah, you'll really definitely going to like this film."

Random Leaf #1622

"I have this bad habit of wanting to be heard."

"Must be you're ADHD kicking?"

"Must be. I don't know. When I speak, even if I say something irrelevant or completely out of context or up to the point simply gibbirish, no matter, I want to be heard. I want to be noticed."

"Must be some sort of a syndrome or something?"

"I heard there is this something called thr main character syndrome or whatever it's called. But I don't know. I feel too lucid for that. I feel like I'm too aware for that."

"What do you mean?"

"If there is such a thing, I don't think I am the main character."

"How can you tell?"

"Characters in stories have roles to play, they follow certain rules. I think it's called archetypes. And I'm certain mine is either not one of them of the archetypes or if I do have one, if I do have a role to play, I certainly am not the one leading the story."

"How are you so sure about it?"

"I just."

"So this habit of yours."

"Yeah. Must be just my ADHD."

Random Leaf #1621

It was never mentioned he was in loved. He was just fascinated. That's all. He's interesting in something that is foreign to the world through his eyes. And to him, when he first saw her, she was magical, ethereal and not of this world. There was something that's differently glowing about her, he once said. And that was one of the few moments he'd just speak out his mind without him evem realizing it. Oddly enough, the way he said, compared how I remembered, is way more lucid, way more real. It does include his voice. He has this nonchalant, uncaring, careless, low toned voice but when he described her for the first time, it was odd, very peculiar. In a way comedic. His voice rose in pitched. From a bass to a baritone to a tenor. It was as if himself his own choir that could even rival the greatest of orchestra ever assembled. Ah, it was all too fascinating. But never did he ever mentioned he was in loved. Or did he? And it was just not her for him.

Random Leaf #1620

"You're the one who come up with good name. So, what's it called?"

"It's called the karmic price of kindness."

"Karmic what?"

"Karma doesn't always grant rewards to those who do good. If that's how things work then there shouldn't be any suffering good people?"

"Isn't it just called a test of faith?"

"No, it's called balance. That's the true essense of karma. Balance. Not all who do good are rewarded. Kindness also has a price. One must always be ready to pay the toll."

"It sounds evil."

"On one perspective, yes. As another saying goes, too much of a good can also be bad. If one keep being kind to another, sooner or later, they'll get abused. One doesn't always get rewarded for the good things they do.That's why karma exists. A balance, must exists."

"Essentially you're saying that one must also do bad."

"Not quite. Doing bad thing is different from not doing anything at all."

"What?"

"Learn when not to do a good thing."

"What?"

"Please tell what miracle is."

Random Leaf #1619

"The fact that he kept on smiling, doesn't mean anything. He also know how real eyes work. He knows how to wear a facade."

"It just doesn't make a sense."

"What doesn't, are the miracles he kept on performing."

"Miracles?"

"Weren't you all told he was dying a few years ago?"

"We were. But wasn't he cured?"

"Who said he was? He'z been fighting against that disease he has. It's wonderful it wasn't contagious or if it was, he really kept it only to himself. Isn't that in itself a miracle? And that was what? Five, ten years ago, and he kept on fighting. He kept on holding."

"No one kne.. How did he managed it?"

"As I said, he knows how real eyes work. No one can actually tell, but himself, that he is hurting. No one knew and no one can tell. That's how good he is."

"Why? Why didn't he tell anyone of us?"

Random Leaf #1618

"I'm not lying. No matter how evil you are. No matter how cruel you treat others. I am sure that someone, somewhere in this world will cry when you're gone."

"Doesn't ma-"

"Don't say it doesn't matter. That fact that someone would shed tears even for someone like you, it means something. It means.. It means something."

"Tell me."

"You are loved."

"Such an over used lie. Won't work on me."

"But it isn't. You just don't know it. But you are. More than can actually ever know."

"You telling me this. Does it change.. Can I still be forgi- No.. What's even use of telling me this?"

"Love yourself. Don't lose yourself. Forgive yourself. There is so much more to live for. Live!"

"You tell me this, to someone who's already dying. Didn't you know? I'm dying."

"What?"

Random Leaf #1617

No more.

No more?

No more!

No! More!

Random Leaf #1616

"If you're going to hell anyway you do, why are you kind to others? You said it yourself, no matter how much good deeds you do or forgiveness you ask, when you die you will go to hell. No purgatory, no heaven. Just hell."

"To tell the truth, I'm bottling things up."

"What?"

"I want to lash out a people. Say mean things to them. I want to hurt them. Not just some simple punches but actually making them hurt and beg for the pain to stop. I want to destroy stuffs. I want things to burn. I want to burn things. I want everyone to burn. By my hands, I want to burn this world."

"You're.. you're not like that."

"But I'd rather not. As you just said, I'm not like that at all. Or maybe, that's just how you know me. You actually don't know me, right? You only knew me recently, say fifteen, twenty years? Such little time to understand someone."

"But you're a kind and gentle person."

"Such as I who is hell bound. Right now, I'm feeling my muscles twitching, my fibers contracting. I want to throw tantrums. I want to rage."

"You're not like that."

"But then again, why would I want to make hell for others? If I'm bound to go to hell when I die, what different would it make if I make others feel it or not. Maybe I'm just a selfish, selfless sorry excuse of a poor soul that I'm not doing anything about something I can't do anything about."

"But you aren't, a good perso-"

"Too soon for you to know things about me. If it's like love, you only know me skin deep. That's it. I am a paradox personified. Simply knowing this means you understood half of me."

"Does your eyes also tell lies?"

"Oh! If only you knew and if only you could see."

"See what?"

"Real eyes cannot realize real lies. You need more than that."

"I don't understand."

"You don't have to. Let's just enjoy this banquet while it last. The wine, they said, is sweeter than the last three towns we came from. The brisket and the rack of lamb, they serve here, is very most moist and easily melt in your mouth. Truly a delicacy."

"We're not yet done-"

"Barkeep! I want to celebrate this night, this special night. Please give a round of drink to everyone in this place. I want tonight to be the most memorable!"

"I'm leaving if you keep this up. I said we're not done talking."

"Quiet down, the jerry cans in the back of our trunk is ready for a great show. A great show of fire works."

"Show? Jerry cans? Fireworks? Wait, we don't have any fire-"

"Fire. Works."

"Everyone! Today's my birthday, please join me in celebrating this special day."

Random Leaf #1615

"You aren't evil, you know it too, right?"

"I am needed to be."

"No, you're not. It's fine if you're with us. You don't need to be like this. This facade of yours is totally unnecessary."

"Sacrifice."

"What do you mean sacrifice? No need to go that far. If you're with us and if stick together, things will become better."

"Uncertain."

"You say that now, but sooner or later things will be. Just believe. Hope for it. Believe. Faith."

Random Leaf #1614

"Do not compare evil."

"What?"

"The heart and soul of each person weigh things differently."

"And so?"

"A young child crying over an ice cream dropped on the street and an old man's recently dead dog."

"Those are two different things."

"Yet both cries, regardless. Their soul and heart overflows with what is lost."

"You can't compare a long time companion to a fleeting satisfaction."

"Yet both cries, regardless."