1 - Thunderous Bang

EROS

I couldn’t believe people were falling for these lies. I have established my career since ten single-handedly, and all I got are false accusations—ALWAYS! I am tired of how the media wanted to drag me to filth when I did nothing but paint. I was a painter, not an actor, but since I became known to mainstream media, my life has been this messy. I could never rest from this mess.

“Hey, you!” I rolled my eyes as I heard the caller.

“I’m not in the mood, Perth,” I answered as I laid my back on the couch.

“Are you in your sanctuary?”

“You know where I am, right now.”

“I am coming over. I am bringing liquor—your favorite, Cognac,” said Perth, laughing.

“Nah, you mean your favorite?” I replied. “Just come here. I am bored to death!”

A few minutes passed, and Perth arrived. He brought his favorite liquor and some finger food. He smiled at me as I welcomed him to my doorway. His smile was apologetic, and I knew that it was because I was in another circle of hell.

It’s always like this. I wonder how I reached stardom when I was only a painter. I wonder how I got this spotlight when my work—for me—was not even good. People painted a perfect image of a young kid who could create artwork at such a young age, and they forgot that that kid would grow, far from the expectations they wanted that kid to be.

My artworks have only two colors—black and white. I was labeled as Master of Monochrome as early as ten years old. As a young kid, it doesn’t make that much of an impact for me. My late guardians have surrounded me from the toxicity of the media. Four years ago, when they all perished, it left me unguarded. I was glad I met Perth.

“Tell me what happened, Eros,” he said as he munched some chips. “Not that I believe in that accusation, but it’s the first time I heard this accusation—and a serious one.”

I sighed before I answered.

“There’s this one female fan who asked for a picture; I agreed and posed for a snap. Then, she immediately shouted that I touched her butt. And you know what happened next? I am all over Twitter—getting canceled.”

Perth suddenly burst into laughter.

I got annoyed with his irritating chuckle. The whole room vibrates with the resonation of his unnecessary laughing. I looked at him with a grim gaze until he stopped and wiped his tears.

“If only they knew,” said Perth, then chuckled. I grabbed a throw pillow and tossed it at him. He caught the flying bolster, hid his face, then continued laughing.

“PERTH SANTOS!” I shrieked. He suddenly stopped laughing, but I guess it is safe to say that he’s suppressing his laughter.

“Honestly, Eros, sexual assault is the last thing I’m expecting for you to be accused of. And with a female fan, you must be embarrassed. You should come out,”

I rolled my eyes at him.

BANG!

“—what’s that?” The two of us suddenly stood as we heard a thunderous bang. It was so loud that we felt the vibrations on the floor. It’s like a truck fell from the sky.

Perth suddenly peaked at the window. He turned to me with a worried face; I quickly checked what had happened outside. It looked like the wall in the front gate was damaged from a crash.

“What the heck is that?”

“Does that mean people know where I am?” I asked. It reminded me of the time when I was starting to be known as an artist. Fans would camp in front of the convent, waiting for me to show up, and asked for my signatures. I was ten years old, and these fans were grown-ass women. It was uncomfortable being surrounded like that in your own safe space.

My guardians and managers would transfer me to another house to protect my privacy. But my fans would follow me wherever I went. It was toxic. Suffocating.

“No, I am sure they don’t know this property. Let us check outside. Where did you put the rifle?” Perth asked, his forehead creased and pursed his lips to a thin line. He looked scary with that image.

“What will you do with the rifle?”

“For protection, what if these are your haters? Or crazy fans?”

“Let us call the police,”

“Then people will know you’re here!”

It came to my senses how this property has been kept from the public since I purchased this property at 16 years old. Whenever I was under a severe accusation and wanted to hide from the rest of the world, I sought this place for my peace of mind. My sanctuary, my secret haven. Only Perth, few trusted people and I knew about this property, and it has been kept for the past four years—this time, it might not be the case.

I passed the rifle to Perth since it was licensed under his name. His idea was to keep a gun for my safety, I refused to own one, but he insisted. He secured a license just last year and left it in this property. I thought this rifle would never see the light of the day—or night perhaps, but here we are, into the unknown.

“Stay close,” said Perth as we trudged toward the pitch dark. The palpitations of my heart were the only sound in the deafening silence of the night.

I could hear Perth’s heavy breathing as we moved forward. He’s so focused and determined. I was worried that this might cause us to lose our lives to protect ourselves from harmful entities.

When we arrived at the front gate, debris was all over the place. It was as if a wrecking ball was thrown on its massive build. Perth and I couldn’t determine the cause of the impact. If it was a truck or tractor, then there are no wheel marks on the pavement. If it was fallen debris from outer space—a meteorite, there are no signs of fire or whatsoever. If it was a bomb, it’s impossible since there are no signs of a bomb impact.

What else could it be?

We rummaged the whole place, though we’re relieved that it wasn’t some angry mobs, we are curious how all of this happened. What? Who? How?

“It needs to be fixed right away. We can’t let it sit like that. Though this property is away from the highway and people, we can’t be complacent. Living it open will attract bad people. I’ll call my girlfriend tomorrow; her family firm will work on that, don’t worry.” said Perth, reassuring me.

“Thank you, Perth.”

“For now, let me stay here. We don’t know what will happen next,”

Perth and I returned to my house. As we approached the house, we saw the door open ajar. Perth looked at me with his brows furrowed.

“You’re the last person who left the house. Did you close the door?” he asked, cocking the rifle.

“You know me, Perth. Between the two of us, it is you who leave the door open,”

“Let’s get this intruder,” said Perth, fixed his eyes on the open door.

My legs are shaking as we move towards the house; I don’t know what awaits us. My home has been quiet and peaceful, away from my noisy world. Could it be the end of those days?

Perth slowly rushed, pointing the rifle as he approached the slightly ajar door. He paused for a while, seeming to be clearing the area. I could feel my heart pounding wildly. It picked a rock near my foot in preparation for the ambush.

He dashed inside the house, and I heard him shouting.

“Reveal yourself!”

I abruptly followed Perth. When I entered, he faced the kitchen wide-eyed and worried face while he slowly lowered the rifle. He looked at me with disbelief in his eyes. I slowly walked and joined him.

There, I saw a bared figure of a skinny guy with fresh wounds all over his body. Blood on his exposed flesh glistened as it slowly traveled downward. The naked guy looked like feasting on the food on the table.

“Hey!” I exclaimed.

He slowly turned, and I finally saw his face; it had cuts and bruises. He smiled as our eyes met. The hairs on my neck rose when I saw him smile while munching an apple.

He gulped, then waved at us, “I am Port. Nice to meet you,” he suddenly collapsed on the cold floor.