Wunsken: Grimoire of Wishes and Malice

I thought I would eventually move on. However, the memory of the fire kept on coming back like a ghost at the end of the day. When my paintings were destroyed, I felt like I'd lost my existence as well. I used to tell myself that everything would be fine—that things would fall into the right places sooner or later. I received emails, calls, and private messages from my friends saying I should cheer the hell up. And that they were always there for me. But I knew I wouldn't be able to pick it up. "You're Lawrence Amorsolo, aren't you?" I was brought back from my frustrated thoughts when a man in a bottom-down shirt approached me. Currently, I was in a department store, staring at the new set of paintbrushes resting on the shelf. "I'm sorry?" I glanced down at his ID, saying he was a store manager. He smiled and stepped towards me. "Yeah, it's you!" He had that lively smile on his face. "I'm your fan, Mr. Amorsolo. I'm lucky to see you around here." "R-really?" I asked, unconvinced. "Yes! Wait..." He fished out his cellphone from his pocket and smiled at me. "Can we, uh... have a picture together?" "No!" The hateful voice inside me came out without my consent. "W-why?" he asked in a vague expression. I let out a thick exhale then lowered the hat covering my head. "I'm not that person. I don't even know him." I avoided his camera and turned to my back eventually. "Sorry again. I gotta go." From the department store, I went straight to the church. I used to go there every time I ran out of hope. It was the same church where Ruth and I planned to get married someday. But now I'm not here for such frivolous reasons. I came here to demonstrate how miserable I was. He did this to me, anyway. "Hey, buddy..." I sat on the very last bench, my sharp eyes fixed on the towering figure. "Despite my terrible past, I tried not to go off the rails. I had been one of your most fervent servants. I used to make charitable contributions. I didn't deceive Ruth. Now, tell me why you allowed this to happen as if I deserved it," my heart screamed as I whispered in the softest tone I could muster. It was louder than the colic whine of the baby in front of me. I was expecting some solid responses. But he let me down. He didn't make an impression on me. He didn't say anything. He, too, had vanished. "Mr. Amorsolo?" I raised my face and turned over my shoulder to one side. A skinny woman was standing beside me. Though she looked quite pale, the smile painted on her face was telling me that she was in good shape. "Yes?" I asked, weakly. "I know you." Again? I stood up and returned the cap to my head. "Sorry, but I think you mistook me for someone else." "Thank you so much, Mr. Lawrence!" I frowned. "What are you thanking me for?" Her smile grew wider. "I'm that beggar you helped a year ago." I recognized her. It was a year ago, indeed. She was this greasy beggar roaming around the church. But now she looked very neat. "Wait, where's the child now?" "Momma!" A boy ran toward the woman and hugged her. I lowered my head. "Is that your son?" She shifted her bright gaze to me. "Yes, Mr. Lawrence. And he's now attending school because of you." "W-well, that's good for both of you. Good luck," I said, then spun before she could ask me another question. I arrived at my apartment after a few minutes. Compared to Uncle Bill's house where I grew up, this was a much smaller space. However, it is preferable to live a quiet life and be alone. At least, no one was telling me what I should and shouldn't do. I'm no longer his puppet. I'm no longer that classic artwork who hides his nefarious activities. I got off my bike and dug my keys out of my pocket. I began walking towards the gate, but I came to a halt when I noticed a man standing in front of it. "Hey!" I called out. "You lost?" He didn't even bother to turn around. "You've got the wrong gate, buddy. I live here. So leave before I phone the police!" Still, he didn't turn around to face me, which irritated me even more. Regardless, there was a part of me that was suspicious of his existence. Then I realized there was something unusual about him. He was dressed similarly to me, with a white shirt and faded pants. And he had the same ragged dark locks up to his shoulders just like mine. "I was looking for you, Lawrence." The man whispered and spun to his heels to face me. He smiled at me, a sincere one. But hell, that smile sent chills down my spine. Holy s**t! I desperately wanted to run, but I couldn't move! My feet were planted to the ground like giant old roots. This is impossible. "W-who are you?" I gritted, "Why am I so similar to you?" o0o "Sir! Sir! Wake up!" A man in a security guard suit woke me up with his loud voice. Raising my back on the couch, I scowled at him as if he had just sinned by delaying my slumber. "What do you want?" I asked. He looked at me, confused. "The opening will start in ten minutes. The guests are looking for you for the ribbon-cutting," he explained, still brows contracted. "Ugh, damn!" I raked my fingers through the curls of my hair. "Okay, okay. Just leave me for a while. I will just fix myself." He nodded and closed the door. I straightened my necktie in front of the mirror. I was already awake but that creepy dream was still playing in my thoughts. Who was that man in my dream? Or should I say… my nightmare.