Josh and I decided to go to the bar for a drink. The bartender was new, so I decided to have a little chat with him. He was a big, strong African-American man with a friendly personality.
Josh, on the other hand, was already dancing with some chicks in the bar—chatting, drinking with some girls. He spotted one girl in the corner and tried to ditch with her.
I already finished my drink, so I ordered one more.
I: "One vodka, please."
Bartender: "Yes, sir. One vodka. Here we go."
I noticed his right pinky finger was missing.
I: "What happened?"
Bartender: "This? It's some old memory I don't want to recall."
I: "I'm sorry."
Bartender: "It's okay. When I was a child, I really wanted to know about the dark forest of the West. So I entered… and then I encountered the huge black wolf. I got scared and ran back home, trying to escape death. Fortunately, I survived. I passed out in fear at the entrance of the dark forest of the West. The villagers found me and rushed me to the clinic. When I woke up… I already lost my finger."
I asked him for more information about the dark forest and the wolf, but he refused to answer.
Bartender: "Don't try to go to the dark forest of the West. Everyone who explored it ended up killing themselves."
Meanwhile, Josh got into trouble—picking a fight with some bully in the bar. I went there and tried to calm the situation.
Josh: "Back off, bro! They're the ones who started the fight! Come on!"
I: "Josh, you're drunk. Come on, buddy, let's forget about this and go home."
Bully: "Go home, bitch. Cry and go back to your mama."
I: "Come on, man. Don't be so rude. I don't wanna pick a fight with anyone."
Bully: "What? You scared of something? Just go home or suck my dick, bitches."
I got mad. I was trying my best to keep calm.
Bully: "Run home like a lamb chased by a wolf."
The voice echoed in my head again:
"You're weak as ever. Do you really want to be looked down by others? Let me take care this for you."
I shouted, "STOP!"
The voice laughed and slowly faded. Then I saw the man again. I couldn't see his face because of the hood.
I stood straight with Josh behind me. Five bullies stood up and one held my neck, trying to choke me. I lost control of myself—then passed out.
When I gained consciousness again, everything was already done. Fortunately, no one was dead. Some were injured and two had passed out.
Then an old man grabbed us and took us away.
Inside the car, I asked:
I: "What exactly happened there? What did I do?"
Josh: "Bro… you just stood there. Then you punched two men, and then you kicked that asshole. You broke his limbs, bro. You've become strong."
I: "Stop it, Josh. What really happened?"
Josh: "Ouhhh… I think you have superpowers."
I: "There's no freaking superpower, Josh."
Josh: "So what do you think that was? Come on bro, try to activate your 'lesser eye' or fly! Maybe you're invincible!"
I: "Come on bro, there's nothing like that."
Josh: "Wait, wait, wait. I have this."
I: "What the fuck is your plan? Don't tell me—"
Josh: "Yeahhh. Just like you think."
I: "No. No no no, Josh."
Josh: "How will we know if we don't try?"
I: "That's a fucking knife. If you do that, I'll never forgive you."
Josh: "Maybe you're invincible… or have super healing. Did you notice you didn't even get drunk?"
I: "And YOU'RE fucking drunk, Josh!"
Josh: "Come on, man…"
Old man: "Both of you, stop. There's something more important than that—the wolf and the entity. I know you can see them."
I: "How did you know about the wolf and the man?"
Old man: "That's not just a man, son. That was an entity."
Josh: "What the fuck are you talking about?"
Old man: "What's your name, son?"
Josh: "I'm Josh. And this is John."
Old man: "Ouhh, John… it's good for you. He's the only friend you have, right?"
I: "Yeah… right."
Old man: "There's always time to change, son. Don't worry. You still have time."
I: "What do you mean by that?"
Old man: "The wolf and the entity are far more dangerous than you think. They're not just black shadows. They are enemies."
Josh: "Enemies of what?"
I: "Just… who are they?"
Old man: "The dark forest of the West holds the dark secret."
Josh: "What secret?"
I: "How do you know I can see the wolf and the man?"
Josh: "What man?!"
Old man: "I saw the smoke coming out of your body."
Josh: "Can anyone tell me what's going on here?!"
Old man: "Here we are."
I: "Why?"
Josh: "Are we in trouble again?"
Old man: "We're fucking at your house, young man."
Josh: "I thought we were going to your place!"
I: "Come on, Josh. Let's go."
Josh: "My fucking car was at the club, man!"
I: "At least we're safe now."
Josh: "What the fucking rabbit is going on?!"
Old man: "At the library in the west side, there's a book holding the past of the dark forest. Find it."
Josh: "Hey, old hag—"
Old man: "Call me that again."
Josh: "What? What can you do about it, huh?"
The old man punched Josh and he passed out.
Old man: "I'm sorry about your friend, son."
I: "You're strong for an old man…"
Old man: "Here's the key."
I: "I think this is your friend's car."
The old man walked away holding a beer.
Old man: "I'm sorry for not telling the truth… I'm actually homeless. I just robbed this car. Take care, son."
I couldn't make a sound. Josh regained consciousness.
Josh: "Aww… that fucking hurt. This is the craziest day of my life—thanks to you."
I: "What the fuck did I do?! You're the one making trouble! After all I've done—"
Josh: "Auhhh… right, sorry. I'm just upset, man. My car… I love that one."
I: "Josh. Here's your key."
Josh: "What key? How the fuck did you have this?"
I: "The old man… I think he stole it from you."
Josh: "Aw, my beloved Linda. I thought I'd never see you again."
I: "Come on. Let's rest for now. You're really drunk, man."
Josh: "Ouhhh… Linda…"
I never knew about the wolf, or why they were so afraid of it. While walking inside Josh's house, I didn't know that the wolf was watching us from behind.