If Christopher had not once endured the bloodshed here, witnessed the most vicious aspects of human nature, and seen the treacherous jungle law that lay beneath this picturesque landscape, he might have truly regarded this place as his home. He might have lived quietly, running a simple business with his mother and spending the rest of his life in peace.
Today, a soft rain fell steadily from the sky.
Christopher carried his black umbrella as he walked alone to the Rose Sanatorium to visit his mother. He had embedded the name “Rose” across all the places he had invested in throughout Sentania—a reminder of the love he longed for.
“Mom, how are you feeling today?” Christopher asked as he sat beside his mother, who was quietly watching the rain from beneath the eaves. He gently held her frail, bony hand.
She was skin and bones, barely showing any signs of life.
Sophie sat with her mouth half-open, staring blankly ahead, seemingly unaware of his presence.
“Mom, it’s me, Chris. Do you still recognize me?” Christopher encouraged her, repeating his name over and over.
“Chris... Chris!” Each day, her spirit would briefly return to her, though her mind was still lost in a fog. “Chris, where’s Bella? Why hasn’t she visited us in so long? You two mustn’t argue! You’re not one to make friends easily, and now that you have such a good girl like Bella, you must cherish her. You’re a man—you should give in to her, keep her happy... You two need to stay together forever!”
“Mom, Bella will soon be more than just my friend,” Christopher said as he tucked the blanket around her more securely.
“What do you mean?” She asked anxiously.
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