It was a cold and rainy March, just like it was last year.

"When's your birthday?" I grimaced as I turned to face Natanya. "March 23rd," I stated casually and her eyes widened. "That's literally in three weeks!" She screeched and I nodded, unsure of what the big deal was. I didn't celebrate it for the last four years so why would I now? I had nothing feasible to wish for. I didn't look forward to eternal happiness like some people did. I just survived on a daily basis and hoped that I would wake up the next day.

"B-but that's such a special occasion," Natanya whispered, looking discouraged. "It's to express happiness that you get to live another year, you know, the glory and recognition that this day was dedicated to you," She fumbled with her fingers and I found myself stopping her from doing that. "Yea, I used to think that a long time ago when I had people who genuinely cared," I objected sharply, small memories of my parents flashing through my mind. "Now that they're gone, what do I need to celebrate it for? It means nothing to me if I still gotta live in this shit world," I hated that I always had something negative to say about something, but it was the absolute truth and nothing but.

Why the hell would I be happy about having to withstand another year in this place?

She got quiet, flipping through the sheets of music as I sat behind the counter. "When's your birthday?" I mumbled, watching her eyes light up as she grinned. "September 5th," With a flip of her hair, she cheesed as she sauntered over to me. "What's your favorite color?" She shot back and I shrugged, never having really thought about it. "Red? I dunno. I seem to wear it a lot," I looked at my outfit, seeing the ripped jeans and red shirt. "You?" I flicked my gaze back up to her, playing around with the bracelet on my wrist.

I wasn't too sure if we could wear jewelry or not, but even so, I was going to. This bracelet was the last thing Maria Morelli gave me.

"Mama," I poked her on the side, watching the brown-haired middle-aged woman leaned down, her eyes crinkling into her fair skin as she pulled at my cheek. "What is it, my baby?" She held her arms out and I ran into them, not feeling any type of weird that I was thirteen and my mother was holding me. Her arms were the best place for me because it was soothing and it kept me calm and humble.

"What is that thing around your arm?" I pointed to the gold and silver band donning her wrist. "You always wear it," My mother chuckled as she sat down on the bench in front of our quaint house, pulling me next to her. "This here is a little something that your grandmother gave to me," She twisted it around, looking at her. I didn't know what happened to Nana, but my mother didn't like to talk about it. "She gave me this as a way to remember her because there was no way that I would forget her if I looked at this," Her voice cracked but she smiled nonetheless. "Oh," I hummed as she turned to me. "That's sweet,"

Maria grinned, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. "Do you like it?" She suddenly asked and I ran a hand through my hair, furrowing my brow in confusion. "I mean, I guess, mama? Why do you ask?" My mother stared at me with big eyes, a smile gracing her lips as she slowly undid the bracelet. "Well, I've been thinking about it for a while," She looked as if she contemplating something. "My mom gave me this for me to remember her," She placed the trinket in my open palm. 

"Now I'm giving to you as a way to remember me," I clutched the jewels, wondering what she meant by that. "What are you talking about?" I frowned. "You know I'll always remember you, mama," I replied with a pout, watching her chuckle quietly to herself. "I could never forget you," I meant that. She was the mother that any child could've ever asked for. She was everything to me and because of that, I would never forget her.

"Ah, you really are such a good son," She rubbed the back of my neck, leaning forward to kiss me on the forehead. "Just like your daddy," She whispered and I found myself happy with that fact. I loved my parents more than anything in the world. "But are you saying that something will happen to you?" I murmured and Maria shook her head vehemently. "No. No. That's not what I'm saying at all, Troy," She took my hand in hers, rubbing it. "I'm just saying that no matter what, come hell or high water, always look to this to remember me. Remember all of the moments that we have shared. Remember the way I used to tuck you at night when you were scared of the monster under your bed. Remember all of your birthday parties and the gifts you used to get." I smirked.

"Remember my warm hugs and the way that I held you whenever you were scared. Remember all of the laughs that we had over absolutely nothing, my love," Maria reached for me, clutching me close to her tightly and everything in the moment told me that this was home.

"Most importantly," She looked deeply into my eyes, eyes firm and steady as she knew what she wanted to say to me; something that would stick in my mind until the end of time. "Most importantly, Troy," Maria gripped my body and I sighed, nodding for her to continue. Her talk was scaring me because she was never this sentimental unless something or everything was going to change.

"Remember how much I love you."

I snapped my head out of that memory, forcing myself to suppress it. I remembered it, alright. How could I not? I guess you never really know the true importance of a moment until it becomes a distant memory, something that you hope and long for.

"Indigo," Natanya simpered, leaning over so that I was looking into her eyes. Surprisingly, she kept me on my toes. I could see my playboy reputation slowly diminishing every moment I spent with her and away from the entourage of females waiting for my call, and I wasn't sure how to feel about that. "That's a lame ass color, but okay." I stated and she pouted. She put a hand on her chin, studying me. It was odd that I was becoming close to someone that wasn't Avery or Jade, but it was exhilarating because it was exactly the thrill that I needed.

"So how do you keep the girls coming back to you?" She asked and I raised a brow, smirking. "Are you inquiring about the piercing I got on my dick, cuz' that's the only reason why they keep coming back. That and the fact that," I bit my lip, rubbing my chin. "They can't resist me. But it's too bad. I haven't seen any of them since I've been hanging out with you," I pretended to be so annoyed by the lack of sex I was having, moaning and groaning. All Natanya did was grin in satisfaction and I sighed, wondering if this was worth it.

There was no way that we were going to be in a relationship after the fact, so I had no idea what she was waiting for.

"Favorite food?" She offered and a mischevious grin slid over my lips. "Wouldn't you like to know?" I winked at her, watching her blush as she caught on. "I—" She fumbled, glaring at me and I laughed, feeling revitalized and relaxed. "Mine is pig dumplings," I made a face at the thought and wondering what the hell that was because I had never heard of it. "My dad doesn't like it, but it's good stuff," She cracked her knuckles and I shook my head. That was gonna be a game changer and it was good that we were never gonna date because I would be absolutely damned if she asked me to make that for her.

The fuck did she get pig from anyway? Last time I checked, there was no cattle or any other animal present in No Man's Land. All of the food you could eat was sent from the demon lord's lair.

Hell.

"Where are you from Troy?" Natanya murmured. "I mean, not here." She giggled and I fought to remember my origin. It was hard to remember where you came from or who you were when the harsh reality of this city ruined and tarnished those memories. All you could focus on was the cold present. "Wichita," I finally recalled, seeing the green scenery and familiar blue skies in my vision before me. "Wichita, Kansas." I stated, wishing that I was there and not here. "Oh?" She tilted her head. "I've never heard of that. What's that place like?" I furrowed my brows. Everyone who owned some sort of technology or car back in those years knew what that place looked like.

"It's a pretty place, not gonna lie," I grinned, remembering the beautiful skyline of the city, the tall skyscrapers and the crisp shine of the river flow as people walked about, smiling and whatnot. "It's not much considering that everything is in one place and it's so flat," I chuckled, thinking of the place I once lived upon a time ago. "You get hella snow when it's winter and it gets hella hot when it's summer," The city itself wasn't crappy but it was small. Nothing compared to New York City or Chicago. It was nothing compared to any of those big cities but it became important to me. "It was a place where I could call it home," I softly smiled, remembering my mother greeting me and the friends that I had after middle school, a plate of chocolate chip cookies in her hand.

Life was great there. It was old and far true, but I never had to worry about the things that I worried about now.

I was carefree and relaxed.

Now? I was carefree, but that was because I lost my will to live. Back then, I was carefree and chill because I had everything to live for. I had people that were waiting for me to come home every day, smiles on their faces as they opened the door. "Hey!" I nearly jumped out of my chair as the shop opened, two familiar faces smiling at me. "Hey, Troy!" Jade waved at me as she walked over to me, Avery in tow. I had no idea what his problem was, but he was acting very standoffish towards me, and it was working my last nerve.

If I had any, to begin with.

"Hey guys," I stood up, reaching over to grab my things. Tonight was my last shift for the week and I had enough money to get me through school the next. "Thanks for coming to get me. I know how you guys are about the time," I muttered dryly, knowing that they would rather impale themselves on a stake from their ass to their mouth than be out after nine at night. Though, it was only 8:42. 

"Yea, well it's not like we had a choice," Avery folded his arms with a sneer and I rolled my eyes, not even going to address him because it just made me want to punch him in the face. "I'm sorry that I couldn't walk you home," Natanya whispered apologetically and I waved a hand at her. "It's no problem, really," I smirked, recalling the fact that she told me that she lived on the other side of the city and while it wouldn't be any problem to walk out after nine (I guess she was a rebel), I didn't want her to be dragged into this.

It was bad enough that Jade and Avery were already a part of this.

"I'll call you later, okay," I nodded, coming to the realization that I never asked her where she was from. Most of the people in the city came from other states, so it made no sense why she had no idea where Kansas was. I mean, it was the only state on top of Oklahoma. Maybe she was one of the odd people that came from across the world. It wouldn't peg me as unusual but it would be a bit odd due to the fact that it was supposedly said that the demon lord obliterated the Eastern half of what used to be Earth.

"I'm coming," I grabbed my things as Jade ushered me, biting her fingernails as she looked nervously out of the door. "Stop being so scared," I complained as the lights to the store shut off, my money in my hand from the machine. "Let's go," I waved Natanya farewell as she walked in the opposite direction. She was going in the direction that was supposedly where the demon lord's entrance to Hell opened up. 

Wow, sounded dumb as hell.

"This way, ya'll," The store was closed and the dark night above loomed over us, taunting and mocking us as we floated under the umbrella that Jade provided us. Jade looked at me with a glance of fear, constantly looking around us. She was trembling and I didn't blame her. This was her first time out of the gate like this. "We should be fin—"

Within mere seconds, our hoverboards were deactivated and we fell, crashing into the harsh concrete. "Shit!" The taste of copper filled my mouth as a light broke our vision. "Well, well, well," It was the disgusting hiss of a demon cop and my eyes widened as Avery and Jade coughed, their minds not catching up to what was happening. "Assholes, go!" Jade blinked with great dread as she caught sight of the red creature that was not too far behind us. "W-we can't leave you, Troy!" She cried out, knowing that the night cops were much more ruthless. Jade stood up, water drenching her skin as Avery hoisted her up.

"Go ahead! I'll be fine!" I threw to Jade and Avery, motioning them to get a fucking move on before the demon cop caught up to them. I didn't care what they did to me, but I had to make sure my friends were safe. I blew out a breath in the rain, feeling the warm water drench myself. I could see the many lasers dotting my skin as the demon cop held the gun towards me, his eyes narrowed into slits as the markings on his skin glowed under the dim-lit night. He pressed a button on his helmet, sneering as he relayed my image to me. He was most likely deciding on whether or not he should kill me. 

He probably would try because judging by the look on his face and the fact that his talons oozed venom like they were itching to slash at my throat. "Troy Victorino Morelli, age 18, born on March 23rd, 2114 in Wichita, Kansas, to Vasily and Maria Morelli," His demonic voice boomed against the waves of the wind, shaking my soul. "Evident criminal. Currently has 4,866 offenses against sir Alistair," The image instantly vanished as he put a finger on his trigger. It was that same trigger that killed seven other people in the last week. Would I make the cut? Who really knew? He studied me intensely.

"Are you gonna fucking do something or what?" I hissed in annoyance. "Thanks to you, I'm getting even wetter," That was no pun intended, but it sounded funny in my head. "Kee lek tok," His growl vibrated against the rain as he stepped closer. "You are violating the Thirteen Commandments," He pointed elsewhere and shot a bullet, the shell landing into a tree nearby. I thought nothing happened but the pure shock instilled in my body soon turned into dread as the tree lit up on fire. "You speak wrongly of us cops, you use such disgusting language, you are protesting against the laws of our great lord, you scar your body. That will be four offenses," I could see the number going up and it didn't even faze me.

"Man, I don't give a fuck. Are we done here?" I folded my arms, ready to materialize my hoverboard out of thin air. The tall and intimidating cop's nostrils flared, his eyes turning black as stepped closer. "Yet another offense," He taunted, glaring down at me. He peered in closer, looking at the tattoo going from my shoulder to my elbow, mouth screwing up in disgust and anger at the blatant law that I evidently broke. Who cares?

"It seems that you want to follow the same fate of your parents," Pure irritation filled my veins as I glowered at him, my hands clenching tightly. "Watch your tone," I warned, my teeth gritting. "Such a shame that they died," He shrugged casually as if he speaking of the weather. "With a son like you, it seems that they deserved it," My eyes widened almost comically and before I could stop myself, my body moved on autopilot as I reached up for his neck, slamming his face down on my lifted knee. 

With a loud groan and several cracks piercing the air, the demon cop stumbled backward, clutching his face as black liquid oozed out of his nose. There were no words to describe the wrath that was plaguing my body. How fucking dare he talk so low about people he had never met? People who deserved nothing but the best? People who were the best parents that one could ever hope for? 

He was not going to sit here and tarnish my parents' name. Not on my god damn watch. With a pivot of my left leg, I rammed my foot straight into his stomach, the sound of thunder swallowing his demonic screech. My hands closed into fists, daring him to repeat another thing about them. I wouldn't hesitate to end his life right here and right now. He had no right. I stormed forward with rage clouding my vision, watching him fall down to the ground with a splash. I heaved and I heaved, grabbing the back of his neck and jabbing my knee into his eye over and over, the squelching of black blood staining my pants.

He wanted to die.

He wanted to fucking die.

He howled in demonic language, a green glow coming up around his body and all of a sudden, the barrier around him threw me back with a harsh jolt. I flew backward, landing on the ground before him, coughing as pain ruptured in my bones. Wiping the blood from my mouth, I stood up with a cold vengeance in my mind as I stalked over to the laying demon, a smirk on his lips as if I had just sighed my death certificate. I narrowed my eyes into slits, grabbing him by the horn. This wasn't a threat—it was a fucking promise because no one and I meant not one god damn person would talk shit about Vasily or Maria and live.

"You'll do fucking well to keep their names out of your mouth." I pushed him back into the puddle, glaring deep into his empty soul, wanting him to try me again. Demon or not, I would die in the process of taking him out. It bothered me that he wasn't defending himself because the other cops that I had fought beat me up enough to warrant me a place in the hospital but this one, nah, he wasn't doing anything. It was completely unnerving. All he did was regenerate his wounds and with a smirk, he added to my offenses, his eyes promising eternal hell as if the demon lord himself would get fed up.

"4,873 offenses."