Hero of Darkness

Chapter 2: The End

3 days later, he finally received a call from Katherine at night.

"Hey, it's me."

"Where are you? What happened? Why didn't you pick up any of my calls ?" Elric asked.

"I'm sorry. It's been hectic recently. I just didn't have time to explain." Katherine replied.

"Now tell me exactly what happened? I at least deserve to know that, right ?" Elric said.

"Well.. It's my Dad. He... He.." Katherine suddenly started sobbing & her words stopped coming out of her mouth.

"You can tell me, I'm always here for you." Elric said out of genuine worry.

"My dad has been diagnosed with stage 3 Cancer. We just found out. He didn't tell me & my mom because he didn't want to worry us. And we don't have enough money for the treatment either. That's why he hid his illness." Katherine said and started crying loudly this time.

"I don't know what to do Elric. My Dad is dying and I really can't do anything to help him. I have no money, no insurance.. Nothing." Katherine's sobs didn't stop. Elric was listening to this on the other side of his phone felt as if his father was dying at this moment. Due to his attachment towards Katherine, he felt her pain as his own. He quickly replied.

"How much do you need ?" Elric asked

"What do you mean ?" Katherine replied

"I meant how much money do you need for your Father's treatment? I can arrange for it. I'm an accountant, remember ?" He said with worry & care in his voice.

"Around 30 Thousand Dollars."

"Don't worry. I have some savings. I can help." Elric said with a resolute voice.

"No, I really can't ask you to help me. We haven't known each other for that long. Even our relatives won't give us that much money even if we begged them. And I have no way to pay you back even in the next couple of years." Katherine said hurriedly.

"It's okay. The truth is I really like you, Kate.. I know this is coming out of the blue and at the wrong time but hear me.. It's okay. I trust you enough to know that you won't cheat me. And I won't be able to sleep knowing what you're going through and I could've helped. So please don't refuse." Elric said in a soft and gentle voice.

moments of

I knew you felt about me this way. The truth is that I really

again when you're in a better position.

he never actually had to spend much on anything. So in the past two years, he certainly made up some dough

was the only person he actually felt a connection to in such a long time, he didn't think much of it and wanted to help her in her worst

helped her family would also leave a deep impression on her parents

her name

such time. On the 9th day, he finally decided

Elric got curious and tried again. But still nothing. He found it odd and tried from his other number which he barely used. So nobody knew his other number. But the same response came. He didn't know exactly which Hospital Katherine was at so he could

around

HE HAD BEEN DUPED!!

he found that her roommates weren't her friends from college, rather they met through an app used to search for renting apartments. There was really no other way to

was conned. It was one thing if she ran off out of fear of not being able to pay him back. But everything he came to know about her seemed to

she have a dad with cancer. She seemed more of a professional than someone who did such a thing for the first time. He was nothing but a mark

first time in a long time, he actually felt connected to someone. He'd go as far as to say he had fallen for her. And yet, in the blink of an eye; everything before him crumbled to dust. Everything was a lie

on him. He called in sick leave for the next few days and contacted the Police and filed a case. But there was barely anything he could

Elric returned to his job, everyone was sneaking glances at him. One of his colleagues came to him and said

If you wanted to fuck a woman that badly, could've just hired a hooker. Hahaha!" With a smug smile on

do you mean ?"

And later news spread about how she was a con. Which surprised many people including the coffee shop staff. But to have

a guy who got the job done at right time &

a dog-eating-dog world, even a simple rumor is enough to drag down your name in the mud.

an eternity. After the shift ended, he didn't immediately leave; he went to

dripped down across his cheeks like a river.. He had finally broken down. He could no longer tolerate how messed

a hand on his shoulder and tell him that it was gonna be okay. But there really wasn't anyone who'd

talked with in the past 3 months? His siblings who never actually had any form of bond with him since childhood? His fictional characters & idols he looked up to in his teenage days? Friends.. What

company's CEO had their own self respect &