CHAPTER 1
THE END OF THE NIGHTMARE – PART 1

"You know, doctor, people are mostly unfair. They say not to judge a book by its cover, yet that’s exactly what they do." The man lying on the couch spoke while the doctor quietly took notes in his journal.
"They say appearance doesn’t matter, but in the end, it does. Isn’t that hypocrisy?" The man sighed, staring at the ceiling. "That’s the kind of person I hate the most."

The doctor glanced up at him, exhaled softly, and said,
"Gabriel... people are like that. You have to understand and accept it. That’s reality."

"I know, doctor… It’s just that because they’re like this, I end up feeling out of place. Weird. Alone." Gabriel turned his face toward the side of the room where the sunlight came in.
"I still dream about her smile," he said with a dry laugh. "But maybe it’s because of who I am… that I pushed her away."

The doctor closed his notebook and placed it on the shelf beside him.
"Gabriel, you’re being consumed by your own thoughts… by darkness," he said with a weary sigh. "You can’t let that happen. You need to listen more to your heart — that will ease the pain a bit."

He turned toward the window; the glow of streetlights and cars flickered outside, swallowed by the night.
"If you keep going like this, you’ll be consumed completely by the dark. And to be consumed by it means death. So give your heart some space — even a little — for the light to enter."

Gabriel clenched his teeth in frustration.
"I know you’re suffering," the doctor continued, "but I’ll find a solution for you."

‘Solution? You just want my money,’ Gabriel thought bitterly.
Still, he forced a smile. "I… I hope you do. Thank you, doctor."
"You’re welcome. Now go get your medication and rest at home."

Gabriel left the clinic, pills in hand, and walked toward the bus stop.
When he got there, someone called out to him.

"Gabriel?"

He turned, startled, and saw a man with brown hair dressed casually, a small child beside him. It took a moment, but he recognized the voice.
"Bruno?" Gabriel said in surprise, his eyebrows lifting.

"Damn, it’s been so long! Look how much you’ve changed!" Bruno said, grinning as he patted Gabriel’s head.
"I could say the same to you," Gabriel replied with a faint smile before glancing at the child. "And who’s this little guy? Yours?" he asked teasingly.

"Ah, yes! This is my son," Bruno said proudly. "His name’s Ruan!"

He placed his hand on the boy’s back.
"Come on, Ruan, say hi to daddy’s friend!" The boy hesitated, hiding behind his father. Bruno chuckled awkwardly. "Sorry, he’s a bit shy!"

"It’s fine," Gabriel said kindly. "So… how’ve you been?"
"Hmm… how do I put it… well, I’d say life’s been good. I’m married, got a family, and a stable job — thank God."

"That’s great, man. I’m happy for you."
"And what about you?"
"I’m doing fine too," Gabriel lied with a practiced tone. "Got a steady job, pays well."

"Good to hear."
"And who’s your wife?" Gabriel asked, curious.
Bruno hesitated for a moment, then grinned. "Well, don’t freak out… but my wife’s Elisa!"

Gabriel froze.
"After you two broke up, I was there for her — and, well… one thing led to another," Bruno said, laughing lightly.

"What…?"

Gabriel stood speechless, the world blurring for a moment.
"Incredible, right?" Bruno said as the bus pulled up. "Anyway, we should grab a drink sometime. Take care, man!"
"Yeah… sure."

Gabriel boarded the empty bus and sat at the very back, staring blankly at the ceiling. His thoughts clawed at him.

‘My life is pathetic. Miserable.’

The bus jolted to a stop, nearly making him fall.
‘Was I so lost in thought that I didn’t even notice the time passing?’

He handed the driver his fare, stepped off, and walked home.
‘What have I even done with my life besides work and study?’ He opened the door to a pitch-dark apartment.
‘Nothing. My life after school has been like this — living on autopilot like a programmed robot.’

A bitter smile crept across his face.
‘Wait… could that be one of the reasons I’m like this? Then my entire life boils down to this emptiness.’

He locked the door behind him, sat on the couch, and whispered to himself,
"Just hang in there… just a few more days."

That night, he couldn’t sleep. Morning came, and he forced himself to make coffee, shower, and get dressed for work.
He took an Uber and arrived early, as usual — always the first one there. Sitting on a bench nearby, he watched the morning unfold: birds singing, cars passing, people hurrying to their jobs.

Among them, a young girl with blonde hair streaked with cyan caught his eye — surrounded by friends, laughing.
‘My daughter… she’s as beautiful as ever.’

A small, wistful smile appeared on his face.
‘But she looks sad. What’s going on? I can’t do anything to help her… all I can do is keep sending money.’

Minutes later, his boss arrived, and Gabriel greeted him before heading inside the Wicht Company building. He sat at the front desk, turned on his computer, and began organizing files.

Clients came and went.
"Welcome, sir. How can I help you?"
"Uh, is there still space in room H65?"
"Of course, sir. Just go straight ahead and turn right."

The man nodded and left. The hours dragged on until his shift finally ended. Gabriel went home — another day, exactly the same.
Every day, the same dull routine.

Until one afternoon, while eating a sandwich, he noticed something odd.
‘Strange… it’s Thursday, but she didn’t pass by today. This is the only way to her school.’

Footsteps approached. The familiar cyan-tipped hair swayed in the wind.
He frowned.

"Hey, why do you keep staring at me here every day around the same time?" the girl asked.

"Uh… well, I work nearby, and I usually arrive way too early, so I just sit here and wait. That’s all."

"Oh… so that’s it?" she said, surprised.
"Yeah, that’s all."

She sighed in relief and sat down next to him.
"Good. For a second, I thought you were some kind of creep watching me and my friends."

"What—?! I— No, of course not!" Gabriel stammered, internally screaming.
‘My own daughter thought I was some pervert?!’

"Well… can I stay here for a bit, mister?" she asked.

Gabriel looked at her with the warmest eyes he’d shown in years.
"Sure, you can stay a little. But don’t be late for school."

Her eyes brightened.
"So… what advice would you give me?"

"What?" he asked, confused.
"If I’m sitting next to you, it means I want advice, right?"

"Ah, I see," he said with a faint smile. "You’re not bothering me, don’t worry. So tell me — what’s been troubling you?"

The girl took a deep breath.
"It’s just… I’ve been having some family problems. My mom divorced my dad, and I feel lonely and… kind of lost." She let out a nervous laugh. "I don’t know why, but I feel so safe sitting next to you. I can’t explain it."

Gabriel sighed softly.
"That’s normal at your age. You’re confused — trying to understand everything. Especially after your parents’ divorce. It’s okay to feel lost."

He smiled gently.
"You’re a young warrior facing her dragon. At first, you can’t beat it — so you seek help, just like now. Do you get it?"

"The dragon… is my problem?" she asked.
He nodded. Her face brightened as she understood.

"Oh! By the way, my name’s Anna."
"I’m Gabriel. Nice to meet you, Anna."

He noticed his boss arriving and stood up.
"See you around, Anna."

That day, he felt something he hadn’t in years — peace.
She didn’t know he was her father… but for Gabriel, that brief talk made him feel like one.
‘Like a real father,’ he thought, smiling to himself.