Episode 2

Suddenly, a fine rain began to fall to earth, as if to share in the sorrow Ferzo was feeling. The clouds turned dark and the rain poured heavily. Ferzo ran beneath a bridge for shelter, clutching his belongings to ward off the chill.

"Even the sky mocks me," Ferzo murmured, his head hanging in defeat.

Luckily, there was no river under the bridge, only hard ground mixed with rocks. There lay several cardboard pieces, seemingly someone's temporary resting spot. Ferzo straightened and arranged the cardboard, then he took a cloth from his bag to use as a blanket.

He used the bag as a pillow. The biting cold from the torrential rain was piercing. Ferzo tried to close his eyes to sleep, to momentarily escape the pain he felt, but it was in vain; thoughts of his parents overwhelmed him, and he wept bitterly.

"Father, Mother, if you were still alive, you’d be so saddened to see me like this. I've been ousted, jobless and homeless, how will I continue my studies," Ferzo sobbed, his tears soaking the makeshift blanket.

Crying and shedding so many tears gave him a headache. He tried to close his eyes again, hoping to fall asleep. Eventually, without realizing, he did drift off.

He awoke very early in the morning, driven by the need to find a job. The 500,000 rupiah he had would not be enough to meet his needs before securing employment.

Ferzo packed his things and left to look for any job available, even if it was just sweeping or washing dishes.

He chose not to attend school that day, prioritizing the hunt for employment that would allow him to afford food.

On the still-quiet streets, people were just opening their doors. Ferzo walked alone, hopeful that somewhere would take him in for work.

As he continued alone, uncertain of his destination, two individuals on a motorcycle approached from behind. They snatched his bag, containing the last of his money, and sped away.

"Hey! Give me back my bag!" Ferzo shouted, chasing after the fast-moving motorcycle. He couldn’t keep up and fell to the ground, bleeding from his knees and elbows. Yet, he got up and ran again.

"Help! Help! My bag's been stolen!" Ferzo cried out along the road, tears streaming and voice growing hoarse, but no one paid him any mind. They were confused by his running and yelling—some even thought he was mad.

Once again, he fell, his legs too weak to carry him, his tear-blurred vision failing. There, he knelt down and cried unrestrained. Enough was enough; he literally had nothing left.

What greater misery must he endure? What trials yet awaited him? Was he no longer wanted in this world? Should he just exit this life? Time spun so quickly, trapping him in an excruciating cycle of suffering he wasn't prepared to face.

He had to get up. With his body weak, he walked to the side. Ferzo approached a closed store, possibly abandoned, and sat on its front step.

People started to pass by, including office workers and students hurrying to their respective destinations. Coincidentally, this street led to his school; many classmates passed by.

"Yun, isn't that Ferzo?" Iyan pointed out, perched on the back of Yun's large motorcycle. Yun looked where Iyan pointed and stopped short.

"You're right. What's he doing there? Let's mess with him," Yun suggested with a malicious grin.

The pair approached the preoccupied Ferzo, startling him as they arrived. Beside the store was a narrow dead-end alley bordered by a tall wall.

Yun and Iyan smirked as they dragged Ferzo into the alley.

"Hey! Where are you taking me?" Ferzo yelled, struggling against them.

"Shut up!" Yun snapped. They tossed Ferzo into the alley and closed in on him.

They assaulted Ferzo, kicking him, pulling his hair, punching his face. Yun struck Ferzo's eye painfully. Iyan kicked his stomach, while Yun punched his bleeding nose.

Yun was like this because Ferzo was smarter than him. Back then, he was compared by his homeroom teacher to Ferzo, questioning why Yun didn't act like Ferzo who was diligent and always did his homework. All Yun did was laze around because he was a rich kid. So, of course, he could afford to slack off. That's where he began to hate Ferzo and invited his other friends to bully Ferzo.

Ferzo wiped the blood from his nose, aching all over. Once they were satisfied, Yun and Iyan left.

"Let's go," Yun said. They climbed onto the motorbike and left for school.

Ferzo felt powerless, his stomach aching from both Yun's blows and hunger after days without food. His money stolen, what did he have left? Ferzo tried to stand and sought food in trash bins or anywhere to fill the gnawing emptiness.

He reached a bin and found some leftovers, which he ate despite their evident unsuitability. Forced by circumstances, he ate.

Ferzo traveled from bin to bin, filling his starving belly, looking more like a vagrant. In such a state, who would hire him? His clothes were torn, his body battered, his eyes looked hopeless—as though he no longer wished to live.

As he stumbled on, weak and swaying, he inadvertently caused a woman passing by to drop her wallet. Ferzo stopped as he discovered the wallet before him. He picked it up and examined its contents—thick with cash and jewelry. In his heart, he wanted to return it, but didn't know to whom. Looking around, he saw only passersby.

The woman sensed something amiss, checked her bag, and panicked upon discovering her wallet gone. Seeing Ferzo with it, she screamed.

"Thief! Thief!" she shouted, pointing him out. Confused, Ferzo didn't understand her cries. The locals quickly gathered and charged towards him.

"Where is the thief?" the villagers asked.

"There! There's the thief!" the woman identified Ferzo as he held the wallet. The crowd converged on him. The woman snatched back her wallet, and the mob violently beat Ferzo into submission. They pummeled him without allowing him to explain, judging him on the spot. He tried to shield his head but was no match for the numerous, stronger attackers. His hand was stomped on and broken.

His injuries were grave, with the previous nosebleed from Yun's punch now aggravated. Fresh blood poured from his nose and mouth. His limbs were bruised and broken. Left for dead, Ferzo laid there, utterly defeated.

His vision blurred, the pain in his eyes and body fading into numbness. His limp body felt close to death. He gazed at the sky with a dismal look, tears streaming to his temples. He gasped for air, knowing it could be his very last breath.