Just as the internet was singing Mark’s praises, as universities were offering him scholarships
out of pity, a new video surfaced. This one
showed Mark making crude jokes to girls,
extorting money from younger students. At first,
it was dismissed as fake. But then more videos
appeared. Some trying to capitalize on the trend, some genuine.
One comment stood out: “I know that kid from
the video. He lived next door to me when we were kids. You want to know how he got those scars? He was trying to steal from my house, knocked over a kerosene heater. Burned my
<
9:59
((
That comment exploded. More and more people started digging up dirt on Mark. The narrative
began to shift. The donations dried up. The
scholarships disappeared. Mark and his father
went from heroes to pariahs overnight.
I didn’t have to do a thing. They’d used public
opinion to destroy me, and now public opinion. destroyed them.
I heard Mr. Miller was fired from his
construction job. Furious, he tried to steal
copper wiring from the site one night. He was
caught, and in his attempt to escape, fell to his
death.
Mark, using his father’s death as leverage, tried
to sue the construction company. The owner
declared bankruptcy and disappeared. Mark,
with no source of income and no marketable
skills, was reportedly destitute.
<
9:59
1830
I moved on with my life at my new school.
34)
One night, walking home from a movie with a
friend, a figure emerged from a dark alley.
Mark. He looked haggard, his eyes burning with
hatred. “It’s you,” he hissed. “You did this to
me! Are you happy now? I have nothing left!”
I kept my cool, quietly telling my friend to call
the police. “You did this to yourself, Mark. Not
- me. No one forced you to do anything.”
If he could understand that, he wouldn’t be
here. I was worried he’d snap, try to take me
down with him. My fear was confirmed as he
pulled a knife from his sleeve.
“I’ve been having these strange dreams,” he
said, a disturbing smile spreading across his
face. “I’m back in school. We’re deskmates.
You bring me breakfast, help me with my
homework, defend me from the bullies… you
<
9:59
34
were so kind to me in my dream… why did it change? You liked me, didn’t you? You were just afraid of what people would think. I know.”
He seemed delusional. But my blood ran cold. He was describing my past life. I’d always worried he’d remember too. That he’d be able to anticipate my every move. I’d thought I was being paranoid.
But now… he was remembering.
“Aren’t you being a little presumptuous?” I said, my voice trembling. “Even if this dream was
real, why would you assume kindness equals
romantic interest? And even if you did like me,
is this how you show it? By hurting me? Mark, I
told you, the thought of you liking me is
disgusting.”
I knew I shouldn’t provoke him, but I couldn’t
help myself.
<
My friend tugged at my arm. “He’s crazy,
Sarah! I called 911. Let’s go!”
Mark’s eyes were fixed on me. “Was it real?”
he whispered. “The dream… was it real? I knew it! But it’s too late now… did you have the dream too? Is that why… is that why you did all this? To get rid of me? I just liked you… you were so kind… why couldn’t you just… accept me?”
I took a deep breath. “Mark, you still don’t get it. You can’t force someone to like you. And liking someone isn’t about hurting them. All you’ve ever done is hurt me. If you truly liked someone, you’d try to be worthy of them. You wouldn’t try to drag them down to your level.”
He kept coming closer. “I’ll never be good enough for you… unless I drag you down… maybe… maybe if I ruin your face too… then you’ll finally accept your fate…”
<
9:59
34
He lunged at me, a crazed laugh escaping his lips. I grabbed my friend and ran.
Thanks to the time I’d bought, the police arrived just then, tackling Mark and disarming him. He was arrested. Attempted murder. That would keep him locked up for a while.
Leaving the police station, I finally exhaled. The city lights blurred as the kind officer drove us home, concerned for our safety.
As we passed my apartment building, I saw an elderly woman selling vegetables from a makeshift stall. I bought everything she had, urging her to go home. I didn’t care about the online warnings about scams like this.
Her wrinkled face creased into a gentle smile. Her trembling hands carefully selected the best vegetables, handing them to me, then returning my change. “Don’t buy too much, dear,” she said. “It’ll spoil. Thank you. You be careful
<
urging her to go home. I didn’t care about the
online warnings about scams like this.
Her wrinkled face creased into a gentle smile.
Her trembling hands carefully selected the best
vegetables, handing them to me, then returning my change. “Don’t buy too much, dear,” she said. “It’ll spoil. Thank you. You be careful.
going home now. It’s not safe out so late.”
There are many unfortunate people in this
world. Some are kind. Some are not. But no
matter what, protecting yourself should always
come first.
I hoped for more light in the world, less
darkness. I hoped kindness wouldn’t be
mistaken for weakness. I hoped it wouldn’t be punished.
