Chapter 3: The Massacre at Maple Heights

4

Originally, I only wanted to escape, even if it meant hiding my name.

But that day, I heard news that the entire town had been wiped out.

My parents died when I was young, and I grew up eating at every neighbor’s house. To me, the people of Maple Heights were no different from my own family.

So, the words “Was Maple Heights wiped out?”—left me frozen in place.

My whole body stiffened. I hid behind the bushes, not daring to move.

I remember clearly, it was the third month after I arrived at Silver Hollow. I was holding my newly issued team badge, excitedly going to find Marcus, wanting to ask him which diner in town had the best pie, using the chance to learn about the surrounding area.

But at that moment, in my eyes, the charming and easygoing Marcus was lightly laughing as he wiped his baseball bat.

He said slowly, “Wiped out, not a single one left. Including Mr. Hall’s wife and her unborn child.”

Marcus clicked his tongue, “Over a hundred people, it was exhausting, so in the end I just used ice spikes.”

The gentle Derek spoke in a cold, unfamiliar tone. “Are you sure they’re all dead?”

Marcus glanced at him sideways. “Of course, I never leave loose ends.” He wiped the bat clean—just like after a game—then slung it over his shoulder and grinned. “Just don’t let little Tommy know. I don’t want my favorite rookie to hate me. If he dislikes me, no one will sneak out for drinks with me anymore.”

Derek replied, “No problem, keep it from him for now. Tell him after he makes varsity.”

“Yes, by then he’ll understand us. Athletes don’t need emotions, nor mortal weaknesses—ah, it’s a pity rookie is so slow at making varsity, otherwise he could have wiped out his own kin to prove himself.”

My teeth were chattering. My vision tunneled. I bit down on my fist so hard I tasted blood, desperate not to scream. But tears of panic and despair still streamed down my face.

The footsteps faded away. I gripped the team badge in my other hand so tightly my knuckles turned white.

The word “Silver Hollow” on it was bitterly ironic. Is this a school for greatness? Do they act for the people? Why kill innocent people?

Mr. Hall was the mayor, also my uncle. He’d always smelled like aftershave and motor oil, grinning at me from behind the counter at Hall’s Hardware. Before I left, he held my hand with a smile, saying our town would produce someone great, and that when his child was born, he wanted me, the ‘college star,’ to name it.

At that time, he looked happily at his wife’s six-month pregnant belly. He probably never thought he’d die three months later, with his child not yet born.

Why did they have to die by your hands! Why say it was for my sake! Did you ask me? Did I agree? Absurd and laughable—

And also:

When I make varsity, I’ll understand you? What does that mean?

A chill crept up my back. It seems that “making varsity” means I will become a monster I cannot comprehend or accept myself.

I let go of my mouth, forcing down the urge to vomit. Word by word, through gritted teeth, I said:

“I will never agree.”