The Mystery of Ren Morales

I woke up. However, my eyes were still closed. I think I knew the reason as to why I didn’t immediately open my eyes.

Where am I? My memory of what happened recently was foggy.

I just woke up, so I think it’s morning. And this thing I’m laying on… Is it a bed? So, I guess I’m staying at someone’s house again…. I sighed in my mind.

No, wait, that’s not it! When I do, I usually sleep next to my client, and I don’t feel another person’s presence. This revelation made me glad. I could feel myself slightly smile as I kept my eyes closed.

If that weren’t it, then where the heck am I? What happened last night?

I’ll retrace my steps. Um… I… was walking around this city. Tronito, right? Yeah… I remember because it was unique and unlike any I’ve been to. Okay.

Then… after walking around… I… threw my suitcase away…. Oh yeah, that happened. I guess I was so fed up with something that I threw it away. Was that really a necessary thing for me to do? I’m… not sure yet — I mean, all of my belongings were in that suitcase.

Hah… What's going on with me?

Okay, then in the evening… I decided to rest somewhere because of hunger. Okay, then… I heard footsteps… then this man… then… oh!

I remembered what happened last night… and I want to be set on fire because of it! I tightly closed my eyes at the thought of last night's events. Last night, I attempted to seduce a total idiot of a man and embarrassed myself.

But I also… passed out. What's more, it was in front of that man. So, does that mean he sent me to a hospital?

The thought frightened me. But it wasn’t because I hated being at hospitals — it was just that… I should seriously avoid them. I… I’m still a minor, and if I’m admitted into a hospital, they’ll contact him. I’ll be found — and that’s scary.

What good is keeping my eyes closed? Slowly, I opened my eyes, bracing for the truth.

And… huh?

This isn’t a hospital. No, those aren’t those tile-like fake ceilings, these ceilings looked too real. Am I in a room in that guy’s condo unit?

I slowly prepped my back up and looked around. It seems like I am in a room on a bed. The room was baron with white walls, windowless, and bland. The only other object I could see was a brown wooden chair with a black sweater and black shoes on it… Hold on, those are mine! In front of me to my right was presumably the door to this room. Judging by the door's position, looking from the entrance, the bed I was sitting on was in the back left corner of the room

I slowly tilted my head downwards. My legs were covered with a comforter with a white and blue plaid pattern. I lifted the cover. I was still in my jeans. And, beneath my legs was a bedsheet with the same pattern.

I completely removed the comforter covering me and got off the bed. I looked back; it seems the bed was a bit larger than a twin-sized bed.

After reaching for my sweater and putting it on, I turned my head to the white door and walked towards it.

As I did, I thought. Seriously, who was that guy last night? Ren Morales… I just can’t understand him.

First, there was the money. Honestly… why? Why did you offer it to me? Of course, there must be a ton of reasons why… but weren’t you scared? I know I would be. I know I come across as destitute, and giving money to someone that’s homeless is admirable, but there must be doubt. Doubt about your decision — you don’t know whether you made the right or wrong choice. Right or wrong, it entirely depended on if I would use the money to actually better myself or use it on worthless things. Wasting money… wasn’t that doubt horrendously scary to you?

Secondly, what was with your act? Okay, I might’ve been lousy at it, but you should’ve at least recognized that I was flirting. If you did, wouldn’t you have played along? You spoke to me as if I were just speaking to you normally. Or maybe you already have a partner. But even if you do, you should’ve said something about it. It was… strange. Even if my act of love was fake, it was like you were rejecting or ignoring it.

… Anyways, I put my hand on the door handle.

Just thinking won’t clear my confusion. If this is indeed Mr Morales’ house, I think he’d be waiting outside of this room. And if that’s the case, I’ll just confront him. I don’t think I can simply flee in this situation.

I took a deep breath and… my stomach growled.

Oh yeah, I haven’t eaten yet. Well, at least I feel a bit better than I did last night because of my slumber. However, I still feel a bit sluggish.

I ignored this for now. Instead, I psyched myself up and opened the door.