the Sun is up, part I.

Francesco advances slowly. he is holding a revolver on one hand. he is holding a lit cigarette on the other hand. behind him Norman and Massimo follow. 

the sky is bright wrapped in a vibrant mixture of reds, orange, and touches of yellow. the heat may be noticeable and suffocating. the ground trembles as if an army was marching. then the person on the distance takes a form and shape, it was a common looking middle-aged white woman with common blonde hair.

the woman in question presents herself as Victoria, the bookkeeper. she pulls out a thick scroll that falls all the way to the ground. she starts to read from it.

"Welcome, you all are taking part on the Purgatorium Tournament. an event that starts for six hundred-sixty-six days. it consists of one hundred sinners. by the end of it by the word of the omniscient, omnipresent, the One. those who fail will be condemn to Infernus. those who accomplished enlightenment would be given a pass to heaven. and those who don't progress nor become more wicked, would just stay here for all eternity." said the lady.

"Are we dead? how did we ended up here?" asks Francesco feeling anxious.

"No, you are still alive. there are bridges that connect the mortal world to the None-world, this is the None-world. it doesn't exist. it is real and artificial all at the same time. those who are to be judge come here to face themselves. don't worry. it would be over soon."

"You said this ridiculous tournament takes place once every six hundred-sixty-six days, right? then how are we chosen." asks Norman out of curiosity.

"No. it takes six hundred-sixty-six days for completion. then there is a break of three hundred-thirty-three days. and then the cycle repeats itself." whispers the lady with a malicious smile as she looks directly at the sky.

"How the hell is this a tournament? explain yourself sweety." demands Massimo.

"This isn't the whole tournament. the first phase is survival. then comes other phases. and eventually you will earn salvation." said Victoria almost crying.

"Tell me more." demands Francesco with a calm voice and violent eyes.

"There is no more to tell." said Victoria before she starts to cry in desperation. then out of nowhere the ground becomes soft and slimy. the ground swallows Victoria whole. 

"You hear that, right? there are going to be more people like us along the road. we may cross paths with truly dangerous individuals. keep your guards up." said Francesco.

the three of them keep moving forward as there is a figure on the distance observing them. watchful of their every movement. ally or enemy is too early to know.

"Well, busy boy. what is next on your agenda?" asks Massimo while staring at the sky trying to see what Victoria was observing not so long ago.

there is no response from Francesco. he starts to think about his girlfriend and the rest of their team who stayed behind. there are quite a lot of lives on his hands. he is unsure if he is the right person to keep them all alive. he doubts himself.

Norman takes two steps back. with a wicked smile he starts to think about the multiple possibilities that had just opened up in front of him. he could use his charm to manipulate the masses on some of the survivors.

Massimo doesn't seem to care. for him is the same with or without the knowledge. he is a retired gangster who has done and see things most humans don't have the stomach to know. he always knew that hell was his final stop. no regrets, that was the way he lived. and now that he feels his mortality on his fingertips, there are even less regrets.

they turn around ready to return. the lights on the streets are changing color. the signs on the local stores go around between "OPEN" and "CLOSE." something feels to be wrong. then out of nowhere a woman named Caroline appears in front of them.

"We need to return now." said Francesco as he feels something evil approaching.

the four of them start to run for their lives. the sky that was so bring and beautiful gets covered by clouds out of nowhere. the streets are full of scarecrows. the smell of filth is too strong. even the local crows keep their distance, and their crying becomes a warning.

"We won't be able to make it on time. any great ideas?" asks Massimo as he seems to be running out of air at every step.

"No, matter where we stop. this world is too dangerous." Francesco responds.

"I see something on the distance. not so sure how that will help." said Norman pointing at a mall that stands strong and firm at a walking distance. 

"Well, we don't have much of a choice. is either that or we take bigger risks." said Francesco letting the desperation take the wheels and ride for him.

as the four of them keep advancing. the scarecrows start to move. some of them are staring directly at them. and some are even ignoring them.

the lights on the mall are changing. there are silhouettes on the distance. it may mean that there are other survivors inside. it can be helpful to know. as they get closer. the scarecrows start to run towards them aggressively. some are even holding instruments.

after a moment of intensity. they finally made it inside on time. Francesco blocked the doors making sure that no scarecrow will enter. he falls on his knees. he is sweating. someone is clapping loudly behind their backs. they turn around to see a familiar face.

"It is you. the guy who left the bus with us." said Francesco as he looks directly at the eyes of a man named Fidelio Di Garza.

"I am glad to see you in perfect condition, Detective Miller." said the man smiling.

Fidelio Di Garza is a man bath in mystery. is a man of mask and darkness like the many man present tonight and even so, there is something absurdly wrong with him. maybe it is just the calmness and tranquility from his honey eyes.