Chapter 5: Leaving Trenches For Somewhere Worth Laying The Head

[You made a promise, brother.]

[You know it’s up to you to fulfill it.]

Ryan was already expecting a statement like that from Soly. It was not based on just the exact promises he had made alone, but the ones he had made before.

It was like repeating a vow he had made before that was either fulfilled or fumbled. All through the years, he had gone through a lot of experiences and lives, and he had met countless people that meant something to him.

People he made promises to, and some ended with him fulfilling them and some not.

That was why it seemed so heavy after making this particular one, and Soly had to say something about it.

"I will. I definitely will," Ryan said without giving much thought about it.

He was certain that the tasks of this world would not be large enough to make him get carried away from his family. The only one he had, as a matter of fact.

He was already making Emily his priority, even though it could mean putting her in almost every activity he carried out.

He was ready.

...

It was impossible for him to go ahead and increase Emily’s lifespan while she was asleep at that time.

Soly had already stated that both parties must be fully aware of the deal, and only then would the contract be signed.

With that said, Ryan decided to focus on something else.

[Stats:]

[Ryan Calender]

[Profession: Time Merchant.]

[Age: 20.]

[Net Worth: $298,005.]

[Available Lifespan: 102,999,999 Years.]

[Contracts: 1.]

"Hmmm... Soly?"

[Yeah.]

"I can’t just keep wandering on the streets to look for who to sell time to, right?"

[Best case scenario, yes.]

"So what do I do?"

[Well, for now, you are definitely not famous, and your wonders haven’t been heard of. So the first thing is to make yourself heard enough, and people would come crawling.]

[But I’ll have to warn you that popularity would bring chaos. Attention would bring problems, as always.]

"I’m ready for that," Ryan nodded. "I’ve always been."

So Ryan went straight to getting his schedule for the next day.

He was already fired from his noodle restaurant, which was no longer something to worry about.

So he decided.

"Tomorrow should be all about amending our lives a bit."

...

When Emily woke up the next morning, Ryan was already up and patiently waiting for her while he got ready.

Her eyes glinted a bit when she saw the bright look on his face and the boldness in his stance.

The first thing that came to her mind was the fact that they weren’t supposed to be there.

"The landlord... He never returned?" Emily asked.

And Ryan nodded his head as he sat next to her.

"Yeah, he did."

"And...?" Emily furrowed her brows in curiosity.

"And, I paid up."

There was a straight change on her face the moment she heard that because she understood what paying the entire rent meant.

A hundred and fifty dollars cleared, and she knew that it would only take a miracle before he could raise such an amount of money in the space of hours.

"How?" she then asked. "You paid in full?"

Ryan immediately nodded.

"Turns out life isn’t as tough as we think. Figured it out, and I even had to pay extra for holding on," Ryan smiled.

"But that’s the case here, Emily. I have to tell you something."

With the look of amazement still on her face, she settled and listened.

"I’m going to ask you to lay your palm on mine, and you are going to do it, okay?" Ryan said.

"Okay, but why?" Emily agreed, but she was still curious.

"I think I do have something that will make you feel better. I don’t know how, but trust me, you won’t have to worry about getting treatment anymore."

Emily stared in confusion for a while before asking, "And what’s that?"

"You will see."

Ryan stared at the Lifespan panel and made a quick ponder. And then he decided to release thirty years.

The invisible document, which only he could see, was floating in mid-air, and he didn’t need Emily’s intervention for anything except the final step.

[Time Duration For Sale: 30 Years.]

[Recipient: Emily Calender.]

[Date: 24th November 2054.]

[Sales Fee: Undisclosed.]

Then he told Emily to do what he had asked earlier, which she immediately did without question.

With a soft contact on both palms, the contract was signed, as Ryan heard a ding sound in his head.

[You have successfully sold Thirty Years of your lifespan to Recipient, Emily Calender.]

[You have 102,999,969 Years left.]

Ryan watched Emily flinch a couple of times before she became still. It was a moment of indescribable reaction that happened between seconds, and the next moment, her reaction defined the effect of all that had happened.

She raised her head and stared at him, her eyes widening in complete awe.

"Big Brother..." she called.

"Yeah?"

"What happened?" she asked.

"I... I can no longer feel the pain in my... I feel light. I feel free."

"I feel okay!"

Her expression came with an alarm, and she just couldn’t believe it. She had no idea what he had done to her, but she was indeed happy that the pain was finally gone.

Emily was already emotional the next moment.

Tears slowly gathered in the corners of her eyes before they began rolling down her pale cheeks.

She raised both hands and stared at them as though they belonged to someone else. For years, she had become accustomed to the weakness in her body, the constant pain in her chest, the difficulty breathing, and the fear that one day she would simply close her eyes and never open them again.

But right now...

There was nothing.

There was no pain, no tightness, no weakness... Just a strange feeling of warmth and freedom spreading through her entire body.

"Big Brother..."

Her voice trembled.

Ryan looked at her quietly.

"Thank you."

Emily suddenly threw herself into his arms.

She didn’t even bother to ask why, even up to that moment, because it was something she needed like hell.

Ryan’s body stiffened for a moment before he slowly wrapped his arms around her.

She cried against his chest.

Not because she was sad, but because, for the first time in a very long time, she felt like she had been given another chance at life.

"I thought..." She struggled to speak between her tears. "I thought I was going to die."

"You aren’t dying, Emily." Ryan gently patted her back as he spoke.

And she withdrew before she dared to ask.

"But how did you do this?"

Ryan remained silent for a moment. There were many things he could have told her.

None of them would make sense.

So he simply smiled. "I told you to trust me."

Emily pulled away slightly and looked at him through her tearful eyes.

"You really are strange today," she said, her eyes sharpening with curiosity.

"Maybe I finally grew up."

She stared at him for a few seconds before laughing softly through her tears.

"You’re still my weird Big Brother."

Ryan gave a soft shrug and nodded.

"Well, that’s enough for me."

The two remained silent for a while, staring at each other, but then Ryan glanced around the tiny apartment.

The cracked walls, the old mattress, the leaking ceiling.

The few belongings they had managed to keep.

This place had been their home for years.

But it didn’t have to be anymore.

"Emily."

"Hmm?"

"Get ready."

She wiped her cheeks and looked at him.

"Get ready for what?"

Ryan gave her a sharp glance.

"We’re leaving."

Her expression immediately changed.

"Leaving?"

Ryan nodded.

"This apartment?"

"Yes."

Emily tilted her head for a moment before turning back to him.

"But where are we going?"

"Somewhere better."

Ryan’s response always came quickly and decisively, and it was as if it was something he had already made a plan for. Of course, it was what it was.

Emily looked around the room again before turning back to him.

"Big Brother, we can’t afford somewhere better."

"We can now."

She stared at him again in awe, weighing the boldness in his expression.

He actually meant it.

"How?"

Ryan smiled.

"Because we’re no longer staying here."

His voice carried a calm certainty that made it difficult for her to argue.

Emily hesitated before eventually nodding.

"Okay."

She slowly stood from the mattress and began gathering the few belongings they owned.

There wasn’t much, as she only had a few clothes, some books, her medications, which she hoped she wouldn’t need anymore, and a couple of old photographs of their parents.

That was almost everything.

Ryan watched silently as she packed, but it didn’t take long.

They had spent years struggling with almost nothing, so there wasn’t much to carry away.

When they were finally ready, Ryan looked around the apartment one last time.

Then he turned toward Emily.

"You are allowed to give the room one last look."

Emily paused.

She slowly turned around, taking in the small room that had been their home for the past three years.

"Why?"

Ryan looked at her.

"Because it’s the last time."

Emily stared at him for a moment before a small smile appeared on her face.

Then she turned around and walked out, while Ryan followed behind her.

...

The first thing Emily noticed after leaving Mining Street was the car waiting outside.

It wasn’t a taxi she was familiar with.

It was a private transport service, the kind of vehicle she had only ever seen wealthy people use.

She looked at Ryan.

"Big Brother... Are you sure we can afford this?"

"Get in."

"But..."

"Emily." Ryan gave a commanding gesture, so she had to stop.

Ryan opened the door for her.

"We can afford it," he said.

And she hesitated before finally entering, then Ryan followed afterward.

The journey itself felt strange.

For Emily, every passing street seemed to become more unfamiliar.

They eventually left the poorer districts behind and entered an entirely different part of the city.

The roads became cleaner.

The buildings became taller.

Trees lined the sidewalks, while expensive cars moved smoothly through the streets.

Then Ryan finally pointed toward the window.

"We’re here."

Emily looked outside to scan the area, and her eyes widened afterward.

"P... Pentown?"

Pentown was one of the most developed residential areas in the city.

It was known for its modern buildings, expensive apartments, and quiet streets.

Emily had never imagined herself living anywhere near this place.

The car stopped in front of a six story residential building with large glass windows and a beautifully maintained entrance.

Emily slowly stepped out and looked up.

"Big Brother..."

Ryan had already noticed the vacancy notice displayed near the reception area.

He walked toward it.

A receptionist sitting behind the desk immediately looked up.

"Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon," Ryan greeted back.

Ryan pointed toward the notice.

"I’m interested in renting one of the available apartments."

The receptionist looked at him before glancing at Emily.

"How long are you planning to stay?"

"Six months."

She quickly checked the available rooms on her computer.

"We have a two bedroom apartment available on the fourth floor."

"How much?"

"Two thousand eight hundred dollars for six months."

Emily’s eyes nearly popped out right before Ryan even made any reaction.

"Two thousand eight hundred?"

She immediately looked at Ryan.

"Big Brother!"

Ryan didn’t even blink and didn’t even turn to her.

"I’ll take it."

The receptionist paused.

"Would you like to inspect it first?"

"No need."

Ryan placed the money on the counter.

"I’ll pay now."

The receptionist stared at the cash for a moment before quickly processing the payment.

A few minutes later, the keys were handed over.

"Apartment 4B."

"Thank you."

Ryan took the keys and turned toward Emily.

"Let’s go."

Emily was still standing there completely frozen. At first, it looked like a dream, but then she had to pinch herself for reality confirmation.

She followed him upstairs almost mechanically.

When the door finally opened, Ryan stepped inside, as Emily followed.

Then...

She stopped.

The apartment was nothing like the place they had just left.

A spacious living room.

A clean kitchen.

Two bedrooms.

A modern bathroom.

Large windows overlooking the city.

Everything was clean, bright, and comfortable.

Emily slowly walked inside, her eyes moving from one corner to another.

She couldn’t speak... She simply stared.

Ryan placed the keys on the table and looked at her.

"How do you like it?"

Emily didn’t answer.

Her mind was still trying to process everything that had happened.

’First, he hugged me.’

’Then he somehow paid the rent that we could barely afford.’

’Then he healed me... And I still don’t know how...’

Her fingers slowly tightened around the edge of her hoodie.

’And now...’

She looked around the luxurious apartment again.

’He rented a place worth over two thousand dollars?’

Emily slowly turned her head toward Ryan.

He was standing there calmly, as though none of this was strange, and this only made her even more confused.

She blinked as her eyes narrowed slightly.

’Is this really my Big Brother?’