The Grand Alteration (Retry)

Bang!

That sound could be heard from throughout the house and possibly throughout the neighborhood as well. One could tell that that was the sound of a gunshot without seeing it.

Who fired it? The man across Kuyo.

But why would a father shoot his own son? Kuyo never disregarded the possibility of such a thing happening, but he never understood why it happened.

More importantly, he expected this to be his final moment. After all, the seemingly supernatural book he held in his possession precipitated it.

'I WAS SHOT'

'I DIED'

'FIN.'

Those were the scariest words he's come across in his entire life. He believed the words of that book. After all, it was the record of his life.

However, there seemed to be a flaw in its words because if there weren't any, then Kuyo wouldn't still be standing in front of his father.

Kuyo: Huh? I'm alive¿

Kuyo could feel it. He could still see. He could still hear the ringing that followed the loud gunshot. His sense of touch was still there. He could still speak. He could still think of words like "I'm alive." But the best thing of all was that he didn't feel pain.

Not in his leg.

Not in his head

Not in his chest

Not in his neck

Not in his ears

Not in his stomach

Nor in his arms.

Nowhere.

And if that were the case, then where was the bullet his father fired? That's what Kuyo wanted to figure out by turning the direction of his vision around the room he was in.

And there it was, at the end of the hallway behind him. It hit a wall, leaving a very dark hole inside it. The strength of that bullet provided further damage to that wall by cracking it. His father missed, which was a good thing. But how did this happen?

*****

First shot.

Back when he read the book, he came across the word 'shot' one time, the time that he died. However, did it mean it was the only time shots were fired?

''Bang'

'Then, a few minutes later, I heard glass breaking. Along with that incoherent voice.'

'Then, soon enough --Bang!

'I was shot''

'I died.'

'FIN'

He only knew of that one gunshot, but that was because he only looked for that word. 'Shot' wasn't the only word associated with that gun. As a matter of fact, he heard that sound not too long ago.

'Bang'

The word 'bang' is an onomatopoeia. A word that is pronounced in the same way as the sound it imitates. That 'bang' was linked to that loud gunshot that happened. 'Bang', he could hear that sound, and not just him, but the whole neighborhood, in fact.

That's when it came to mind.

'Bang'

That word appeared in his book twice on the last page. There was that time when he was shot and another time before that.

That could only mean--

*****

Kuyo: Two shots¿

He knew soon enough that there was another one coming. So quickly, he moved out of his father's line of fire and immediately took cover.

In reality, that books prediction, or its recording, wasn't flawed at all. Two shots would be fired. Quite recently, his father already fired the first. So that meant that there was one left. And that last gunshot would be the one that spelled his death.

So, if he wanted to live, he had to stop his dad from firing the next shot.

But how could Kuyo, who had no combat experience, stop a gun, let alone defend himself from it?

Sure, a drunk father might be easier to take on than a sober one, since the alcohol reduce his ability to focus. However, Kuyo knew better than anyone that when his father was drunk, he was a completely different person. And anyone can testify that drunk people are very unpredictable, and surprise even themselves.

And the one with the gun in their hand was in close proximity of him. He could hear those improper footsteps. And since they lived together, it was only a matter of time until the drunkard would find Kuyo.

And the clock in the house agreed to. It's hand kept moving, clicking as if to tell Kuyo of the time he had left. Or rather, it was a distraction.

Dad: Ho? Heheh... Tick... Tock... Tick... Tock...

His attention had easily been drawn by the clock that was erected in the direction of where Kuyo was hiding. He had looked like it intently. Why was he so fascinated by the clock?

Alcohol was one way to simplify it. A drunk person is a person without a sense of direction. They have no sense of morality. No sense of reality. So, really, no one can explain it at all. But Kuyo could thank his father's alcoholism for that. However, he wouldn't be in this situation if his father was sober.

His father had already aimed at him before, so he knew he wouldn't hesitate to do it again. Luckily, he survived by the skin of his teeth. And that clock, it supposedly gave Kuyo a chance.

A chance to prepare himself for the next bullet.