The Green Spirit (Spirits In The Pleasure)

Richard woke up early and had breakfast with his mother, Jean. Afterward, he prepared for work at the hairdresser’s. He had always dreamed of becoming a footballer, but that dream was shattered two years ago when his father died. Afterward, he dropped out of school to help his mother. Despite the tragedy, Jean remained optimistic about her son’s future. Yet, she refused—or perhaps couldn’t accept—that her husband had been too old to survive the heart operation. She had retired from her job as an IT consultant and, though she had countless creative smartphone designs and ideas, she had never pursued them.

Finishing his breakfast, Richard stood and headed for the door, but his mother stopped him. “Richard, why didn’t you talk to me this morning? Is everything okay?”

“You know, Mom, I’ve had a lot of customers this week. It’s been stressful,” he replied.

“I’ve always told you that job isn’t right for you,” Jean muttered, “but I suppose I’m just talking to myself.”

Without answering, Richard left home quickly.

Meanwhile, Jean was busy with preparations for a project to open a car rental office, hoping her son would work there instead of at the hairdresser’s. The question that weighed on her mind was whether he would accept the opportunity.

Richard, in contrast, was lost in thoughts about his father—his only friend. He remembered his parents’ ages: his father, 66; his mother, 57. He had been born years after their wedding. Soon, he arrived at the hairdresser’s, though he barely noticed until the owner, Carlos, started yelling at him. This was a familiar scenario for anyone hiring a teenager: they expected slaves, not employees. Despite Richard’s hard work, he was treated poorly every day.

After finishing work, he headed home, only to be blocked by three teenagers who seemed familiar. “What do you want from me? Let me go. I’m tired, but I feel good that I left that school. I don’t have to see your ugly faces anymore,” Richard said.

One of them, with brown hair and piercing eyes, sneered, “You think dropping out of school makes you safe? Give us your phone and money, and maybe we’ll let you go, mouse face.” They teased him for his large front teeth, though his smile remained undeniably sweet.

“Oh, you’ve graduated from bullies to thieves,” Richard retorted. “Always changing, but for the worse. Back off.”

He pushed one of them, striking him in the face, and tried to fight the others. But they overpowered him, throwing him to the ground and kicking him until he lost consciousness. They left him there.

Minutes later, Richard woke to a girl shaking him gently. She had piercing brown eyes and light brown hair cut short. “What happened, Richard? Who did this to you?”

Richard was disoriented. “Where am I?”

“Are you okay?” she asked again.

“I—I think so. Do I know you? Remind me of your name,” he said.

“I’m Maddison. But call me Maddy. We were classmates last year—the girl with the big glasses.”

Richard started, “But you—”

“Yeah, I look different. I know,” she interrupted, smiling. She helped him to his house and left quietly.

Walking home, Richard found nothing to say. It had been a year since they’d spoken, and she had never been a close friend. Overthinking, he asked himself, Will I see her again?

Jean’s voice broke his thoughts. “Why are you late? It’s already 10 PM!”

Turning to apologize, Richard saw her gasp. “WHO DID THIS TO YOUR FACE?”

Forgetting the fight, he stammered, “It’s just—”

“Don’t lie! Tell me what happened!” Jean demanded.

Unable to hide the truth, Richard recounted everything. He admitted he had been powerless, pretending bravery while feeling like a coward. Jean listened and then reminded him, “Do you remember your father’s death? You asked why I wasn’t crying.”

“Yes,” Richard said. “You said I was another pillar, but I didn’t understand.”

“That pillar is you. Our home is my life. Your father left me with a man. Not everyone can do what you did—and you haven’t even turned twenty yet.”

Richard looked down. “Don’t try to cheer me up. I know who I am.”

“Not everyone drops out of school, takes responsibility, and works hard for the family,” Jean said softly. “Even with money, you felt something wasn’t right.” Torn between his father’s memory and his mother’s words, Richard tried to hold back tears.

Two weeks later, Jean had finished her project and was preparing to tell Richard about it when frantic knocking sounded at the door. A scared girl stood before her.

“Are you Richard’s mother?” she asked.

Jean nodded.

“My name is Madison. Your son is in danger. Some boys from school are chasing him—they have knives.”

Three hours earlier…

Richard had finished work and was heading home when someone caught his attention—it was Maddy. Despite the distance, his heart raced as she approached with a smile.

“Hi, how are you, brave boy?” she said.

Richard stayed silent. Sensing his discomfort, she added, “I think you’re not in the mood to talk. I’ll go, but we can talk later.”

Richard stopped her. “Where have you been the last two weeks? I… I wanted to thank you for that day. I appreciate it. Sorry, I didn’t say anything before…”

Maddison prompted, “It’s just what?”

Richard looked at the ground. “It’s just… I’m not used to having someone care about me. Honestly, we weren’t close last year.”

“You were pushing everyone away,” Maddison said.

“I know. But now, I’d like to have a cup of coffee with you, as friends, if that’s okay.”

Maddison smiled. “That’s fine. Friendship isn’t factory-made.”

They agreed to meet at a café nearby. As she left, Richard waited, but the same three bullies appeared.

“How’s your skinny body after last time?” one taunted.

Richard stayed silent, eyes locked on theirs. One pulled out a knife. “We have a new activity. Last time, we beat you; this time, we want your money. And your pretty face will be our canvas. By the way, we saw that girl with you. Insane to think you had a chance with her.”

Richard tried to strike, but the knife slashed his shoulder. Pain seared like a katana strike. Realizing resistance was futile, he ran. The bullies chased him, shouting threats.

Maddison, returning, saw him flee. She knew she couldn’t help directly, but she could warn his mother.

Bleeding, Richard ran into a nearby forest, scarcely believing such wilderness existed near his Nevada neighborhood. He stumbled upon a cave and hid, while his pursuers continued searching outside. Eventually, he lost consciousness.

In his dreams, he wandered a path of flames. With each step, the path narrowed. His father’s voice echoed: “Look after your mother for my sake.” Another voice whispered, “You are not the son I expected.”

The flames turned green. He fell into them, then awoke to a small green light. Rising, he followed it to a broken mirror glowing with the same eerie green.

Staring at his reflection, his body went numb. A voice spoke, inside his head: “Why are you here?”

“I was just hiding,” Richard whispered.

“But I want—”

“Want what?” he asked, fear rising. Eyes appeared in the mirror.

“I want you,” the voice said.