Ryan Hawkins- A man with 3million egos

Scene — A Few Chapters Ago | Hallway Throwback

Before I became Hacker Supreme and full-time Vengeance Intern, let's rewind a bit.

A few chapters ago, Rachel called me.

She apologized for what I saw—

Her and that guy. Lip to lip. Live show. No ticket.

> Rachel: "Ryan… sorry, about earlier."

I looked at her. Smiled politely.

> Me: "It's okay."

(Inner Monologue)

Why sorry? I'm not your boyfriend.

But wow… it still hurts.

Like stepping on a Lego with your soul.

Then—boom.

That familiar sharp pain drilled into my head again.

(Still Me)

Wow. Perfect timing. Heartbreak and brain pain?

What's next—emotional diarrhea?

But I couldn't let her see that.

So after our award-winning telenovela moment, I turned around, adjusted my imaginary coat—

And walked away.

Back to mafia walking mode.

Slow-mo. Swag on. Ego patched with masking tape.

> Me (thinking): "Bring back the fake confidence, baby."

Because in this world…

If you can't be loved, at least look cool while being emotionally destroyed.

---

Scene — A Few Minutes Later | TechnoShop (a.k.a. Chapter 2 Throwback)

I arrived at the legendary TechnoShop from Chapter 2.

Same faded sign. Same cracked tiles. Same existential dread in the air.

I barged in like I owned the place—

Instant regret.

> Me: "Ugh. Bakit amoy plastic dreams and broken warranties ulit?"

The smell hit me like a failed subject.

Melted wires. Cheap glue. Life regrets.

Then I saw him.

Same tired-looking salesman. Still alive. Still asleep.

Snoring behind the counter like a dump truck na hindi makaakyat sa bundok.

His snore had rhythm.

"Utang… pagod… sweldo… wala…"

I almost didn't want to wake him.

But I had to.

> Me (whispering): "Desperate times call for… Spotify."

Scrolled through my "Chaotic Energy" playlist.

Found it: Gunshot SFX – Volume 100.

> Me: "Music maestro… BANG BANG. Like a mother's machine gun mouth."

I hit play.

BANG! BANG! BANG-BANG-BANG!

The salesman shot up like a zombie on Wi-Fi.

> Salesman (panicking): "PUT—Akala ko end of days na!"

> Me: "Good morning, Kuya! Alive ka pa? Let's talk warranty!"

He looked at me like I was both a customer and a war crime.

> Salesman: "TAR*NTADO ka ba?!"

> Me: "No, Kuya! Just playing a lullaby for your hardworking soul. Bang bang, baby. Now you're awake!"

I pointed at the dusty old CPU on the shelf like it owed me tuition.

> Me: "That one. Buying it. Now. Don't blink."

He looked like I'd just summoned him back from martial law.

> Me: "Yes, yes, I'm that pretty boy na bumili dito dati. You said, 'Just screw the back.' Remember? Destiny, Kuya."

> Salesman (defeated): "HAH—oo na! Kunin mo na 'to at nang makaalis ka na."

He handed over the box like it was cursed.

Me? I pulled out my crumpled bills like a dramatic sugar baby paying rent late.

> Me (proud): "Don't worry, Kuya. I pay with honor. And a hint of trauma."

---

Scene — 1:22 PM | Ryan's Apartment

I got home like a soldier returning from emotional war—

Dusty CPU in hand. Vengeance in heart.

Set up my room like a budget Netflix hacker den.

Wires. Pizza box mousepad. No curtains. Just rage.

> Me: "Let's go, baby. Time to un-scam the scammers."

Opened five tabs: Facebook, Gmail, CCTV streams, Department Access Portal, and Shopee.

(Shopee was for comfort.)

> Me (internal monologue): "They scammed the wrong sad boy. I have Wi-Fi and unresolved trauma."

Cue dramatic music.

Camera pans over my glowing monitor like it's a murder weapon.

> Me (typing): "Operation: Legal Payback… starts now."

---

Scene — 3:48 pm Hacker Dorm (Still My Apartment)

> Me (typing): "I searched every possible lead… every cursed corner of the web…"

FlirtTok. FishBook. ChismisHub.

Even that sketchy forum with three users and 500 viruses.

Then—boom.

Found him.

A 25-year-old man crying on livestream.

Full-on snot-dripping heartbreak.

> "She said she was from Qatar… but she's from QC!!!"

> Me (blinking): "Bro needs a therapist. And a tissue."

Scrolled more.

Then—I saw her.

A mom.

Same mom who once promised her son a Mentos for behaving…

…then gave him one Barnuts.

> Me (wincing): "The betrayal. The audacity."

But now she was thanking someone online.

> "Thanks to Madam for the new phone. Can't afford it, but installment is love."

> Me (zooming in): "Wait… Madam?"

The name gave scam vibes. Strong scam vibes.

The clues added up like fake Shopee reviews.

> Me (typing): "Let's find out who this Madam really is."

Cue montage:

Hacker clicks. Dramatic music. Pop-ups closing.

Tabs flying like dodgeballs.

Me squinting like an anime detective.

> Me (growling): "You scammed innocent moms. You betrayed a child with Barnuts.

But worst of all—

You messed with my mom."

---

Scene — Breakdown

My head—

It split.

Like someone slammed my brain with a hammer… then again for fun.

Vision blurred.

Screen glitched.

The air around me turned heavy.

Then I saw her face.

Not clearly. Just enough.

Something deep cracked open.

Then—

Drip.

Blood.

From my nose.

> Me (gasping): "What the—?!"

Pain exploded.

I screamed like an anime protagonist hitting peak trauma arc.

Then—flashback.

---

FLASHBACK — Years Ago | The Day Darious Died

TV REPORT:

> "Darious Hawkins found dead near a 15-story building. Witnesses believe… he jumped."

My legs froze.

Behind me—Mom.

Screaming.

> Mom: "DARIOUS!! WHY?! WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!"

Her voice pierced the air.

The screen flickered.

My world collapsed.

From that day on—she changed.

She cried.

She got scammed.

She got crushed.

And then… she broke.

Piece by piece.

Until she was just a faded version of the mom I once knew.

BACK TO PRESENT — Apartment

> Me: "AARGHHHH!"

I collapsed—dramatic K-drama-style.

Floor, meet face.

Felt like someone threw a flashbang straight at my soul.

> Me (groaning): "Who turned on the Call of Duty settings?!"

Everything spun.

My chest tightened.

My mind? Chaotic.

I curled up—pain, guilt, grief…

All hitting me at once.

> Me (softly): "Darious… Mom… I'm sorry…"

Silence.

Thick. Heavy. Almost sacred.

Except for one thing—

The sound of the computer fan.

Whirring.

Wheezing.

Struggling like it owed someone money.

My fingers trembled.

Eyes blurred.

But I stared at the glowing screen, like it held answers to all my broken pieces.

---

[Thank you for reading, Godbless)