《From Shadows To Spotlight》


 1. Celebration

    "Congratulations, Archer. By this time tomorrow, you''ll be the youngest actor to be awarded the Best Actor of the Decade."


    "Congratulations."


    "Congratulations."


    "Congratulations."


    Congratulations and praise rained on Archer, and he accepted them with a gracious smile. Although it wasn''t the first time he had won an award, this award, in particular, was special to him.


    Not everyone was fortunate enough to be awarded the Best Actor of the Decade. The last award was presented four years ago. The awardees could be counted on the fingers and Archer was both, proud and ecstatic to join this marvelous group.


    Working as a child actor at the age of seven and striving in the industry until he got his first role as the main lead, Archer gave his sweat, blood, and tears to reach his current position. After almost two decades of hard work, he had finally reached the stage he had always dreamed of achieving.


    "I hope you have prepared your speech," Morgan Pike, the actor who won the award last time, teased him. "Don''t disappoint us."


    "I''m thinking of reusing your speech. Mind if I use it?" Archer quirked his brows playfully.


    "Sorry, I have the copyright. Pay me the fees and you may use it however you want." Morgan wasn''t the one who let go that easily and cornered Archer with just a few words.


    "I''m nothing but a poor actor. Please spare me."


    "If you''re poor, then I could be considered penniless." Lisa Saunders, one of the senior actors, added. "Who are calling poor, Archer? You own one of the richest production houses in the industry."


    "Well..." Archer let out a cheeky grin, thinking of a quirky comeback. "I have to pay my employees and invest in projects and by the time I receive my paycheck, I can only settle for dimes and nickles."


    "Ahh, I see. Your dimes and nickles are enough for someone to feed their seven generations." Lisa remarked, making a sour face at Archer.


    "Are you two on a mission to loot me?" Archer narrowed his eyes and stared at the two before him suspiciously.


    "You could say so. Who says no to money?" Morgan nodded, rendering Archer speechless while Lisa chuckled in amusement.


    "Archie, there you are! I have been looking for you everywhere." Archer heard an annoying voice and turned to face the man he wasn''t on good terms with. It had nothing to do with the fact that they were rivals. It was just that the man made him feel antsy and the nagging feeling had stayed with him since the first meet.


    "Justin." Archer greeted, hiding his displeasure behind his smile.


    "Congratulations, you."


    "Thank you." Archer raised his glass of wine and accepted his words.


    "So, are you prepared for the big day?"


    "More or less." Archer gave him a perfunctory reply.


    "I am too. After all, it''s you winning the award." Justin smiled at the familiar faces behind Archer. "I will be right back. Let me greet the others."


    "You don''t like him." Morgan pointed out once Justin was out of their listening range.


    "Was it obvious?" Archer didn''t deny it and glanced at the two people who were smiling at him knowingly.


    "You hid it well. But you couldn''t deceive us." Lisa revealed and Archer sighed, his shoulders dropping in defeat.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "I just feel uncomfortable in his presence." He confessed as he swirled the wine absent-mindedly.


    "Is it because you two are considered rivals?" Morgan whispered, looking around to make sure no one was listening to them.


    "Maybe. I just feel he is always up to no good."


    "It happens. It''s not unusual to be wary of your rivals." Lisa added, her mind drifting towards a distant memory for a brief moment.


    Morgan didn''t speak a word and sipped his wine silently while Archer left her to her thoughts, giving Lisa her time.


    The party was in full swing. Most top actors and actresses, directors, producers, and a lot of other staff were present. Each person had an impressive career to boast about and it was an extravaganza the paparazzi cried to be allowed into.


    Alas, no reporters were allowed anywhere near the building, let alone inside the banquet hall. It was a pre-celebration held by the sponsors, and only selected people were invited.


    "Will you be there tomorrow?" Archer looked at the two people beside him.


    "I am. I am presenting the award for the Best Actress this time." Lisa replied.


    Archer then turned to Morgan who gave him a mischievous smile. "Do you not want your award, Archer?"


    Archer let out a chuckle in embarrassment when the realization hit him. He had forgotten about it completely. Morgan would be presenting the Best Actor of the Decade award. It was a custom the ceremony followed where the previous winner would present the award to the new winner.


    "If you don''t want your award, I don''t mind keeping it with me."


    "Well, you may try if you don''t want your house to be infiltrated in the middle of the night."


    "Are you taking any new films? I heard you are on a break." Lisa queried, placing her empty wine glass on the table beside her.


    "I will not be acting in any. But I do have a film I want to produce and your manager may get a call soon. There is a character which I feel only you can do justice to." Archer stated mysteriously.


    Lisa was the first face he thought of when he read the script and he knew the lady wouldn''t reject him. Moreover, the character was tailor-made for her and it was something she had never attempted before.


    "Oh, my. Thank you. I''ll be waiting then." Lisa smiled gratefully.


    "What about me?" Morgan intervened, displeasure evident on his face.


    "What about you?" Archer feigned ignorance and leaned back on the couch.


    "Don''t you have anything for me?" Morgan looked at him hopefully.


    "Sir, I heard your schedule is packed until the end of next year."


    "I can make some time if it''s your production."


    "Not in this project, I apologize." Archer noticed the two people who had entered the banquet hall and he stood up immediately. "Kade and Brenden are here. Let me greet them. I''ll be back in a moment."


    Archer nodded at the two and went to meet his friends. It had been quite a few months since he last met them. While he was busy with his work, Cade and Brenden were shooting a movie in Spain. Their hectic schedules made it impossible for them to meet in between.


    "Cade, Brenden." Archer fist-bumped them and the two men returned it with equal vigor.


    "Here comes the man of the moment, Best Actor of the Decade." Cade teased and Archer gave him a smug look.


    "I see that Spain has added color to you two."


    Cade and Brenden had returned all tanned and they seemed bulkier than before. It only added to their charms, however, and it was evident with how quite a few heads had turned in their direction since they arrived.


    "Looks like Best Actor is jealous of getting his spotlight snatched." Brenden gloated.


    "Oh please. We all know who the winner is." Archer beckoned the waiter and the three men picked up the glasses of wine before making their way towards the stools by the bar.


    "Is the shooting wrapped up?"


    "We have a few scenes left. But they''ll be shot in Florida." Cade replied and smiled at the few familiar faces who met his eye.


    "Cool. Listen, I have something important to discuss with you guys. It''s related to the production house." Archer whispered, his expression turning serious all of a sudden.


    "Tell, Archie. What''s wrong?" Cade''s smile slipped when he noticed his serious expression. Even Brenden had stopped smiling as they waited for him to speak.


    "Not here. How about the day after tomorrow?"


    "That works. Text us the time." Brenden nodded.


    "Good."


    The three men then continued to converse for some time before mingling with the crowd. By the time the party ended, Archer had had quite a few glasses of wine. But he was far from being drunk. He was still clear-headed and even bade Morgan and Lisa farewell before making his way out of the banquet hall.


    His driver was already waiting for him. So, Archer didn''t have to wait in the cold.


    No one spoke on the way. Archer was enjoying the moment to the fullest and didn''t realize when they had even reached home. It wasn''t until his driver spoke again that he broke out of his trance.


    "Did you say something, Roy?"


    "Sir, we have arrived."


    "Ohh. Thank you."


    "Good night, Sir."


    "Good night. See you tomorrow." Archer nodded at his driver before making his way inside the villa. The entire house was empty, and all the staff had already retired for the night, just as he had ordered.


    Removing his bow tie, he slowly made his way toward his room, humming a happy song with a soft smile. ''Finally, I made it.'' He thought, his nerves springing to life in excitement. How long had he dreamt about this day?


    ''In just a few hours, I will be the Best Actor of the Decade.'' With that thought, he entered the shower. Once done, he wore his sleepwear and climbed into the bed.


    Though exhilarated, his exhaustion got the best of him and he was out in no time.

 2. Death

    "And the Best Actor of the Decade award goes to...." Morgan stared at his audience, maintaining a mysterious smile on his face. Almost all the celebrities present in the hall knew who the award belonged to. However, the audience before the television didn''t and he waited for the drum sounds to stop before staring at the card in his hand.


    "Archer Brooks."


    Thunderous applause erupted in the hall and everyone stood up. It was the last award of the ceremony and Archer''s achievements over the years started to play on the screen while the host mentioned his notable works.


    Morgan smiled widely and stared at Archer as he welcomed him to the stage. "Looks like he seems to have gone into a trance. Someone pinch him," he remarked as he noticed Archer still sitting in his seat.


    "What are you doing? Get up. Go, go, go." Cade pulled him up and Brenden pushed him towards the stairs.


    Archer was still in shock. Even though he already knew he was the winner, he still felt it all to be a dream. His legs felt heavy and only he knew how he had managed to reach Morgan without stumbling and falling on his face.


    "Congratulations." Morgan held the award before him and Archer stretched his hand, his face radiating immense joy.


    However, just when he was about to touch the award, he felt suffocated. His chest felt constricted and he couldn''t breathe. It was as if he was drowning, not in water but in flames.


    Archer opened his eyes with great difficulty, breaking out of his dream instantly, and noticed the strangeness in the room. However, what caught his eye were the red charcoal briquettes placed in the corner, just beside the door. It was impossible to ignore, especially in the darkness.


    Coughing heavily, he opened his wardrobe and pulled the item his hand first touched - a t-shirt. Covering his nose, he ran towards the door. But to his horror, the door remained closed. It didn''t budge even after trying for a long time.


    Archer''s heart dropped and his mind started to swirl. The fumes were getting in on him and he escaped to the only place he had access to - his bathroom.


    ''I need water. I need to stop the charcoal briquettes from burning.'' With that, he rushed inside. However, none of the taps were working. The water supply had been cut off.


    If he was skeptical at first, he was now damn sure. It was a pre-planned murder and if not all, at least some of his staff were involved in it as well. Otherwise, there was no way in hell the fire alarm wouldn''t have gone off by now.


    Archer didn''t lose hope. He still had his phone. He could call for help. But his last hope dwindled when he noticed his phone was missing. Even the water jug which was usually placed on the table beside his bed was gone.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Archer started choking. Even the t-shirt couldn''t stop the fumes from getting to him and he was having a hard time keeping his eyes open. If this continued, he wouldn''t survive for more than twenty minutes.


    ''The windows. Yes, the windows,'' Archer thought and rushed towards the window. He didn''t care that it was the second floor. He wouldn''t at least fall to his death. With this thought, he opened the windows and tried to climb out.


    But the moment he did so, he felt an electric shock pass through him, and he collapsed to the ground instantly. Archer felt his eyelids weighing down and he couldn''t breathe anymore. The entire world spun as sweat coated his body. It wasn''t long before his lungs constricted in pain and the darkness consumed him.


    "Archie...Archie wake up." Archer felt someone shake him and he frowned in discomfort. "Archie, can you hear me? Wake up."


    An unfamiliar voice fell on his ears and his frown deepened as he tried to wake up. A numbing pain exploded from his shoulder, making him groan as he moved slightly.


    "Don''t move, Archie. You seemed to have dislocated your shoulder." The man continued.


    Archer had no idea where he was. He was yet to open his eyes and the first thought that entered his mind was, ''Did I survive the mishap?''


    As soon as the thought entered his mind, his eyes shot open. ''Did I not die? I thought I died.''


    Elated and relieved, he grinned as his eyes welled up.


    "Archie, are you alright? Did you hit your head? Why are you smiling like a creep?" He heard the unfamiliar voice again and turned towards the source.


    Squatting beside him was a man who seemed to be in his early twenties. He had brown hair that reached his shoulders, giving him a roguish look. He looked like Christian Bale in his younger days, only that the man before him was shorter by a few inches but more muscular.


    "Who are you?" Archer tilted his head, trying to recall if he knew the man before him. But came short.


    "Archie, you''re scaring me. Did you really hit your head? Don''t tell me you forgot everything?" The man panicked and looked around for help.


    "Look, I think there is a mistake...I don''t think..."


    "Doctor, doctor, take a look at him. There is some problem with him."


    Archer squinted his eyes when he heard his shout. ''Man, his shouts can give headaches,'' he thought and looked around him for the first time, only to be surprised to see unfamiliar faces.


    "Where am I and who are you?"


    "Archie, do you really not remember me? I''m Logan."


    Archer was about to shake his head when a head-splitting pain hit him. Closing his eyes tight, he clutched his head in agony.


    "Archie, are you alright?" Logan scooted closer to him and observed him worriedly.


    Memories that didn''t belong to him bombarded him instantly. Archer saw the life of another man flash through his mind. When he opened his eyes next, his face had lost all its color and his sweat dripped down his forehead and cheeks. His entire shirt was drenched and he was perspiring profusely.


    "Archie, what happened to you? Where the hell is the doctor? Ain''t he here yet?" Logan was close to losing his mind. The other people around him too were worried. But they could do nothing but wait. The doctor was on the way and they couldn''t move Archer lest they caused more complications.


    "What happened to Archer Brooks?" Archer suddenly questioned Logan, rendering the man speechless for a moment.


    "What?" Logan gawked at him as if he was looking at a fool.


    "What happened to Archer Brooks? Is he alright? Tell me he is alright."


    "Archie." Logan was taken aback and he couldn''t comprehend why his friend was asking about the superstar.


    "Oh my God! Did you see the news?" Someone in the crowd screamed and Archer and Logan looked at the woman who had gone bonkers all of a sudden.


    "Archer Brooks is dead. He committed suicide this morning in his apartment. He was found dead by the time help reached him."

 3. Attending his own funeral

    Archer sat alone and read the news of his death again and again. It wasn''t a nightmare; it was the reality. He had died miserably and now, his body was waiting to be cremated.


    Archer clicked on one of the links and a video started playing automatically.


    ''Archer Brooks, the renowned actor and fashion icon was found dead in his villa at 3 a.m. The police believe that he committed suicide as burnt charcoal briquettes were found in his room. The well-revered actor who was about to become the youngest Best Actor of the Decade is no more with us and this comes as a shock to not just the film fraternity, but the entire world. A three-day public funeral will be held at the City Funeral Hall starting a 10 a.m. before he will be laid to rest on 1 August. Archer Brooks, may your soul rest in peace. You''ll be missed dearly.''


    The reporter said and lowered his head and Archer stared at his own photo in horror. He stood up suddenly, gaining everyone''s attention to him. Ignoring all their curious faces, he dashed out of the room.


    "And where do you think you''re going?" Barely had taken a few steps, when Logan blocked his path.


    "I need to go," Archer mumbled, not knowing what he was saying. He then tried to step aside, only for Logan to block his path again.


    "Go where? Archie, you are hurt. Although the doctor fixed your shoulder, I still feel you should rest today." Logan tried to bring the man back to the room.


    But Archer was having none of it. "I need to go. I need to make sure it''s me."


    "What? What are you talking about?" Logan frowned and looked at him as if he was staring at a madman.


    "I need to go." With that, Archer ran out of the place before Logan could stop him again. Although he didn''t know where he was going, it was easy for him to find the exit. However, he had no idea where he was and where he was supposed to go.


    Frustrated, he pulled at his hair head and looked around, trying to find his current location.


    "Archie, are you out of your freaking mind? Why are you behaving like a lunatic?" Logan followed right after him and blocked him again.


    "Where are we?"


    "What?" Logan''s brows contorted in confusion.


    "Where are we? What is this place?" Archer gave Logan a look that terrified him until he shuddered.


    "Archie, are you alright? You are scaring the hell out of me. Please tell me you are alright." Logan was now worried. His friend had been behaving abnormally since the time he woke up. At first, he had brushed it off as him being confused after suffering a nasty fall. But now, he wasn''t sure.


    "I need to go to Archer Brooks'' public funeral. Can you take me there?"This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    "What?" Logan was taken aback by his request.


    "Can you take me there or not?"


    "Why do you even want to go there? Archie, what''s wrong?"


    "I need to make sure of something," Archer muttered, his palms clenching into a fist.


    "What?"


    "Can you take me there or not?" Archer questioned again, gritting his teeth in frustration.


    "Fine, fine. I don''t know what''s gotten into you. I never knew you were an Archer Brooks fan. I''ll take you to the funeral." Logan surrendered.


    Logan started walking first and Archer followed him. He didn''t know what to make out of the predicament he was in. Unless he saw the situation with his own eyes, he couldn''t deduce anything.


    Logan led him to the parking lot and unlocked one of the cars. Despite growing in luxury, Archer didn''t despise the car he was driving. After all, he had to reach the funeral hall. To hell with other things.


    "I never knew you were an Archer Brooks fan. When did this happen?" Logan questioned as he started the car. But all he got in return was his friend''s cold stare before he turned his head to look out of the window.


    "Geez, what''s up with him? Why is he behaving as if he is possessed?" Logan mumbled and steered the car in the direction of the main road.


    Logan tried to speak a few times on the way. But when he didn''t receive any response from his friend, he gave up talking and a heavy silence fell over them. It wasn''t until they reached the funeral hall that Logan started talking again.


    "Looks like we might have to walk over. The road seems to be blocked."


    Archer didn''t say a word. He didn''t even look at him as he opened the car and exited it before rushing into the crowd.


    "Hey, Archie. Hey," Logan shouted in shock. But the man had long mingled with the crowd and was nowhere to be seen.


    "I''m going to charge you for causing me stress and anxiety," Logan threatened as he looked for a spot to park his car.


    Meanwhile, oblivious to everything else, Archer pushed his way through the crowd and reached the front until he reached the barricades. He couldn''t move beyond that. There was heavy security everywhere, going inside the building was out of the question.


    Archer frowned, not knowing what to do. He looked around, trying to find ways to sneak inside. Just then, he noticed a group of people getting out of the car - Cade and Brenden.


    "Cade, Brenden," he shouted anxiously. But his voice was drowned by the crowd around him. Neither Cade nor Brenden heard him.


    "Cade, Brenden," he shouted again but stopped suddenly when he saw a hearse entering the road.


    "Archer," the crowd around him cried. But he felt nothing. His ears had gone deaf, his mind had gone blank and his entire body had gone numb. It was as if he was plunged into ice-cold water.


    The hearse stopped right in front of the entrance to the funeral hall, and the coffin was then moved inside while the crowd around him continued to scream and cry.


    Archer clenched his fists tight until his nails dug into his skin. Since the public wasn''t allowed inside the funeral hall, he had to find a way to get inside. He had to do something... Looking around, he noticed a media van stopped a few meters away from him and an idea flashed in his mind.


    With great agility and strength, he pushed through the crowd again and approached the media van. The man who seemed to be in charge of the vehicle was speaking on the phone. So, he didn''t notice Archer, neither did he see one of the cameras and his work badge which was lying haphazardly going missing in the blink of an eye.


    Archer then approached the guard nearby and pointed his camera and the van behind him and in an instant, he got permission to enter the funeral hall.


    Archer didn''t stop even for a moment. Once inside the funeral hall, he joined the crowd and queued behind the others. He saw Cade and Brenden on his way again. But he didn''t call them this time and entered the place easily.


    The moment he entered the mourning hall, Archer felt his entire breath being taken away. He stared at the man inside the open coffin, the familiar face making him doubt everything, including his life.


    The lifeless body inside the coffin didn''t look anything like him. But Archer recognized himself. It was he in the coffin. It wasn''t a nightmare at all. He had actually died and now, he was attending his own funeral.

 4. Escape

    Archer felt the entire world spin and it took him a lot of energy to not collapse before his lifeless body.


    "Hey, you. Move." One of the guards pushed him forward, forcing him to get walking.


    Archer had no idea how he made it out of the mourning hall. His body had turned cold as if he had been plunged into ice water. He felt terrible and the previous night''s incident started flooding into his mind like a river.


    He recalled the burning charcoal, the suffocation, the feeling of helplessness, and the electric shock that had rendered him incapacitated and unconscious before death embraced him.


    "What are you talking about?" He heard a familiar voice speak somewhere nearby and his head snapped in the direction hopefully.


    "Arrange for a press meet after the funeral is over. We will not be meeting anyone before that."


    Archer heard Cade speak and his eyes lit up. ''Yes, Cade and Brendon. How could I forget about them? They can help me.''


    With that thought, he ran towards Cade who had just ended his call and was about to make his way back to the mourning hall.


    "Cade," he shouted, his voice unbelievably loud in the silent hall. Everyone turned to him, including Cade and Brenden.


    "Cade, it''s me." Archer ran as fast as he could before finally stopping before his friend.


    "Who are you?" Cade questioned, his eyes narrowing suspiciously. "I don''t remember permitting you inside the mourning hall. How did you get inside?"


    "Cade, it''s me, Archer," Archer said, his smile stretching wide in joy. His friends would help him. Yes, they would help him find out who killed him.


    "Listen, are you a die-hard fan of Archer''s? You aren''t allowed here today. The public is allowed to see him only tomorrow. Leave before I ask the guards to throw you out," Cade warned.


    "Cade, I''m Archer, your friend. Listen to me. I was killed."


    "What''s happening? What''s the commotion about?" Brenden came to them immediately when he saw the people inside looking at his friend and the stranger weirdly.


    "Brenden, I''m Archer." Archer held Brenden''s hand, almost grasping it tight as he tried to convince them of his identity.


    "Is he Archer''s fan?" Brenden frowned and pulled back his hand.


    "Must be. He doesn''t seem to be someone from the list of people allowed here today."


    "Cade, Brenden, please trust me. I am Archer, your friend. I was killed yesterday. Somebody tried to kill me using charcoal..."


    "Guards..." Cade shouted, now done entertaining him. The man before him seemed more like a madman who had come to the funeral hall to destroy the peace.


    "Cade, Brenden, listen to me. I am Archer." Archer didn''t have the chance to speak further. The guards approached him, forcing him to stop speaking.


    "Throw this lunatic out. He must have slipped inside when we weren''t alert," Cade ordered and the guards started dragging him out instantly.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Cade, Brenden, trust me, please. I''m Archer. I was killed. Someone use charcoal briquettes...." Archer couldn''t finish his words. He was hurled out of the building as if he was some trash and he crashed to the ground heavily. The guards then closed the door after him, leaving him to face the crowd outside on his own.


    "Who the heck is that?" The crowd went silent before murmurs erupted and some of the creative ones even started to cook up a story - one in which he was a lunatic fan who wanted to see his favorite actor one last time but instead was caught and thrown out.


    The crowd exploded in anger and they rushed forward to attack him. How dare he, a mere fan, try to disturb the peace of their beloved actor? At least, let the great actor rest in peace. They thought.


    The guards outside the funeral hall didn''t interfere and the crowd went berserk as they attacked him.


    Archer was still shouting for his friends when he was beaten out of nowhere. He was trashed black and blue until he started bleeding. Only when the crowd became completely unruly did the security interfered and he was allowed to have his moment of peace.


    However, by then, he was already beaten until his face was beyond recognizable. For the first time in his life, Archer understood how merciless the crowd could be. Although he had seen the might and power of an angry mob, it was, however, his first experience and he couldn''t help but be scared.


    Realizing that it wasn''t the time to be bold and seek his own death, he escaped from the place as quickly as possible.


    However, Archer was unlucky. Even when he had slipped away from the crowd, he was followed by some die-hard fans who wanted to beat him some more.


    "Catch him. Isn''t he the one?" one of the women in the group shouted and the others started chasing him, forcing Archer to break out into a full-fledged escape marathon.


    ''What the hell! They are some super crazy fans,'' he thought as he ran desperately. However, with the huge crowd obstructing him, he couldn''t escape much and soon he was close to being caught until a hand pulled him towards an alley hidden behind a large truck.


    "Are you out of your mind, Archie? What were you doing?" Logan reprimanded, his words coming out as pants. "Do you have an idea how worried I was? How could you leave me alone?"


    Logan bent down and held his knees as he breathed heavily. "And what happened to your face? Why do you look like a bashed potato?"


    Archer''s lips twitched in dismay at the reference and he gave him an annoyed look.


    "What?" Logan was taken aback and stood straight immediately, staring at his friend in confusion. "Why are you looking at me that way? Is there something on my face?" He even touched his face to check.


    "Where did that crazy man go? He must be hiding somewhere." Archer heard someone shout and realized the group hadn''t given up on looking for him. If he were to leave the alley, he was bound to be drubbed until he lost a tooth or two.


    ''I need to think of something. I need to..." Archer''s gaze shifted to Logan instantly who was fanning himself by flapping his shirt collar.


    Sensing a strong gaze on him, Logan raised his head and was rendered speechless to see how his friend was looking at him.


    "Why are you staring at me wickedly? What evil plan is cooking in your head?" Logan was suspicious of him. The way his friend was looking at him told him he was about to be pushed to handle imminent danger.


    "How far is your car from here?"


    "Huh?" Logan looked at him stupidly.


    "Where have you parked your car?"


    "A few meters down the main road. Why?"


    "Then, cover me."


    "What?" Logan didn''t understand what he was saying. It was as if he was listening to an astrophysics lecture. Nothing went into his head.


    "Let''s go." Archer didn''t explain further and looked in the direction he had come from.


    "Archie, you''re scaring me. What are you doing?" Logan started to follow him when Archer began walking. But his mouth didn''t stop even for a moment.


    "I''m hiding from a group of people. Help me evade them safely." Archer disclosed and peeped out from the corner, looking for the people waiting to attack him.


    "Who? Archie, what did you do? Wait a minute! Did you do something you shouldn''t have?" Logan questioned, his mind starting to run wild.


    "When I step out, a group of people might attack me. Try to stop them as much as possible," Archer ignored his questions and instructed. When the shore was clear and there was no visible risk to his life, he stepped out of the alley, compelling Logan to follow him.


    "Archie, I''m scared. What if..."


    "Catch him," a woman hollered, and immediately after a mob appeared out of nowhere.


    Archer had no choice but to ditch the man who was walking slower than a snail and sprinted for his life while Logan was left to bear the brunt of the crowd.

 5. Conspiracy theories

    Archer felt bad for ditching the man. Logan had been helpful all along and what had he done? He had left him to face the angry mob alone.


    Guilt started to gnaw at his heart, but Archer didn''t know what else to do. He couldn''t go back. Otherwise, he would be thrashed black and blue for sure. And he couldn''t leave Logan alone either.


    Gritting his teeth, he looked around and his eyes fell on one of the policemen stationed to maintain order. Not wasting another moment, he rushed to him and stopped him.


    "Sir, I saw a crowd killing someone." Archer didn''t try to make it seem any light. Instead, he directly stated that the crowd was trying to murder someone. At least, the police would act upon his words and stop the crowd before Logan lost a limb or two.


    "What the fuck!" the policeman cussed under his breath and pulled out his walkie-talkie.


    "Where?" He didn''t doubt Archer even once. Given the circumstances they were in and the huge crowd around them, it wasn''t surprising to face situations like these.


    "Over there." Archer directly pointed towards the crowd at the other end. Even though he had evaded them, he could still see the crowd from where he was.


    The policeman said something on his walkie-talkie which Archer couldn''t comprehend before the man ran towards the crowd.


    Sighing in relief, Archer hesitated, not knowing if he should accompany the policeman and help Logan or stay where he was and wait for the man to come to him.


    In the end, the goodness in him got the best of him and he followed the policeman discreetly, keeping himself hidden from the crowd''s eyes.


    The policeman had called for a backup and in no time, the crowd disappeared, leaving a disheveled Logan alone. Archer observed the man from where he was and noticed he wasn''t badly injured. Relieved, he waited until the crowd was out of sight before approaching him.


    With his wrinkled and torn shirt, Logan was close to resembling a homeless man and Archer was almost about to lose it. If Logan wasn''t glaring at him, he would have burst out laughing for sure.


    "Archie, is this how you treat your friend?" Logan complained as he looked at his now torn shirt.


    "Well, I warned you." Archer scratched his head guiltily. "It was you who didn''t heed my words."


    Logan glared at him as he tried to smoothen his shirt and appear presentable at least until he reached his car.


    "I''m not going to talk to you. Goodbye." He snorted and walked away, leaving Archer to stare at him.


    Unconsciously, Archer smiled when he saw Logan behaving this way. The man was clearly in his early twenties. Yet, he behaved like a small kid. However, what he didn''t miss was even though he had threatened to not talk to him and leave him, he kept looking back every few seconds and his speed decreased gradually as he walked further.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Logan was obviously waiting for him to pacify him, and for a moment, he felt touched to have someone out there with him. Even though he didn''t know what was happening with him and how he had ended up this way, he was relieved to have someone to share his burdens with.


    "Wait for me," he yelled and bolted to catch up with Logan.


    "Go away," Logan shouted back but didn''t increase his speed.


    "Thank you." Archer gushed and swung his hand over Logan''s shoulder.


    "Hmph. That betrayal is going to cost you," Logan warned, making Archer chuckle.


    "Fine. Let''s go back first. I want to rest for a while."


    "Shit! Archie, are you alright? Are you in pain?" Logan stopped throwing a tantrum and looked at Archer in concern. "Let''s go to the hospital first. What if you are severely injured? We cannot take any risks."


    "Logan, Logan, stop, stop." Archer stopped him before Logan went bonkers with worry. "I''m fine. I really am. I just want to rest for a while."


    "Fine. Let''s go home. If you feel anything abnormal, tell me right away. We''ll go to the hospital."


    "Deal." Archer agreed, without objecting to him this time.


    Logan was still worried. But he allowed his friend to have his way as they returned to his car.


    "It''s good that shooting is canceled today." Logan started the car and looked around him before he began driving.


    It was only then Archer recalled who he was. The memories he had gained the moment he woke up came back to him.


    The body he was currently in was named Archer as well and he was an unknown stuntman. Surprisingly, the stunt group the original host and Logan worked with was registered with his company.


    ''Is this a coincidence?'' Archer wondered as he glanced at Logan who was busy driving the car.


    Archer also recalled how the original host had died. During one of the stunt scenes where the original host was jumping from a high storey, the safety wiring snapped and he hit his head hard even though there was a safety mat underneath.


    Archer was shocked at the state of events. He couldn''t believe how things had turned out and for a moment, he felt bad and regretful for the original host. The young man had lost his life just like that.


    "Earth to Archie, what are you thinking about so hard?" Logan''s boisterous voice forced him to snap out of his thoughts and he looked at the man who was observing him silently.


    "I was just thinking."


    "About?" Logan probed.


    "Archer Brooks. Do you think he committed suicide?" Archer questioned carefully.


    "Do you want me to be honest?"


    "Yes."


    "Well, I feel it was all someone''s conspiracy," Logan remarked.


    "Why do you think so?" Archer quirked his brows curiously.


    "Well, think about it. Archer Brooks was about to win the Best Actor of the Decade Award. It was the biggest moment of his life. Why would he commit suicide all of a sudden?"


    Logan shrugged and started driving when the signal turned green. "I think someone out there wanted him gone because he was an obstruction to them."


    "Obstruction?"


    "Yeah. Maybe Archer Brooks would be a hindrance if he were to win the award tonight. It''s just my assumption. I may be far from the truth." Logan explained while Archer thought on his words.


    To some extent, Archer was convinced by him. ''Otherwise, why would I be killed all of a sudden?''


    "You should thank the heavens for being lucky. Monica is not at home tonight. Otherwise, she would kill both of us." Logan sighed in relief.


    "Monica? Whose''s that?" Archer blurted out without thinking and Logan''s head snapped to him for a brief moment as he looked at him suspiciously.


    "Oh, you''re talking about Monica. My bad, I was thinking about something." Archer tried to salvage the situation and immediately dug deep into the original host''s memories, trying to find a Monica in there. ''Monica, their housemate?''


    Archer remembered that the original host shared an apartment with Logan and Monica, who like them was also a stunt actor. She had gone out of the city on work and would only return a week later.


    "Well, I''m thankful I guess." Archer scratched his neck, not knowing what else to say. ''I better keep quiet until I sort my thoughts. Otherwise, I''ll be busted sooner or later,'' he thought and remained silent until they returned home.

 6. Dream?

    Archer entered the apartment after Logan and looked around. He was surprised to see how tiny it was. Even though it was a three-bedroom apartment, it was still smaller than any place he owned.


    Saying it was easy, but the reality was hard to accept. Although he was slowly coming to terms with that he was now not Archer Brooks, but Archer Reid, the stuntman, he was still unable to adjust to the new life. Everything still felt like a dream to him and he hoped to wake up from it soon.


    "Do you want to eat something?" Logan approached the refrigerator and picked up the bottle of water.


    Archer closed his eyes when he saw Logan drink directly from the bottle. It was an action he never appreciated or encouraged. It pissed him off completely when someone did it.


    "Can''t you use a glass? Why do you have to drink directly from the bottle?" he scolded, forgetting his current identity for a moment.


    "What? Why would I do that?" Logan looked at him as if he was a fool.


    "It''s rude to drink directly from the bottle, especially when sharing it with others. Have some etiquettes," Archer scolded him without hiding back, confusing him all the more.


    "Archie, are you alright?" Logan scrutinized him from top to bottom. "What nonsense are you spouting?"


    ''Where am I stuck?'' Archer closed his eyes in dismay. Pressing his forehead, he tried to calm down, ignoring the disconcerted Logan.


    "I''m going to rest for some time. Don''t disturb me," he commanded and traced the steps to his bedroom through the original host''s memory.


    Archer was surprised to see how clean the room was. It was beyond his expectations. Looking around, he observed the place thoroughly, checking every nook and corner of the room.


    Archer was impressed. The original host was a meticulous and clean person. At least, he seemed better than Logan.


    Once Archer was satisfied with the room, he lay on the bed. He was mentally exhausted and he wanted to rest before he put his brain to use again. And in no time, he slipped into a deep sleep.


    Archer stood outside the funeral hall, bearing the push and pull of the crowd around him. It was the day his body would be laid to rest and he would disappear from the world. Only his name as best actor Archer Brooks would remain in the world.


    Archer felt miserable when he saw Cade, Brenden, and several other familiar faces as pallbearers as they carried the coffin his body was in into the hearse.


    Archer had no family. He had lost his parents when he was a teen. All he was left with was his parents'' inheritance which was in billions. So, over the years, he made many friends to overcome his solitude, and seeing them shed tears suffocated him.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Archer was touched to see Lisa, Morgan, and many more people he was in close contact with. How he wished to shout and proclaim to the world that he was Archer, their Archer, Archer Brooks. However, he knew doing so would seem atrocious and he would once again be attacked and thrashed.


    ''At least, let the funeral proceed in peace,'' he thought and suppressed his thoughts.


    Once the coffin was placed inside the hearse, they prepared to leave for the cemetery. The public wasn''t allowed to attend. It was only the close ones. So, no one knew where his body would be laid to rest.


    However, Archer wasn''t a mere no-one. He knew where his body would be laid to rest. So, when everyone''s attention was on the hearse, he slipped away from the crowd and returned to Logan''s car which he had unabashedly driven without his permission.


    Archer was certain that the main path to the cemetery would be blocked. So, he had to take a long route and when he finally reached the cemetery, he had to park the car far away. All the roads were blocked and no one unauthorized was allowed to enter.


    The police were guarding the entrance. But that didn''t stop Archer from getting in. Agile as a cat, he climbed over the wall from a side where no one was watching and entered the cemetery.


    However, he had to make himself scarce. He couldn''t show himself to anyone. So, he remained hidden as he waited.


    Archer watched from afar when the hearse arrived. He knew he couldn''t go further, this was the closest he could reach. He didn''t mind it. Only his body was gone, his soul was still alive. He just wanted to bid farewell to himself.


    The hearse arrived twenty minutes later and Archer watched everything from where he was. Even though it wasn''t clear, he could still see and that was enough for him.


    Everything happened quickly. Thirty minutes later, the coffin was lowered and he was laid to rest. Archer closed his eyes and let out a sigh.


    From now on, there was no Archer Brooks. He was now Archer, the stuntman. When he opened his eyes again, he had accepted his new identity.


    Archer didn''t leave immediately. Instead, he waited, for everyone else to leave first. What if he got caught on his way out?


    Leaning against a tree, he started counting sheep to pass his time. However, he was distracted halfway when he heard dry leaves crunching from somewhere nearby and he looked around, only to find Cade walking towards him with his phone held against his ear.


    Archer was surprised. It was his chance. Cade had come to him on his own. But before he could make his presence known, he heard Cade argue.


    "What do you mean it''s locked? How is it possible?"


    Archer didn''t know who he was speaking to and felt uneasy listening to his dear friend''s conversation secretly. So, he tried to move away, only to stop when he heard Cade mention his name.


    "Archer is gone now. Shouldn''t everything be easy?"


    ''Easy? What should be easy? What is he referring to?'' Archer wondered, his body frozen in his spot as he continued to eavesdrop.


    "I don''t give a damn. Find a way to handle the mess. We are close, we cannot give up now," Cade hissed. "We have finally laid Archer to rest. It is now time to focus on other matters."


    Archer''s mind went blank and his body turned cold. Although Cade''s words were vague, he more or less had a faint idea as to what was happening. A chill went down his spine when he thought of the possibility and he looked behind him.


    Cade was still involved in a heated discussion and hadn''t sensed anyone''s presence yet. And Archer too remained hidden until he stepped in the dry leaves unintentionally. The crunching sound was especially loud in the silent place and Archer started sprinting for his dear life.


    "Who are you?" Cade bellowed behind him. But Archer didn''t stop, he didn''t even turn around and continued running until he reached the wall.


    With a quick jump, he climbed over and jumped down and the moment he did so, Archer woke up with a gasp.

 7. In debts?

    "What the hell was that!" Archer patted his heart which was pacing madly as if he was running on a treadmill. "Why did I dream something so weird? And that too about Cade? Have I lost my mind?"


    Archer pulled his hair in despair. He had never been in such a situation before. So, he didn''t know what to make out of it. He was at a loss and didn''t react for a long time.


    "Archie, are you up? Do you want to have dinner?"


    Archer heard Logan ask from the other side.


    ''Dinner? Was it time for dinner already?'' Archer didn''t know the time or how long he had been asleep. But the darkness in the room told him that night had already fallen.


    "How long was I asleep?" He smacked his forehead and rubbed his eyes as he got up to open the door.


    "Archer, are you..." Logan stopped knocking once the door opened and smiled wickedly as he stared at his messy-haired friend.


    "I kinda like your hairstyle. Makes you look roguish," he complimented. "By the way, how are you feeling now?"


    "I feel..." Archer hesitated before adding, "fine."


    Logan didn''t notice his still hiccup. He nodded in relief. "That''s good to hear. Dinner''s ready. Do you want to join me?"


    "Sure." Archer felt famished after listening to him and his stomach rumbled as if in response. He didn''t know when the last time the host had eaten. He was so hungry he could eat an entire cow.


    "I didn''t prepare much. You''ll have to make do with chicken fried rice and egg rolls."


    "I don''t care. I can eat anything." Archer didn''t give a damn. All he wanted was some food. He just wanted to fill his stomach.


    "Fine."


    Archer followed Logan to the dining table and took his seat while Logan picked up two Coke cans from the refrigerator.


    "Want one?"


    Archer was tempted. Usually, he was cautious with his diet and food. He rarely ate anything with high calories or sugar. But now, he didn''t think twice and nodded as he took the can, opened it, and took a sip.


    The cold, fizzy drink was as sweet and delicious as he remembered and he sighed, his soul happy for the first time.


    "The director called to ask about you. Your phone wasn''t reachable," Logan started as he helped himself to some fried rice. "Give him a call sometime later."Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    "Mm," Archer hummed as he wolfed down the food.


    "Also, the shooting for the next two days has been canceled."


    "Mm," Archer heard him. But his focus was on his food. "This is good," he mumbled with the food in his mouth.


    "Slow down, Archie. The food isn''t going anywhere." Logan was baffled to see his friend''s actions. Although Archer wasn''t well versed in table manners, he wasn''t this unruly either. The Archer he was facing today seemed highly unfamiliar.


    Logan observed silently while Archer ignored him and ate the food on his plate. It was only when his stomach and taste buds were satisfied that he slowed down and his actions became better.


    "What is wrong with you today?" Logan asked once Archer looked at him, giving him his attention for the first time since they had sat for dinner.


    "What''s wrong with me?" Archer gave him a questioning look as he took another sip of his coke.


    "You aren''t acting like you. Archie, are you alright?" Logan''s voice turned soft as he looked at him in concern.


    Archer''s heart skipped a beat at his words and he clutched the coke can tight until it almost deformed. ''Did Logan notice something? Am I busted?''


    He was close to losing it but held himself when he saw Logan''s worried expression.


    "It''s nothing, Logan. I''m just shaken by today''s accident. Nothing significant."


    "Oh, man! You scared the crap out of me. For a moment, I thought I had lost you." Logan''s voice was barely audible at the end. But Archer heard him and his brows shot up instantly.


    "You have no idea how scared I was when your safety harness snapped. I can''t remove the scene from my mind, especially when you didn''t respond for quite some time after you fell."


    Logan dropped the empty can on the table and leaned back on the chair, his shoulders sagging in relief.


    "Archie, don''t scare me like that again," he warned and Archer didn''t know why his eyes welled up. He couldn''t help but be touched by his sincerity and friendship.


    For a moment, he even felt bad. After all, he wasn''t the Archie Logan was speaking about. He wasn''t Archer Reid. He was Archer Brooks. Archer Reid was dead. The truth was right on the tip of his tongue, but he stopped short.


    "Archie, why are you looking at me that way?" Logan covered his chest with his arms, giving Archer a suspicious look and just like that, the emotional moment was broken.


    "You''re crazy." Archer rolled his eyes and finished eating all his food while Logan added another serving to his plate.


    "Whatever." Logan shrugged and swallowed a bite.


    "Where''s my phone?" Archer asked, looking around for the host''s phone. He wanted to follow up on his death news and find out what had transpired since morning.


    "I have no idea. Let me ring it up."


    Logan dialed his phone and Archer heard his phone ring from somewhere.


    "I think it''s in your room." Logan pointed and Archer went searching immediately.


    "Found it. Thanks." Archer returned and plopped on the chair.


    Archer looked at the few missed calls he had received who he assumed to be director Logan mentioned. Ignoring them for the time being, he looked for the news about himself.


    "Why are you suddenly interested in Archer Brooks today?" Logan noticed what he was looking for and his curiosity was piqued. "I never knew you were his fan."


    ''I''m not actually." Archer didn''t say it. "I''m just curious to find out what exactly happened. He was about to become the youngest Best Actor of the Decade. Why would he commit suicide suddenly?"


    "True that. Let''s watch the news together." Logan stood up and picked up the remote, switching on the TV instantly before picking a random news channel.


    As expected, they were reporting Archer Brooks'' death.


    "From Cade Statham and Brendon Gayle, who are Archer Brooks'' friends, it''s evident that Archer was in serious debt. Was this the reason behind his death? Was this why Archer Brooks decided to end his life? Stay tuned to find out more."

 8. What is the truth?

    "What nonsense! I was never in debt," Archer yelled and stood up, the sudden action pushing his chair behind with a grating sound. His eyes were blazing in anger as he glared at the television.


    Logan''s jaw dropped in fright and he gawked at his friend as if he had lost his mind. His friend wasn''t himself since the moment he had gained consciousness. He was oddly invested in Archer Brooks and was keeping a tag on all that was happening related to him.


    Now, what did he mean when he said ''I'' was never in debt? Who was this ''I''? Archie or Archer Brooks.


    "Archie, you are scaring me. Are you alright?" Logan stood up and moved away from him.


    Why did his friend look like he was possessed? Did Archer Brooks possess him? Why?


    Logan''s thoughts started to run wild and his body turned cold instantly at the possibility that it wasn''t his friend he was facing but instead the dead Archer Brooks.


    What if his friend was really possessed by Archer Brooks? What was he supposed to do? Should he run? But the escape route was behind Archer? Was he going to die today?


    Logan felt that death was imminent. He gradually calmed and eventually came to peace with the situation. He had accepted it. He''d die at any moment.


    "Archie, please make it less bloody and painful."


    "What?" Archer had no idea what was running in Logan''s mind. If he did, he''d have rolled his eyes and labeled him crazy.


    "You are going to silence me soon. My only request is to please make it less painful. I''m afraid of pain."


    Archer didn''t know whether he should laugh or cry.


    Where did this clown come from? Did he lose his screw somewhere?


    "Why will I kill you though? I am not mad." Unlike you. Archer didn''t add the words lest he hurt the poor man. Logan already seemed like he was about to faint. His face had lost color and his forehead was adorned with sweat.


    "Because you have been possessed."


    "Possessed? By who?"


    "Archer Br..Bro..Brooks," Logan stuttered, the words leaving his lips with great difficulty.


    For a moment, Archer didn''t have a comeback. After all, it was true to some extent. Although the body belonged to Archer Reid, the soul, however, was Archer Brooks''. Logan had been spot-on in his analysis.The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    But could he tell the truth to him? No. He himself didn''t believe the bizarre predicament he was in. Why would someone believe him?


    Moreover, he didn''t have the heart to reveal the truth to Logan. Although Archer had known Logan for only a few hours, he could see how much the man cared about the host. Their friendship seemed true and pure and he felt terrible to reveal the truth.


    Archer didn''t know what had happened to Archie. But he had an inkling that the man was dead. As to what happened to his soul, he had no idea.


    With a sigh, Archer approached Logan who only moved away from him with every step he took.


    "Archie, stay where you are," Logan pleaded, raising his hands, ready to defend himself if necessary.


    "I think you''re hallucinating, Logan." Archer laughed and shook his head as he stopped walking. Logan was close to his tears. He wasn''t willing to push him to the edge and make him lose his mind all the more.


    "I am Archer, your friend, Archie." Archer struggled to say the words. It wasn''t easy for him to shed his truth and accept his new identity, but he had no choice.


    "Are you really Archie?" Logan didn''t believe him and eyed him skeptically.


    "Yes."


    "Then, answer this. When is my birthday?"


    "December 20." Archer dug through the host''s memory and replied instantly.


    "Year?"


    "2003."


    "What''s my full name?"


    "Logan Perry."


    "Who is our housemate?"


    "Monica, Monica Spencer. Date of birth - 26 May 2004. Do you have any more questions?"


    Logan was persuaded and he stopped trembling. "Archie, you scared me. For a moment, I thought... I thought..." Logan gulped, pushing the lingering fear away from his body. "I thought you were possessed by Archer Brooks."


    "You are overthinking." Archer tried to divert Logan''s thought process.


    "Am I?" Logan scratched his head in confusion. "I must be. It looks like my mind is cooking up strange scenarios. I should stop watching those crap series. They are messing up my mind."


    Archer nodded in agreement even though he had no idea what Logan was speaking about.


    "By the way, why are you interested in Archer Brooks suddenly?"


    "Nothing much. I just find his death peculiar." Archer shrugged and pulled the chair back.


    "Do you think so too?"


    "Yeah. Think about it. He was about to receive the Best Actor of the Decade award. Why would he commit suicide?"


    "What about his debts then?" Logan too agreed with him. But he didn''t know Archer Brooks or his life''s troubles. So, he couldn''t comment on it much.


    "Archer Brooks owned one of the richest production houses in the world and his parents had left him billions in assets. Do you really think he''d be in debt?"


    Archer pointed the truth directly, not caring that his words would spook Logan again. He was agitated every time he thought about his unjust death and the way the truth was being manipulated.


    Suddenly, his peculiar dream flashed in his mind and Archer recalled Cade''s conversation on the phone. Cade and Brendon were his friends. But for the first time in his life, Archer started to doubt them and their intentions. It was as if he didn''t know them at all all of a sudden.


    Were they actually his friends or was it all a one-sided relationship? Was he mistaken all along?


    Archer''s expression fell and he clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white. However, he didn''t show his emotions before Logan. He had already frightened him once, he wasn''t willing to do it again.


    "Let''s change the channel." Archer quickly switched to a movie channel. Watching the news only made his blood boil, and it was the last thing he wanted. He couldn''t afford to lose his temper again. Otherwise, Logan would overthink again.


    "Well, okay." Logan didn''t know why Archer had changed his mind. But it didn''t matter to him and he watched the movie while he finished the food.

 9. C.A.L.I.X.

    Once Archer returned to the room, he started to watch all the news videos and read articles related to him one by one. He didn''t miss out on any of them.


    As time passed, his expression twisted in rage, and he glared at his phone screen. His ''best friends'' Cade and Brendon had portrayed him as a man drowning in debts. His company was shown to be running at a loss and they manipulated the world to believe that the loan sharks and the banks were after him.


    Once again, his dream resurfaced in his mind and Archer narrowed his eyes. He didn''t know what game the two were playing. But a seed of doubt had sprouted in him.


    "I hope the truth isn''t what I think it to be. Otherwise, don''t blame me once I lose my mind," he warned as he stared at his image on the screen.


    Right at that moment, a floating interface appeared before him, startling him.


    [System Activation Initiated...]


    [Welcome to C.A.L.I.X.]


    [Cognitive Artificial Logic and Intelligence Exchange]


    [Syncing User Profile... Complete]


    "Who are you?" Archer jumped to his feet and looked around him vigilantly. His gaze was as sharp as a tiger''s as he surveyed the place carefully.


    [User Detected: Archer Reid]


    [Secondary Identifier: Archie Brooks (Deceased)]


    [Processing Anomalous Status...]


    The floating interface continued to load before him while all Archer could do was look at it in alarm.


    [You have been selected for reconfiguration and resurgence.]


    [Your existence has been rewritten. Purpose: Unknown.]


    [Integration with C.A.L.I.X. begins now.]


    "Who the fuck are you? What is happening?" Archer was spooked and he kept looking around in confusion.


    CALIX: I am Cognitive Artificial Logic and Intelligence Exchange or C.A.L.I.X. You can call me CALIX. I will be aiding you to become the best actor of the millennium.


    A mechanical voice replied to him and Archer stiffened instantly.


    "Who are you? Show yourself to me," Archer growled as he shifted to a ready-to-attack mode.


    CALIX.: Let us check your stats, shall we?


    With that, a floating interface appeared in front of him again and Archer froze in his spot on seeing it. His expression flickered as he tried to discern what was happening to him.


    [ARCHER REID]


    [Tier 0: Stuntsman]


    [Core Stats]


    [Charisma - Level 1: Novice]Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    [Talent (Acting) - Level 1: Novice]


    [Talent (Stunt Execution) - Level 4: Competant]


    [Agility - Level 3: Novice]


    [Endurance - Level 7: Expert]


    [Creativity - Level 1: Novice]


    [Skills Tree]


    Unlocked while performing a scene.


    [Performance Rating]


    [Chemistry]


    [Stunt Coordination]


    [Voice Modulation]


    [Stage/Camera Presence]


    [Expression Mastery]


    [Improvisation]


    [System-Specific Features]


    [Reputation Meter - 0.3%]


    [Karma Counter - 0]


    [Resource Allocation - 1/10]


    [Insight Level - 1/10]


    [Hidden Stats]


    Hidden for now.


    [Challenge Metrics]


    Hidden for now.


    [Special Abilities]


    None.


    [System Energy Points (SEP): 0]


    Archer didn''t know what was happening. A lot of details popped up on the holographic interface. He couldn''t make a head or tail of it. However, he fairly had an inkling as to where this was going.


    He recalled the movie he had seen, in which the protagonist gained a system out of nowhere. He was assigned missions, and upon completion, he was rewarded, while punishment followed on failure.


    Archer had only been watching the movie to pass the time. But he soon became invested in it and ended up watching the entire movie.


    "Don''t tell me!" Archer was still in disbelief as he kept staring at the holographic screen. "Someone tell me I am dreaming."


    CALIX: Would you like to check today''s task? It will be refreshed after twenty-four hours.


    Archer didn''t respond. He was too stunned to speak anything. Everything felt like a fantasy dream to him.


    CALIX: With every task you complete, you''ll be granted System Energy Points which you can use to unlock special abilities. There are other tasks as well - Easy, Medium, and Hard. You will be rewarded depending on your choice.


    This time, Archer broke out of his thoughts. He read the words on the screen again. Although he had a lot of questions, he didn''t know where to start.


    "Umm... why is my acting talent at level 1? Shouldn''t I be an expert?"


    CALIX: You are now Archer Reid, not Archer Brooks. All your stats are measured taking this into consideration.


    Archer wasn''t satisfied. He was a superstar. How could he be a novice at acting? But he didn''t argue and continued to study the holographic screen. He more or less understood everything until he reached the System-Specific Features.


    Karma Counter? What was that?


    "CALIX, what is this Karma Counter?"


    CALIX: Karma Counter reflects the moral implications of your actions. If you are treading the wrong path, the points will decrease. Just know that it can go negative as well.


    Archer''s lips parted as he digested all that he was forced to accept out of nowhere.


    "What are Hidden Stats and Challenge Metrics? Why are they hidden?"


    CALIX: Hidden Stats is for the system to evaluate you. Depending on your performance, you will be assigned tasks in the future. As for Challenge Metrics, it will be unlocked once your Reputation Level increases.


    "Ahh!" Archer exclaimed in realization and he nodded thoughtfully.


    CALIX: Would you like to check your daily task for today? It will be reset after twenty-four hours.


    "Well, sure." Intrigued, Archer decided to entertain the system.


    [Daily task unlocked. Today''s task: Complete a Small Stunt Challenge]


    [Reward: +50 SEP]


    [Failure Penalty: No penalty]


    CALIX: You have to learn and execute a backflip without any help. You have twenty-three hours, and fourteen minutes left to complete the mission.


    "You have got to be kidding me!" Archer was flummoxed by the task assigned to him. He had expected it to be something trivial, like acting out a scene or something similar.


    Backflip? Who? He? Archer sucked at anything related to acrobatics. Moreover, even in his movies, he had made use of stuntsman.


    "Are you setting me up for a failure?" he questioned, now suspicious of the system.


    Of course, he didn''t receive any reply from the system.


    "Can I skip the task? There''s no punishment for not completing it anyway?"


    CALIX: You can. However since you''ll be evaluated on your performance, you may not receive any points. It might impact your future tasks.


    Archer gritted his teeth and let out a frustrated sigh.


    "I''ll end up with broken bones before I even complete the task," Archer said in distress and tugged at his hair.


    CALIX: You are Archer Reid now. Use your skills to your advantage.


    "Easy for you say. Do you think it is easy for me to adapt to this life all of a sudden? Fuck it! I don''t know." Aiden kicked his leg in the air and lay on the bed. "I''ll think about it in the morning. How do I close this thing?"


    Barely had he finished speaking, when the screen vanished, rendering Archer bereft of speech once again.

 10. First task

    When Archer woke up next, it was already some time past eight. Squinting his eyes tight, he groaned lightly and turned over to sleep for another hour or two.


    If he was still the Archer Brooks, he would be awake by now and have hit the gym. Since he was Archer Reid, he took the rare opportunity to laze around for some time.


    Only when the time showed nine, did he get out of bed. Stretching his hands above his head, he did a few squats to pop his joints.


    Sighing lightly, he opened the curtains. The sunlight peeked in, illuminating the room. The warm rays filled Archer with hope and subconsciously, his lips curved into a smile.


    Even though there was a lane in between, he could still see the windows in the adjacent building. If not for the windows being covered, he had an inkling that he''d be staring right into the bedroom.


    Shaking his head lightly, he picked an attire for the day, settling for something comfortable and washed up first. Archer had never used such sub-standard products before.


    However, he wasn''t the Archer Brooks anymore. So, he could only make do with it.


    Logan was nowhere in sight. His room door was closed and Archer didn''t look for him, settling on filling his tummy first.


    Archer hadn''t noticed the previous day. Now that he took a good look of the place, he realized there was no separate living room. The dining hall itself was the living room.


    Archer entered the kitchen to prepare breakfast. But the sticky note on the refrigerator caught his attention.


    ''Had some work to attend to. Will be back by noon. - Logan''


    Archer tapped the note twice before he opened the refrigerator. Pulling out the bottle of milk, he picked a box of cereals above the refrigerator.


    Archer clicked his tongue as he prepared his breakfast. ''How long had it been since I ate processed food?'' he wondered.


    Settling on the dining table, he switched on the television and looked for the news channel instantly. Archer had now accepted the reality. It wasn''t a dream anymore. He was dead and had become Archer Reid.


    There was no use crying over spilled milk. He had to think about the future and find his murderer.


    As expected, the news channel was still reporting Archer''s death and the man watched it silently as he ate his breakfast. This time, he remained unaffected. Even when the reporter spoke about his debts and his company facing a loss, he didn''t react and ate silently.


    Archer''s expression finally cracked when the scene shifted to the crowd outside the City Funeral Hall. The massive crowd stunned him and he stared at his fans crying their hearts out. Since the fans were allowed to see his body, the crowd was bountiful. Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Archer was touched to see the love his fans had for him and unknowingly, his eyes welled up. He felt suffocated while his chest constricted in pain as if his heart was being crushed by something.


    Unable to endure the scene anymore, Archer switched off the television and entered the kitchen again. He was already done with the breakfast. Once washing the bowl, he returned to the dining hall.


    With a sigh, he took his seat again and started tapping his fingers on the table. Drowning himself in his thoughts, he started to recall all that happened to him since he had become Archer Reid.


    Archer''s eyes widened when he remembered what had happened the previous night.


    C.A.L.I.X.


    "Was CALIX real or was I dreaming?"


    CALIX: Did you call me? How can I help you?


    The robotic voice responded immediately and Archer jerked in his place, still not used to CALIX''s presence.


    "I thought I was hallucinating. So, you are real," he mumbled. "Wait a minute! It means the task is real as well. Do I really have to learn and execute a backflip?"


    CALIX: You have fourteen hours and eighteen minutes before the task resets.


    CALIX reminded him and Archer rolled his eyes towards the sky and tilted his head back.


    "Do I have a choice?" he grumbled and stood up. "But where do I practice?"


    Archer had no idea how to do backflips or anything related to it. He pulled out his phone and took the help of the one thing he could think of - the Internet.


    Archer felt his heart drop when he saw how difficult it was to do a backflip. It would take him days to master it. Once again, he complained to himself, scolding the system for being inhuman.


    CALIX: Let me remind you that I can hear your thoughts.


    Archer huffed and closed his eyes. "Can''t I even complain?"


    CALIX: You can. I am just reminding you.


    "Will there be repercussions if I complain?" Archer asked carefully. He didn''t know how sensitive the system was. What if his words triggered CALIX and he lost all the points he had earned?


    CALIX: It depends. If you are insulting the system outright, then yes. Otherwise, there might not be any repercussions.


    Archer noticed that CALIX had used the word ''might''. So, it depended on the circumstances or the system''s mood. He made it a note to keep his tongue and mind in check. What if his mindless rant irked CALIX? No, he couldn''t afford it.


    "I need a flip mat and kneepads and..." Archer listed a few equipment from his Google search results.


    CALIX: You are a stuntsman. You should have all the things you just mentioned.


    Archer didn''t know if the original host had all the things he required or not. Skeptical, he searched the apartment except for Logan and Monica''s room and reality proved CALIX right.


    Archer found all the equipment he needed to learn and execute the backflip, including a foldable flip mat that was as huge as his mattress. He now couldn''t use this as an excuse to dawdle.


    Archer knew he had to practice in an open area. Otherwise, it wouldn''t just be him damaged by the end of the day, even the apartment wouldn''t be safe.


    However, he couldn''t find any park or any open area nearby. He could only settle for the next best option - the terrace in his apartment. It was wide and free and he didn''t have to worry about anyone interrupting or making fun of him.


    Archer was already wearing comfortable clothes. He glanced at the time and noticed that it was almost eleven. He had a little more than half a day.


    Picking up his pace, he took all his equipment to the terrace, thankfully the elevator wide enough to fit the flip mat. So, he could take everything in one trip.


    The terrace was as deserted as it could be. There was not one soul in sight.


    Sighing in relief, Archer positioned the flip mat and geared up, preparing himself to learn the first complicated stunt of his life.

 11. Suspicions

    When Logan returned home, Archer was nowhere in sight. The apartment looked the same but not quite at the same time. Things seemed to have been moved from their places. Frowning lightly, he searched for his friend everywhere, but couldn''t find him.


    Anxious, Logan called him instantly. Once the call connected, he was surprised to hear loud pants from the other side. "What are you doing? Why are you gasping for breath?"


    Logan''s mind ran wild and he started concocting strange thoughts, one which involved...


    "I am at the terrace. I''m learning to do a stunt," Archer informed as he breathed heavily.


    "Oh!" Logan was disheartened. He had thought his friend had finally gotten over his ex-girlfriend. Well, it looks like it would take more time.


    "I''ll look for you. Wait."


    When Logan found Archer, the man was trying to do something that resembled a jump but not quite at the same time.


    "What are you doing?" Logan stifled a laugh on seeing his friend''s awkward actions.


    "I am trying a backflip. Fucking hell! It''s so difficult," Archer grumbled and tried again, only to end up jumping strangely. It was nowhere close to a backflip or any sort of flip.


    "What?" Logan gave his friend a suspicious glance.


    "A backflip." Archer stopped suddenly when a thought hit him suddenly. "Can you help me? Can you teach me how to do it? You must know how to do it, right? Can you tell me?"


    Archer looked at Logan hopefully, not knowing what kind of a catastrophe he had created for himself. He quirked his brows and clasped his fingers, pleading with him silently.


    Logan observed him keenly. The man before him was his friend. He was Archer, his friend Archie. ''But why does he feel so different? So unfamiliar?'' he wondered as he pursed his lips.


    "Archie, do you really don''t know how to do a backflip?" he asked as he gauged Archer''s reaction.


    Archer was just about to shake his head when he stopped suddenly. A thought sprang in his mind that made him freeze for a moment. ''Shit! What the hell did I do? How could I forget who I am right now?''


    Darting a careful peek, he examined Logan''s expression. The man was suspicious. His eyes said it all and Archer''s heart jumped to his throat.


    His mind got thinking instantly and he tried to come up with a lie. "I don''t know why, Logan, since the accident, I feel quite troubled," he started, praying silently for him to believe him.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    "I feel scared whenever I attempt to perform a stunt. I..." Archer sighed dramatically, bringing out all his acting experience to work. "What''s wrong with me?"


    Logan''s frown deepened as he stared at the man before him thoughtfully. He had no idea that his stare was giving Archer chills.


    The silence was killing him and Archer wanted nothing more than to attempt to convince him. But his years of expertise told him that if he spoke again, he''d surely raise suspicions. So, he remained silent and waited for Logan to react, hoping for him to be convinced by his acting.


    But when Logan didn''t react for a long time, Archer couldn''t wait anymore. Licking his lips nervously, he snapped his fingers before the man, bringing him out of his stupor.


    "Earth to Logan, where are you lost?" he teased, putting on a perfect mask.


    "I am thinking," Logan replied, his eyes not deviating from Archer''s face while Archer held his breath.


    "You must still be affected by the accident. The trauma must be stopping you from taking risks," he deduced with his lips pursed.


    Archer narrowed his eyes slightly and studied him. He couldn''t make out if the man was lying or not. His expression didn''t give away anything, except for him being concerned.


    ''Did he detect something or did he believe me?'' Archer wondered while he continued to study Logan. But he switched his expression when he noticed the man''s gaze moving towards him.


    Archer panicked and instantly made a face filled with agitation and worry. "What do I do then, Logan? How do I overcome this? Can I even overcome this?"


    Logan''s expression softened and he patted his friend''s shoulder. "Of course. You will get over the trauma for sure. You just need to practice the stunts more and get out of your fear."


    Archer''s heart skipped a beat at his suggestion. For a moment, he couldn''t comprehend if Logan was genuinely concerned about him or if it was all a test.


    "Archie, should I help you?" Logan asked, returning to his friendly self.


    Archer didn''t know if he should trust him or not. But he had no choice but to trust him. He couldn''t do anything else. He had to complete the mission Calix had assigned him before the day ended.


    Succumbing to the circumstance, he nodded and Logan beamed.


    "Great. Now, do as I say," Logan instructed while Archer pushed his tongue against the inside of his cheek thoughtfully.


    "I will hold you. Try doing a somersault in the air," Logan continued, prompting Archer to take action.


    Archer wasn''t sure if the method would work. But he didn''t voice his thoughts. Instead, he prepared himself to do as he was told.


    "Push your legs down with all you might as if you are on a spring," Logan directed while he supported his friend''s back.


    "On the count of three, try to jump. Bend your body and direct your legs over your head."


    ''Please let me not end up with broken bones. Please,'' Archer prayed while he prepared for the stunt.


    "Now. One, two, three."


    Archer jumped with all his might, following Logan''s instructions while the man in question supported him from behind, helping him to turn his body.


    Although it wasn''t a perfect turn, Archer still managed to do something close to a flip.


    Archer was delighted and once he fell on the crash mat, he jumped to his feet instantly. In glee, he hugged Logan, taking the man''s breath away.


    "Logan, Logan, Logan, I am so happy. I finally managed to do a stunt, although it wasn''t even close. But still, thank you so much. You have no idea. It''s my first..."


    "Who are you?"


    Archer''s blabberings came to a complete halt at his question and he looked at him cautiously, losing his joy completely.


    "Huh? What are you saying, Logan? Why.."


    "You are not my friend, Archie. Who are you?"


    On seeing the man about to reply, Logan raised his palm, forcing him to remain quiet before continuing, "I hope you''ll be honest with me. Otherwise, don''t blame me if I lose my mind."

 12. Coming clean

    Archer remained silent for a few seconds, weighing the pros and cons of revealing the truth to Logan. He was cornered. Even if he lied, the man wouldn''t believe him. So, he had no choice but to come clean before him.


    "You may want to sit down," he suggested, disliking the way the conversation would proceed. He didn''t intend to disclose the truth this way, not to Logan, at least. The man truly considered the host his friend.


    Even though it had been only a day, Archer had seen the man''s concern and friendship. For a moment, he was even jealous of the host for having such a wonderful friend.


    Once again, he remembered his dream and Archer clenched his fists, his eyes emitting fire in hatred.


    Logan was startled to see the rage and resentment in the man''s eyes. He wasn''t Archie. He was certain now. Yet, he couldn''t stop himself from fearing him for a moment, even though he was angry at him.


    "Are you alright?" The question left his mouth before he could stop himself. He bit his tongue when he realized what he had done.


    Archer sighed heavily and shook his head as he ran a hand through his hair. Smiling in melancholy, he hid his fury and walked towards the terrace wall behind him. Leaning against it, he gave Logan a cryptic look.


    "I''m not Archer Reid. I am not Archie." Although the weight in his heart reduced, Archer still felt depressed, especially for Logan, who didn''t deserve to know the truth this way.


    "Who are you?" Logan suppressed his anger and asked him again. Yet, his tone didn''t hide his frustration and worry.


    "I am Archer Brooks."


    "Arch...Archer Broo..Broo...Brooks?" Logan''s breath was stuck in his chest and it took him some time to stutter, too dumbfounded to speak coherently.


    "Yes. I am Archer Brooks," Archer agreed and lowered his eyes.


    "How did you...How..." Logan couldn''t make out how Archer Brooks ended up as Archer Reid. The man before him was Archer Reid. He had Archie''s face. How did he end up becoming Archer Brooks?


    "I have no idea as well. Would you believe me if I told you I am equally baffled as you?"


    Logan shook his head. He didn''t dare believe the man before. Heck, he didn''t believe himself at that moment. Everything felt like a dream to him. So surreal and impossible.


    "Please tell me everything from the beginning. Do not omit anything," Logan warned him low-key, and Archer nodded.


    "As I said, I am Archer Brooks. I was supposed to receive the Best Actor of the Decade. But the night before the award ceremony, I was murdered at my house." If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    To Archer, it was cathartic to even recall the dreadful incident. Every time he remembered it, he felt suffocated as if he was reliving that night all over again.


    "Once I gained consciousness, I was in Archer Reid''s body." Archer shrugged to indicate his helplessness.


    "Did you say you were murdered?" To say Logan was shocked was an understatement. He was mortified and his face lost all its color instantly.


    "Yes. I was. I was asleep when fumes erupted in the room. Someone had placed burning charcoal briquettes in the room," Archer revealed, hiding his pain behind his sad smile. "I couldn''t escape. The room door was jammed and when I tried to open the windows, I was electrocuted."


    "Oh my God!" Logan felt his blood run cold and his body froze in horror. He didn''t want to believe the man. He didn''t. Yet, his words sent a chill down his spine.


    "I thought I would be dead for sure. But here I am as Archer Reid."


    "Wait a minute." Logan stopped him, his eyes rounding instantly and Archer had an inkling as to what would be transpiring next.


    "What happened to Archie?"


    Archer remained silent, not knowing how to tell him the truth. He just shook his head and lowered his head, a droplet of tear rolling down his right cheek.


    "Archie..." Logan''s world spun and he dropped to his knees immediately.


    "Logan!" Archer rushed to him and squatted beside him. "I am sorry." That was the only thing he could say.


    "Archie," Logan shouted with so much anguish and loss that Archer''s eyes turned red. He had to look up to keep himself from breaking down completely.


    "When did this... this happen?" Logan choked on his tears and raised his head to look at the man who had become Archer Reid.


    "The day the safety wire broke and Archer lost his consciousness," Archer answered honestly and Logan lost all his strength. He sat back blankly.


    Instantly, the incidents from the day started to roll in his mind and he remembered how Archie wasn''t himself once he had gained consciousness. The man who had never been interested in Archer Brooks was oddly interested in him that day. Since then, he had kept a close tab on the news, following his case seriously.


    The scene changed and he recalled when his ''friend'' had lost his cool at the dining table. He had shouted adamantly that Archer Brooks wasn''t in any debt. How did Archie know it if he wasn''t Archer Brooks?


    Logan had no choice but to believe him now. Archie was gone. Archer Brooks'' soul had taken over his body. It wasn''t a ploy.


    "I am sorry, Logan. I am so sorry." Archer kept apologizing, not knowing what else to say.


    Logan felt terrible for him. He had lost his friend, it was true. But the man before him hadn''t had it good either. He had lost everything, including his life. How could he not feel bad for him?


    "What do you intend to do now?" Logan calmed himself down, suppressing his sorrows for the time being. Otherwise, he''d crumble completely.


    "Are you alright?" Archer didn''t reply and instead looked at him in concern.


    Logan shook his head and smiled in sorrow. "Archie was my first friend in the city. We started our journey together three years ago before Monica joined us a year later. How can I be alright?"


    "I understand. I am so sorry."


    "What do you intend to do now?" Logan brushed off his pain and looked at him curiously.


    "I am going to find the murderer first." Archer''s hatred returned and he glared hard into space. "And then, I am going to reclaim all that I lost, including the Best of the Decade award."


    Though sad, Logan felt admiration bubbling in him and he stared at the man in respect. There was a strange kind of confidence in him that he had never seen in his friend or even himself.


    Narrowing his eyes for a moment, he made a decision. "I will help you."


    "What?" Archer couldn''t comprehend what Logan was saying and looked at him in confusion.


    "I will help you achieve your goals. Take it as me helping my friend to rest in peace."

 13. Success

    "Why are you trying to learn a backflip?" Logan couldn''t fathom why Archer Brooks wanted to learn a stunt. How would it help him in the long run?


    "I may be Archer Brooks, but I''m Archer Reid to the world," Archer explained, and even though he hadn''t said much, Logan understood him.


    "I''m just learning a few stunts so I don''t give myself away in the future."


    "You do know it''s not that easy, right?"


    Archer nodded. He did, especially now. He was still unable to master the backflip even though he had spent hours on it. A profound admiration pervaded his heart for all the stuntmen. They made the stunt look so good despite it being utterly difficult.


    "I know. It''s just that..." Archer scratched his head, thinking of a lie. He couldn''t reveal the system. Logan was already looking at him as if he was an alien. If he disclosed about Calix, the poor man might run for the hills.


    Archer wasn''t that keen on becoming a monster in Logan''s eyes. So, he held himself back.


    "I''m just attempting to understand Archie''s lifestyle. After all, I''m still a stuntman and I have to fill my tummy as well." Archer wasn''t lying. It''d take him some time to start over from the bottom and until he returned to acting, he had to find other ways of earning money.


    "Fine. I''ll help you. Although it''d be difficult to master risky stunts within a short time, you can learn the menial ones."


    "Thank you. Thank you so much."


    Archer was genuinely grateful. Logan wasn''t obligated to help him, but he did it anyway despite knowing his truth. A warm feeling wrapped around his heart and he smiled in gratitude.


    Logan nodded and stood up, patting his jeans. "Just learn the backflip today. You can learn the other stunts one by one later."


    "Sure." Archer didn''t argue with him. After all, that was what he wanted.


    "First, start with a backward roll. Have you loosened your muscles?"


    "What?" Archer frowned, not comprehending why they were talking about a backward roll instead of a backflip.


    "I''ll teach you the method I followed."


    "How long did it take for you to succeed?"


    "Umm... seventeen days," Logan said after thinking for a while, and Archer''s eyeballs almost popped out of his sockets.


    "Seventeen days? No way!" His voice rose an octave and he shook his head, recalling what Calix had told him. "I can''t prolong it for so many days. Can''t I learn it sooner? Like in a day perhaps?" He looked at Logan hopefully.


    But all he got in return was Logan''s silence until he chuckled in amusement.


    "You sure are easy to trick," Logan teased, his eyes gleaming with wickedness. "If you practice sincerely, you will succeed in a few hours."


    Archer narrowed his eyes and gave him an unimpressed look. "Were you pulling my leg?"


    "Yep." Logan didn''t deny it, rendering the man bereft of speech. "If you are done, shall we start?"


    Archer almost flipped the gym mat on Logan''s face. Was he the one delaying? They could have started already if Logan hadn''t tricked him.This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    "Sure," he huffed and rolled his eyes in annoyance.


    Logan noticed his actions but said nothing. "If you are diligent, you can learn to do a backflip in less than an hour."


    "Are you serious?" Archer''s annoyance vanished like smoke and he was thrilled to hear it.


    "Yes. You just need to follow my instructions and practice more. Now, let''s start with the backward roll. But before that, let''s begin with stretching."


    Logan started circling his neck and Archer followed his actions immediately. "This will help your tense muscles relax and you can practice the stunt easily."


    Once done, Logan directed him to rotate and relax his arms, followed by his ankles.


    "Do you know how to do a backward roll?"


    "Yeah. I can do that." Archer was confident. Backflip was difficult for him. But he could easily do a backward roll.


    "Cool. Show it."


    "Shall I use the gym mat?"


    "It''s up to you." Logan didn''t care about it. He was more interested in seeing him execute the backward roll.


    "Right."


    Archer didn''t dare risk it and lay flat on the gym mat. Taking a few breaths, he raised his legs and tucked in his chest. Once his ankles reached his head, he moved his body, making sure to not put much pressure on his chest.


    Logan was impressed. Although the man''s backward roll wasn''t brilliant, it was still good. He nodded at him and even showed a thumbs up once Archer rose to his feet agilely.


    "You''re better than I thought. Now, try doing the backward roll faster, putting more momentum to it."


    Archer didn''t question even once and did as he was instructed. He tried the backward roll twice, thrice, even more until he felt the momentum increase.


    "Good. Let''s go the next step. Can you do a backbend?"


    "I can try." Archer was confident with the backward roll. But a backbend? He wasn''t that certain.


    "Give it a try. I''ll lend you support."


    Archer nodded and once again, lay flat on the gym mat. Placing his palms beside his head, he arched his body, putting all his weight on his hands and feet.


    "Now, raise his legs and roll your body backward."


    "But..." Archer gritted his teeth while blood rushed to his head.


    "I''m here." Logan kneeled beside him and held his waist, supporting him from the side.


    Archer gritted his teeth and braced himself as he raised his leg. However, he was unable to support himself and ended up falling back, landing heavily on his butt.


    ''Thankfully, the mat protected me. Otherwise, my butt would be squashed today.''


    "Try again."


    Archer took in a deep breath and tried again. He reached halfway, almost reaching a handstand before he lost balance again and fell.


    Huffing lightly, he repeated the backbend a few times before he was able to roll over completely, with Logan''s assistance of course.


    "Now, do it a few times until you don''t need my help."


    Archer was pumped up by his small success. Although he was far from what he wanted to achieve, this small success motivated him and he practiced the backbend a few more times until he was able to roll over without Logan''s assistance.


    "Awesome. Now, all that is left is to combine the backward roll and the backbend and you are good to go."


    "Can we take a break?"


    "Sure. I was about to suggest you the same. Take a few minutes break."


    Archer didn''t waste much time. He waited until his breath had returned to normal before he returned to the stunt.


    "Do the backbend roll faster. Push your feet harder as if you are stepping on springs."


    Archer followed his instructions and his backbend roll was visibly faster.


    "Good. Now, I''ll teach you how to do a macaco flip. You will use only one of your palms to support your weight." Logan executed the macaco flip for him to observe and Archer''s eyes sparkled as he stared at him in awe.


    "Amazing!"


    "Thank you."


    "Now, you try it. You will have to be careful though. You might sprain your wrist if you are reckless."


    "I understand." Archer gave it a try with hesitation. After practicing backward roll and backbend roll repeatedly, he had gained some confidence.


    Although his macaco roll wasn''t perfect and he ended up landing towards his side inside of his back, it was still a significant improvement.


    Archer didn''t lose heart and kept trying until he could execute a macaco flip. He tried it a few more times until he deemed it perfect.


    "In the next step, don''t use your arm for support and you''re done."


    Archer nodded, his confidence dropping for a moment. But when he met Logan''s expectant and encouraging gaze, he mustered his strength and jumped lightly before bending his body back.


    In the first attempt, he landed on his knees, his legs giving away the moment he landed. The result repeated in the next few trials.


    On the seventh try, Archer maneuvered his body well and controlled his strength, and boom... he landed on his feet, upright.


    The next instant an all too familiar mechanical voice resounded in his mind.


    CALIX: Congratulations on completing the daily task. You will be rewarded 50 SEP. The daily task will reset in nine hours and thirty-eight minutes. You may complete the other tasks to gain more SEP.