Chilly winds rushed and howled through the dark, cloudy skies outside. As the winds rattled the thin glass panes, a lone boy sitting on the couch remained unconcerned, simply watching the television—the channel set to local news.
“Right now, the temperature sits around 12°C,” the reporter said, his voice ringing throughout the room from the speakers. “Expect it to last until next week, January 7. That’s all for tonight’s weather forecast. Next up is–A mysterious sic—” Shin sighed while turning off the television.
“This weather is going to last until next week, huh,” He muttered. He dropped himself onto the couch, gazing at the ceiling with his fatigued eyes. Shin hasn’t been able to rest yesterday and today, as Shin waited for his family to come.
He reached out his hand and grabbed the phone from the glass table beside him. He glanced at the time on his phone: 8:00 pm. Where was his family? They planned to visit yesterday but ended up postponing it until today. The party yesterday tired Shin, and he had to clean his room all day today. He wanted to sleep, but couldn’t.
Shin rose from the couch and prepared to go outside to get some fresh air. He put on his jacket, applied wax on his hair, combed it up, and stepped outside of his room.
He walked softly to the hallways, trying not to disturb the rooms next door. As he walked on, he heard a familiar voice calling his name. “Shiiiiinnnnn!” a girl’s voice called out from across the hallway.
“Keep your voice down, Rielle,” Shin said, glaring at the girl. “What do you want?”
“Sorry about that~,” Rielle said. “What are you doing here? You didn’t join the party below?”
“Nope,” Shin replied. “My family is arriving tonight, so I had to prepare and clean up.”
“I see,” She said. “Then, where are you headed to? Being all dressed up like that. Wait, don’t tell me…… A date? Right before your parents come? How brave~. Say, who’s the girl?” Rielle teased, grinning mischievously.
“Obviously not, you idiot. I just want to take a walk outside,” said Shin, looking quite annoyed by Rielle’s teasing.
“We’re the same then. Want to walk together?” She asked.
“Sure,” replied Shin.
“Eh? What’s with that nonchalant reaction? A beautiful girl just invited you to walk outside with her, you know? And that’s how you react?” said Rielle. “This is why girls don’t have any interest in you,” she sighed.
Something snapped inside Shin, who looks triggered by her last phrase. He resisted the urge to retaliate, as he knew she would just tease him more. “Sure, sure,” he replied.
Shin has an immense amount of respect for Rielle, but he never saw her as a love interest, as she was 2 years older than him. He saw her more like a cheerful, annoying big sister who was friendly to everyone.
“You’re no fun,” She said, as they start walking to the exit, while often talking about random things or just Rielle teasing and annoying Shin.
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Arriving at the exit, a breeze of freezing wind greeted them. “So cold~,” complained Rielle who shivered. Shin also shivered but quickly became used to the temperature.
They strolled in the chilly, dark neighborhood’s sidewalk with the dim streetlights being its only light source. Normally, you’d think that the place is eerily quiet, but it’s the opposite of that. The place is humming with life. Cars and motorcycles dashed through the roads. People are walking and chattering on the sidewalk, while kids are still playing, either running or playing sports, even at this hour.
He felt comfortable with the atmosphere here, as opposed to where he used to live. The atmosphere at his parent’s house is eerily quiet even at day, he couldn’t take a step outside without anxiety filling his mind. He was grateful to his parents for letting him move out when he started his third year at high school.
“This place is as lively as ever,” said Shin.
“It’s always lively,” said Rielle. “Still not used to this?”
“Nope, I like it. It’s much better than my old home,” replied Shin.
“Ah, I remember you mentioning that you had no friends before at your former home. Ah! maybe that’s why you were so stiff and awkward when you first came here. Ha-ha-ha-ha!, I still remember that,” said Rielle, who was laughing hard.
Shin cringed when Rielle mentioned when he first introduced himself to them. It was part of a dark past that Shin wants to forget. “Shut up. Why aren’t you with the others?” said Shin, trying to steer the conversation away.
“Hm? Last night’s party tired me out, so I didn’t attend today’s party,” said Rielle. “Say, Shin.....do you feel anything off today? like being tired suddenly or something?” Rielle asked.
“Huh?” said Shin, confused by the unusual question. “Nope, I don’t feel tired or anything. Why?” he lied.
“......Nothing. forget that I asked,” Rielle said. “Oh, look! There’s the park! Let’s stop there for a while.”
“Look, there’s obviously something. What is—,” Shin said, his voice cut off by a brief, loud buzz coming from his pocket.
He picked up his phone from his pocket and glances at the notifications: his mother sent him a message. We’re still stuck in traffic. We went through a drive-thru to get dinner. Have you eaten yet? I’ll call soon enough, the message said. His mother also sent a picture of them eating in the car.
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The sight of the picture made him smile, seeing his parents and his sister eat. He felt a little envious, as he wasn’t part of it. Rielle, looking a little curious, peeked from behind his shoulder.
“Ehhh? That’s your sister? She’s so cuteeee!” said Rielle, infatuated by Shin’s sister. “You two look nothing alike though,” she said, taking turns glancing at the picture and Shin.
“I know,” Shin said. “My mom’s going to call, so let’s stop here for a moment,”
“Sure. I’ll just wait at the swing.” Rielle said.
She walks to the swing and simply sat there, looking bored and tired. This concerned Shin, as her cheerful demeanor from before, is missing. Trying to know what’s happening, he takes a step forward to approach her, only to be paralyzed by his anxiety. What if she just teases you again?, What if she has a serious medical condition? Voices ringed in his head, and Shin shook his head to dispel them. In the end, he gave up on asking her and just cursed his anxiousness, observing the park to try to bury it.
People filled the park, despite being late at night. Some are sitting at the benches or wandering around talking to each other. Kids are still playing and running at the playground with their parents and guardians watching them.
Shin is standing just near the entrance, and he can see Rielle swinging just a few meters in front. There are still people going in the park, and Shin observed them. Most of them are teens, and often entered in groups. If there’s anything in common in them he observed, it’s that they all looked tired. That’s to be expected, as it’s already night and they probably hung out since morning. They probably went here to relax, like him.
He observes the playground next. All the kids that were playing 5 minutes ago are now preparing to leave. Their guardians or parents are giving them towels and wiping their sweats. At the bench area, most people are sleeping. Why are they sleeping in a public area? Isn't it dangerous to do that? Shin thought, surprised at how carefree they can be.
Everyone’s tired today huh, He thought. Shin looked up to the skies and gazes at the few visible stars. If there’s anything that Shin missed from his former home, it’s the stars. He recalled looking at the Oceanic Galaxy at its full glory at midnight when he was a kid, and it was spectacular. No other thing can contest its beauty. He loved the sight so much he dreamed of becoming an astronomer at one point. So when he arrived here, it disappointed him that only 5 stars are visible during the night.
While gazing at the skies, a loud ring played coming from his pocket. He checked his phone and confirms that it was the call that he is waiting for. He pressed the green button and placed his phone next to his ears.
“Mom?” He spoke first.
“Hello sweetie, how are you?” his mom replied, her voice coming from the small speakers on his phone.
“I’m fine mom, just standing outside in the park. Why are you taking so long?” He said.
“Sorry sweetie~, the traffic here is really heavy, so we might not come tonight. We’re going to find a parking area to settle in and sleep for a few hours before continuing at midnight. I just called to inform you. Oh, and also, your sister contracted a mild fever, and she’s sleeping right now.”
“Is she okay?”
“She’s fine, don’t worry too much. You should go back now, it’s already late at night. We’ll call you again when we’re near. I’m nearly out of battery, so I’ll be hanging up now. Good night sweetie~”
“Okay mom, good night,”
The call hanged up and Shin puts the phone back in his pocket. He rested his back against the wall and leaned his head upward, gazing at the skies again, and let out a small sigh. Thank god, I can finally sleep, he thought.
Letting his fatigue take over his body, his mind drifted far, far away. His eyes slowly closed, and his mind thinking of nothing but rest. Gradually, his vision became darker and darker, until there is nothing left, as his consciousness fell into nothingne—BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
Shin jolted back to life as he hears the loud beep outside. Turning around to the source of the noise, he saw a car stopping just before reaching the pedestrian in front.
“HEY! WHAT ARE YOU DOING? GET OUT OF THE WAY!” The driver said, yelling at the pedestrian.
The pedestrian didn’t move or respond. Examining the pedestrian, it has a male physique and looked like a teen. Shin couldn’t see the face of the pedestrian, as the pedestrian was facing the opposite direction.
The pedestrian slowly turns its head towards the driver and just stares toward the driver.
“HEY, DIDN’T YOU HEAR ME?! I SAID MOVE!” said the driver, yelling.
The pedestrian didn’t budge, only staring at the driver with its lifeless eyes. Suddenly, the pedestrian’s body collapsed, like a puppet with its strings cut. It wasn’t just him, other people also fell in succession.
“WHAT THE HE—” the driver shouted, cut short by a truck hitting the back of the car.
Shin, with eyes wide and hands trembling, reflexively stepped back, unable to believe what he was seeing. He immediately looked around the vicinity. Sounds of horns and screaming filled the air, and in the distance, multiple sirens can be heard. The whole area stunk of gas and an unknown metallic smell. Car crashes are everywhere. Everyone was collapsing. Blood is visible everywhere on the road. It was a scene straight from a horror movie.
Shin, not knowing what to do, continued looking around at the vicinity, until his eyes met with Rielle, whose face is pale and eyes that are only half-open.
“RIELLE!” shouted Shin, and rushed towards her. “Rielle, Rielle!!” he said, shaking her shoulders to wake her up.
“Ahhhh, eh? Ah! Shin?! What is it?” said Rielle.
“Are you awake? Can you walk?” asked Shin.
“Wait, why? What’s happening? ”
“There’s no time. We’re going back now,”
She only nodded and followed Shin. They dashed past the exit and towards the direction of their place when Rielle stops and widens her eyes, paralyzed with fear by the sight unfolding before her.
“Wha- What i- is this?” said Rielle.
“I told you there’s no time! Let’s go!” said Shin, snatching her arm and rushing towards their place. Rielle’s hands are trembling, but Shin pays it no mind and drags her on anyway. The sight terrified him as well but didn’t show it. Adrenaline rush being the sole thing powering him, if not for it, he would have cowered in fear a long time ago.
The building is in sight, and they see someone throwing their arms up, waving it just at the front gate of their place. It was the owner of the place, Ms. Mai.
“Ms. Mai!” shouted Shin.
“You kids, I’m glad you’re safe. Now get in your rooms and never leave there until I say so,” said Ms. Mai.
“What about the others? Are they fine?” asked Shin.
“…All of them lost consciousness. My husband is checking all of the rooms, opening them with the spare keys. We already called the ambulance, but all of the ambulances are being used currently, and it might take them 2-3 hours before reaching here.” said Ms. Mai, averting her eyes while frowning.
The sudden news shocked Shin and Rielle. Rielle’s eyes are wide open, tears forming from its corner. Shin gritted his teeth while clenching his fists. Even them? he thought.
Unable to sort his thoughts and emotions, Shin walked past Ms. Mai and entered the building with Rielle following him.
“…….want me to accompany you to your room?” asked Shin.
“n- no need. I’m fine, I just need rest..,” said Rielle.
They part ways, each of them going towards their various rooms.
While strolling down the hallway, fatigue swept all over Shin’s body, causing him to almost stumble on the floor. This is bad, he thought. His adrenaline ran out, and his fatigue from running earlier finally came. Shin wasn’t an athletic person, and never worked out, so he only had the stamina of an average person. Running half a mile took a toll on him, and added with the fatigue he had since morning, His body is in a rough shape.
He walked slowly while panting and his vision lingering until reaching his room. Upon reaching his room, He went to his bed immediately. Finally, he thought, before falling to the bed, his consciousness going black.