"Where am I?!"

…

Well, before I continue the narrative about where I found myself suddenly, I think it's best I went back a few hours before my story began.

It was Saturday. On this day every week, I make it a point to leave my home and go wherever my feet takes me to. I always walk around without a fixed destination. Considering I live in the middle of the metro, walking around doesn’t come off as a hassle or tiring. It’s actually fun seeing the busy life of other people in the city. There’s always something interesting happening, which I always find amazing. It’s a seemingly odd weekly routine, but doing this helps me clear my mind and find inspiration.

I was standing before the intersection waiting for our turn to cross the street when I felt someone calling my name. To be clear, I didn’t really hear anyone’s voice. It felt more like an instinct, as if someone was longing for me at that moment. It was a weird feeling. It wasn’t scary or anything — maybe puzzling, but it was more of a feeling that made your heart beat faster. It made me look around, looking for anyone possibly looking at me at that moment, or someone who looked a tad suspicious. I didn’t find anyone, so I ultimately just brushed it off.

I began walking as soon as I heard the sound signaling everyone to cross.

“That feeling… Perhaps I could use that as inspiration?”

While walking in deep thought, I didn’t notice the truck heading straight at me in full speed.

I died.

…

Just kidding. I didn’t die, although that’s how most stories end up these days. Fortunately, the truck miraculously swerved before it ran over me and finally stopped after hitting a street post and the sidewalk barricade. I was currently sitting down on the pavement, baffled by what just happened. Thinking about it now, I could’ve just passed it off as another event that could serve as inspiration, but I guess I was just too overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. I wasn’t thinking anymore at that time. It was then that someone pulled my arm, forcing me to stand up.

“Let’s go now. Hurry!”

“Huh?!—”

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

She suddenly ran while pulling me along with her. I was running, forced to go with the flow, but I couldn’t really understand what was going on. I have yet to find my bearings after finding out a truck almost turned me into mush, let alone now having someone I don’t know pull me and run.

“Am I being kidnapped?”

I thought to myself. My mind was already in a mess, so I guess it accidentally left my mouth instead of keeping them in my head. She looked at me with an odd gaze, as if she didn’t understand what I was talking about.

We ran until we found ourselves in an alley without people. I catched my breath. It was only then that I had the time to look at the person who supposedly kidnapped me closely.

“Eh?”

Her clothes were somewhat weird but not to the point you would accuse someone of cosplay. She was wearing red long sleeves. The shoulder parts had holes, exposing her surprisingly fair skin. Her red hair was covering half of her face as if to hide something, but even with just half of her face visible you already know she’s a beauty. What’s most notable is that on her left cheek, just below her eye, was a scar shaped like a star. I didn’t really understand why, but her appearance triggered in me a sense of familiarity.

“It’s not yet time for you to go.”

“W-What do you mean?”

“Glen, we still need you.”

“Me? How do you know my name?”

As I said that, some people passed by the alley and looked at us in suspicion. I panicked at the thought of being seen with a woman in a very sketchy place. I momentarily faced them, waved my hands, and inadvertently said to them in panic the most suspicious lines anyone would say in that moment.

“We’re not doing anything suspicious!!”

“What a weirdo.”

“Let’s go, he must be crazy.”

Their reactions weren’t exactly what I had in mind. I thought they’d be more suspicious but when I looked back at the woman who dragged me to this place, she was already gone. Needless to say, I left the place in confusion.

I was walking back to my place in deep thought, recollecting everything that happened today.

“I almost died and was dragged by a mysterious looking woman who suddenly left without saying goodbye.”

“... Perhaps I could use these events as inspiration?”

I guess it has already become a habit of mine to put off anything bizarre as inspiration. I must be a really optimistic person.

I passed by the bookstore on my way back home as I normally do as my last stop for every weekend pilgrimage. I was walking around the store when I saw a cute little kid sitting down on the floor in front of a bookshelf. It somehow reminded me of how I acted back in the days.

It was then that I remembered.

Badly designed clothes, red hair covering half of the face, and the star shaped scar on the left cheek… That was it. I know why she looked familiar. She looked exactly like the character from the book I wrote 18 years ago!

…

“Well, I’m sure it’s just a coincidence.”