CHAPTER 2: STRANGER
I went to the person in question.
"Assalam-u-alaikum."
This was a tradition in our country to start a conversation with.
-"Walaik-u-massalam. How may I help you?"
He talked to me as if he was looking for something to get from me. Now that would be what anyone would say but his tone was just a bit different.
I knew he had some kind of suspicion on me for... either dark matter or something else which was abnormal.
By the looks of it, we both had something to get info about.
But still, anything can go very wrong or unexpectedly right.
I have to play safe for now. So... lets start with a decent coded conversation.
"Well.. You looked kind of disturbed and helpless, so I thought I should check if there is anything wrong. Would you like some help. If you have many things to say, I am a good listener."
Oh god I am cringing so hard right now. Save meeee..
Now, don't get me wrong if a person close to you really is going through tough times, you should be there for them and convey clearly that you are there for them. However, in this case I am doing it solely for beneficial purposes and to add salt to the wound, no salt to the cringe, I am saying those precious words to a stranger.
But this is necessary.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
If he says yes, then we are 70% on the same page, if not then.. I guess I will have to try another method. But please, please have a mind and understand my words!
My heart is gonna come out of my chest if this awkward moment lasts any longer. What must be going through his head.
The danger of me becoming a lab rat for no damn reason also encourages my heart to break free of its arteries.
...dhuk dhuk!
..dHuk dHuk!
DHUK DHUK!
The person took a second or 2 to answer.. which was like a eternity to me.
...He finally started to move his mouth.
...
-"... Yes... sure. Also, what's your name? You look young."
Hmm?
Something's weird.
Why does he actually look depressed?
Well.. Not that it matters.
I will just get info and if he really has some kind of problem, I will help him if I can.
"...My name is Marwan Ali."
"Lets talk in a place where people can't hear us."
...
"So I am going to be blunt. Do you know anything about this dark matter?" I asked, there was no point in hiding anything now.
-"First, let me introduce myself. My name is Umer Shaikh. I am 35 years old."
-"So about your question... I don't know anything major about it myself. I just awoke with the ability to see dark matter just a week ago."
"Huh!?" I was surprised. Well who wouldn't after so much brainstorming?
Umer: "I know some things about it, but I wanted to know more........."
Then he started telling me about his story.
In Short,
Umer woke up 1 day.
with the ability to see dark matter.
Panicked.
Then just like me,
tried to find ways to get info about this mysterious thing or phenomenon.
He used the same tactic as me, but found no one with the same ability as his.
The only thing he knew was the same as me, like we can see it moving and existing but it cannot interfere. No one other than the ability to see dark matter can see it.
But he still observed his surroundings in hopes of finding someone with the same ability as his.
And he finally found someone today.
That was me.
Considering his journey in finding people same as him, I could be considered really lucky for finding someone same as me on the first day.
But still.. the main problem at hand was,
"So you also don't know anything about dark matter?"
Umer: "What do you mean 'also'? don't tell me even you don't know anything about this."
"Well I just awakened the ability today." I shrugged.
Umer: "Tch, lucky bastard."
Huh.
Wait a minute.
"Hey! I got a brilliant Idea!"
Umer: "What's that?"
"Since this fits the perfect visual description of dark matter, how about we search info about it in the books, magazines or a really trusted website that explains the latest findings on THE dark matter?"
Umer: "But the first thing people say about dark matter is that no one can see it and that completely defies our situation so maybe it isn't?"
"No, You are wrong. It actually makes more sense if it is like that."
Umer: "Hmm.. Can you explain more? I am not really into science stuff."
"K, but first, let's get going to a library or a school book store. There is one nearby."
Umer: "K, sure."
Thus, we started our journey to something unbelievably mind blowing.
—————– To Be Continued —————–