December 16, 2032, 7:22 PM, the Christmas spirit is visible around Central City. Christmas advertisements are shown on every television in every house around the city, huge holographic billboards show Christmas sales, restaurants showing a Santa version of their mascots, and Christmas decorations are shown on every side of the road. Atlas saw these things as he walked through the busy road going home.
“Everyone sure is lively,” Atlas said, relieved.
Atlas Forteza is a 3rd-year college student who is studying at Quantum International University, one of the biggest universities in the world. His crimson hair compliments his tanned skin, bringing out his brown eyes. He’s wearing his uniform, simple white long-sleeved polo, black necktie, cream-colored vest, dark brown slacks, and paired with a dark brown jacket. He wore a red scarf on his neck in a fake knot for the accessory. Atlas is at the average height in the Quantum Islands, standing at 5’8’’.
“I am glad to see the people celebrate. Last year’s Christmas was sad and silent.”
While walking on the side of the road, he heard a shout coming from the other side.
“Atlas!” The guy shouted.
Atlas stared at the east side of the road and narrowed his eyes where he found Nick Azami, his Japanese – American best friend. Standing at 5’9’’, he is taller than Atlas. While he has broad shoulders and is physically fit, Nick has pale smooth skin, a contrast to his striking blue eyes and black hair.
Nick crossed the road, heading towards Atlas’ direction. He wore a French coat overlapping the nice blue and fancy business suit that he got as his birthday present from his Spanish-American girlfriend. The two of them have been dating for 2 years now.
Nick looked at Atlas, wondering why his friend was wearing the school uniform even though it was already the start of Christmas break. So, he asked. “Hey, Al. Why are you still wearing our school uniform? You are very conspicuous you know?”
“I had work to finish in the student council. The faculty and staff were approving the solutions needed to fix the school facilities that caused trouble to the students. It was my job to arrange the papers and sign some of them.”
Atlas was the student council president at Q.I.U (Quantum International University) despite his average grades. He worked smartly and was good at student affairs, contributing to the factors as to why he was chosen.
“Well, I can understand that, but did you need to wear your school uniform?”
“The guard won’t let me in for some reason when I wore casual clothes yesterday. It was troublesome and I was forced to return to my apartment just to change into a uniform.”
“Are you sure that it was because of the uniform? Maybe you did not bring your I.D? Did you ask the guard why he didn’t let you in?”
“Ah! I didn’t,” Atlas exclaimed, realizing that he may have jumped to conclusions.
His companion burst out into laughter. “Al, you really should ask next time. You always forget the important stuff. Reminds me of the time we met, we were still in 1st-year college then. Nostalgic, right?” Nick said, smiling widely.
Atlas was quite embarrassed. He unconsciously always wore his uniform with the I.D.
“So that’s why some of the teachers were shocked when they saw me. Also, 2 years ago huh?” He thought while rubbing his chin absentmindedly. “Yeah, we met in the classroom, but we started talking at the cafeteria. You dropped your wallet while we were lining up to order food and I picked it and the-” Atlas said, excitedly but before he could finish, Nick interrupted.
“And then, when it was my turn to order, I realized that my wallet was lost. You were literally behind me, forgetting that you had my wallet.” Nick added, “I was panicking while searching for it. I said something like ‘my wallet was blue, and it has a name Nick on it!’ and then when I looked at you, you were holding my wallet.”
***
2 years ago, at the cafeteria of Quantum International University
“Hey, you,” Nick said in a monotone voice.
“Huh? Me?” Atlas asked, clearly confused
“Yeah, you. You picked up my wallet, right? And you were going to return it to me, but then, forgot about it.” Nick stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Atlas was flustered and started rambling. “I am so sorry! I picked it up when I saw it fall from your pocket and then--” He thought, “I am an idiot”.
“Ah, it is fine. You look trustworthy. Can you give me my wallet now?” Nick asked, extending his hand to receive his wallet.
The crimson-haired male gave the wallet back to the owner, wondering why the stranger trusted him immediately. So, he invited Nick to eat with him so he could find out why. Nick agreed and they found a table to sit in somewhere in the cafeteria.
The area was noisy, as it was full of students. The white tables and chairs were made of plastic, and the cutlery is stainless steel. The food they were both eating was the cafeteria’s specialty, Spicy Burger Steaks.
“Sorry for the late introduction, my name is Atlas Forteza. I am a Filipino. Nice to meet you.” Atlas extended his hand.
“My name is Nick. Nick Azami, Half Japanese, and half American. I noticed you in the classroom, so you do not need to introduce yourself.” Nick grinned, shaking Atlas’ hand.
Atlas forgot to ask Nick why he trusted him so easily, but they enjoyed each other’s company and became buddies in the end.
***
While the two friends were walking, Atlas remembered that he forgot to ask Nick why even back then, had he trusted Atlas immediately. “Hey Nick, I was supposed to ask this before, but when we first met, why did you trust a stranger who had your wallet in his hands?”
Nick thought deeply. He wanted to say the reason but soon realized that Atlas wasn’t ready yet.
“I forgot. I will tell you when I remember it.” Nick replied in a carefree manner.
“Oi, tell me already,” Atlas said with a blank look on his face, making the taller male laugh.
Nick stopped in his laughter when he suddenly remembered something about his friend. “Speaking of the word tell. Al, how was your plan?” Nick grinned, placing his arm on Atlas’ shoulder.
Atlas shrugged it off. “What plan? Was it the one you planned for next week?”
“Al, how can you forget it? How can you forget the plan that will change the world into a beautiful paradise?! How can you forget Operation Confession?!” As Nick was overreacting, Atlas remembered that he was supposed to confess to someone this Christmas Eve.
“You know Nick? I think I will just give up. I should just study first and get a degree. Besides, I am busy with the council. I also need to take care of my sister and brother after graduating. So, having a girlfriend will-”
Nick said mockingly, interrupting his friend in his rambling. “Are you even sure that she is going to accept you after you confessed?”
“Oi! You didn’t have to rub salt in my wound!” Atlas exclaimed.
“Atlas. For goodness sake, it has been 3 years already! Every year you keep saying that you are finally going to confess, and, in the end, you bow out. Aren’t you tired already? You had a lot of chances last year and you blew it. Coward.” Nick acted theatrically moving his hands left and right while walking with Atlas.
Atlas replied. “Harsh. I am not afraid. I’m just insecure.”
“Atlas, if you’re insecure, that means you are afraid of something. Why don’t you go and confess already? If she accepts you then great, and if not, then great for you!” He stated seriously, but with a mischievous glint in his eye.
“Why does it seem like you are more supportive of me getting rejected rather than accepted?” Atlas said in an expressionless manner.
“You are just imagining things.” Nick snickered, “Now go and continue your plan to confess you cowardly knight.”
“Fine!” Atlas shouted, which made everyone look at them. Immediately noticing, they became embarrassed, walking away twice the pace of their normal walking speed.
***
When they noticed that they were quite far away from where they originally were, they slowed.
“Idiot. Do not shout that loud.” Nick whispered, walking slowly beside his friend.
“I can’t help it. You are mocking me.” Atlas whispered back.
They arrived at Central Street, located at the center of Quantum City which makes it the busiest street in the city. Filled with 20 story buildings and fast-food restaurants, there’s bound to be a lot of foot traffic.
“Atlas, I am hungry. Before we go home, do you want to grab something to eat?” Nick asked.
Atlas did not respond but instead asked, pointing at the area in front of them. “Hey Nick, what is happening?”
Both noticed the police force, stopping the crowd from getting near the demolished building. Its glass has been shattered, the debris massive and scattered around the building. Completely unrecognizable due to its state.
Yellow tape surrounded the area, separating the destruction from the people, who were to be evacuated from the area. Police cars and ambulances present nearby.
Atlas and Nick walked towards the area, the latter asking an older male standing in the crowd for information on what happened. With a closer look, Atlas thought to himself that the male seemed familiar but, decided not to say anything. “Excuse me. What happened here?”
The person answered. “Some idiot set up a powerful bomb, exploding inside the central research facility of the SSO.”
“Has the culprit been apprehended?” Atlas asked.
To which the stranger replied. “No. According to the police, around 6 died including the suspect, 50 injured, and 3 people were lost. It is unfortunate.”
SSO, also known as Science and Supernatural Organization. The organization was founded by the Department of Scientific and Supernatural Studies or DS3. Both institutions were formed to protect society from abnormal events like last year's incident from occurring.
“Why would the suspect target the SSO’s building? Is there a conspiracy somewhere?” Nick questioned, getting more and more curious.
“I also asked but the police chief started getting defensive and told me to get out of his way. If someone is acting like that, of course, something is fishy. From that alone, it’s obvious that the higher-ups are involved.”
“Higher-ups? Does he mean the elites? Or the government itself?” Atlas thought of that.
“About that, I think I have-” As Nick was about to ask another question, a huge explosion caught their attention, and they all turned to find it coming from the building beside the destruction.
“An explosion! It is the same explosion from 2 hours ago! I request everyone to assemble immediately!” The police shouted at his radio.
“The explosive power is just like the one from earlier, as well as the smoke’s color. You boys better run or you might end up getting caught up in this mess,” the male warned, while as he prepared to move away.
“What is your name mister?” Atlas asked, giving up on trying to pinpoint the stranger from his memories.
“Edward Python.”
Edward is a tall man, taller than most of the people in the crowd. His dark brown skin blended with his brown trench coat over his plain white t-shirt. Paired with black jeans, he wore brown boots and finished the outfit with a brown scarf tied in a sophisticated knot.
After he said his name, Edward ran away to go near the scene.
“Python huh? That guy seemed familiar.” Atlas muttered to himself which made his companion wonder as well.
“I guess. Anyways, Al, we should go now.”
“Right, before we get caught from all the questioning and trouble.” He agreed, “Can you still run?”
“You’re underestimating a baseball player Al!” Nick grinned, his chest puffed out with pride.
They ran away from the site and stopped shortly after, panting and sweating.
“Are we far enough now?” Nick asked, catching his breath.
Atlas looked at his phone and opened his maps. They are far away from the site. “Yes. We are super far,” he said, clearly tired
“Ah. I am hungry. Let’s continue to walk. What time is it Al?”
Atlas glanced at his phone again. “7:58 pm Nick. It isn’t that late. But I guess after running for 15 minutes, it is bad not to rest for a while” Nick agreed. They started walking again when they talked about the event they escaped from.
“Nick, the color of the smoke. It was dark violet and produced a weird smell. Don’t you think it was like ‘that’ incident?” Atlas asked, seriousness and concern dropping from his voice.
“Yeah, Incident 2021.”
Incident 2021 or also known as Philidel’s Dark Energy Incidents. Due to the numerous unexplainable phenomenon that kept happening after that incident, scientists changed its perception of things drastically.
After talking about it, both were silent until they noticed a fast-food restaurant.
“Ah, Bunny foods and it’s quite ridiculous Christmas Bunny theme decorations,” Nick chirped.
“At last. After all that walking and running, I could eat and sit!” Atlas shouted excitedly.
The people surrounding them were curiously staring at the two of them, but they didn’t mind and continued doing whatever they wanted in public. Then they chose to enter the restaurant after 4 minutes of staring at it in hunger.
Bunny Food is a restaurant located at a safe distance from all those huge offices, giving them good foot traffic. The restaurant itself is not that big and on the left side, there is a parking lot and a small area for ordering take-out. Windows are long and wide enough that you can see that the people enjoying their food. The automatic glass doors opening every once and a while, ringing a little bell by the door notifying that people are coming in and out.
Lining up at the counter, Nick asked. “What are you going to eat?”
“An XL cheeseburger, large fries, and a large chocolate float.” Atlas snickered.
“Well, I think I will order the same thing. After all of that walking and running, I’m starving.”
The two of them ordered and the cashier’s shocked. The XL cheeseburger is the largest burger they have, people with normal appetites have a hard time finishing it.
After ordering, they were given a number indicating their turn to serve with the food, so they waited. So, while waiting for the food, they decided to search for a vacant table in the restaurant. And then …
“Hey Al, look.” Atlas turned to see his best friend, grinning.
“Look at what?”
Nick pointed at the occupied seat on the east side of Atlas. As Atlas followed the finger, he saw a woman, seating.
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
The girl is 5’7’’, an inch shorter than Atlas. She was fair-skinned, owning a slim body coupled with long black hair and a cute face. Wearing a blue leather jacket over her casual blue polo shirt, blue denim, and a dark blue scarf wrapped on her neck. It is Mei Watanabe, the Chinese – Japanese woman who stole Atlas’ heart.
Mei is sitting on the sofa by the window, which is used in the fast-food restaurant, rather than actual chairs. In front of her, there is a table made of glass where another girl, Trisha, was sitting.
Trisha Cortez is a woman with a perfect body. She has the same height as Atlas, with straight-curly blonde hair. Her eye color blue, which made her look much more gorgeous. Her outward appearance rivals the other top candidates in the modeling world in Quantum Islands. Nick’s girlfriend. The blonde-haired woman is wearing a checkered formal jacket overlapping the black blouse. Her blue jeans complement the uggs boots.
Nick stared at Mei and pointed at her. “Al, that’s your girlfriend right there. right?” He asked sarcastically while grinning at Atlas.
“Yes, she is,” Atlas spoke absentmindedly, staring at Mei.
“Really? Atlas, you are creepy, you know. Saying that she is your girlfriend while staring at her with a stupid grin on your face. I am disappointed in my best friend for being that desperate.” Nick said, theatrically and sarcastically.
Then Atlas replied. “Huh? Oi! I mean no, she is not my girlfriend and I am not desperate!”
“Oh really? Does that mean that you are going to stop being a creep now?” Nick teased.
Atlas asked a little hurt. “Why are you calling me creepy all of a sudden?”
“Because you keep staring without confessing. The woman will feel weirded by that.” Nick answered. “Why don’t you go confess now? If your feelings get reciprocated, isn’t it better that you confess now and have a date on Christmas eve?”
“Leave me alone,” Atlas said, irritated. But his friend was still smiling.
It seems that Nick enjoyed teasing Atlas a lot and, in a way, he pushes Atlas to be decisive in important things. That is just how the two interact.
“Atlas. Come on buddy. I will treat you to a wonderful resort next week with Tsang and Reuben,” Nick whispered, patting Atlas’ shoulder.
“Okay, okay. I will,” Atlas shouted, causing everyone to frown at them. The waitress approached, warning the two friends.
Standing at around 5’8’’, the waitress is wearing the Bunny Food’s uniform, a pink pencil skirt, and a pink shirt, with a name tag pinned on her shirt’s left chest side saying ‘Claire’.
“Please be careful next time,” Claire said, sternly.
When she left, someone exclaimed in shock. “Ah! Atlas! Nick!”
Looking at the direction where the voice came from, Atlas spoke. “It’s Trisha.”
“Hey, Trish.” Atlas greeted, the two friends walking up to the blonde girl. “How come are you guys eating together this late at night?”
“I could say the same, why are you both here?” Trisha asked, her face contorting in confusion.
“Well, long story. We were searching for a place to sit. Since you guys are sitting over here, can we sit here too?” Nick politely asked, being friendly.
Trisha nodded, smiling. “Sure. When I and Mei saw you guys, we were planning to invite you both to sit with us anyways.”
“We are not disturbing anything right?” Atlas asked.
“No, it is fine. We would love to have a conversation with the two fine gentlemen in front of us,” Mei said while smiling.
“Ah, ok then.”
Mei transferred to Trisha’s side, leaving Nick and Atlas to sit where Mei previously was.
“Hmm, ‘fine gentlemen’ huh? So, you’re a fine gentleman?” Nick whispered to his best friend with a grin on his face.
Atlas said, emotionless. “Oi.”
***
As they were waiting for the food, Trisha spoke. “Why are you guys here?”
“We came here to eat obviously,” Nick rolled his eyes.
All three stared at the black-haired male.
“Nick, can you drop the sarcasm,” Trisha requested.
“Fine. Atlas here had work to do at school and I was helping my aunt in their restaurant. We just met up on the way home, stumbling on an incident along the way.” Nick explained seriously.
Then Mei nodded, “I heard about that. The incident at Central Street. It was featured in the news and it was on live earlier.”
“Yes. That is the inci-”
Then, out of nowhere. Atlas’ sight is blocked by a strange darkness, consuming him. Atlas tried to look around, but he cannot see anything. Seconds later, he can suddenly see. “What?”
The whole restaurant was left in ruins, complete devastation. Windows were shattered, tables, and chairs wrecked. He stood up, looking around, his body trembling. Hands were severed, heads were decapitated. Pools of blood throughout the floor, not a dry spot anywhere. Atlas cringed at the smell of rotting corpse and blood.
“What is this?!” Atlas yelled, panicking and scared.
“What is this?! I do not understand! I was just sitting with my friends!” Atlas’ shouted, holding his head with both his hands.
Then his eyes grew wide, “Where are they?! Nick! Trisha! Mei!”
Atlas looked around, then slowly decided to look down, he was shaking uncontrollably. Please, let it not be them. When his eyes reached the ground, he found a corpse. But it isn’t his friends’ bodies. Although relieved, he was still not okay. He turned pale at the sight of the body by his feet, immediately jumping away, he stared nervously.
This corpse didn’t have any blood around it, although rotten while wearing clothes, laying in a prone position. Looking at the back of the corpse, he noticed that the hair was crimson, wearing a dark brown jacket and slacks. It had a red scar—
“No way!” Atlas’ finally realized. But I am still …
***
“Al” Nick called out but Atlas’ didn’t seem to hear him. Mei became worried as she saw Atlas’ state, his scared eyes, his pale skin.
Trisha slapped Atlas’ right cheek, “Atlas!”
“Ah!” Atlas exclaimed.
“Al, what is wrong?”
“Huh?” Atlas looked around, coming into his sentence, vaguely remembering what had happened earlier.
“What …” Atlas paused. “… happened?”
“We were just talking about Mei’s birthday. Seriously, are you ok?”
The redhead tried but couldn’t remember what had exactly happened a while ago, so he simply decided to ignore it. Just … what the ...? Never mind. I will just try later, he thought. “I am okay. But her birthday? I thought we were talking about the incident earlier?”
“Incident? What incident?” Nick asked, face contorting in confusion.
Atlas answered, still disoriented. “The bombing earlier. It was featured in the news, right Trisha?”
“Huh? Was there such a thing?” Trisha stared, puzzled, causing Atlas to double-take as well.
Mei cried out, “Ah! The one on Central Street?”
“Last week? It was earlier right Nick?” Atlas’ head tilting at his best friend, silently asking for help.
Nick scratched his head absentmindedly and looked at Atlas with worry. “Al, what are you talking about? It happened last week.”
Mei picked her phone up and started tapping. “I will read this. ‘December 8, 2032. A series of explosion happened at Central Street...’”
Atlas listened as she read the article, shocked. But little by little, his memories from that day started to blur. “Mei, you can stop reading now. I think I am just tired.”
She stopped reading and everyone studied Atlas’ expression, worried.
“Al. You’re just tired. I am sorry I forcefully invited you to walk this far just to eat cheeseburgers.”
Atlas looked at Nick, his memory about the explosion slowly being replaced by new memories. But he is sure of one thing, something is not right.
“Number 208, please proceed to the counter. The food is ready to be served,” a robotic voice announced from the speakers above.
“That is our number Mei,” Trisha spoke.
After the two girls got their food, it took a while for the boys to get theirs. They were hungry. Later, the robotic voice announced their number, they just couldn’t get up fast enough. Then all four finally ate.
***
Soon after eating, they left the restaurant, planning to walk around the city before going home. Christmas lights and decorations were up everywhere, people were cheerful and their eyes full of hope. I hope that Christmas this year isn’t going to be chaotic like last year.
The couple held hands as they walked ahead of the other two. Atlas glanced at Mei, who was looking at the beautiful decorations around them. Ah, I am walking together with Mei. It has been a while huh? Since I was nominated to join the student council. Atlas thought.
“Hey, Al. It has been a while since we walked together hasn’t it?” Mei said with a gentle smile on her face.
Atlas tried to act normally, “I was busy as the president. What do you think will happen if I neglect my responsibilities?”
“If I invite you to play games with me at my apartment like last time will you go?” Mei added, “I missed those times you know.”
Atlas muttered, “Sorry. If there are things I need to do as the student council president, I can’t spare my time. Not even for you or Nick.”
“You’re stingy,” Mei teased.
Atlas joked in a fake Shakespearean accent. “If I neglect thy responsibilities. I wouldst face thy punishment!”
“Al, stop acting like Nick and start acting like a human being,” Mei said coldly, causing Atlas to stop and lower his head. “Fine.”
Then she stared off before suggesting, “Should I visit your apartment instead? I could help you with anything you needed to do. Then we could eat and play some RPG or shooting games on our smartphones.”
Atlas thought about it. “Not bad. It's not bad to rest and have fun for a while.”
“That is settled then,” Mei smiled brightly.
“But wouldn’t it weird for a girl to go to my apartment?” Atlas asked, his cheeks and ears tinged red.
“It is fine, you are not going to...” Mei paused, bashful, “… do anything right?”
Atlas sighed before saying, “I won’t do anything”
“You’re someone I know for a long time, I trust you!” Mei said energetically.
***
As they kept walking, the half Asian-half American male stops to looks at his watch. “It’s late. Should I accompany you, Trisha?” Nick said, noticing their other two friends walking up to them.
“Hmm,” She thought for a moment. “Stay at my house tonight, my little brother and sister want to see you. What did you get them to like you? They are hard to please you know?”
“You do not need to wonder.” Nick smiled, before continuing. “Setting that aside. I have no extra clothes on me right now.”
Trisha shook her head, “You left some clothes at home.”
“Clothes? Wait, I lost a bag of clothes last time, and I know for sure I didn’t leave clothes there. So, does that mean the bag is with you?” Nick inclined his head to the right, making sure.
She nodded, “You asked me to hold your bag and you never took it back.”
“What the…? You should have reminded me.” He said, pursing his lips.
Trisha teased her boyfriend with a grin, “Aren’t you becoming like Atlas lately? Forgetting the important things?”
“Isn’t that a little too cruel Trish?!” Atlas cried out.
“Fine. You win.” Nick scratched his head, smiling. “Hey, you two, Trish and I are gonna go now. Take care on your way home.”
The couple faced the road, waiting for the traffic light to go red, and crossed using the pedestrian lane, leaving Atlas and Mei alone. But suddenly, Atlas’ phone vibrates. “Wait for a minute, I have to check on something.” The girl nodded to which he smiled in reply. Picking up his phone, he saw a message prompt. It came from Nick. What is this? He thought.
“Hey, Al, remember our conversation at Bunny Foods? You have to confess now. Not forcing you though, but it is better to let it out, you have been running away for about 3 years now. Did you think using your responsibilities as an excuse will help you reduce the pain? Remember this, searching for reasons to escape the pain will stop you from growing and moving forward. Why don’t you muster some courage? We’re rooting for you, Atlas. Go and conquer.”
After reading the message, he blankly stared at Mei.
“Al, is something wrong?” Mei asked while her face is showing that she is really confused
“Ah, it’s nothing,” He answered, clearing his throat. “Let’s go, it’s late.”
“Mm ...” She nodded, wondering if he was hiding something.
***
They rode a cab until they arrived at the quiet subdivision area, quite far from busy and crowded Central Street. They continued to walk together since they were practically neighbors. Mei broke the silence, “Al, do you still remember the promise we made?” She said, cheerfully.
“Promise? Traveling around the world is not easy at all now that I think about it. I have to earn as much money as I can, it’s quite hard to find a job nowadays.”
“Since when did you have a problem with money? Your family is one of the richest here in Quantum Islands.” Mei grinned.
“Heh. Your family is richer than mine now, climbing up the ranks.” He said, pointing his index finger at her. “Mine only has enough money to support us and the business, you know. Unlike you, milady, your family has enough to spend luxuriously.”
“No, we don’t! We need to work hard, debts to pay, and all that.”
“Then traveling around the world without problems is going to be hard. If milady right here is having problems with debt, I’m having problems with my daily expenses here. I am helping the family business every night to acquire extra money for my needs.”
That’s reality, having a huge company does not mean you’re earning huge amounts of money every day, some businessmen earn nothing due to taxes and company expenses. Some businesses get buried in debt, causing them to make late payments. These types of big businesses end up being sold sooner or later. Although, some fail and the people who worked will gain a little of something to nothing.
“Let us work together soon then!” Mei blurted out, shocking her companion.
He was speechless although he knew what she is thinking about when she said: “work together”. Businesses often work together normally but it’s a huge risk. “Are you sure? It might cause some problems.”
“It will not.” She paused. “Probably.”
“Fine,” he sighed, then smiled at her.
“Ah, this reminds me of the first time we met. Do you remember? You were so stingy. I was just asking if I could borrow your handheld console.”
“I didn’t know you back then, so why would I? That was when we were in 6th grade, right?”
“Yep. You even called me peasant; I was super annoyed. So, I hit you with a rock.” She recalled, giggling at the memory.
“It hurts.” He groaned, rubbing at the spot as if he could still feel the pain. “We got called to the guidance office because of that, where we practically became enemies.”
“And something took place later on,” the black-haired woman said, her features darkening. Atlas remembered, clenching his jaw.
“Al, thank you, for being with me.” Mei smiled, her earlier mood gone.
“You’re welcome, and here we are.” He gestured to the figure appearing ahead, Mei’s apartment. They stopped in front of the white gate, pausing for a moment to study the structure. It looked very expensive.
“Thank you for tonight Al, I have to go now.” Mei waved to him in farewell.
“You are welcome, take care okay?” He said, looking at her as she started walking towards the gate. Should I let her go? It is getting late after all. I can just confess next time. It can wait. But his heart is pounding in his chest, and it seems like he would regret it if he doesn’t make a move. He sighed, quickly remembering his best friend’s message. I am an idiot! Why would I let this chance go again?! I have just been running away, making excuses. I need to do it now!
“Mei, wait.” Atlas approached Mei, accidentally raising his voice, startling the latter.
“You shocked me.” She tilted her head, curious. “What is it, Al?”
“I’m sorry, I know it is late but …” Atlas paused. He was nervous, his heart beating hard. Looking down, he tried to summon a bit of courage. “May I borrow a bit of your time? There is a place I want to take you.”
He’s cute, Mei thought, her face cheeks red. “Sure. I trust that you won’t do anything, but just in case, you should know I learned Taekwondo.” She said, hiding behind false bravado.
***
After walking a bit, Atlas led her to the woods by his apartment. “Will you continue to trust me?” Mei nodded in reply, her eyes sure. He smiled, thankful, then points at a hidden gap in the woods. Gesturing in the general direction, he said, “Follow me.”
“There’s a gap in here?” She asked softly.
Atlas nods and helped her through the gap. Atlas pulls out his phone, quickly turning the flashlight on, so they could see in the dark. They walked in comfortable silence until they saw the end of the forest, moonlight shining through the end of the forest. As they stepped out into the light, Mei was in awe. “Wow!”
A park, hidden in the middle of the forest, with a sparkling pond surrounding a working Greek-like marble fountain. On both sides, there sit two white marble benches, and on the north side, a single pine tree. The moonlight made everything shine, giving it an ethereal effect.
“This place is beautiful!” She said, eyes shining in wonder. Atlas agreed. “Why is it that I haven’t heard that this place existed? And how did you find out?”
“My grandfather developed the area after buying it, but he never told anyone outside his family. The public was never notified about this park because he never wanted to keep it a secret. My grandfather and I always came here just to take care of everything and that pine tree over there.”
Mei walks towards one of the marble benches on the west side of the park and settles down, waving her hand, she invites Atlas to sit with her. He obliged. “There is more you want to say right? Tell me,” she said with a gentle smile.
Atlas nodded and continued to speak. “That pine tree was planted by my grandfather and me, there he told me a story.”
***
Years ago, Alfredo Forteza and the young Atlas dug the ground to plant a pine tree. The crimson-haired child wondered why, so, he asked. “Grandpa, why do you need to plant a pine tree? We are already surrounded by numerous weird trees. We do not need it anymore. It will look stupid.”
“Atlas watch your words. Also, do not insult pine trees. The people in my time used to visit a certain pine tree because it fulfilled their wishes.” Alfredo wistfully spoke.
The boy shook his head, “So you believe those? Grandpa, I am disappointed in you!”
He laughed, “Since when did you become so arrogant? Listen here boy, let me tell you a story.” Alfredo put down the shovel and sat on the ground. He looked down at his grandson and smiled before he spoke.
“There was a woman I loved for years. I was only poor at that time and she was very rich. Like the typical premise in a romance book, the woman's family forced her into marrying a rich man. In the books, the hero searches for a way to stop the engagement. But those things, are fiction. In reality, if you are poor, you are powerless. No matter what I did. I will be stuck. That is until I heard of a pine tree granting wishes in the middle of the forest. A sensible person would not go there, but I was not sensible.” He paused, chuckling. “I wished in front of it.”
“What happened next?” Atlas said eyes lit with curiosity.
“The person who the woman was engaged with, killed his family and her family, he tried to monopolize the wealth of both families and tried to rape the woman, but she escaped. Luckily, I knew what was happening so, I searched for a way to save her and succeeded. She fell in love with me after everything got resolved. We vowed to the pine tree and we got married.”
“I knew it! It was grandma!” Atlas exclaimed.
“Yes. If she was alive right now, she would have seen how great our family has become.”
***
“Grandpa’s face became a bit gloomy and I could see that he had tears in his eyes,” Atlas ended his story.
“This place is precious to you huh? Especially that tree. Although, what happened to your grandma before marrying your grandfather was dark. I wonder why he told you that,” Mei muttered.
“Because my grandfather is a realist. He knows that he cannot hide what is real to everyone. Although, his realism contradicts some of his beliefs. Seriously, grandpa is a man full of contradictions.” He said, sighing.
“Does Nick know that this place exists?” He nodded and she continued. “What made you decide to bring me to this here now? We have been friends for so long and …?”
“Well,” Atlas paused, his heart beating fast. “… about that…” He stood up from the bench and gestured towards the pine tree. “Let’s go there.”
The crimson-haired male extended his hand for Mei to take, which she did. He noticed the fair-skinned girl blush, making him blush even more. Gripping her hand, they walked together towards the pine tree. He didn’t want to let go, but when they arrived, he had to so he could face her. Staring into her eyes, he spoke.
“Back then, I did not dare face this, I just kept running away, using every excuse in the book. I thought that I could just do it next time but then, three years had passed, and I was still unable to face it. Running away became tiring ... became childish.”
Atlas paused, studying the blushing woman in front of him. “I like you.” His heart pounded in his chest, nervous. His thoughts became blurry, so much he thought he imagined the moonlight shining brighter. The cold air causing their breaths to show, making it that much clearer that he was breathing heavily.
“Al …” Mei said softly.
“What is it?” Atlas absentmindedly scratched his cheek, nervous.
“…unfair.”
“What do you mean?”
“The confession … it is unfair.” She repeated.
“Why?”
Mei hits Atlas with a soft blow to his chest. “It is unfair,” Mei said softly, resting her head on Atlas’ chest and continues to speak. “The mood is nice; the place is romantic. If you ask any woman out in perfect timing and a place as romantic as this, no woman will take this kind of situation coldly. It is too romantic.”
“Hah. True, but not all women though.”
Mei stands up straight and walks away from Atlas. “Since it is unfair. I have to give my reply … hmm … tomorrow.” She teased, winking as she blushed furiously.
“You are too cute. That wink should be illegal.” Atlas murmured, blushing as well. Then he continued, “I do not need an instant reply. You can think about it and tell me soon. But if you say tomorrow, then let us meet up here again.”
“Not here. I will choose the place,” She said with a gentle smile.
“Your choice,” Atlas replied.
As he escorted her back to her apartment in silence, their faces beet red. When they finally arrived, Atlas spoke. “See you, Mei.”
Mei nodded and answered with a gentle smile and a soft voice. “Do not forget about tomorrow.” Then went inside, leaving Atlas alone outside.
***
Atlas entered his apartment.
Although staying in the same subdivision as his person he was in love with for over three years now, they lived in different sections. A simple apartment with an old design located at their subdivision’s street no. 28. Atlas leads a simple lifestyle, owning a 6-ft bookshelf, a desk, and a bed. On his desk are a laptop and a study lamp. Because he doesn’t own a refrigerator, he only buys ingredients he needs for the day, cooking them on a cheap stove in the corner of his room. He lived luxuriously in the past, but that part of him is gone.
Atlas sighed. “I forgot to buy bread for tomorrow morning.” Giving up, he turned his light off and laid down on his bed. Picking up his phone, he texted Nick about what happened. Minutes later.
*Bzzt* *Bzzt*
Nick was calling and so Atlas answered it.
“Al, good job! I knew you could do it. I will wish you luck tomorrow. Now, can we sleep? It is already midnight. Seriously, I should remember to mute my phone. Good night.” Nick rambled off.
“Tsk. Yeah. Goodnight douche,” Atlas said before he heard the click indicating the call ended. “Seriously, he could have just read it when he woke up.” Atlas shuts his phone down completely so he would not be disturbed, and he just laid there, thinking about Mei’s reply. He became excited, his face hurting because of smiling too much.
It may be bad to have my hopes up but… Atlas remembered that Mei held his hand and leaned in his chest. But I am confident that she likes me. He became serious. Confident huh? I am also confident that ‘that’ happened. He remembered the vague memories in his head. Why? Why is it so blurry?
He then stood up and approached his desk. Sitting on his chair, he opened his laptop to search for the bombing. The faint memory in his head suggests that the bombing had happened earlier, and not last week.
“Everything that I find says that the bombing happened last week, December 8. But why? Why does it feel off? What is so special about this bombing? I can’t understand.” He murmured.
Then, he found an article and it reads, “December 16, 2032. A series of bombing happened at the buildings of Central Street around 5:41 pm and 7:43 pm...”
“This is the most trusted news website on the internet! This is it! This- ugh!”
Then, Atlas’s vision darkened again. Clenching his left fist, he tried to fight against it. But his head ached so much that his right hand involuntarily reached his head, trying to soothe the pain. It worked but as soon as his vision cleared, the article disappeared, and much worst, his laptop is off.
He noticed this and stood up quickly in panic, causing his chair to fall. Sighing, Atlas returned to his bed and laid back down. “Need to sleep, I am probably just tired.”
***
Terrible screams from afar were heard. Children, suffering from pain, pain from their bodies being torn apart. Adults, shouting for help as they were burned alive. The elderly, as they are being crushed by boulders. Blood splatters everywhere, eyeballs rolling, the insides are everywhere, the burned corpses charred until they were unrecognizable.
As Atlas walks in a place that can be described as literal hell, he saw and heard all these things. He was terrified, furious, and disgusted. He couldn’t think properly. Even if he closed his eyes, the blood-curling screams could give him nightmares. Vivid nightmares of crying and screaming children, the sound of adults and elderly shouting hopelessly while being burned alive and slaughtered.
Atlas repressed his tears as he trembled, and almost freezing to death. He couldn’t say a word, his voice caught in his throat.
*Thump*
A step was heard. Atlas glanced behind him, and his face turned paler.
He saw a figure; it was a human-like figure. Its face distorted enough that the only thing clear enough was its two dark huge eyes, above a crooked body. Its right crooked hand gripping the hair of a decapitated human head, whose eyes only showed white, save for the red veins. The mouth was wide open, a remnant sign that human was decapitated while they were screaming in intense pain, sorrow, and fear.
The figure raised its free hand, enclosing its ring and pinky finger. Its remaining three fingers dug into the decapitated head’s right eye, pulling it out. Opening its mouth in preparation, the monster raised his hand and ate the eyeball. *Squish*
Sensing it had company, it stared at Atlas and smiled, blood dripped out of its mouth. Its teeth razor-sharp, sharp enough to bite the rip off human flesh.
***
Atlas woke up in cold sweat, panting hard, his body shaking. Feeling sick, he ran to the bathroom and puked into the toilet. His tears and nose watery, his eyes red, his sweat seeped into his clothes, making his entire body damp and sticky. Afterward, he flushes the toilet and sat down on the floor in his bathroom.
*pant**pant*
He stood up to wash his face and to change out of his clothes. Picking up his phone, he booted it up, noting the time to be 4:02 am. “It’s still early,” Atlas said, tired. “Huh?”
He noticed a series of messages from Mei. Why is she texting at this time?
“Spamming?” he wondered, as his body began to tremble. “This is some kind of a prank, right?”
He opened them one by one.
The first message. December 17, 2032. 2:04 am.
“Al, something is going on outside my apartment. I am unsure of what it is.”
The second message. December 17, 2032. 2:13 am.
“Someone is trying to destroy my door. I tried calling the police, but it’s not working for some reason. So, I just texted and I hope they received it. I am scared please help.”
Atlas started to panic, moving quickly so he could get dressed, reading them as he was dressing.
The third message. December 17, 2032. 2:21 am
“I covered the door with heavy objects. I tried calling everyone again and again, but it isn’t working. I tried texting everyone, asking for help, but no one answered. If you see this, please help me. I screamed but no one came. Please. Come.”
The fourth message. December 17, 2032. 2:29 am
“Help the door is broken.”
The fifth and final message. December 17, 2032. 2:30 am.
It was a voice message. Atlas couldn’t breathe, his mind blanking, his hands shaking furiously. His heart pounded so hard he thought it would leave his body. And then slowly, he opened the last message.
“Help! Al! Help!” *Drop*
Her blood-curdling scream filled the room before the phone dropped, ending the call.
Atlas rushed outside his apartment, already out of breath. Tears filled his eyes and he was sweating profusely. He sat on his bike and peddled as fast as he could. Please! Be safe!
Arriving at Mei’s apartment, he noticed that it was dark and creepy. The gate was open, the door unhinged. Atlas pressed the brakes of his bicycle and because of the speed, he fell off, but it was at a manageable impact. He stood up, leaving the bicycle, and ran towards the apartment, rushing to the second floor, only stopping at the foot of Mei’s room.
Sniffing around, Atlas cringed at the weird metallic scent, quickly recognizing it as blood. Although nervous, he opened the door in a rush. As the room was dark, he took his phone out and opened the flashlight. Looking down at his feet, he found a trail of blood. “No ... no please…”
He followed the trail and screamed. “No! No! Please … no!”
What he saw …
“Please! This is a dream, right?! Like last time!”
No. It is not a dream.
His eyes slowly went up to find Mei nailed to the wall, her head twisted like an owl’s, her face almost shattered. Atlas found her eyes are on the floor, and when he studied her face again, he noticed the dislocated jaw and a broken nose, as well as the hole, is in her cheeks. The stomach had a massive hole, clearly ripped apart, her guts splattered everywhere, some still dangling from her body.
“Argh!” Frustrated, Atlas screamed. He cried so hard; the feeling new to him, he had never experienced this much pain before, a trauma in his heart.
Vomiting, he ran away from the room, tripping on the top step of the stairs in the process. Atlas fell but the height wasn’t dangerous, his face hitting the ground. Trying to stand up, he felt dizzy then he felt blood dripping from his nose. It brought back the memories of the scene he had seen earlier, causing him to vomit again.
After that, he fell on his knees, his vision blurry. Gazing through the window, he saw someone, jogging outside the gate. He then inhaled deeply and with all his might, he yelled.
“HELP!”
Chapter 1 - End