A New Kind of Life:
My name is Jin Suzuki, and I'm 15 now. Two years ago, there was a crash, and life hasn't really been the same since. My father is sick with a persistent cold, and we can't sleep peacefully anymore because of the creatures that wander at night. At daybreak, they clear out, and that's when we get our chance to sleep and do what needs to be done before nightfall. It's a new life I'm living, but I'm getting used to it.
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The Accident of Stark :
It was evening, and I was back at our house. I'd just finished chopping firewood, and the sun was completely hidden by clouds, offering no warmth. "Phew, I've got to get home now," I muttered to myself. "106 firewoods are enough. The problem is carrying them, and it's freezing out here. Gotta get to the top, at least."
After an hour of chopping, I loaded the firewood onto a small wagon. It was designed more for resting, but I'd lashed the wood securely. I slipped my arms into two ropes attached to the wagon, pulling it forward as I climbed the snowy mountain path. As I reached the town, people greeted me with smiles, like I was a celebrity. I smiled and waved back, still pulling the wagon with one hand.
Once home, I wheeled the wagon into the backyard, a space large enough for a single car. I stored the bulk of the wood there, then took about twenty pieces and headed inside. My father was asleep on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. He looked like he'd passed out trying to warm himself, so I didn't disturb him. I went straight to the fireplace and began throwing in wood, coaxing more flames from the embers.
Soon, the house began to warm up, first one half, then the entire space. My mother heard the crackling fire and the rising heat. She came in, her voice a sweet melody as she looked at me. "Oh, yougot back early today, Jin. Thank you again, for going through so much trouble for our family."
"Mother, I've told you before," I said, my voice tired but firm as I continued to feed the fire. "There's no reason to thank me. I'm just doing what we need to do to at least live longer, in this cold and with those creatures wandering in the night."
"At least try to rest, son," she urged, her smile still joyful. "I made honey. It's your favorite."
"Honey?" I stopped, my ears perking up. I rushed into the kitchen like a train with no brakes, my eyes darting around. "Hey, don't you have brakes?" my mother asked, laughing softly.
"I thought you said honey was here! Where is it?" I asked, my stomach rumbling.
"You must be too hungry," she chuckled. "It's behind you."
My smile stretched wide as I found the jar. I devoured the entire thing, leaving the bowl empty.
Suddenly, the town shook like an earthquake. "Not again," I muttered, my body vibrating with the tremors. The quake caused an avalanche of snow from the higher peaks, burying everything in its path. Our town was covered in white, only rooftops visible. Luckily, our windows were closed, so the snow didn't get inside.
My father stirred, opening his eyes as he felt the temperature plummet. He was weak from his sickness, but he managed to get everyone out of the house. Once we were outside, he collapsed, his legs unable to move. I rushed to him, helping him up, while my mother assisted.
The town was eerily silent. The sun was already halfway to setting. We struggled to pull my father away, my mother and I straining against his dead weight. The house was starting to collapse, the roof threatening to come down. My father's waist was still caught on the falling roof near a plastic window. Tears welled in my eyes as I pulled with all my might. Finally, he was free just as the house crumbled into a heap.
Then, the sun fully set. (Nightfall began).
A terrifying laugh echoed through the air. Small, monstrous creatures that devoured humans emerged. Their bodies were grotesque, impossible to fully identify, but one stood out—taller, about 4'9", while the others were smaller, around 3'6" tall. They spread throughout the town.
Fortunately, my family and I were already a little distance away, heading down the mountain. I carried my father, while my mother held Tobi (presumably a younger sibling, or perhaps a pet? I've kept it as Tobi). We ran as fast as we could. But when we were about 100 meters away, one of the creatures smelled blood. My father had been slightly injured in the collapse. The creature shrieked, and we all looked back.
My father dropped to his knees, struggling to get up. The creatures began to head towards us. "Jin, Mai, and Tobi," my father gasped, his voice strained. "Run! Never look back! Never stop running!" My mother didn't waste a second. She grabbed my arm and dragged me forward, away from the impending horror.
As they ran, Jin kept his eyes on his father. When they stopped, his father got to his feet, and Jin watched as creatures, more than enough to swallow him alive, leaped onto his father. Jin pulled his mother's hand off him and tried to reach his father. But as he got there, all eyes turned to Jin. He immediately stopped and backed away. His father then screamed, "JIN, RUN!"
Jin immediately ran, with half the creatures pursuing him. He gained distance in the snow as he saw his mother and Tobi entering the trees. His father screamed again, "DON'T GO INTO THE TREES!" Jin's eyes were wide open. He tried to tell his mother and Tobi not to go in there, but it was too late; they had already entered. Jin's mother screamed in pain. Jin rushed forward and saw his mother being eaten from the back while she covered Tobi to protect him.
Jin didn't hesitate. He grabbed a branch from a tree with his bare hands and swung it at the creatures. Luckily, there were two of them, and he hit both with one strike, sending them flying a far distance. Jin then looked at his mother; her back was eaten, with bones and blood everywhere. She handed Tobi to Jin and said, "Protect him. I'll be fine." Jin screamed, crying, and laid his head on his mother's. "No, I'm not leaving you!" Jin said tearfully. The creatures cornered Jin, coming from both left and right. He was ready to die with his family.
To be continued...