A boy lay still on the cold floor, his body surrounded by a dark red stain. His fingers twitched as he tried to lift himself. A wave of nausea hit him, and he doubled over, coughing up blood.
"Why... why is this happening to me?" he muttered, eyes barely able to stay open.
His vision blurred. Darkness swallowed everything.
---
Morning.
Sid Arkwood woke up in a cold sweat.
His room was quiet. Just the alarm buzzing at 7:20 a.m.
He sat up slowly, placing a hand on his chest. No pain. No blood. Just silence.
He tried to shake off the strange dream, got dressed, and prepared for the day. After brushing his teeth and grabbing his bag, he set out for the university — a ten-kilometer walk.
Along the way, a news screen flickered to life near a street corner.
> "Authorities report a sudden rise in violent incidents last night. Multiple break-ins and disappearances occurred. Citizens are advised to lock their doors and stay indoors after dark."
Sid blinked at the headline.
"Something's not right today..."
He checked his phone. 8:00 a.m.
"Crap, I'm late!"
He ran the rest of the way, arriving at the university gate where two familiar figures stood waiting — Alfred and Peter.
"There you are!" Peter called. "Running behind again?"
Sid gave a tired smile. "The clock betrayed me."
"Let's head in," Alfred said, already turning for the building.
---
Classes dragged on. The moment the bell rang for recess, the trio headed to the cafeteria.
"You know that new update dropped yesterday?" Peter asked, sipping on a soda.
"Living Legend World?" Alfred asked. "Didn't get it. I missed the release."
"I grabbed it," Peter grinned. "We're playing tonight at my place."
Sid shook his head. "I've got work. Can't skip the shift."
Peter groaned. "Just once! Take a break, man."
"If I skip today, I lose part of my pay," Sid replied flatly.
Alfred shrugged. "Then Peter and I will play. If you get time, drop by."
Sid nodded. "Understood."
---
After class, Sid made his way to the coffee shop where he worked — and lived. The upper floor was his small rented room.
But today wasn't a normal day.
He had taken a half-day leave.
He walked to the cemetery.
It was quiet. Too quiet.
The air felt heavier than usual.
Sid made his way to two familiar graves marked Jonathan Jones and Mary Jones — his adoptive parents.
He placed jasmine and rose flowers, one for each of them.
Four years had passed, and yet the memories were still close.
He sat there for a long time. Remembering.
---
By 7:15 p.m., the wind had picked up. Sid walked through a back alley near the restaurant district. Streetlamps buzzed above, some flickering dimly.
Two strangers passed him, mid-conversation.
> "I feel you," one said.
"But you're saying something else," the other replied.
Sid didn't stop to listen.
Soon he saw a glowing board: All Star Restaurant.
He stepped inside and took a seat.
"Uh… one plate of chicken and some wine, please," he said.
The waitress nodded. "17 dollars, 15 cents."
After finishing, he made his way home.
But as he reached his door, he paused.
It was wide open.
Heart pounding, Sid stepped inside.
"...Hello?"
Silence.
He stepped deeper into the house.
Thud.
Everything spun.
A heavy blow struck the back of his head.
The world went black.
---
He awoke again.
This time, on the floor.
His limbs were numb. His chest burned.
He coughed again, eyes wide in terror. His skin was bruised, and he could feel injuries across his body.
He tried to get up — but collapsed.
A voice echoed in the darkness.
> "You're awake. Still useless, I see. A boy trembling in fear. What good are you to the one above?"
Sid tried to crawl away. "Who... who are you talking about? Please, stop..."
> "Silence, insect. If you won't rise, then at least fall with purpose."
Then, silence.
The world blurred again.
Sid's thoughts drifted.
Am I... dead?
He clutched his head.
"So many questions..."
Then suddenly, he felt weightless.
As if falling.
A whisper rang inside his head.
> "You cannot leave yet."
---
He opened his eyes.
He was lying in a hospital room.
Weakly, he pulled himself up and looked around.
The bed was cold. The room was dim. Nobody was there.
The hallway outside was empty too.
He found the exit and pushed through the door—
only to freeze.
A glowing, translucent barrier surrounded the entire building.
Sid stared.
"What... the hell... is this?"