The world was wrong.
Yohan ran down a road that refused to stay solid. The asphalt, sticking to the sole of his sneakers like honey. The sky above was sickly purple, streaked with blue that pulses with his racing heartbeat.
The buildings around him were melting, dissolving into grotesque black liquids around him. Distant building were twisted into impossible spirals. Everything felt imaginary, warped and stretched, like a fever dream. The air was filled with the rotten smell of something decaying.
Yohan ran as if someone was chasing him. No... Someone was waiting for him. No... He actually needed to find someone. Maybe all of them... Maybe none of them. He couldn't tell.
His lungs burned, his legs ached. But he couldn't stop running. He have to run. He have to meet someone... Who exactly?
Suddenly, his turned his eyes toward his right. In that moment... Time seemed to stop for him... Or for both of them.
He saw a girl... Maybe the same age as him, 18. That same desperation in those blue-grey eyes of her. As if she is running from something, or maybe looking for someone... Or maybe to meet someone.
There eyes met her and in that very moment, the world around them started
fading into gray and white. Color bled away.
A soft, sweet voice called his name, pulling him back into reality.
"Onii-Chan...! Onii-Chan...! Wake up."
Yohan's eyes snapped open.
A small, warm weight sat comfortly on his chest... Knees planted on either side of his ribs. She was straddling him. Her soft hand resting on his chest for balance. Her breath felt warm and sweet, like strawberry milk.
"Yumi?" Yohan groggily blinked up at her.
Yumi, Yohan's 7 years old little sister. She looked adorable in her sleeveless white hoodie and fluffy cream colored shorts.Her black shoulder length, fair skin, cute chubby cheeks that made her look like an angel.
"Onii-Chan! You finally woke up.!" She beamed and dove down on his chest, wrapping her small arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. She nuzzled her face in
the crook of his neck.
"Onii-Chan! I got scared when you started mumbling something in your sleep. Like you were having a nightmare?"
She said with her muffled voice. Concern dripping from her every words.
Yohan let out a weak chuckle, one hand landed on her to pat her back. He felt it immediately. He felt weak, fiverish, his cheeks red, breath ragged.
The dream shifted at the edge of his mind. The meltimg building... The road which were refusing to stay solid. Everhthing felt blur. Except the face of that girl. Who was she?
Yumi noticed immidiately and pulled up from the hug. She looked at him with concern in those puppy eyes. Her hands came up to cup his face. "Onii-Chan... You're burning." Then she leaned in, resting her forehead against him.
Yohan felt relief. He didn't knew why. Didn't care why. Yumi always made him feel good, just from being around.
The contact was soothing. She didn't moved, just stay their resting her forehead against him. "Onii-Chan... Onii-Chan... Get better soon! I'll take care of you foreever!"
Yohan felt that the worst of the fever fading suddenly. "Yumi... I am fine. Don't worry." His hand still patting her back.
Yumi pulled up and shook her head. "Nuh-uh. You have fever. I am calling maama."
Yumi called out, "Maama...! Maama...! Come quick! Onii-Chan have fever! I am hugging him right now... So he cab feel better."
Yohan smiled tiredly, "Yumi, you don't have to shout from my chest."
"No... I do." Yumi declared... Nuzzling back into the crook of his neck.
The bedroom door suddenly opened. Yohan and Yumi's mother stepped inside the room. She was a stunning 43 years old woman. She has long black hair, flowing down behind her. Warm dark eyes, huge boobs and fertile hips, fiiling out her loose white long-sleeve blouse and high-waisted beige trougher beautifully. She is readiating a loving motherly aura.
"Baby!" She exclaimed, her voice filled with concern and love, reaching up to his bedside. "Oh my baby boy, look at you." She gently sat down on the mattress and pressed her soft hand on his forehead. "Ohh... My love... You're burning."
Yohan tried to reassure her, "Mum, I am fine. Please don't worry. I am okay... Really..."
She clicked her tongue, eyes filled with love, "Shh... Baby, none of that. you don't get to play tough with your Mum." She stroked his hair, pressing soothing circles. "My strong boy, always trying to carrying everything on his back. But Mummy is here with you. Let Mummy take care of you for once."
"But..." Yohan tried to protest... But she leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss on his fiverish forehead.
Yumi, who was still glued to his chest, sat up, "See Maama? Onii-Chan is felling better because I am hugging him."
Their mother smiled warmly, reaching out to pat her head, "You're doing a wonderful job I see, my baby. Best little Nurse ever." She turned to Yohan, voice gentle but firm, "I am calling up school, my love. You just stay home and rest. And let Mummy take care of everything."
Yohan opened his mouth to protest, "Mum, I can't just skip..." But before he could finish, his mother placed her index finger on his lips, silencing him.
"Baby, you're staying home. End of discussion."
She stood up, still stroking his hair. "Let your body rest, okay baby? I will made some porridge and soup."
Yumi looked up at her with those puppy eyes of her, "Maama, Can I skip school too? Pleasse...! I have to take care of Onii-Chan."
Their mother laughed sweetly, hugging her, pressing her to her bosom. "Ohh... My sweet little baby girl, of course you can. Take good care of your Onii-Chan, baby. But be gentle and don't cause trouble for him."
Yohan groaned, though it came out softer than intended. "Are you two ganging up on me?"
Their mother chuckled lovingly, "That's what family do. We take care of each other." She said, as she walked toward the door. "Call me if the fever worsen. Love you. Both of you."
Yumi replied from his chest, "Love you too."
Yohan managed a tired, "Love you too, Mum." She she slipped out of the room, closing the door gently.
---
AETHER SURPRESSION BUREAU!
The emergency warning siren rang around the whole facility.
One of the male researcher said...
"Sir, we have sighted another Nightmare and a lickage point."
Another, a female researcher added, "This is the fifth on today. We have yet to identify the reason, but it is highly likely, the Abyss is evolving."
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END OF CHAPTER : 1 : ABYSS!
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