Chapter Text
Buzzz . I hear a soft buzz ring in my ear. I try to open my eyes to see what it is: a bright yellowish white light, it burns through my eyes forcing me to shut them. I hear someone yell something to me. I can't make out a single word they're saying. Was it my name? Was it an order? Was it a question? Suddenly, I feel my mouth open. I call out to them. The name is unfamiliar, yet nostalgic and warm…. Everything sounds muffled. Everything feels intense.
I can feel a harsh gust of wind hit my back and chest. The wind feels like a compactor and I am the apple being crushed. However, that overwhelming feeling of claustrophobia quickly vanishes, as the feeling of melting takes over. I feel my skin slowly melt off my bones; melting off my eyelids, which forces me to see the yellowish light. Behind the light is a boy. Smiling. Calling for me. Melting with me. I try to raise my arm and call out to him again, but I can’t. Just moments ago, my body moved on its own, but now… I can’t. Why?
The light gets closer and closer, and I feel a sharp “rock” hit my chest. The light gets brighter. I feel tears run down my face. Why am I crying? I look back at the boy. I mutter something. And he begins to cry. I put all of my strength to try and ask who he is or was. But I was cut off. Snap! Suddenly waking up in my room.
I gasp for air. Trying to gather my thoughts after that weird dream. I pull my bonnet off and check my phone. “Dammit!” I missed three of my alarms! I run to the front of my apartment to boil some water and put an OGO waffle in the toaster. I run back into my room to shower.
“If I take ten minutes to shower the water should be done boiling and my waffle should be done too!”
After I get out of the shower, I put on a black turtleneck with dark brown pants. I grab my bag to start packing. “Portable toothbrush, water, notebook, laptop, portable charger, cologne, lip gloss, wallet, pretzels, pens and pencils, and what else?” I ask. I quickly grab a light blue binder with my project and my watch. I check again to make sure I have everything (including my breakfast) and head out the door.
I enter my newly bought car to head to my office. Today is the day I present the game one of my collies and I are working on. I excitedly put on a Stray Kids playlist my friend made for me. She noticed one of their songs was in my Just Music playlist, and highly suggested I “stan” them. Whatever that means.
As I come to my third or fourth stop light, I realize I didn't lock my apartment! It should be fine!! Nobody's allowed to even enter the property without unlocking the gate or being let in! I should be fiiine… Plus! I don't even have anything worth stealing! I thought. The light turns green. I try to think of positive thoughts, but I can’t. All the “what-ifs?” Filled my brain as I pulled up into a parking garage near my office. I take out my portable toothbrush and start brushing away.
I throw the toothbrush in a basket outside the parking garage. The brush hangs off on the rim off the basket. It swings back and forth teasing its “death.” “Will I fall on the ground or in the basket?” I hear it say in my head. Just as it's about to fall on the ground, somebody throws a Galaxy Burst cup in the basket causing the toothbrush to fall in. I let out a low sigh and continued my way to work.
My mind floods itself with too many thoughts as I approach a crosswalk. The light is green. Was my door truly left unlocked? Will I screw up the presentation again? I hear a car zoom by. What was up with that toothbrush? Why was I watching such a stupid thing and getting so invested? I hear a horn honk and somebody scream. What if someone waits in my home for me? That's creepy. Why am I walking? Isn't the light still green? Did I forget to add something to the slide? A truck driver repeatedly honks the horn. Why did so much weird stuff happen today? It's only 6:09. It's 6:09…. I wasn't late. I have four alarms. I woke up before the fourth one! “Ha… haha… hahahahaha.” I start to laugh. Why am I laughing at something like this ? I turn around to head back to my car, and I see a man running towards me. I look behind him and see a couple of horrified faces.
Buzzzz . It was the same buzz from my dream but much harsher. I hear another honk and turn to my right. I'm almost face to face with the front end of a pickup truck. I turn my face to the man. He was beautiful. Was he an angel you see right before you die? If so, I would be happy to die at this very moment. I smile at him. He tries to push me out of the way, but I deny it. I was happy my boring, unfulfilling life was about to end. Nothing thrilled me anymore. Sure, I would miss family and friends. But, my life is just too full of nothing to enjoy living in it. I never wanted to end my life, but if I had the chance to die… I would accept it. The man's face contorts into one filled with shame and loss. I get overwhelmed with guilt.
“It's not your fault,” I say softly.
I feel a sharp pain in my arm before it violently moves to the rest of my body.
『 DEATHS: 1/??? 』
『 SURVIVED: 0/??? 』
『 STORIES ENTERED: ...calculating… 』