Ever'En
A dull thud echoes through the silence, and I realize it's my body crashing against a hard, cold surface.
Inside my head, jumbled noises overlap—too loud, too chaotic. I want to chase them away, but I can't.
Then, suddenly, everything stops.
A piercing ring cuts through the silence before vanishing.
A slap—sharp, stinging—pulls me back to reality.
I open my eyes, slowly. Two other eyes meet mine—strange, shifting between bright green and icy blue.
I'm about to speak, when a hand forcefully covers my mouth.
"Shh. Don't speak. Who sent you?"
The voice is cold. Threatening.
I groan beneath the palm, struggling for air. I try to break free, but in seconds I'm flipped face-down, an arm twisted behind my back.
"Don't play smart, kid. Who sent you?!"
He yells, slamming me harder against the ground.
I can't respond. Every time I try to speak, he presses tighter. I squirm, but his grip is too strong.
Through my limited view, I spot boots—black, military-like. Motionless, ready.
Only one pair of sneakers—black and white—dashes toward me.
I shut my eyes, bracing for a kick.
But instead, someone hauls me up and throws me against a wall.
"Ah!"
A cry escapes me.
The hand releases my mouth only to grip my chin—then my throat.
I lose my breath.
When I open my eyes again, his face is inches from mine—clear eyes, full lips, a sweet smile that unsettles me.
Then, a voice.
"Huk... let him go."
A girl.
The grip loosens. I collapse to the ground, gasping.
My heart's racing. My head throbs. The chaos inside me returns.
Then, a touch—a light one—grounds me.
I finally see her more clearly.
She's tall, with long red hair, an oversized hoodie, ripped jeans, and chunky headphones around her neck.
Still smiling, she steps closer.
"Sorry about Huk's… warm welcome. But we're in the middle of a war."
I shake my head, speechless.
I glance around. We're in a subway station—but it feels abandoned. No people. No help.
No safety.
Footsteps approach. A gust of wind brushes past me. I spin around on instinct—just in time to block a punch.
A knife drops to the ground.
With a well-aimed kick, I knock my attacker flat.
My body moves on its own, as if it's always known what to do.
The girl steps in front of me, looks down at the man, and says:
"Seems like you haven't forgotten how to fight... right, Caél?"
I flinch.
How does she know my name?
She laughs gently and stands, offering a hand.
"Among us, we use nicknames. I'm Reika. What do you want to be called?"
I hesitate. Confused.
Then, hoarsely, my voice answers on its own.
"Niran..."
Her smile widens.
I stare. She feels strangely... familiar.
Reika turns to one of the hooded figures. He nods and helps the man on the ground.
The boy beside me—Kal, I think—studies me with suspicion.
I look away.
Then she speaks again.
"Let's start over. Nice to meet you—I'm Reika Tawan Nawarinrat."
She performs a formal wai, the Thai greeting.
I return it instinctively.
"Caél Aidan Theerawat. Nice to meet you."
"Where am I?"
The words come out barely audible.
Reika steps close, whispering in my ear.
"Ever'En."
The name pierces through me.
My vision spins.
A sharp pain folds me in half.
Through the fog of agony, I glimpse dark hair—then darkness swallows me.
She catches me as I fall.
"Hey, are you okay?"
I nod faintly.
She gestures for me to follow.
"Let's get out of here. You're coming with us."
"Okay..."
I answer without thinking.
The pain and confusion still cling to me like a shadow.
We walk.
Minutes stretch into an hour.
The scenery never changes—same dark path, same single subway track.
No signs. No escalators. Nothing remotely like Bangkok.
Nothing familiar.
Only shadows.
With every step, breathing grows harder.
My legs falter.
I stop.
Reika approaches, concerned.
"Phì Caél, are you okay?"
I shake my head.
My forehead burns.
I try to speak, but nothing comes out.
I'm shaking.
Inside my skull, a flash—sharp and violent—strikes my temples.
I'm scared.
I know it isn't real, but the pain is unbearable.
I clutch my head.
"What's happening to me..."
The whisper is all I manage—
before everything goes black again.