A boy lay asleep on his bed, illuminated by blue light, his expression doll-like and serene. Blue bandages covered his head and arms, and he seemed completely unresponsive, as if it were just another ordinary day for him.
Turning his head, he noticed a girl lying next to his bed. Wanting to avoid waking her, he gently placed a blanket over her without making a sound. After a while, he changed into black sportswear topped with a brown jacket. He opened his bedroom door as quietly as possible, trying to avoid waking the girl, and made his way to the front door.
Just as he was about to step outside, he heard a sound coming from upstairs. He glanced back and saw a handsome young man approaching. Before he could say anything, Bron asked, "Where are you going?"
"I'm going for a run," the boy replied.
The Bron's eyes sparkled as he heard the response and asked, "Can I come?"
Ray nodded at Bron's question. After a brief moment, Bron appeared in a tight, transparent T-shirt and tracksuit, looking as if he were dressed for the gym. Without wasting any time, the two of them left the After a rigorous session of running, the two boys plopped down on a nearby bench, panting and trying to catch their breath. Ray broke the silence, his curiosity piqued. "What happened after I lost?"
Bron leaned forward, his eyes wide with the energy of retelling the tale. "Well, after you lost, you kind of blacked out. Aleyas was freaking out and, in the chaos, she ended up clocking me right in the face! We were both so worried about you. Eventually, we carried you back home, bandaged you up, and tucked you into bed. Aleyas was so anxious that she refused to leave your side."
Ray's brow furrowed as he processed this. "Wait, what about our parents? Where were they during all of this?"
Bron shrugged, his expression shifting to one of concern. "They had left for a work trip right before we took off from the house."
"And my injuries?" Ray probed further, leaning in.
"You just had a bleeding head and some fractured bones," Bron explained, a hint of relief in his voice.
Ray sat back, letting the information wash over him. He couldn't help but think, 'Why would any adult leave minors alone in a house? ' But then again, amidst the chaos and worry, a spark of determination ignited inside him. 'Nothing was going to stop me from leaving. '
The two returned home, both locking eyes with someone and feeling a sense of horror, but only one was able to express it. They stood frozen, unable to take any action without a response. With their heads down, they followed into the house and closed the door, followed by an instantaneous sound of slapping from inside. Both buried their heads further, trying not to look at her.
Aleya's expression was filled with rage as she confronted them. "What made you think it was a good idea to leave the house while you were injured?"
Gradually, her voice softened, and both of them noticed. They looked up to see her crying.
Ray immediately knelt until his head touched the ground. Bron followed his lead and did the same. Together, they said in unison with regret, "I am sorry."
Ray's mind was awash with a memory he had long believed forgotten—the haunting image of his aunt weeping, as vivid as if it had occurred yesterday. A deep-seated loathing brewed within him; he understood it all too well—it was perpetually his fault.
However, he could not escape the bitter truth that this cycle persisted, even in a world he had never known yet was compelled to confront. This realm, which he would have never imagined existed, now unfolded before his eyes with undeniable clarity. Fueled by a newfound determination, he resolved to escape this world at any cost.
Hours slipped by as Ray lay in bed, his mind tangled in a web of thoughts. He found himself pondering the time he would meet the person the old man talked about. Deep down, he felt a flicker of trust; the old man had proven reliable in the past, providing him with valuable insights. Still, a nagging doubt lingered—what if the man didn't show up? Ray wasn't one to be caught off guard, though. He had devised a backup plan just in case. Just as he solidified this resolve, a knock at the door broke through his contemplation. He got up and opened it, revealing Aleyas standing there.
"Can I come in?" she asked, her voice tinged with shock. Ray nodded and opened the door wider for her. As she entered his room, she sat on the bed, making eye contact with him.
Ray found it hard to look away. They stared at each other for a moment until he broke the silence. "So, what do you want to talk about?"
Aleyas sighed before responding, "It's about yesterday. The way you fought and moved didn't feel like you. I thought I was watching someone else."
Surprised by her question, Ray paused before answering in his usual calm voice. "To tell you the truth, I hardly know what happened. It felt so natural the way I moved. I don't know how or why I was doing it, but I'm certain that I have no clue."
She let out a sigh, feeling unsatisfied with his response. They chatted for a while longer, but as she prepared to leave his room, she said softly, "Good night." Ray merely waved as Aleyas exited, then closed the door behind her. He collapsed onto his bed. Reflecting on how he had dodged her question about his activities after leaving the house with vague, half-hearted replies that seemed to do the trick.
After changing his clothes, he found himself grappling with how he had managed to act so normally during such a bizarre situation. With anyone else, it might have felt believable, but with Bron, it seemed utterly impossible. Ray slapped his face lightly, attempting to clear his mind. "Don't overthink it," he told himself. "At least I have a way to fight that monster. I just need to meet with my mentor."