The sunlight gently streamed through the gaps of the curtain, illuminating part of Rivan's room. His eyelashes trembled slightly as he mumbled, turning his body.
Drink... Drink...
The alarm kept ringing loudly. Rivan groped around the bed until his hand finally found his phone. He rubbed his eyes, staring blankly at the screen. After turning the alarm off, he rolled over again for a moment.
A rough sigh escaped his lips. He ran his fingers through his hair, then got up and went to the bathroom. After taking a shower and putting on his school uniform, Rivan looked refreshed and cheerful. He grabbed his bag and phone, walked downstairs, and sat at the dining table.
His blue eyes sparkled when he saw the notification he had been waiting for. He quickly opened it.
[Lunara]: I remember.
[Lunara]: Sorry, I was busy last night and didn't have time to check my phone.
"I knew it!" Rivan muttered happily.
[Rivan]: Are you free right now?
"Put your phone down, don't play with it while eating," his mother scolded gently, placing a plate of fried rice in front of him.
Rivan placed his phone on the table, waiting patiently for Lunara's reply. He took a spoonful of rice and ate it.
"Mom, I want two eggs!" a girl's voice came from upstairs, followed by the sound of footsteps.
His mother went back to the kitchen for a moment, then returned with a plate of fried eggs. Elena sat down and grabbed her plate. Rivan glanced around and asked, "Is Dad not coming down?"
"He's taking a day off today. Let him sleep a bit," his mother replied.
"Oh…" Rivan didn't ask further and continued eating.
Silence filled the room again. He took a sip from his glass and stood up. "Thanks for the food, Mom. I'm heading out."
Rivan grabbed his bag and phone, then walked to the door.
"Don't forget to come home early today!" his mother called out.
"I know," Rivan replied.
---
Rivan rested his head on the desk, gazing at the blue sky through the classroom window. The noise around him didn't distract him. Every now and then, he peeked at his phone, hoping for a new notification.
"Hey, man." A boy his age tapped his shoulder. "You're quiet today. What's wrong?"
Without looking, Rivan already knew it was Rafa—his deskmate. He sighed, the cool breeze brushing his skin. "Nothing, I just want to lie down for a bit."
Rafa raised an eyebrow, eyeing the phone Rivan had been clutching. "Mm. You look like Riza when he's waiting for a text from his crush."
Rivan flinched, instinctively turning toward Rafa. His eyes widened in surprise. "What—"
"Wait—seriously?" Rafa gasped just as dramatically. "Who? Who's the girl?"
Rivan pushed his friend's face away. He didn't want to answer, but Rafa kept leaning closer, persistent. Letting out a weary sigh, Rivan snapped, "No one. I'm just... curious about her, that's all!"
"Ohhh…" Rafa gave him a teasing look, then suddenly turned toward the class and shouted, "Everyone! Rivan—the lifelong bachelor—has a girlfriend!"
Instantly, the class went silent. A second later, laughter erupted, followed by whistles and teasing remarks. "Who's the lucky girl that captured our school prince's heart?"
"What the—!" Rivan's face burned. He glared at Rafa, who was laughing with the others. "I never said that!"
But no one listened. The room buzzed with curiosity about the so-called "girlfriend."
It wasn't surprising—Rivan was the kind of guy everyone noticed. The "school prince" adored by girls and respected by teachers.
His cheerful, friendly nature, coupled with good looks and intelligence, made him effortlessly popular.
Thud.
"Quiet, everyone!"
At once, the chatter stopped. No one dared mess with Mr. Budi—the notoriously strict math teacher.
Rivan exhaled in relief, leaning toward Rafa and whispering sharply, "You're dead."
"Sorry, sorry," Rafa whispered back, though the grin at the corner of his mouth betrayed his amusement.
"Turn to page 120," Mr. Budi ordered.
Rivan rested his cheek on his hand and turned to look outside, letting the gentle wind play with his hair.
---
As he had promised his mom, Rivan declined his friends' invitation to hang out. His bike slowed at an intersection, the traffic light glowing green. He leaned forward slightly, resting his hands on the handlebars.
The city was always bustling in the afternoon. Street vendors called out to customers. Some people sat on benches, watching the crowd and passing cars.
When the light turned red, Rivan pedaled forward again, enjoying the cool breeze. The ride lasted about ten minutes. Then, his bike stopped in front of his house. He parked it and saw his family gathered near his father's car.
"Where are you guys going?" Rivan asked.
Elena threw her bag into the car and rolled her eyes. "You seriously forgot? Ugh, just go change before Mom starts scolding you."
Without replying, Rivan went inside. A few minutes later, he came back out, wearing a navy hoodie and jeans. His father's car weaved through the city traffic.
A soft pop song played from the radio. Rivan leaned his cheek against the window, watching the scenery. His parents chatted quietly in the front seat, while Elena giggled over her phone.
He raised an eyebrow when the car stopped in front of an elegant restaurant. He couldn't help but wonder—what was the occasion? It wasn't often they ate out.
He followed his parents silently, Elena yawning beside him. They sat together in a private room his father had reserved. After their food was served, Elena swallowed a bite of steak and asked, "Do you remember what day it is today?"
"No," Rivan replied, still busy chewing mushrooms.
Elena sighed, giving up on him.
Their mother placed the box their father had brought home last night on the table. "Since we've all finished eating, let's start the main event—"
Her words were cut off by a violent tremor. They rushed outside, chaos erupting through the restaurant. Screams filled the air. "What's happening?!"
"Please remain calm, ma'am, our staff is investigating," a waiter said shakily, trying to restore order.
Rivan gripped a chair to steady himself, eyes darting around. Relief washed over him when he spotted his family—safe, standing a few meters away.
He ran over and grabbed his trembling sister's hand. Elena looked up, fear wide in her eyes. "Brother, what's happening?"
"We'll be fine."
Their father and mother reached them, wrapping their arms protectively around their children. Then the shaking stopped—but before anyone could breathe in relief, the ceiling collapsed, crushing several guests beneath it.
A guttural roar followed, echoing through the chaos. Everyone froze as a massive shadow loomed overhead. Then came the monster's rasping growl. Screams erupted again. The once-luxurious restaurant became a sea of panic and terror.
"WHY IS THERE AN ECHO HERE?!"
Rivan's body trembled violently. Together, they ran toward the entrance.
"THE DOOR WON'T OPEN!" a man shouted.
"Give me the key!" another yelled, grabbing the terrified waitress.
"The door isn't locked!" she cried, shaking her head desperately.
"Damn it!" the man cursed, letting her go.
Rivan stood still, scanning the room. Across the hall, a dozen Echoes feasted on human corpses crushed beneath the debris, their monstrous roars reverberating through the space.
"Mama, are we going to die?" a boy whimpered in his mother's arms.
The woman froze, tears streaming down her face as she hugged her son tightly. "Don't be afraid, I'm here."
Then, chaos surged again as more Echoes charged forward.
Rivan managed to hide under a table, curling up tightly. His mother sat beside him, pale and shaking. Across the room, his father pulled Elena toward them.
"DAD!"
Elena's scream pierced through the noise—behind her, their father's upper body was being devoured by an Echo, his lower half collapsing to the ground.
Rivan's pupils shrank. "Elen, RUN!"
Elena turned toward him, eyes wide with tears—only to cough blood as a claw ripped through her abdomen. "B-brother...?"
"ELEN!" Rivan rose to his feet, ready to run to her— But his mother's grip stopped him. Her cold fingers clutched his wrist tightly. He turned—she was pale, trembling, eyes glassy with terror. "Don't go... don't go..." she whispered.
Rivan pulled her into his arms, choking back sobs. "I'm here, Mom... I'm here..."
The monsters' roars filled the air. Drool dripped onto Rivan's neck. He turned slowly—and froze. An Echo towered before them, its jagged teeth bared. The world seemed to stop as its claw swung forward.
Before Rivan could react, his mother shoved him aside. The claw pierced her chest instead.
She coughed blood, forcing a trembling smile as tears streamed down her cheeks. The white floral dress she wore turned crimson.
"...Mom?" Rivan's voice cracked, disbelieving.
With shaking fingers, she reached up, wiping her son's tears away, leaving a faint red smear. "Happy birthday, dear."
Rivan stood frozen, his mind blank as the Echo's claw pierced through his abdomen. He could feel his mother's hand grow cold in his grasp. Her once-bright blue eyes dulled.
"Mom...? Mom!" His vision blurred. His body collapsed.
With fading strength, he crawled forward, reaching out toward her.
But the Echo seized her limp body in its jaws, growling with satisfaction as it feasted.
No. No. No.
Mom! Wake up!
Please, wake up!
Mom... please...
Wake up... Mom...