Arin's heart quivered.
Far below him, droves of pedestrians scurried like ants, and the beams he stood upon suddenly felt unsteady. He took a deep breath before averting his gaze from the ground.
Currently, he stood on a steel-beam building, which was over 10 stories tall, and he carried on his shoulder a heavy piece of a steel beam. It weighed on his shoulder, making his bones tweak, but he held on tightly. This was his job. He had to be patient.
This had been his life, ever since his life changed 7 years ago. After his parents died, he was left with the burden of caring for himself. Taking every available job, Arin worked to ensure that he and his sister would not starve on the streets.
"It's her birthday today..." Arin thought to himself. "We should eat out today."
It was very rare that they ate out, since Arin could not afford such a luxury. However, today he would be paid, so he spoiled his beloved sister.
With that in mind, he continued his work, plans for that evening occupying every inch of his mind.
Later that evening, when the sun had begun to creep behind the horizon, Arin strode through the street that stretched ahead of him. Aside from him was a young girl whose features resembled his.
Arin was half-Japanese, so his facial features carried some signs of that. His father had been African, which was evident in his ebony skin and curly hair. His eyes were queerly a rich green colour, the sort that caught a bit of attraction.
His sister was an exact copy of him, making it difficult to miss them as siblings.
"I hope you're studying well, Ariena," Arin said, patting his sister's head with a smile.
"Don't worry, I am doing well!" His little sister said with a beam. Her smile grew bigger as she proudly said," My teacher even says I'm the smartest in the class!"
"Is that so? You've already written your exams, so I'm waiting to see your report." Arin gave her a kind smile before leading her through the busy streets.
The city was alive. Despite the sun's disappearance, taking with it its light, the buzzing in the city showed no signs of stopping. The shouting of street hawkers filled the streets of Joburg, with the engines of cars and buses drowning the shouts.
The lights of shops and restaurants were slowly being switched on, dispelling the night's encroaching darkness. The smell of traditional South African braai and pap filled Arin's nostrils, increasing his impatience to reach the restaurant they were headed to.
Although there were many restaurants around here, they were not at a price he could afford. There was a particular restaurant a few blocks away, one that his family used to frequent many years before.
Before that incident...
Arin's heart ached at the reminder, and he quickly brushed the thoughts away.
Out of nowhere, on the path before them jumped a cat. Its fur was darker than the night, and its green eyes peered at them with curiosity.
'mew!'
It padded toward them, and Ariena crouched down to pat it.
"It's adorable," She whispered, gently caressing it. The cat purred, enjoying the petting. Suddenly, it turned and dashed away.
"Hey, come back!" Ariena stood up, chasing after it. Arin, who had been silently standing to the side all this time, chased after her.
"Ariena! Come back! It's dark on that side!" He called alarmingly.
The cat dashed into a dark corridor, disappearing into its shadows. Ariena followed into the alleyway, with Arin behind her.
"Ariena, don't just run off like that!" Arin shouted, catching up to his sister. She stood still, gazing dejectedly into the darkness.
"It's gone."
Arin's heart softened as he saw the tears gather in her eyes. The disappointment at losing the kitten showed in her pretty green eyes.
He sighed, holding out a hand. "Come on, Ariena. We should get going now."
As she turned, her hand stretching out to take his, something caught the corner of Arin's eye.
The very darkness before them moved.
The abyssal shadows rose into some colossus being. It towered over them, its form casting a dark veil that extinguished all light.
Arin's eyes widened as he saw a hand raise and pounce.
"Ariene!" He dived forward, his hands reaching out for his sister.
However, all he found was emptiness. He raised his head, and all he could see was a bizarre monster, its form abominable and immense. In its hand was his sister, her form as fragile as a rag doll.
She looked at him with pleading eyes, blood and tears smeared on her innocent face.
"Brother... Please save me?"