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Chapter. 1

After waking up, I began looking around.

I kept the studying lamp off and reached out for the light switch on the wall, not too far from my table.

The lamp was turned on, lighting the room up with information.

My bed is still messy, and almost fully covered with opened books and papers. There’s some food leftovers on the floor from last night, and what seemed to be dirty clothes that I forgot to put away.

Right… I was studying like hell last night.

I went completely shut in and just stayed in my room for the entire evening, moving from books to books and didn’t even care about my own well-being. I stayed up until three, and decided that I will need a few hours of sleep before I go to school in the morning later.

Why? Because I just want to study, that’s all.

I slowly lifted my body from the chair and began studying my appearance. It felt natural, and I don’t feel weirded out anymore.

What exactly… did I dream about?

I lifted my hand to hold my head because of a mild headache from suddenly standing up, and I quickly realized that my face feels dirty. Then I used my hand to brush away the dirt on my eyes and the water on my mouth...

Water on my mouth?

I quickly turned to the books that I just slept on and panicked instantly.

It's actually a very expensive science school book, where all my assignments are placed. Every single homework I worked on for the whole 12th year is in that book. Every note, every mark that I placed. Even the current assignment is open, right there.

And now it's wet from mouth juice. Wonderful.

"Oh, no..."

But my attention was immediately diverted elsewhere.

The saliva-ed study book is a disaster, but something else felt much more important to me than the book. I put my right hand on my head and immediately felt the pain.

This headache is insane, I must've gone totally dehydrated. What time is it?

I looked at the digital table clock once again to see the time.

4:54.20

4:54.21

4:54.22

I only slept for two hours, and it hurts this much?

Another thing that I noticed was the heavy heartache I am feeling. It felt like my chest was heavy, and breathing felt even more difficult, like I just went through a long exercise for the entire day.

What exactly did I dream that my heart raced this bad?

I ignored those thoughts, because my mind once again remembered what I needed to do. School starts in one and a half hours, and I needed to start preparing.

I moved from my table and faced the fan next to my table towards my wet book, hoping it would get dry by the time I went to school.

After that, I began to wonder whether or not I would need to sleep. School starts at 6:30. Maybe I can be a little late?

No... If I'm late, I will have to face the devil. Miss Harp, she always guards the front gate in the morning, punishing students that’s late.

"Uugghh..."

Facing the headache, I stood up and walked out of my bedroom. The outside area of the house is very dark, since the sun hasn't come out yet. But the moonlight is there, which barely lit up the windows that lead to the front yard outside. Thanks to that, I can still see things inside the house, despite all the lights turned off.

I went to the dining room, headed for the light switch and turned it on. It seems like it is just as we left it last night after talking while eating dinner.

Seems like everyone was still asleep. My mom and dad were in the far back bedroom next to the stairs, and my little sister's room is on the floor above. Of course everyone is still asleep, it's very early after all.

I went to the refrigerator and grabbed a glass of water. The feeling of cold water flows through my throat. Nothing can beat this amazing feeling.

And whilst drinking, my mind began to wander off as usual.

I am still confused as to why I can’t remember my dream.

Normally, when you dream, you can still remember pieces. Even when the dream is so insignificant, it’s still possible to remember pieces of it right after you just woke up. But from the moment I opened my eyes, I couldn’t remember anything.

Such a dream made my heart race, and even made me sweat despite the air conditioned room. What exactly happened that I immediately forget what I dream about?

While I was trying so hard to remember, my body moved by instinct. I closed the refrigerator door and moved to the table to place my mug down. But before I was able to place the mug, I suddenly felt a cold air coming from my left.

This feeling… I remember it.

Even though I turned the light on, there was still a part of the house that is still considerably dark. In this case, the kitchen. The cold air came from there, and my body instinctively turned towards that direction to allow me to see.

Standing by the kitchen entrance is a man wearing a long black robe, with his hood on.

Immediately, my senses came back to me.

"What the-"

"Good evening."

Dude… It's freaking Monday.

The sleepiness inside me immediately disappeared. I instinctively grabbed the kitchen knife at the table, to at least protect myself. But the feeling I get is that the knife probably won't be able to do anything.

The cold air I sensed previously, I remembered what it was about. I have heard stories about it, and even hear it directly from someone who has experienced it.

I am… facing a ghost.

The robed person took a step forward. The light now shines on him clearer now that he is closer to the dining room.

He is wearing an overly sized black robe that covers his whole body, while his head is covered by the hood. His robe seemed to be old and dirty, as if that is his only attire for many years. His hands and legs were covered by the robe, hidden so I couldn’t see. I also couldn't see his face clearly, but I can tell from his tone before, that he is smiling.

Is he a ghost…? He talked to me with that tone, so he must be a person, right?

Then, did he bring a weapon? Of course during a break in, the thief usually carries at least a knife. But from the looks of it, this guy is probably crazy. Who would use that kind of long black robe these days for breaking in? It’s hard to move in that robe.

"Who are youuu~?"

Damn it all… Am I that afraid?

My voice came out less manly than I thought. The voice crack made me hold my neck instantly, while the guy chuckled a little after hearing my voice.

"Hmm… Not that it concerns you. I am here for one thing, and one thing onl-"

"Who are you!!?"

I shouted this time, so manly and so loudly.

Damn I sounded cool. I just hoped everyone else woke up after hearing my shout. I really lost my pride at that voice crack, plus I really need to wake everybody up if there is a break in happening.

If I gang up on him with dad, then maybe we can beat him up. And maybe Mom and my sister can support by throwing stuff from afar.

But while I was thinking of the many combat strategies that I can use to fight this person, the said individual stayed silent. After a while, he took out his right hand, and moved his thin slender fingers a little.

What is he doing? Is he going to take out a weapo--

SREKK!!!!!!!

“Ngghhkk!!!!!!!”

Suddenly, my throat felt burning.

I coughed really hard as a reaction, but nothing came out. No sound, no air. All I can feel is this insane pain burning down my throat.

This is… so painful!!!

What the hell happened!?!?

I turned my gaze back to him, and found him lifting his hand again and puts his finger on his barely visible lips.

"Sshh... We don't want to wake your family now, do we? They were sleeping very soundly, after all."

"..."

Still couldn't say anything, all I can do is suck up the burning pain on my neck. My hands are holding my neck from the sudden pain, and I still couldn’t let out a single decibel of sound.

What could've caused this? Was it the drink?? What did he do!??

"Don't worry, I casted a soundproof barrier around us. Your family couldn't hear our little conversation... heheh."

Soundproof… barrier?

"I am only here to ask you a simple question. My dear boy, have you seen a pretty lady in white dress coming to this place?"

… who?

Was she your friend?? Why the hell should I care!? What did he do!?

Forgetting that my neck somehow stopped me from speaking, the guy whipped his hand.

"You can still nod and turn your head as a yes or no."

He said to me, but I lifted my hand and gave him my middle finger.

"... What does that finger mean? Is that a yes?"

I lifted my other hand with my middle finger lifted.

"Judging from your expression… it doesn't seem to be a nice gesture."

He lets out a sigh.

"All right, then. Let’s have some fun, shall we?"

He lifted his right hand and pointed his all fingers towards me, as if casting a spell. It took a while, but a second later, I can finally taste the effects of the said spell.

ZREKK!!!!!!!!!!

“GHak!!!!!... AAAAAAhhhhkkkkkk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

The burning I felt can no longer be called burning. It's already as if my neck was stabbed by a knife.

I really want to scream, as hard as I can. But the only sound that came out of my mouth was just a rumbling.

This is insanely painful, I have never felt this pain before in my life. The greatest pain I ever felt was when I got a wound on my forehead after falling from the bicycle, but this felt a million times worse.

It didn’t take long until my hands felt something warm. I moved my hand away from my neck, and I saw my own blood.

My brain just turns around completely. The blood and the pain doesn't make sense. This is insane. Just what the hell did he do?

What should I do? He is asking me a question, isn't he? Everything he said and did, the pain that I am currently feeling, it all just doesn't make sense.

I have no choice… I can’t fight him with this pain. I have to run.

If I run, would he chase?

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