Inside a room,
"Snrrk… snrrk…"
The figure of a snoring young man lay on a bed, his body covered by a white sheet. He wore a peaceful expression, sleeping without a care in the world.
"Uhm… hmh…"
He started making strange noises as he shifted around. Before long, his eyes fluttered open groggily.
"Umh…"
Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes and yawned.
"Haah… that was a good dream," he muttered.
"Hm?"
He turned his still-sleepy blue eyes toward the right and glanced at the clock atop a small chest of drawers.
"4:58 a.m., huh?"
"Gotta freshen up."
Click.
He pressed a button on the clock to stop the alarm it would have triggered in two minutes. This was Mark's daily routine: waking up before sunrise and—
"But first, I need to go there."
He got down from the bed, slipped on his slippers, and put on the glasses resting by the clock. Then, he opened the chest of drawers and took out a key.
Clack.
He opened the door to his room and stepped out. Passing through a modest living room and drawing room, he approached the front door.
Clack.
He closed the door behind him and passed the elevator.
The elevator wouldn't start until 5:30 a.m., so he took the stairs. He was already used to it
Tak tak tak tak.
Soon, he stood before a locked metal door. Mark inserted the key into the lock and opened it.
Click.
The lock disengaged. He pocketed the key.
Clack.
Whoosh~!
As he opened the door, a gust of fresh wind greeted him.
"Hfff… haaa…"
He inhaled deeply, the cool air flooding his lungs.
'Fresh, crisp morning air.'
After closing the door behind him, he walked forward and sat on a bench on the rooftop. He glanced at the time, then looked up.
5:00 a.m.
Slowly, the darkness fractured.
A soft glow bled into the sky, gently pushing out the night. The horizon caught fire—orange, then gold, then a gentle pink that kissed the edges of the clouds. The sun broke over the buildings like a quiet miracle—not sudden, but steady, rising with the patience of something ancient.
The light washed over the rooftops in waves, brushing his face with subtle warmth. Shadows shifted. The city, once hushed and gray, began to color in—buildings gained shape, trees revealed their silhouettes, and glass windows reflected the newborn light like fragments of sunrise.
Birds began to sing. The wind softened.
He watched it all from his quiet perch, the only witness to the world's slow return. For a moment, it felt like the world belonged only to him and the sky.
"I wish you were here, Mom… Dad…"
Mark softly whispered.
He stayed like that for fifteen minutes before finally rising.
Returning to his room, he freshened up. Less than three minutes later, he emerged, towel over his face.
Clack.
He opened his cupboard and took out a pair of black capri pants with white streaks down each side, a pair of no-show black socks, and a charcoal gray T-shirt.
After changing in the washroom, he stepped out within a minute.
He closed the door to his room, approached the shoe stand, and took out a pair of black-and-white sneakers that matched his pants. He tied the laces and dusted his hands off on his pants—like any other guy—and left the house.
With ten minutes left before the elevator started, he opted for the stairs. It was seven flights down, but he didn't mind. He was used to this.
"Hmm?"
The middle-aged night guard, preparing to end his shift, saw Mark heading toward the gates without a single bead of sweat on him despite the amount of stairs he got down. His face was calm, his pace steady.
"Going out for a jog, sir?" the guard asked as he opened the gate.
"You know that's my routine, Robis."
"Haha~ you're right."
"And how many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me sir? Mark is fine."
"I know, I know. But you know how it is—old habits die hard."
Clack.
The gate opened, and Mark stepped outside.
"Hmmm~"
He took in another deep breath of the crisp morning air.
"Hoo… well, see you later."
Tak tak tak tak.
Mark took off—not too fast, not too slow, but at a moderate pace.
He passed by several buildings before reaching the nearby park.
The guard at the entrance of the park looked at him and sighed.
"Haah… every single day."
Before long, Mark reached his usual spot.
"Mark, why do you come this early every morning?"
"I thought you'd be used to this by now, Joe."
"Well, whatever. It's not like you're going to stop coming late even if I told you to. You can go."
Mark, never one to waste time (unlike me), entered the park.
He paused for a second, taking in the view.
The park stretched out like a serene oasis in the middle of the area. Lush green grass carpeted the ground, damp with morning dew and soft beneath his steps. Towering trees formed a natural canopy, their leaves rustling gently as the breeze danced through them. Birds called out in cheerful tones, their songs echoing softly in the still air.
A winding path, paved with smooth stones, curved gracefully through the greenery—guiding joggers, strollers, and early risers. Benches nestled beneath shade trees invited quiet reflection. In one corner, a pond glistened, catching golden sunlight on its surface as dragonflies skimmed the water.
The scent of fresh earth and leaves filled his lungs—a grounding aroma that calmed the mind. Every part of the park seemed alive—peaceful, breathing, green.
'Feels nice.'
Mark took off again, jogging steadily as he observed the tranquil surroundings.
Rustle rustle
"..."
From behind a large tree, a pair of reddish-brown eyes watched Mark's silhouette grow smaller with each step.
Chhrk
The person behind the tree clenched their hand against the bark and whispered in a low, eerie voice:
"Mine."