*WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS SENSITIVE TOPICS*
...
They say that, when you're in a dangerous situation, the worst thing you could do is to panic.
But.
When a large black dog is rushing towards you in full speed, it's a different story.
As the large beast leaped towards me. I closed my eyes and shifted my weight to my hip, then swung my left arm blindly.
Miraculously, the punch connected and the beast dropped to the ground, clearly out of it. My strength combined with the speed of the beast, made the impact more powerful.
It was satisfying. Overcoming my first hurdle, i couldn't hide my smile.
But i knew it was far from over, towering over the unconscious beast. I confirmed that it was still breathing.
All there is left is to kill it. But it proved to be much harder than i thought.
The thought of taking another life disturbs me.
The beast had only attacked me to survive. The same goes for me.
I forced myself to accept the fact that, it was either me or the beast.
I for certain, don't want to die.
I cannot die, sure. but i don't want to be eaten alive.
.
Raising the dagger high, i prepared myself for what's about to come.
"I just need one clean strike, I'll try to end this as painless as possible."
But before i could even stab it, the beast suddenly regained it's conscious.
Looking straight at the beast's eye. My breathing quickens and my vision became blurry. Only then did i realized i was crying.
I couldn't do it...
.
I stood up and picked up the scattered sticks i was carrying a while ago, after collecting them. I went back to the direction of our camp.
However. this time, I'm wasn't going back alone.
Go away!
I shouted. Trying to scare off the beast.
Why was it following me, i thought to myself.
We were trying to kill each other. minutes ago.
Now, it seems interested in where i was going.
fuck off, will you.
I said, glaring.
Completely drained. I curse back at the world, i have no more energy left to spare for all these bullshits, and just wanted to lay down and sleep.
But apparently, the world wasn't done.
*Sighs* what should i do with you.
Scratching my head. I couldn't think of anything other than allowing it follow me, Stupid? Yes, but it's still better than going back alone.
.
Is that?...
Angar asked, surprised at what i brought back.
Umbrawolf, extremely rare to find. They are silent hunters feared for their ability to phase through shadows. Although, haven't been proven yet.
Cassemir said, walking towards me.
It looks like it has taken a liking to you, be sure to feed it lots.
Cassemir added. before throwing a piece of meat at it.
.
*Ding!!!*
Suddenly, the system popped up. Showing the description of my new companion.
Umbrawolf: (Epic)
Native to Feyrath, they are thought to have gone extinct. These wolves are known for their black fur. so dark, it looks like it's absorbing light. Umbrawolves are also known for their absurd size, growing as big as a bear.
.
Umbrawolf: (Epic)
???
???
???
You have to tame it first to see more information.
.
Closing the system window. I gave the sticks i collected to Angar and took some of the meat cassemir was chopping.
Do you have a name for him?
Cassemir asked.
I don't, even if i do. I don't think were close enough, for me to give it a name.
.
.
.
And... You said "him"?
I asked, looking at Cassemir confusedly.
Yes, to know whether it's male or female. All you need to do is look at their fur. Male umbrawolves has messy and spiky texture, while female umbrawolves has more cleaner look.
Cassemir answered.
"Strange. I don't remember reading about that detail... Maybe, i haven't got all my memories back."
I shrugged.
Tossing a small piece of meat, i tried to pet it.
But it backs away quickly. avoiding my hand.
Guess we're not close enough...
I tossed him the remaining small meats and went to set my own tent.
...
Once the tent was up, I collapsed inside without hesitation. To my surprise, it was remarkably comfortable the sleeping bag atop the mattress offered just enough cushion to make the ground feel forgiving.
Outside, the wind whispered through the trees, rustling the fabric of the tent with a gentle hiss.
I let out a slow breath, the tension from the today's encounter melting away into the stillness.
The scent of cooking meat drifted through the air. rich, smoky, and mouthwatering, mixed with the faint smell of earth.
For a moment, I just lay there, listening to the stillness, the kind of quiet you only find far from civilization. it felt like the world had come to a pause.
Sleep began to creep in slowly, wrapping around me like a heavy blanket, as my thoughts drifted to everything that had happened over the past few days.
All I could do was hope that things would start to get better, that I'd find my footing in this new reality—this new life. With that final thought, sleep finally took me.
***
I started dreaming of my old life—one memory standing out sharper than the rest.
Me and Mike, my only friend from college. We were sitting on the cracked steps of the old campus library, the afternoon sun casting long shadows around us.
What are you gonna do after college?
Mike asked, his voice casual but curious.
I looked away, watching a bird circle overhead before answering.
Leave this miserable place, I said quietly. The world is so much bigger, Mike. I can't imagine spending my whole life stuck here, where nothing ever fucking changes.
Mike smiled, a little sad but understanding.
Yeah, me too. I guess we both want something more...
Two days after that talk i had with mike.
He had committed s*icide, mike hanged himself, no note, no nothing.
It frustrated me deeply, tormented me, knowing I was his closest friend, yet I hadn't seen it. I didn't know. I didn't notice he was struggling, not even a hint. And that failure haunted me.
***
It finally clicked what had truly happened before I died.
After attending Mike's funeral, I had accompanied Mr. Brightside to his quiet, dust-laced bookstore to pick up the book Mike was reading before he took his life.
Maybe he'd left a clue hidden in its pages. A final message. Something I'd missed.
But I hadn't expected this.
This book… I was now inside it. Somehow, impossibly, I had crossed a line between reality and something else. something deeper, stranger.
But that's where the memory ends. The rest remains blurred.
like a story half-erased, waiting to be discovered.