You know I never want to be in this position.
I lay on the cold concrete floor of my room.
I clutched my head as waves of psychic energy rippled out like someone scraping the inside of my skull.
Winter Lane
That's me. Just like my name, I live my whole life like trapped in winter - quiet and cold. The fire that warms me up was gone a long time ago.
"Winter...Let me out...I'll avenge you."
A voice similar to mine but sounds unfamiliar. Trying to persuade me but I knew it too well. Letting it go will only lead to destruction and chaos.
"Shut up! You're not real! You're just in my head!"
Screaming on the top of my lungs. I stumbled backward, hitting the table and sending the utensils clattering to the floor.
"HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT?! WINTER, DON'T YOU DARE FORGET ABOUT ME! THE REASON WHY I GAVE YOU MY POWER WAS TO AVENGE ME - AVENGE US! "
The voice changes from calm to distorted. It sounds like people talking at once - deep and haunting.
"WE'RE JUST CHILDREN BACK THEN! INNOCENT AND DEFENSELESS! BUT THOSE HEARTLESS BASTARDS TREAT US LIKE GUINEA PIGS JUST TO SATISFY THEIR SELFISH DESIRES!"
My stomach dropped. Cold spread through out my body. The nightmare I don't want to recall. Buried in the depths of my mind. The memories surge like it just happened yesterday.
The smell of the underground lab prison - hidden beneath the layer of concrete and secrecy. The children's screams because of pain. Those mad scientist's - trying to surpass what's given to them. The stares of evil people that looks at them mercilessly - not minding their suffering.
"Nero...I'm sorry..", I sobbed while looking at the mirror in front of me.
My reflection turn into a young boy. Wearing a dirty hospital gown. Messy brown hair and sleep-deprived eyes. Bruised all over his body.
"I didn't forget you or the others... I know I don't have the right to...Just give me time..If everything's done I'll lend you my body.."
I sobbed - my heart filled with regret and pity.
If only I could hug him and tell him - 'Everything's going to be fine' but it's impossible. The past remained unchanged.
"Aaaargh!", a sharp pain suddenly struck his body. He could feel the icy-cold power starts to eat him.
This is dangerous. I'm at my limit. Only a matter of time before I fell unconscious and lose control. I need to get away here.
I'm hastily look for my clothes. My hands tremble as I panic. I immediately wear the black full mask and hoodie. I can't let them know my identity - if they do, I'll be in danger.
"Get a grip, Winter!", trying to hold my insanity.
Frost begin to appear with every step he took. I opened the window - though my apartment was on the third floor - and jumped without hesitation.
The gravity pulled him down - I expected a fall but it never happened. In an instant, a glimmering ice platform formed midair, stopping his descent with a sharp crack.
One by one, they appeared like a staircase until his feet touch the ground. I ran as fast as I could.
I glanced back to the small neighborhood where I had lived comfortably for several years. I couldn't believe the demon that had slept for so long awakened - all because I tried to help a woman being robbed on the streets.
[Flashback]
In the dark alleyway, I walked home after my shift as a cashier. Suddenly, I heard voices.
"Miss,just give me your belongings!"
"No! Get away from me!"
Smack!
The sound made me paused. Did I hear that right? I followed the noise quietly and saw a middle-age woman struggling to fight against two huge, ragged men.
"Stay still! Just take it like a good girl and you won't get hurt"
They laughed but the woman look completely terrified, wriggling to get free.
"N-no! Help-!", one man covered her mouth while the other pinned her down.
I moved slowly, trying not to draw attention. In the corner, I spotted a rusty metal pipe.
As I crept closer, the woman and I made eye contact. I pressed a finger to my lips, signaling her to stay quiet .
The two men didn't notice me. I swung the pipe with all my strength metal pipe and struck one of them hard.
Thunk!
"Aaargh!", the man fell, clutching hid bleeding head.
"What the-! Who the hell are you?! You rat!", the other man stood and charged at me. I dodged and grabbed his arm mid-punch, pulled him forward and drove my knee hard to his stomach.
"Urgghk!", he collapsed to his knees, gasping.
Suddenly, an arm locked around my neck. I struggled to break free but couldn't. The woman just stared, frozen in shock.
"Run! Go get the police!", I screamed, barely able to breath.
Compared to these two, I definitely smaller. I knew some self-defense but fighting both at once is impossible.
"You son of a b*tch!", gritting his teeth.
The first man, now recovered, shouted angrily. He pulled something from his pocket- a small sharp knife that glinted under the moonlight. He swung it toward me, ready to stab.
I shut my eyes, bracing from the blade - but -
"Aaaargh!", the man stumbled backward.
I suddenly felt cold. Power leaked through me and my eyes wifmdened. His arm was encased in ice - frozen solid. The knife slipped from his hand and clattered to the ground.
"An E-esper?!", the man behind me stammered, his voice shaking.
He release his grip and tried to run. I raised my hand, summoning long, sharp shards of ice.
Shink! Shink!
He fell, his legs bleeding. I froze both men's legs, ignoring their screams.
Footsteps echoed down the alleyway.
"This way Sir! Please help him", the woman cried.
"Miss, calm down! Lead us there quickly! "
Three police officers appeared in the distance.
Before they could see me, I took of into the night.
[End of flashback]
I managed to get away. Now, I'm in the dark forest - nothing but tall trees and endless darkness. My breath turns into white mist, like when you exhale in the snow.
I don't regret helping her but anxiety gnaws at me. I don't know what will happen after I lost consciousness.
I sat on the grassy ground. Then suddenly -
Boom!
In front of me stood a crimson-red dungeon
gate.
"A-An A-Class Dungeon?"
My voiced trembled. Without hesitation I walked toward it. Maybe having a rampage inside the dungeon was better - no civilians or anything else would get hurt.
My body was slowly swallowed by the dungeon.