The phone rings... Ian picks up the phone to answer the call
-What's up, Han?! Everyone in the city has disappeared. I haven't seen a single person!
-What? Are you kidding me?
-I'm hanging up now, this is weird.
-What? Han?
The day before the incident...
Do you know where I live? You'll be shocked!
Of course, I live in a neighborhood in the city center, but it's not a normal city, it's an isolated city! Yes, a city surrounded by forest, then sand, then the sea. Yes, I live on an isolated island! Why? I don't know. Since I was
born, I've lived here. No one has told me why or how. We are in an age of development, so how can we live on an island? I haven't found an
answer to my question!
That dense forest is full of diverse plants. The refreshing scent of flowers slowly seeps in so we can breathe it in and feel comfort in our hearts, but you know what? There are no predatory animals in the forest. How
strange is that?
After leaving the forest, you find soft sand on the beach that tickles your feet, then you dip them in the water to feel an incredible refreshment, as if you have been set free to fly freely, but we are not allowed to sail away
from the island. Why? I really don't know.
I'm Ian, and I don't think anyone remembers much about me because I don't talk much, my voice is low, and I'm not very social. But the funny thing is, when I'm with John and the others, I become more open. It
seems I've gotten used to them. John rushes to catch up with Ian and wraps his arm around his neck.
"When are we going to hang out on the roof?"
"I don't know. Ask Ryan." I feel like I'm in a freezer when I talk to him. Ryan's soft voice flows calmly behind them.
"I heard what you said."
-Oh my God, where did you come from?
-We live in the same neighborhood, go out at the same time, and go to the same university. We're neighbors. I can hear your voice even from
my house.
Ian smiles slightly and wraps his other arm around Ryan's neck to ask
him "Okay, genius, when are you going to let us hang out on your roof?"
-Today.
-Great, I'll be there. Hani hurries to catch up with his three friends after dressing up nicely
and putting on his glasses. "We're going to be late. Hurry up!"
The four of us are friends and neighbors, and the funny thing is that we enrolled in the same university, but each of us has a different major.
Farin majored in law to become a detective, John majored in physical education, Han majored in medicine, and I chose architecture because I
have loved drawing since I was a child.
On my way back after dark, I saw Cairo walking in the dark on his way home, so I followed him. Kairo is a boy who doesn't like to be bothered. He was my friend in elementary school until his parents separated and he stopped talking to anyone and ended our friendship. His father died three days ago, and I wanted to offer my condolences, but I couldn't
because I was sick and couldn't leave the house. He lives near the zoo
that his father runs, which closed a year ago.
When Cairo arrived home, he noticed someone trying to call him. He turned around with a sad and desperate look on his face, as if his spirit
had been crushed. "Cairo, are you okay?" "What do you want?"
"Can I come in? I just want to offer my condolences." "It's too late for condolences. You're too late. Go away."
"Listen, I'm sorry I couldn't come then, but I want to tell you something. You can come and stay with us tonight. We'll be at Rayne's house. His
parents aren't there. They're on a business trip."
-Don't bother me. I want to rest. Besides, I hate gatherings.
-I know, but I feel like I shouldn't leave you alone today.
Go away. I'm starting to get annoyed. You don't have to bear everything alone.
He went into his house without caring, so I left him and went to my house to change my clothes and then headed to Ryan's house. I went out
to go to Ryan's house. John approached Ian to put a hat on his head.
-You look handsome when you wear it.
- Where were you?
-I just got back from the gym. "You really love sports. Whether it's playing soccer or boxing, you've
become good at both."
John took the cap off Ian's head and rufled his hair.
-Thanks for the compliment. Let's hurry, painter.
John rushed to Han after seeing him come out of his house, rufle his neatly combed hair, and walk away. Han responded with a grumble.
"It took me an hour to style it, you idiot."
Hurry up, you dandy. Ian approached Han with a smile.
-He likes doing that. "He won't get away with it. Hey, Hoon, come here."
We stood in front of Ryan's house and John pressed the doorbell for
Ryan to open it.
-Come in John rushed inside after high-fiving Ryan. I think they get along well.
-I brought some delicious drinks. Come on, Ryan, let's go to the roof. It's
our favorite place.
We gathered around the table after setting everything up and turning on the lights. We started chatting, playing games, and challenging each other. We do this almost every week, or twice a week! I think so!
He nudged me before saying "I saw you following Cairo. Did you talk to him?"
"Yes, he seems sad and angry because I couldn't attend the funeral."
"But you were sick. Didn't you tell him?"
"No."
John took a sip of juice and said
-Students at the university talk about him and spread rumors.
Ryan looked calmly at Ian and said
-Is what they say about him true?
- I don't know much about him. I haven't talked to him much and haven't
visited him because of what happened. Han looked at Ian as he prepared to speak.
-They say he's a nerd in the chemistry department who does a lot of
experiments and is about to be expelled.
"He's lonely."
-I heard he wants to make an antidote to help his father, but I don't think
he succeeded. John threw his hat at Han.
"What's it got to do with you? Let's drop this subject."
Ryan intervened, saying
-How could he succeed? He's still a 20-year-old college student like us. I don't blame him for being depressed and not talking to anyone. His parents divorced, his father remarried, and the kids started bullying him.
John started teasing Han to lighten the mood. "Hey, troublemaker, why are you bringing this up?" Leave me alone, leave my hair alone.
"Hahaha." Ian looked at Ryan eating calmly.
-It seems your parents have been away from home for a long time for
work.
-Yes, but that's better than them being there and not caring about you. We're pretty much the same. We rely on ourselves.
Han offered some candy to Ryan and Ian.
-Don't worry, I'm here. You won't feel lonely with me around. Han held out his hand, waiting for his candy. "Where's my candy? You know I love candy."
- Here you go. You deserve a lot. "Did your parents really agree to you studying physical education?"
-They don't care about that anymore. They have other parents, one is a doctor and the other is a lawyer, so why should they care about me and
what I like?
-Don't worry, I'll treat you if you get sick.
-Haha, really?
-Yes
-I know you're stupid, but you're good at medicine.
-Are you complimenting me or insulting me?
-I don't know. Ian took a sip of his juice and asked Han
-Is your mother feeling better?
-Yes, she's getting better.
-That's good. John looked down without realizing there was someone below him. He
looked up and jumped in fright. "Oh my God, you scared me!"
Han approached to see what was going on and jumped back in fright. He
also approached Ryan and said
-It's Cairo, Ian. I think he wants to talk to you. I told him to come. Do you mind?
"I have enough covers for everyone."
-That's good. Ian went downstairs to bring Cairo up, and Han said
He scared me. Can he really join us?
Ryan replied
-It's okay. He was a friend of Ian's. John returned to his seat and recharged his energy with more juice.
"Yes, we're together because of Ian."
Ryan looked at him. "No, because of you. Ian is calm and gentle. You're the social butterfly
flying above our heads."
-Haha, I know that, but I mean that Ian is like a band-aid. He's really
loyal. Han continued.
-You're both right. We slept peacefully that day, only to open our eyes to a great disaster...
Ian's phone rang at around 9 p.m. It was cloudy with light rain, and Ian
picked up the phone heavily to answer.
"Hello."
-There's something strange. Ian opened his eyes to wake up from his sleep.
"Huh? What do you mean?" "Everyone has disappeared."
-What? Where are you? Why aren't you in bed?
-I went early in the morning to see my mother, but I couldn't find anyone
in the city.
-Are you kidding me? The others woke up and looked at Ian in surprise.
-Turn on the camera. You have to see this for yourself.
My friends gathered around me after I turned on the camera to see the
city empty, with no sign of life.