While I wrestled with my heavy mind, a wave of sleep began pulling me under.
Damn it… this is the worst possible time to pass out.
I inhaled, then exhaled.
In… out…
There's… something standing in the corner of the classroom.
Something black.
Is it… looking at me?!!
I have to stay awake—focus—don't let that cursed drowsiness win…
But why isn't anyone noticing it?
Hey, you idiots, look—!
Why can't I talk?
I have to… wa—
My eyes… so heavy.
I'm going to fall—
I opened my eyes at last.
Where… am I?
How the hell did I end up in the middle of the football field?
I stood up, looking around. The entire field was filled with students, their annoying chatter buzzing like a barnyard instead of a school.
I walked through the football field, weaving between these "animals."
"Ugh… I need a cigarette." I said it in my head, then walked to a classmate and asked:
"What happened?"
He looked at me and replied,
"Didn't you see? An earthquake hit the school. They might cancel the rest of the day."
"Good." I answered coldly.
I kept walking among the students until I saw a group of teachers discussing what seemed like the cancellation of the school day.
Then I headed to the canteen to buy something to drink.
Ten minutes later, I bought a strange-looking drink—new on the market, apparently.
After fifteen minutes of wandering…
The school day was finally canceled.
I left the school and went to buy some cigarettes.
While I was smoking…
Suddenly—
Two men appeared out of nowhere.
Their sudden appearance made my blood freeze, but I tried pretending I didn't care.
One of them stopped and asked:
"Are you Ian?"
My heartbeat spiked.
He knows me?
I'm done for… Dad will find out I smoke… what a cursed day this is.
I answered with fake calmness:
"Yes… I'm Ian."
Both of them said in unison:
"Come with us."
My blood froze even more, and the cigarette fell from my fingers.
I took a step back.
"…No… what do you want?"
The shorter one pulled out a pocket knife and raised it toward me.
Suddenly, a black car pulled up right behind me.
The door swung open, and I was dragged inside.
I couldn't move—
the man's arms felt like steel bars.
The two others got in and slammed the door shut.
I kicked, twisted, tried moving my arms, but nothing worked…
Then I heard a man's voice:
"Hold him."
At that exact moment, I felt a sting—like a scorpion bite—on my left arm.
"Ahh…"
Drowsiness hit me hard.
No… not now… sle—
__
"…Where am I?
What happened?"
My head was pounding with a strange ache.
Ahh—right.
I was kidnapped… by bandits or whatever they were.
But why the hell am I tied to this chair?!
And what is this filthy room?!"
It was a gray room—like an interrogation chamber.
Suddenly, someone yelled from outside:
"We captured the First Son of the Stars, and the second one is still out there—
and you're in here acting like some child who hasn't even grown up?!"
To be continued…