From a distance away, a young man could be seen running frantically along the street pavement. Beads of sweat slid down his drenched forehead as his cheeks blushed red with intense heat.
"F*ck man! This wouldn't be such a pain in the ass if I had just joined the track and field team in high school."
The young man that was complaining with such displeasure in his voice was Lam. He had been sprinting at full throttle ever since he fled, but the problem was that he was already exhausted. His breathing was unsteady and his lungs worked its best to compensate for the lack of oxygen.
[F*ck I can't breathe, but I have to keep running from that crazy bastard]
Although Lam wanted to stop and take a long, deserved rest, he knew he couldn't do that or else the killer would catch up to him. With each stride, he could feel the heaviness increase in his tired legs, and each breath he inhaled felt shorter and shorter. The fresh air burned his dry throat as he swallowed in tiny mouthfuls.
However, Lam pressed on with his wavering willpower as he continued to run as he struggled for his survival. As he progressed along the street, he faintly felt the ground beneath slightly trembling.
The tremor became increasingly more intense each passing second. The tiny pebbles along the side bounced up and down energetically.
[He's already here. God damn it! He's so f*cking large but how is he running so f*cking fast!]
From behind, a massive mountain-like silhouette could be seen sprinting after Lam. With each step the giant took, the sheer energy and speed shook everything within a 2-meter radius. The force would make the surrounding trees quiver, shaking them enough that leaves would fall from their branches.
Frightened by the imminent danger approaching him, Lam turned a sharp right corner where a tight alleyway appeared within his vision. He dashed into the alleyway where the stench of garbage assaulted his defenceless nostrils.
The path ahead was littered with drenched and rotten pieces of fruit and wood, which discharged the smell of rotten eggs and lettuce.
Lam tightly pinched his nose and carefully leapt over the murky puddles, occasionally landing on his tip-toes. His actions mirrored ballerinas that would gracefully leap through the air captivating the audience, expressing their astonishment and admiration.
The killer quickly arrived at the entrance of the alleyway and his vision laid bare at an interesting scene. He saw the ballerina-like young man dancing across the narrow pathway as if he was performing a dance recital on stage. A small snicker unintentionally escaped from his lips as he couldn't contain his amazement.
His abnormally large body then shrank to a size small enough for him to easily squeeze through the alleyway. He then dashed through the alleyway without giving a single glance at the surrounding filth and trash around him.
Lam briefly looked over his shoulder and the expression on his face swiftly turned grim. At this rate, the killer would certainly catch up with him.
He peered down and stared at his dirty, bare feet, he could feel the prickly sensation course through his soles
As reluctant as he was, he knew he had to increase his speed so he knew the only action that could allow him to escape.
His actions transitioned from his once fascinating dance routine to a furious but sluggish sprint. His feet swept across the puddles of murky filth causing the water to splash against his shorts.
With the increase in speed, he reached the exit of the narrow alleyway and did a sharp left drift. His shoulder slightly brushed against the corner causing intense pain to course through his body, however, Lam didn't pay much attention to it. Compared to the previous 'experiences' he had experienced, this amount of pain was nothing.
He continued sprinting into the night as fast as he could but it was clearly obvious that his speed had decreased by half.
Before long, the killer also appeared from the alleyway and after looking around the place for a while, found Lam in the distance.
His pursuit once again began and with a great bellow that echoed throughout the street yelled, "I guess this is your limit! You definitely deserve a well-earned prize for being able to last this long. But this little chase we have going on here is going to end now."
The distance between Lam and the killer wasn't that close as they were a good 15 meters apart, however, Lam could still hear his voice as if it was speaking right next to his ear. There was no trace of unsteadiness in his clear voice. [Is he not tired at all? Are you serious right now!]
With each passing second, the distance between them shortened. A trace of desperation could be seen all over his expression. [How much longer till the police arrive?]
His eye swam over the countless ocean of shops and buildings in the commercial district when his azure eyes focused at a certain point. About several meters away from him, there was a giant construction site that was in the middle of creating a building.
Cautions signs could be seen across the wooden fence warning people to stay clear of the site.
[I should go in there and hide for a while. At this rate, my legs will cave in and I'll be a goner.]
Lam resolved himself and mustered the last reserves of energy still lingering within his tired body, and entered the premises of the site.
Within the first few steps, heavy machinery, giant vehicles, construction equipment and a colossal amount of timber situated within their containers appeared in his vision. With such a huge abundant of resources lying around, it would be difficult for his pursuer to find him.
Lam quickly came to a decision and continued his slow run across the industrial jungle, and soon after disappeared behind some steel beams.
Moments later, the muscular killer arrived before the entrance and a contemplating expression could be seen plastered over his face. "What does he plan on doing in here?" he mumbled under his breath.
Nonetheless, it wasn't the time to be thinking about that as he had to kill the young man before he escapes. Because if he didn't, then the consequences would be dire and he would also be hunted down like a rabbit.
Just the thought of what those people would do gave him cold shivers down his spine. The last hint of hesitation left his face as he resolutely charged into the premise and began his hunt.
...
The mysterious group emerged from the darkness and silently watched the whole process of the chase. Their facial expressions and bodies were cloaked by their various masks and pitch-black cloaks.
Occasionally, the moonlight would capture a glimpse of the group revealing a distinctive logo of a vicious dog baring its piercing teeth. If one looked carefully enough, each figure would process one of the logos.
"Should we intervene in their little chase? The kid's gonna get killed if this keeps up," a feminine voice quietly whispered next to gas mask. The woman's voice had a demonic charm to it, caressing the person's soul if one were to hear it.
The gas mask tilted to the side and through the voicemitters, he responded, "Let the kid work his worth. If he doesn't show his ability within this timespan, then what's the point in keeping him alive."
He then turned to face the woman directly, "We don't accept newbies who don't show their worth."
The words directed at the woman didn't phase her in the least. She had heard the same old thing come out from those stupid mufflers over the past week that she couldn't be bothered talking back anymore. They had met others just like the young man but some of them were ultimately sent to an early grave.
Knowing the whole procedure that would continue if she pestered on, she mindlessly proceeded to watch the show.
...
Somewhere within the industrial jungle, Lam trudged along the solid floor with his scuffled feet.
His throat felt immensely dry and each swallow constricted his windpipe even further. He licked his crinkled lips with his tongue hoping to moisten it back to health, but his lips would eventually dry again within seconds.
He couldn't even produce enough spit to keep his lips wet.
He felt extremely thirsty and dreamed for the day where he could feel the refreshing cool taste of water dampen his lips again. Even though barely an hour had passed, it felt like an eternity to him.
Lam's leg buckled under the stress and came down hurling down to his powerless knees, his hands slammed against the floor hard, as fresh scars engraved themselves into his soft flesh.
Without any strength left, Lam leaned his drenched head against the cold, dirty earth. Beads of perspiration gushed out from his glands as it ran down his body.
Lam's eyelids fluttered about as he tried to resist the urge to close his eyes. "So ... tired ... want ... sleep," he tiredly murmured in his breath.
He struggled to battle against the fearsome heaviness, but with each sleep-inducing attack, his lids became heavier and heavier. The opponent's onslaught of devastating attacks pressed on until finally, he couldn't bear it anymore more.
Lam's consciousness slowly bled into the world of tranquil darkness as every idea, notion and event from his day replayed in his mind. It really was a crazy damned day with misfortune lurking around the corner. His eyes slowly closed shut and finally fell in defeat.
...
Sprinting past the towering, steel columns, the killer rushed about the construction site searching for the young man.
The site could be considered massive in the commercial district, as it was at least 20 by 40 meters in terms of size and 7 stories high.
With such an enormous amount of area to cover, it would definitely take some time to find him. And with a large number of resources scattered around the place, it would also increase the number of places he can hide.
After a while, the killer looked at every single corner of the ground floor before finally ascending the temporary job site stairs.
Arriving on to the second floor, he saw that his surroundings weren't as cramped with equipment as before so he felt a bit relieved.
Without any more annoying stuff getting in the way, he could find the young man faster. He quickly, but thoroughly searched around the concrete floor, checking behind the wooden boxes and machinery.
However, he didn't find the young man on this floor either so without any other choice, continued to search the other floors.
...
"Mum, where are we going?" a child in a booster seat asked, as he was playfully twiddling with his tiny fingers. He looked around seven years old wearing lengthy clothes that extended over his arms and legs. His brown eyes stared behind the back of the woman in the driver's seat waiting intently for an answer. However, she didn't answer his question until he questioned her again. "Mummy, where are we going?"
A soft sigh came out from the driver's seat and a voice gently replied, "Don't worry Lam, we're just going to see your father." The woman then turned her head around to glanced at her son. Her hair was unrestrained and cascaded down her blurry face. Nevertheless, through the haziness, Lam could still see the distinct smile his mom had plastered on her face. "We'll be there soon. Please just wait for a while longer more." She then turned her head towards the window where she focused her attention back on the road.
Excitement could be seen gleaming in his eyes as it shined like pebbles washed by the ocean waves and a smile ignited from his tiny lips. He quietly stayed in his tiny throne as he impatiently jumped about eager to meet his father again. The car drove along smoothly across the road as it occasionally hit some speed bumps on the way, jolting the car upwards. His tiny body hopped into the air briefly like a bunny and then softly landed on his soft bottom. Lam giggled with delight as if he was on a ride of his life.
...
Lam's eyelids slowly flickered open to the cold floor. No light brightened up the room as he lay along in the darkness. The freezing wind blew against his clothes that were as damp as a flower in the dew of dawn, sticking grossly against his skin.
[Was I dreaming just now?] Lam wondered. He slowly sat up and reluctantly blinked his drowsy eyes to rouse himself awake, occasionally kneading it hard to rouse himself awake. [Where did I run off to?]
Lam hurriedly stood up in alarm as he surveyed the unknown environment that he woke up in. He was in an open area where stacks of timber and construction equipment were scattered around the place.
A sense of apprehension welled up in his stomach but Lam shook it off and decided to explore for a bit. He strolled along the stone surface when a sudden surge sprang into his mind.
It was like someone had placed the final jigsaw puzzle piece into its rightful position, interlocking each piece to complete a larger picture.
An explosion burst forth in his defenceless mind as fragments of dormant memory complied together to form a certain sequence of events that he experienced through his life.
He could remember his long-term memories more clearly and the short-term memories that were wasting away at the corner of his mind sprang back to life.
If his recollection of memories from before were like old bookshelves brimmed with dust, then it was now a large library of polished bookshelves packed with books.
Lam stared off blankly into empty space for a brief moment before finally snapping out of his dazed state. [Why are these memories appearing in my head? What the hell is happening to me?]