As days passed, the whole world became chaos. It was like an apocalypse. People demanded things that would not be allowed if not for their situation. Others doing crimes as they see the events happening, taking it to their advantage. The government trying to assure the people with their filthy lies. It was just chaos.
Especially when the 'Changes' happened to a human. Yes, the very first change.
A boy in highschool. He was walking home after the teachers had let the students go, to not get them involved. He was still normal when he got home. He had a normal dinner. Did his homework and went to bed. Nothing out of the ordinary yet. But as he slept, he dreamt of a creature? Animal? It was hard to distinguish in the shadow. He looked around and found out that he was in some kind of meadow. The place was dark but not enought to make him not see a thing. In the dream, he tried getting close to the creature, as he was curious, only to hear a low growl. He did not even had time to process what happened as the creature slashed at him with it's sharp claws. The pain he felt was too real to be a dream. He woke up abrubtly. His body sweating. Clutching the place where he was slashed at. Inspecting it, yet he found nothing. No blood, not even a scratch or a scar. Nothing. He begrudgingly did his routine with his whole body aching. He did not know why he felt so drained. Was he sick? Did he caught one if so when? He slept well didn't he? Doubts filled his mind until he remembered the dream. At first he was skeptical. There's no way a dream can become reality. There was just no explanation to it. And if he asked someone, they would only think of him as a crazy person. But if he did. With the situation going on. It wouldn't be that unbelievable would it?
Shaking his head. He sighed as he went downstairs to eat. He would need someone trustworthy enough to not tell anyone what he is about to say. Not even their own relative. At this point, none can really trust anyone blindly. Especially if you said some words to a wrong person. That would not be a good choice.
His first day after the dream was simply normal. No changes whatsoever. He went home and did his routine then slept. As usaul in the dream. The place was still shrouded by darkness but the creature that had attacked him was nowhere to be seen. He was confused. The place that got slashed was throbbing. It felt warm. It was like he was on fire. Though what he felt was interrupted as he woke up. Sweating again. His hands unknowingly clutching the spot. Just like that, it happened every time he slept. It was like a routine.
But that all changed on the fifth day. The day he saw a change.
It was morning like usual. He woke up drained. As he went to the bathroom, he passed by at the mirror. Catching a glimpse of a tail? He froze. He hoped that was just a hallucination. Too drained to think properly. Yet he could not help but take a look.
Slowly he walked to the mirror. His nerves were screaming at him to stop if he still want to be normal. He did not understand why he felt like that. As if his life will forever change if he saw whatever he will see.
Gulping he stood in front of the mirror. What he saw made him freeze. A tail. It had scales on it. It was moving freely, as if alive on it's own. His brain took a while to process what he saw. Eventually when he did, his scream alerted those on the house with him.
After the shouting and panicking, everyone finally calmed down. His parents were confused as to why he had one. The boy had no choice but to tell them his dream. And that is where they are now. In the living room, sitting in the couch. He waited in silence as his parents let his words sink into them.
After some time, his father finally spoke.
" So your saying that this *motions at the tail* appeared after the dream and may be related to the events happening outside? "
The boy nodded. His fear of getting rejected overpowered him thus making it hard to talk.
" I see " His father said, looking thoughtful. The tone that came with it made the boy flinch slightly. While the mother sighed, noticing what her husband was planning.
With a grin, His Father turned to him and hang an arm over his shoulder. Though confused, what he heard next gave him relief so much he started crying... While nodding.
" So? That doesn't mean that your someone else... You may have a tail now and maybe more in the future but your still you, yes? "
His mother smiled warmly at the scene. Not long, she joined the two as well.
The day ended with the three of them bonding more. Especially asking questions related to the boy's dream.
Next day. The boy woke up refreshed, like a burden has been lifted off him. He did his usual routine and ate his breakfast. Though the happiness did not last long for a new problem arised.
How was he supposed to go to school with a tail?!
He panicked, his emotions showing on his face, to which the parents noticed. The mother was the first to speak;
" What's wrong Ryu? "
Ryu looked up as he was mentioned. He noticed the worried look his parents gave him. Slightly making him feel guilty. Guilty for making them worried.
With a sigh, he replied; " Well, I just realised... " he paused.
Both his parents look at him in confusion. Urging him to continue.
Ryu took a deep breath. It's okay, they accepted you. Just ask for their opinion... He reassured himself.
" How am I supposed to go to school... looking like this " he says while pointing at the tail that was actively swinging. He still thinks that the tail has it's own life. Especially when he can't control it... yet.
" Hmm... I guess we'll have to make you take a leave of absence for now "
His father said after thinking the situation clearly. Ryu nodded his head as he continued eating. No one spoke a word for the rest of the breakfast. They were all busy with thinking plans, if a situation calls for it.
( Somewhere )
" Are you sure it's here? " Alisha nodded to Elena, who asked the question.
She looked at the place, then back to Alisha. Still skeptical and confused as to why the thing that they're looking for would be here. In a place full of garbage.
Yes, they were in a place surrounded by junks. The whole place was smelly. Yet Elena did not complain. She can't really do so if what they need is there.
Elena sighed as she felt that Alisha was really stubborn today. She did not know why this happened. Thinking back on yesterday, Alisha was acting weird the whole day. It felt like she was on edge. Elena wondered what's happening on her friend's head, for her to feel this way. Elena has never seen Alisha act this way. The most she's seen her, was Alisha being indifferent or cold. Now though... Very suspiscious.
Meanwhile at Alisha. She knew that Elena was becoming suspiscious of her. With how she acted yesterday, that would only prove it further.
It was the System's fault. Alisha was excited about the place that they were going, especially the thing that they were going to look for. Then the system had to drop a bombshell on her.
The words she read shook her. It was good if it was some monster but a human?! Thinking about her killing one... The process of doing it was stuck in her mind. The image of a dead body with her hovering over it. Her face void of emotion, kept replaying in her mind. If Elena did not remind her of what they were supposed to do, she would have lost it.
Remembering of what happened made Alisha's face pale. She did not want to admit it but she was scared. Alisha has never felt this way before. There was no time she remembered being scared of something. But as they approach they're destination, the feeling of dread became too much to bare.
Elena was surprised to see Alisha suddenly crouching down. Her frown deepened as she examined her friend's complextion. Alisha's face was so pale. It was as if she saw a ghost or a dead body in front of her. Little did Elena know, her thoughts were more accurate than she thinks.
Seeing the state of Alisha, Elena decided to go back for now. Something was clearly bothering the girl. Continuing would only worsen the condition of Alisha. In this kind of situation, Elena could not help but be frustrated. Frustrated at being useless. Despite her feeling this way, she still went to Alisha and supported her.
On that day, Elena witnessed her friend, Alisha, became so scared, she would flinch at words related to the matter. But she, Elena herself, had no idea why....