Waking up, I found myself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling.
A broken down, dirty ceiling.
I could feel my back aching due to the hard bed. The drowsiness slowly fades away and I became more and more confused.
'Where am I?'
I was unable to understand the situation and despite my mind being wide awake it failed to process what's happening. I tried to remember what has happened but my memories was a blurry mess.
It took me several minutes to realize who I am.
Simon Lex. That was my name. A young adult male who was ready to enjoy his life to the fullest, at least that was the intention.
Diagnosed at the age of 22 with an incurable disease, I was spending the last of my time in a death bed, alone without any hope to live. In other word, I was living as a husk.
I remember lying in the hospital bed for a long long time, unable to do anything besides watching the scenery beyond the window, looking at people living their lives.
In the midst of despair, I was sure that whatever I had was going to kill me. And perhaps it did.
But I didn't die. Or rather I'm still here! Living!
After reminiscing about my life I remembered that I was still in a different place than before. This was definitely not a hospital that's for sure.
Looking around the room, all I find is more beds. The beds line up neatly taking up the majority of the space in the room. The beds were made of some type of metal with a thin layer of mattress on top. Children were sleeping quietly on those beds.
I soon noticed the state of my body, which is significantly smaller then I last remembered. Despite being sick before, I was someone who had a relatively bulky body. However this... this is a body of a child!
"Are you awake?" A slightly aged voice called out to me.
In the dimly lit room I look at the small source of light emitting from the door. The door was now opened and a woman walk inside the room. The light was blocked by her back thus I was unable to make out what she looks like.
In my still confused state I accidentally blurted out a question...
"U-h—o.."
...or at least I tried to. A dry voice and a throat that's not used to speaking. I could bare pronounce a word much less speak a sentence.
Seemingly shocked by the sight of me trying to speak, the woman freeze at her spot. Soon she let out a sigh and reaches to me, bringing my small body into her embrace.
"Ken, you're awake right? Let's go out before we wake the others up ok?"
Still unable to speak I could only weakly nod my head. I tried to get out of her hug but well, moving my body was harder than I thought, failing to do anything but a slight push at her shoulder.
Outside of the bedroom was a big living room, or what I assume is one. The room was in a similar worn down state to the bedroom. Barely any furniture could be seen, making the spacious room feel more deserted.
Now that I feel like my head is clearing up, I started to analyze the situation before me.
I have never been to this place before. I was also sure that this body isn't mine. Is this reincarnation? No that's not quite right. Possession? But how?
A voice interrupted my train of thoughts.
"Stop rubbing your eyes so much Ken, we're close to the washroom now."
Ah, right. I could use my arms now. I have been unconsciously rubbing my eyes the whole time, a habit I formed whenever I woke up before being bedridden.
And not just arms. My legs, lungs, eyes were also working fine. This is a healthy body...
I could feel myself tearing up a little. Even if this was a dream, even if this was fake, at this moment I have a functioning healthy body! Unable to control my raging emotions a few tear drop left my eyes and landed on the hand of the woman holding me.
Noticing I was crying, she hurriedly ask me.
"A-Are you ok?! Are you hurt?" A mixture of concern and surprise could be heard within.
I shook my head slowly. Right now I could only communicate through body language.
Feeling the soft hand caressing my head and the warmth it gave, I tear up a little more.
After being comforted by the middle-age lady for a while, I managed to calm down. My head was a lot clearer than before as if a small weight has been lifted off my chest.
"We're here. Can you stand up now."
The lady tried to put me down to let me stand on my own. Embarrassingly, I fall flat on my butt. Learning back how to control my arms was a lot easier than my legs. Years of laying in one spot has successfully make me forget how to walk.
After trying and failing to stand up for the 5th time, the middle-age lady sigh helpless before picking me up again.
She brought me to the washbasin where I processed to give my face a refreshing wash. After I'm done, the full view of the mirror revealed itself before my eyes.
The mirror was blurry with signs of rot appearing here and there. Reflected on it was a small boy with jet black hair and bright red eyes, the color was slightly faded.
The boy face was full of innocent and yet something ominous could be felt within. Looking at such a boy, a nagging feeling was tugging at me. Something was slightly off.
'This is around... a 9 years old?'
Behind the boy was a middle-age lady, the one who's holding him up. She has light blue eyes with long cyan hair, a gentle face that seems to welcome anyone. One could see some wrinkles on the face making her looks even older. She was looking curiously at me.
Confused, I titled my head slightly. She seems to notice my questioning look and a slightly chuckle escaped from her mouth.
"You seem so strange today, that's all." She said looking warmly at me.
Turning my attention back to the mirror, I stare intensely at the boy inside. Although I'm lost and confused, a feeling hidden deep within my heart started emerging the more I look at myself.
It was hope.
Hope for a new life.