Chapter 2: Ruins City and A Japanese Boy
Like in that viral video of a guy on a roller coaster who keeps passing out, my consciousness faded and returned as I fell into the darkness of the sinkhole.
Except for when I visited my grandparents in Japan and had jet lag, I've never felt so nauseous.
It was only for a moment when I blacked out for real.
"There is only one objective, and it's pretty simple. You must, at all costs, survive." I pried my eyes open after hearing an unfamiliar voice.
I don't know how long I was out, but when I woke up, my body was stiff, and I couldn't see a thing, nor could I say anything, like all my senses were shut off.
It took me a few minutes to gather my self-control, but once I did, I was able to move and talk.
I had a nasty headache, and my body still felt weak, like I had been working out nonstop all week.
When I finally got myself to sit down, the first thing I did was use one hand to massage the temple of my head. I've never had a hangover, but man, this definitely hits the spot.
Crap! I feel like I've ridden a roller coaster. A very long and nauseating roller coaster, with enough loops to actually make my brain do a backflip, then land on its face and have a headache of its own. Ugh. This sucks!
The moment my line of sight became steadier, my eyes widened in shock, and my body suddenly regained strength, I sprung to my feet as I'd magically gained hyperactive energy.
Everywhere my head turned were unfamiliar, crumbling establishments. Literally, everywhere I turned looked like it was part of the movie "Planet of the Apes," when the monkeys had caused the city to evacuate, only living some to defend themselves, while buildings grew stale and some even crumbled from the all-out war the apes had with men. After that man took care of that cute ape, Ceasar, I thought they would grow old and continue their father-and-son relationship, but no, they had to break up. It's that stupid neighbor's fault; that guy was completely and utterly an asshol-- Maybe I was getting off-topic. Ugh, I can't panic!
Well, to sum it up, it was completely apocalyptic here. Plants of kinds I have never seen before are everywhere, sprouting, climbing, and growing into the corners of... well, everywhere.
"Where the heck am I?" I asked, bewildered by this strange place.
For a long period of time, gathering my recollection of what happened, I stood frozen. I knew I was not going to get answers standing in the middle of nowhere, but I needed to sink it in. I was in the middle of somewhere I'd never been.
It was flashes of emotions, confusion, fear, wonder, and many more. In all reality, I felt ready to cry from the frustration, though I knew I had to keep my cool and find clues to as where I am (and maybe find a person, too) instead of bawling.
…....….
I strolled to the ruins while munching on a breakfast sandwich made by Mom. From all the movies I've watched of people becoming lost in the wilderness without any food or water, I'll just go ahead and claim that I'm one fortunate kid for remembering to carry my bag along.
"Okay, I clearly remember being pushed…or pulled in the sinkhole by that creepy girl. So how come I'm here? Am I… like…dead?" I recall my last memory before waking up here. With my thumb and fingers, I quickly put my idea to the test by pinching off a sizeable portion of my arm.
"Crap! Maybe not." I winced, feeling the sting of my own pinch. So, I'm probably not dead? I mean, ghosts can't touch things, right?
After walking for almost an hour now, I still haven't seen any sign of life except for the odd plants creeping in places. In all honesty, I felt scared and confused, but I kept reminding myself to think positively because I had no other choice until I found someone who could explain what was happening.
Suppose I could describe what I've seen. This location, or whatever this place is, is deserted. Like I said, Planet-of-the-Apes-apocalyptic crap! How the heck did I even get here?
I would have balled into a crying fit by now, but I couldn't. I simply can't do it because I know I wouldn't be able to stop, and it wouldn't improve my condition either. Being resilient has been ingrained in me from a young age. I have to stay strong.
The facts, for now, are that I was clearly not in my city. These buildings were not the same gleaming, huge New York buildings, that's for sure. And two, I might be the only one stuck here, but as I said, there is no use wasting time just standing still and wondering where I am. I had to find out for myself.
After a while, I decided to take a break from my seemingly aimless walk for two reasons: the sun was piercing hot, and I was utterly and ridiculously lost. You'd think a city girl like me would know my way through buildings, but this place seemed to be a maze, and I was not anywhere close to getting out.
Sitting on the pavement of what I once assumed was a street, I took a bottle of water from the medicinal package left over and drank it, silently thanking God for my luck.
…....…
"Hello! If anyone can hear me, please! If this is a large-scale prank, I am already ready to admit defeat!" I probably wouldn't have done this if it weren't for my circumstances, but everything was worth the shot at this moment. I really need to find someone, or else I'd go nuts.
After resting, I continued to walk again. The streets I passed by were lengthy but not too far from each other.
Where am I? If I'm not dead,?
This is that stinking sinkhole's fault!
Blame and anger for the sinkhole kept running through my mind as I sat on the pavement, not knowing where to start searching again.
"ARGH! CRAP!" In great frustration, I let out a long, solid shout, not worrying about anyone hearing it. Hah! I'd consider myself flipping happy if someone did.
Frowning and stomping my feet, I continued to walk in a random direction.
Clang. Clang. Clang.
Although it wasn't very loud, the sound of metal against metal was enough to make me pause in my tracks.
Could it be? Someone is here with me!
"Hello?" I called out loudly, eager for a response. After waiting for a minute, no one responded.
Great! Now, I'm hearing noises! Just. Freaking. Wonderful!
Assuming that was an early sign that I was losing my mind, I turned around and started walking the other way once again.
Clang. Clang. Clang. Clang. Clang
But then the sound was there again, and this time I knew it wasn't an illusion. When I turned my attention, I realized the source of the noise.
Just 8 or 7 meters away, a huge pole was situated, and beside it was a tall, wide bush or whatever it was. I was sure it came from over there.
I hurried over to the area in an attempt to discover the source of the noise, all the while harboring the nagging concern that whatever it was wouldn't be as welcoming as I'd anticipated.
Even after speeding up, the distance felt interminable. As I approached the bush, a sense of foreboding and panic began to wash over me.
I should lay off watching jump-scare-filled films. It's bad for my thoughts and my heart.
The clanging sound became more audible the closer I got.
A foot away, the clanging sound became more wild. My heart pounded like it was about to run out of my chest and leave me alone with whatever was making the sound. A simple note to yourself: Cross out thrillers in your favorite movie genre.
Why are you trembling so much? The combination of excessive coffee consumption and the watching of suspenseful films is probably to blame. Wait, coffee! My eyes gleamed at the thought. It only must have been a few hours since I came here, but I already miss it. Its aroma, the way it tastes bitterswe... So, yeah, I went off-topic. Again. See, I do this a lot when I panic.
Stumbling on the thought of my favorite caffeine drink slightly eased my mind and made me walk a little less shaky.
I was in front of the tall bush now.
Clang. It was louder than when I was farther away. Clang.
Slowly, I peeked at what was making the sound.
"AAAAAA!" Before I could see what was making the sounds, my voice shrieked, and my heart froze as something touched my leg.
My eyes were tightly closed from shock when I felt another contact, but upon closer examination, it was rather a soft and fluffy sensation than a dangerous type. When I felt gentle prodding, I slowly drew my eyelids together to see what was causing it.
A thin chain leash swayed against the metal pole, making the clanging sound possible. My eyes etched towards the other end, landing upon white fur that belonged to a very adorable Pomeranian with a mask preventing it from barking. Its tail was hitting me as it wagged.
Way to go, Harlow, almost pooping your pants over a cute stray dog. You seriously need to get psyched when you get back. Your level of exaggeration is quite off the charts. I remind myself.
Instinctively, my knees bent, and my hands petted its soft white fur, smiling with a full grin directed at it.
It was hostile at first, maybe because I was a complete stranger, and I did yell at him. After a few belly rubs and soft praises, the dog concluded I was no longer a danger. If not, I was an angel sent to him to give him love and stroke his tummy.
"What are you doing here, little guy?" I asked as I continued to ruffle his fur. Of course, it only looked at me. It was a good thing, though, because if he replied, I'd be out of here in no time.
Lifting the dog, I noticed that it had a name tag hanging from its collar.
"China must be your name. Hello there, China." I said while reading the name on his tag. China seemed to be happy to hear me say his name after having to start wagging his tail and wiggling his body.
"Alright. Maybe I should have been specific when I asked for company. I meant a human company, someone who can actually talk to me!" I said, looking at the sky where I assume God is.
I was still petting the Pomeranian when I heard a stir in the bushes in front of us.
I froze as I clutched China, waiting for any news to emerge from there.
I took a sharp intake of breath as I met a set of huge brown eyes.
"AAAAAAAAAA!" In response to what I saw, I couldn't help but yell and jump back, which pushed me back, putting me on my buttocks and causing me to let go of China.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" And as if on cue, the owner of the eyes screamed back at me, only a little more terrified sounding than I am.
Hearing the positive human voice, my eyes widened, and suddenly, I was on my feet and walking closer to the pair of eyes, discovering that it was a boy. A small boy.
Ow, my streak of almost pooping my pants over small, cute things has not ended, I see.
"What were you doing there!?" I exclaimed as I got closer, only making the boy stiff, and then came the crying.
Studying the boy, I immediately could tell that he was from my grandparents' home in Japan. He definitely looked like one of my little cousins. Although they didn't have messy black hair and skin that says, "I haven't had a bath since the Jurassic period," the boy was a mess, but he was still so cute. No, he was so adorable, even when he cried his heart out.
"My brother said I shouldn't move. Move from here!" The boy replied, trying to back tears but failing. Wait, Brother? So we're not alone!?
"Where is he?! Is there anyone else? Where did they go?" My questions were flowing, and it seemed to have gotten the boy fazed, answering me with louder wails and sobs.
Figuring that a pile of questions was not the best thing to soothe a crying kid, I pushed back my curiosity and managed to only show half of it.
"Okay, one question at a time. Where's your brother?" I asked calmly and with a smile.
The boy looked at me and stared, managing to stop his sobs gradually. He stared long as if contemplating if I was someone he could trust.
"He's... those..." Not finishing his sentence, the boy's face fell to his hands. Tears started running from his eyes again, and this time I knew I should probably talk when he had calmed down.
Walking closer to him, I placed my right hand on his back and patted him, urging him to calm down.
"There, there. I'm sorry, you don't have to tell me anything in the meantime. So, it's okay," I said, trying to calm him with my poor soothing skill. China looked at us and stayed quiet, like he knew what the boy felt.
Not long after, the boy told me his name. Sachi is an 8-year-old boy. He, his brother, and their dog, like me, had fallen into a sinkhole about two weeks ago. I should really start paying attention to world news! I have yet to hear about these sinkholes appearing out of nowhere.
If they also fell from a sinkhole, that must mean that this place is really inside the sinkhole, but I hadn't seen any gaping holes in the sky; shouldn't there be holes where we fell from? And where the hell is this place? Earth science teachers never taught us about mysterious crumbling cities beyond the ground!
Is this like the animated series where some person gets stuck in an online game and has to find a way out of the world instead, gains more skills, then gets the creator's attention, thus making him or her the target? Am I going to fall in love and go, "I will protect you with all my strength"? Oh my god, am I going to cyber-marry someone? Wait a minute! I don't play games online, and neither am I a guy to say those cheesy things, and once again, I'm off-topic.
"So, how come you're good at talking in English?" I asked, shifting my attention to the little boy digging into the chocolate bread I gave him. I was curious. My family back in Japan barely spoke a word or two of English, and me being unable to decipher Japanese because both parents were too busy to teach me, besides the words "Koniichiwa" and "Sayonara," we all talked through hand signs, "Please, pass the tea." It will be a hand turning into a makeshift cup and me drinking on it. You get the gist.
"My brother is very smart! He has taught me since I was little!" He answered with a hint of his Japanese accent. He seemed to like boasting about his brother. I nodded with a smile.
I'm relieved; he seemed to be more relaxed than a while ago.
We still hadn't talked about anything connected to where we were when I noticed it was getting a little shadier. The sun was still up, but the breeze had told me it was going to be night soon. And I wasn't so sure I wanted to spend a night out in the open on what was probably an alien land.
Obviously, I wasn't getting anything about Sachi's smart brother without him dehydrating from his outbursts, but then I couldn't leave a cute little kid alone in the dark.
"Listen here, Sachi. I know your brother said that you should stay here, but I don't think I can leave you alone here. So, why don't you come with me, and let's just leave a letter for your brother?" Praying to the almighty that he agrees, I offered. First, because he was a kid, and second, I think I'd go crazy alone.
He looked at me for some time and contemplated.
"Okay. Onii-chan is the best, so I am sure he'll find us." Hesitation was still there, but I guess as a kid, he did not want to spend a night alone in the dark again. Heck, I'm 18, and I'd hate to be alone in this place, especially when it turns dark!
Leaving our note to his brother glued with sticky tape on the pole and untying China's leash, we headed our way.
"Nii-chan, me and China are going with Harlow. Follow our tracks so we can meet. I promise you. She's a nice girl."
-Sachi
"To Sachi's Brother,
I am the aforementioned Harlow. I promise to be the nice girl Sachi said.
I'm sorry about that. He ordered me to promise it to you. So, yeah, don't worry about your Brothers. I'll keep them safe for you until you find us. Stay safe!
P.S. We'll head north," The note read.
While walking, I noticed some marks on some of the buildings. It seems like claw marks...
"What am I thinking of?" I whispered to myself. Those marks are much bigger than any animal that exists.
Boy, was I so wrong! So. Wrong.
I was clueless back then about thinking that what I promised about keeping them safe was a walk in the park, but boy was I so wrong!