Startled by the blaring alarm, Shin bolted upright in bed, his face etched with terror. His heart pounded in his chest, and beads of sweat glistened on his forehead as he fought to regulate his breathing. "I'm awake? It felt so real... like a vivid nightmare," he muttered, his voice trembling with a mix of confusion and fear.
In a desperate attempt to find solace, he instinctively called out, "Mom!" But the echoes of his voice bounced off the walls, a stark reminder that she had already left for work. A sinking feeling settled in his chest as he realized he was alone, left to unravel the perplexing puzzle of whether the harrowing events he experienced were merely a product of his imagination or a chilling truth.
Remaining seated in bed, Shin's mind raced, remembering the fragments of memories that plagued him from the previous night.
"Ughh, this won't do anything. I... I can't remember anything...."
Realization hit him like a ton of bricks as he glanced at the clock. "No! I'm late for school!" he exclaimed, panic rising in his voice. Frantically, he threw off his covers and swung his legs over the side of the bed, his mind partially trapped in confusion.
With a state of confusion overwhelming him, Shin hurried into the bathroom, his movements frantic as he splashed his face with cold water. The icy shock jolted him back to reality, yet he couldn't shake off the lingering unease that clung to him. Fumbling with his toothbrush, his mind spun with a whirlwind of thoughts, replaying fragmented moments of the event that had unfolded just moments ago, leaving him questioning if it was all just a vivid nightmare or a terrifying reality.
"Ughh, don't have the time to be like this. I'm so messed up, I'm so late," Shin muttered, his words filled with a mix of frustration and urgency.
Hastily throwing on his school uniform, he stumbled down the stairs, nearly tripping over his own feet in his haste. The smell of burning toast wafted through the air, a clear indication that his morning routine had been disrupted by his harrowing nightmares. Grabbing a piece of charred bread, not caring about the taste, Shin bolted out the front door, his mind still foggy with residual fear.
As Shin sprinted down the street towards the bus stop, his school bag bouncing heavily against his back, panic, regret, and determination churned within him. The confusing images from his ordeal flashed before his eyes, casting doubt on the line between reality and illusion. Uncertainty lingered, but Shin felt a resolute determination settling deep within his core.
"Is this real? Or just my mind playing tricks on me?" Shin wondered aloud, his voice filled with both apprehension and a glimmer of resolve.
Arriving at the bus stop, his heart sank as he caught sight of the yellow vehicle pulling away, leaving him stranded on the curb. The weight of his tardiness pressed heavily on his shoulders, a tangible reminder of his struggle to separate truth from fiction. Inhaling deeply, Shin made a silent promise to himself.
"No more doubts. It's time to take charge," he muttered, his voice tinged with determination.
Shin scanned his surroundings, searching for alternative options. Just then, his attention was caught by a stranger who seemed to be heading in the same direction as him. A glimmer of hope flickered within Shin as he approached the man.
"Excuse me," Shin called out, his voice filled with a mix of urgency and desperation. "Are you heading towards the school too? I could really use a ride."
The man turned towards Shin, a warm smile forming on his face. "Funny enough, I am indeed headed there," he replied, his voice carrying a sense of kindness. "Hop in. I'd be glad to give you a ride."
Gratitude washed over Shin as he climbed into the car beside the stranger. It felt like a small miracle,
"Thank you so much for this," Shin expressed his gratitude, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "You have no idea how much it means to me."
The man chuckled softly. "Sometimes, the unexpected paths we cross lead us exactly where we need to be," he remarked, his words carrying a sense of wisdom.
After expressing his gratitude with a grateful smile, Shin said his farewells to the man who had given him a ride. Stepping onto the school grounds, his relief was short-lived as he was immediately summoned to the guidance office due to his tardiness.
"Ugh, seriously? This is getting exhausting," Shin muttered under his breath, feeling the weight of yet another consequence for his lateness.
He couldn't help but silently plead, "Can they just let this one slide, just this once, please?"