"Should I just kill myself?"
A young man murmurs to himself. His tired blue eyes are fixed on the empty building in front of him. The building is massive, but it has long been left abandoned. Its walls look worn out, covered in black moss on almost every side. Dust and spider webs scatter across the ceiling. An unpleasant smell from the dead rats attacks the young man's nostrils, unable to be driven away. The building used to be actively used as a financial services company, but now it is just an unused old structure for unknown reasons.
About a month ago, a shocking incident took place there. A young woman broke in, running hurriedly up the stairs to the top floor of the building. Without anyone stopping her, she jumped from a height of 18 meters. Her whole body shattered. Bones broken and crushed. Brain matter scattered. Blood splattered in all directions. Some passersby who were crossing the street at that time screamed in fear.
Finn vividly remembered that night. He finished work at ten o'clock and immediately walked towards the bus stop, a few meters west of the factory where he worked. Across the street, right in front of the dark old building, a group of people seemed to be crowding around something. Feeling curious, Finn decided to cross the street and find out what was happening. After successfully breaking through the crowd, his eyes caught the sight of a girl's corpse with her limbs completely destroyed.
At that time, Finn wondered, what caused the woman to commit suicide? What big problem was she facing that made her willing to leave this world? Yes, he was curious about how someone could easily end their own life. But now Finn began to understand. Apparently, life in this world is indeed terrifying. Problems can come anytime, anywhere, and from anyone. Finn had been living in misery since the day he was born into this world. His parents abandoned him to an orphanage. His childhood was spent without the love of a family. Forced to live with strangers. However, young Finn never felt sad and continued to live as he should. He believed his future would change for the better if he didn't give up. But it turned out he was wrong. As he grew older, problems became more and more torturous.
"Can't I just feel happy for once?" Finn's voice trembled as he said that. His chest felt painful. His teeth clenched, suppressing his anger.
Still unable to believe how misfortune relentlessly struck him today. This morning, when he was supposed to wake up at seven o'clock, Finn actually woke up from his sleep 40 minutes later. He should have woken up on time, because he had an interview scheduled on campus this morning. Finn had longed for a college education, and the only way for him to enter university was through a scholarship program. However, that dream was snatched away from him because he woke up late. Don't think that Finn didn't try! He immediately rushed from his apartment to the bus stop without showering or changing clothes. But it turned out the bus at eight o'clock had already left, and he had to wait 30 minutes for the next bus schedule. Trying another way by taking a taxi, but the traffic was very congested at that time. In the end, Finn managed to arrive at his destination on campus, but the interview session had already ended, and he lost the opportunity to get the scholarship.
Not only that, during his shift at work in the afternoon, Finn accidentally dropped a box containing diamond miniatures. It wasn't just any miniature, it turned out to be a valuable item owned by a well-known collector who held considerable power in the Asheville City. Finn was demanded to pay compensation and the company decided to fire him. Finn realized he wouldn't be able to pay such a large amount of compensation. He was sure that the Collector would soon send him to prison.
Initially, Finn was still optimistic. He still had Lily, a beautiful girl whom he loved very much. Finn believed he could get through this dark period with his girlfriend. However, since this afternoon, Finn hadn't received any news from Lily, despite sending dozens of text messages and phone calls. So he decided to go to her house to make sure she was okay. But unexpectedly, when he arrived there, Finn found Lily making out with another man on her porch. Finn stood there stunned for quite some time, until he finally realized and quickly ran away from the house. He couldn't bear to witness his lover's betrayal any longer.
"No one cares if I die, right?" Once again, he asks himself a rhetorical question. Finn stands pensive in front of the abandoned building, weighing whether he should really jump from there. It is already ten o'clock at night, the streets are gradually becoming empty, and there is no one around who might see Finn breaking into the building—if there is anyone, Finn is sure they don't care about him. Before he can decide, the ringing of his phone in his jeans pocket interrupts his internal debate. Finn says, "Hello, Mr. Roy?"
"Oh God! He answered the phone!" Mr. Roy, the apartment owner from across the line, exclaimed. His voice conveyed a mixture of worry and relief. "Are you okay, Son? Where are you right now?"
"I'm outside, sir, I have some business to attend to. What's wrong?" Finn had been renting Mr. Roy's apartment for a year, but this was the first time he had called Finn. Something must have happened. Something bad.
"Oh. Boy. Just now, there was a short circuit in room number nine. The owner of the room was not inside, so we were late to realize that the fire had spread throughout the room." Mr. Roy pauses for a moment, then continues to explain. "And because your room is number 19, right above it, the flames also spread there. The fire department just arrived, but it seems too late, Son, your room and everything in it have been engulfed by the fire. But thankfully you are outside, we thought you were sleeping inside—"
The old man's voice fades away as Finn's cell phone falls to the ground. His eyes well up with tears. His head feels heavy. Each breath becomes heavier every second. Again? He thought there wouldn't be any more bad luck that could befall him. But apparently, the universe had a thousand ways to contradict him. Finn was left alone in the world. Everything he owned was left inside that apartment. What could he do if everything inside had turned to ashes?
"Alright, so you really want me to die, huh?"
Finn turns to his shattered phone down there. His right leg slowly lifts, forming a 90-degree angle. Then, with one strong leap, he smashes the device into pieces. His gaze then turns to the entrance of the building in front of him. Yes, he should have entered there earlier and jumped from the rooftop. Why does it take him so long to think about it?
The man starts walking, his steps quick and firm. The first thing that greets him is the half-broken glass door. A small push is enough for Finn to break in. The damp air immediately meets his skin. It is cold, but not cold enough to stop his intention to die. Without the help of any lighting, it is somewhat difficult to see the conditions inside. Finn is unsure if he can find the position of the stairs, so how can he get to the top floor? At that moment, as Finn tries to adjust to the darkness entering his eyes, the glass door behind him opens again.
"Who is it?" Finn snaps. His eyes are blinded as the figure that has just entered the building shines a flashlight directly at his face.
Instead of an answer, all Finn can hear is the sobbing of a woman. Then, the next second, the woman runs past Finn and approaches something that looks like a staircase. Finn is confused. He thinks someone, whether it is a civilian or a police officer, has witnessed him breaking into the building and tries to chase and stop him. But the woman just passes by and heads towards the stairs. Wait, stairs? Isn't that what Finn has been looking for? Why think about the woman when he has a more important goal, which is to reach the rooftop and jump off. Without hesitation, Finn immediately chases after the source of light held by the woman earlier.
Is she going to the rooftop too? Finn wonders to himself. He originally intends to borrow the flashlight from the woman to continue climbing the stairs to the highest floor. But if their goals are the same, it will be even better. No need for small talk.
TAP... TAP... TAP... TAP
The silence of the night is filled only by the sound of both individuals' footsteps, with a slight addition of the woman's sobbing. Finn feels thick dust particles as his palm touches the stair railing. His eyes are fixed on the woman's back in front of him. A slender figure, black wavy hair flowing thickly, who exactly is this beautiful woman? Why is she in a place like this? Wait, is she a ghosht? Or an angel? Has Finn actually committed suicide and this current event is his dream from the afterlife? Finn is still grappling with a bunch of silly questions when suddenly they both stop walking in unison. From the beam of light directed by the woman, another human-like figure can be seen.
"What are you doing here?" The figure, this time a man, asks sarcastically. "If you want to fool around, find another place!"
Even with minimal lighting, Finn can clearly see the displeased expression on the man's face. His narrow eyes stare sharply at Finn.
"Fuck off!" The woman, who has been crying all this time, finally speaks up. Her small arm elbows the man blocking the stairs to the top floor.
"Hey, stop!" The man chases after her. Followed by Finn at the back of the line.
They all run up each step of the staircase until they finally arrive at a steel door that will lead them to the rooftop. Without hesitation, the woman pulls its handle and runs straight into the rooftop area.
"Crazy woman! Why did you come here?" The Asian man then turns towards Finn. "Seriously, Dude? Can't you afford to rent a hotel room instead of bringing your girlfriend to this creepy building?"
"She's not my girlfriend." Finn quickly responds
"Can't you just shut up? You're so annoying! Besides, what are you doing here yourself?"
Come to think of it, the woman had a point. This weird man has already been on the top floor of this building before they both arrived, alone at that, what is he doing? All of this deviates far from Finn's initial plan.
TAP ... TAP ... TAP ... TAP
The three individuals fall silent as the sound of footsteps is heard climbing the stairs again. Who else could it be this time? Why does this abandoned building suddenly become like a public facility? After speculating, the new arrival finally reveals her form. Another woman!
"What is this?" someone exclaims, doesn't matter who it was because the question represents every head there. "Who are all of you? Why are you here?" Eight pairs of eyes on the rooftop meet each other. Puzzled looks filled with question marks.
"Listen," says the woman who arrived first with Finn earlier, "I don't know who you all are, and honestly, I don't care. Do whatever you want, just don't stop me from committing suicide!"
"What?" the man asks in a high-pitched tone, representing the surprise Finn feels. "So you've really lost your mind?"
The woman no longer pays attention to his question. She wipes her wet cheeks and walks towards the edge of the rooftop.
"Hey, stop!" The man runs swiftly and quickly grabs the woman's wrist. "I won't let you do it. Not in this building!"
"Let go of me, you bastard!" She struggles, but her efforts are in vain as her opponent has a body twice her size and strength.
Finn doesn't move, just staring at the chaos in front of him. What should he do? Should he help restrain the woman? But why? Aren't they both aiming to jump off this roof? It would make more sense for Finn to help her escape from the man's grip. Yes, Finn decides to help her. However, just as he is about to move, the other woman who arrived last suddenly screams loudly and rushes towards the two of them.
"Let her go!" she shouts while hitting the man. "Let go, let go, let go!"
"Hey, what's wrong with this one?" He receives too many blows, one of which lands directly on his cheekbone. Reluctantly, he releases his grip. "Damn it!"
Now, the two women lock eyes. One seems to express gratitude for being helped, while the woman in the white dress says, "I'll join you."
"What?" She don't understand. "Do you want to commit suicide with me?"
She nods casually.
"Really? Hey, Man. Are you just going to stand there? Those two just said they're going to commit suicide together. Do something!"
Finn glanced at the man who was slightly taller than him, then before answering, he looked at the two women walking towards the edge of the roof. "No. I am joining them."
Finn, the petite woman, and the woman in the white dress walk together towards the same direction. They coincidentally have a similar goal. Whatever happens to the two of them, Finn doesn't need to ask because he is sure it is painful enough to be their reason for coming to this old building.
The three of them stop right at the edge of the rooftop, standing side by side. There is no fence, making it easy for them to jump from there. Finn looks down, his eyes scanning the view of other buildings that appear lower. It is very dark down there because there are no lights in this abandoned building. But because the moon is shining brightly, Finn can still see the streets below.
"Wait!" The man who has stood alone behind them now joins them at the edge. "If you jump, someone will surely hear or even see you fall. Even if I run now, I won't be able to reach the ground floor without someone seeing me leave this building. I will definitely be asked to be a witness, or worse, I could be accused of pushing you. No, I don't want that to happen again. I'm tired of running. I will join you guys."
They are all silent. The man who was previously annoying now looks gloomy. His thin eyelids can't hide his hopeless gaze. Surely, he has also gone through difficult times.
"Alright. Give the signal, and then we will jump together," the petite woman requests. From such a close distance, Finn once again realizes how beautiful she is. Her thin hand holds another woman's hand.
"Let me do it." Finn takes the initiative. "I will count down from three. Are you all ready?"
They all answer with a determined nod.
"Three..." Finn's heart races. Adrenaline rushes through his body. The temperature in Asheville is currently 11 degrees Celsius, but sweat still appears on Finn's face, back, and palms.
"Two..." Finn swallows his saliva. One more word and he, along with these three strangers, will die.
"O—"
"Hey! Hello!" The last words almost come out of Finn's mouth when a loud shout interrupts him.
Now, the four people ready to die together turn their heads towards the source of the voice. Down there, right in front of the building, a man stands staring at them. Somehow, his figure isn't clear due to the 18-meter distance that separates them. So how can the figure below see them standing at this height on this moonlit night?
"What's up, Guys? Is there a jumping party? Why didn't I receive an invitation?" Whatever this figure wants, it doesn't sound funny to be a joke.
"Fuck off, Dude! We want to commit suicide together!"
"Hey, your voice can be heard by the entire city!" The black-haired man whose name they don't know scolds the skinny woman. They emit an aura of "discord".
"So what? They won't have time to do anything. We can jump from here in less than a second," the woman replies.
"Is that so? It sounds crazy!" The figure below answers again. "But it sounds fun too. Can I join?"
"What?" The four pairs of eyes stare at each other. So, there is another crazy person besides them? "Whatever, Dude! Hurry up and come up here, we can't wait!"
"Yeah, okay. Wait for me there!" Without further ado, the figure below runs towards the entrance, excited to chase the "invitation" he received.
"Great! Why don't you invite every human on Earth?" comments the Asian man sarcastically.
"There's nothing wrong with waiting for one more person. Why, are you impatient to die? I can help push you right now if you want."
"You? Push me? You don't even have enough strength to break free from my grip earlier."
"Damn you, bastard!".
"Hey, look!" While the two of them are busy arguing, the other woman speaks, pointing her index finger upwards. "What is that?"
Finn quickly raises his head to the sky. His eyes catch something, a fast-moving orange thing like a meteor about to fall to Earth. It is getting closer and bigger.
"Wow, wow. Isn't it moving too fast?"
"It seems to be heading towards us. That thing is going to hit us!"
Panic is inevitable. The four people who are standing on the edge of the roof slowly move away, except for one person, Finn. "Why are you running?" he asks.
"A comet is going to hit you, what can we do other than run?" One of the men answers.
"But didn't we want to die? What's the point of avoiding it?" Finn remains steadfast in his position.
"He's right," the petite woman continues. It's always her, because the other woman rarely speaks up. "Besides, dying from a meteor strike sounds cooler."
For the first time, the tall man shows a friendly expression. He no longer argues with the woman's statement because he agrees with this one. Together, the four of them move to the middle of the roof. They don't need to jump from the building because death is coming for them.
The light up there is getting closer. They have no idea about general speed of falling space objects, but it can be confirmed that this one is much faster than the falling meteors they have seen in movies. Moreover, its position of descent is also unusual, standing vertically from the sky towards the building where they are. It is still quite far away, but the four of them can feel the air pressure that will hit them. Not hot, strangely, just air pressure. The tail light they believe to be orange turns out to be white as the distance decreases. The light is so bright that Finn has to close his eyes to avoid being blinded.
"My name is Ethan, by the way. See you in hell!"
"Honestly, Ethan. I don't want to meet you again, even in hell!"
"Yeah, because you'll be placed in the deepest part of hell, you chatty girl!"
Finn silently smiles. His heart still pounds, faster than before. But this time, it isn't because he is scared, but because excitement fills every nerve in his body. It never occurs to him that his life will end like this. Committing suicide with a group of strangers. Not to mention the fact that they will be killed by a celestial object that comes out of nowhere. Strange, but Finn is satisfied with this scenario.
Finn tries to force his eyes open again, trying to see how close the meteor is to him. But the light is too bright, and all he can see is blinding white light. So close! In a matter of seconds, everything will end.
"Hey, Guys. Thanks for waiting for me." Oh, Finn just remembers that there is one more person who will join them. Finally, he arrives, just in time. The man is panting because he has just run up a six-story building. Finn bets that he never expected a meteor to be heading towards him. And Finn's guess turned out to be correct because a second later, the man says, "What the f—"
Before he can finish his sentence, the meteor arrives and strikes them.
BOOM
A loud explosion reverberates, breaking the silence of the night in Asheville City.