"Murders have been skyrocketing, with over 20 bodies found last night, bringing the total to 75 this week," the voice on the radio announced grimly. The city of Von's crime rate had been escalating for reasons still unknown.
"I heard it was the mafia," an old lady whispered to her friend, her voice quivering with fear.
"I heard it happens to specific people," a young man speculated to his friends, his tone laced with intrigue.
The train was filled with people, their curiosity ignited and fueled by wild rumors. Conversations buzzed through the carriage, each theory more outlandish than the last. Yet, amid the chatter, one person remained indifferent. Clad in a school uniform, it was difficult to discern if they were a girl or a boy. Their features were an intriguing mix of feminine and masculine traits, adding to the ambiguity. This person was named Sam.
As the train doors slid open, the sound of gunfire echoed in the distance, but the passengers' animated discussions muffled it. Sam, along with the crowd, stepped out into the dimly lit subway. The atmosphere was eerie and cold, a stark contrast to the warmth of the train. Sam put on their headphones, blocking out the cacophony of voices and the unsettling environment, and pressed play on "Your so creepy" by Ghost Town.
The subway's flickering lights cast long, ominous shadows, enhancing the chilling ambiance. The air was thick with unease, each step echoing through the desolate station. Sam moved forward, seemingly unaffected by the sinister surroundings, lost in the music that drowned out the world around them.
"Creepy girl, you're just my style. Blood-red lipstick, you don't, don't smile," Sam muttered to themselves, the lyrics blending with their thoughts as they continued walking. The journey led them to their school, a familiar routine that provided a semblance of normalcy amid the city's chaos.
As they headed to their locker to switch out their notebooks, a voice interrupted the moment. "Oh, it's Tuesday?" a girl said, her eyes dropping to Sam's skirt.
"Yeah, you didn't forget our project now, did you, Charlie?" Sam responded, a hint of teasing in her tone.
"Of course I didn't, geez! It was one time in elementary. Why won't you let that go?" Charlie retorted, pouting slightly. Her expression softened, a mix of exasperation and fondness in her eyes.
Sam chuckled. "I guess I like reminding you."
Charlie rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "You're impossible."
They shared a moment of camaraderie, the tension of the city's rising crime rate and the eerie subway fading into the background. The school halls were buzzing with students, each wrapped up in their own world, but Sam and Charlie's friendship provided a steady anchor in the midst of it all.