Chereads / Hourglass Paradox / Chapter 4 - A strange soul.

Chapter 4 - A strange soul.

As the sword pierced my body, a coldness swept over me, sending shivers down my spine. I realized the girl I trusted had deceived me. Why did I ever believe she would save me? Why did I risk everything to help her?

Blood spilled from my wounds, staining the ground crimson. The girl caught me as I fell, her touch warm, but her expression was impassive. I couldn't understand her thoughts.

Amidst the chaos, voices shouted commands I couldn't decipher. My senses dulled, and my body grew heavier until I felt nothing at all.

"I shot him! Take him from the girl!"

As consciousness slowly returned, a voice pulled me back to reality. I opened my eyes to find myself pinned down by a young boy with piercing eyes and a mocking smirk.

"W-who are you?" I stammered, confused. Where was I? How did I end up here? Where was the girl who betrayed me? My memories were fading.

The boy's smirk widened, adding to my unease. I glanced around the white-painted room, devoid of mirrors.

"What is this place? Am I in some kind of asylum?" Panic bubbled within me. "I'm not crazy!"

"Stop shouting," the boy snapped, impatient. I instinctively stepped back, wary of his behavior. Why was I alone with this strange boy?

"Stop imagining you're in a mental hospital, weirdo," he taunted. I recoiled in shock. "Where is this? What kind of place is this?"

"You could call this the realm of the afterlife," he replied casually.

"Afterlife?" I glanced around, struggling to understand. This didn't look like any afterlife I'd heard of.

"Appearances can be deceiving. This is a passage to the afterlife."

I stared at him in disbelief. "Wait, you can read my thoughts?"

The boy smirked, self-satisfied. "Hmm."

"I wasn't praising you," I muttered, irritated by his arrogance.

"Oh, really?" His smirk widened.

"Am I really dead?" I asked, feeling a sinking feeling in my chest. I couldn't recall how I died or my past life.

"Those humans killed you," the boy stated matter-of-factly.

"I see..."

"Is that all you have to say?" His tone was incredulous.

I shrugged helplessly. "What else can I do?"

The boy's frustration escalated suddenly, and before I could react, he slapped me across the face. "Don't you feel the urge for revenge now?"

I blinked in surprise, rubbing my stinging cheek. "What was that for?"

"Isn't revenge on your mind?" he pressed, slapping me again. "You're making me frustrated for no reason."

I stared at him for a moment before responding, "Unfortunately, no."

In an instant, the boy flew close to my face, his expression contorted with anger. His black gown billowed around him.

"Why not?!" he exclaimed. "You must seek revenge! How can you not feel anger?"

"I don't know... Maybe I'm just not capable of that kind of rage," I replied uncertainly.

"I'm not the sort of person who seeks revenge. It just seems like too much bother," I explained.

"You lazy ass!" he bellowed. "What's the point of my work if you can't even muster the sense to seek revenge?"

I flinched, feeling the weight of his disappointment. "I just want peace and quiet," I muttered.

"Peace and quiet?" He spun around, eyes blazing with fury. "You weren't made to feel that! Fine. If you can't feel anger, I will give you a reason to!"

Suddenly, the boy lunged at me, moving with astonishing speed. Before I could react, he passed through my body.

"This body is so light. I can surely use it. Haha... haha!"

I struggled to control my limbs, feeling like a passenger in my own body. A whirlwind of emotions—anger, happiness, and everything in between—flooded me. No, this couldn't be happening!

Desperately, I tried to regain control, but it was futile. Every attempt was thwarted by the unseen force.

I closed my eyes to shut out the chaos, catching a glimpse of a strange girl with long black hair and a sword.

"Ah, I see," the voice echoed in my mind. "You want to see her again, don't you? Don't worry! I will make your wish come true! HAHAHA!"

"Get out of my body!" I commanded desperately.

"No, I will not! You will comply with my desires. I will not go anywhere," the boy's voice boomed. "I'm getting out of here, whether you like it or not!"

I clutched my head, overwhelmed. "Get... out!" I repeated.

Suddenly, I saw the boy's figure in front of me in the darkness. He looked lost and miserable.

"Why did I trust the humans?" he lamented.

"Why did I trust her?" His voice dripped with betrayal.

"She betrayed me..."

His voice sounded different, but I knew it was him.

Approaching cautiously, I moved closer.

Before I could tap his shoulder, he erupted:

"I will kill everyone! I will have my revenge!"