Chapter-5
Tick tok...… Tick tok.
The night was filled with dead silence. There wasn't a single person to seen anywhere around. The only sound in the mansion was the of the grand clock placed just outside Hakim's room.
At exactly 12 o'clock when the clock's bell rang, Yoo Hakim slipped out of his bed and made his way towards a cupboard. He opened the drawer and took out a small side bag out of it. The bag contained a few supplies in it. Not much just a few. There was a water bottle, a map of the region, and a small dagger.
Living in the apocalypse, He had picked up some strange habits. He always planned one step ahead and always tried to plan for the worst case possible.
Honestly, it was pretty stupid. Yoo Hakim shouldn't really go out. Afterall, he isn't in the best situations currently. Since his memories don't align with his current reality, the only thing he could relay on was his own physical strength. He might've turned into a child. But he still has trust in his strengths.
He doesn't know how much things might've changed but he would never find out unless he stepped out himself.
According to what the butler told him. Fed up by being neglected, Hakim decided to run away. His caretakers were furious at hearing it and a search party operation was set up to look for him. He was found after about three days. In a terrible condition. He was dripping wet from top to bottom.
It was much easier to sneak out at night. Almost all the workers were asleep and only a few guards were on duty.
In the previous few days, Hakim had explored almost the whole mansion. He knew almost all the necessary escape routes needed for now.
Yoo Hakim slowly made his way towards the ground floor. He slowly opened a window and hid carefully in the bushes outside. He was sure to not make any sounds, which was easy for him due to the apocalypse. He very carefully climbed the garden's back wall and jumped on the other side.
" Did you hear that ? " He heard faint footsteps and whispers coming from the other side. He quickly hid somewhere as he saw two guards pass from near.
He held his breath as he waited for them to pass quickly. After a while he started to back away slowly, entering the forest behind, since he was sure that these guards weren't going to be moving anytime soon.
He made his way towards the place were he first regained consciousness.
After walking for a few minutes. He finally reached his destination.
Yoo Hakim eyes widened.
It was a wonderful view. The lake where he had first woken up was crystal clear. It's deep blue water reflected the shimmering stars above. The night's cold breeze blew softly. Yoo Hakim's eyes softened at the view. Truly, How long had it been since he last felt so…. Calm.
He slowly took a few steps forward and sat down near the lake. Admiring the view in front of him. He looked at the stars for while before getting up, putting his things aside and jumping into the water.
He held his breath and swam till he got to the bottom of the lake.
Something was wrong.
' This place..... I-it's not it.' Yoo Hakim's thoughts rushed. At the bottom the only thing he saw was the dagger. The same dagger he picked up first,which belonged to the church. But, there was no temple. No structure. And the void, the waterless void which he saw last time was nowhere to be seen. He wanted to go a bit further and wanted to see more.
But He was suddenly grabbed by something from behind. He didn't know what it was but it started to pull him out of the waters. Hakim resisted but there was no one behind him. He clenched the dagger in his hands tightly.
' What the hell ?'
In a split second, He was thrown out of the waters. He couldn't comprehend what was going on.
" Heuk" Hakim coughed violently after being pulled out. He had accidently swallowed some water. The dagger was still in his hands.
" Are you trying to kill yourself ?" An unknown voice asked him.
Yoo Hakim turned his head sideways and saw a young boy standing beside him.
The latter had fair skin and blond hair. Contrary to Yoo Hakim's dark hair ,the latter's hair were shining brightly in the moon's light. His demeanour was cold. He had a handsome face decorated by a cold smile. His beauty resembled that of a saint. But seeing his glowing eyes Hakim felt intimidated. His eyes were like that of a beast, carefully watching each and every single movements of his prey.
"Oh my, Did you fell in love with me at first sight ?" The boy asked in a mocking tone.
Yoo Hakim felt annoyed.
" No, I wasn't trying to commit suicide. Even if I was it has nothing to do with you." Hakim said in a sharp tone.
For some reason the boy's smile widened.
" Is that a dagger?" The boy asked, mirth glinting in his eyes.
Hearing his question Hakim hid his dagger in his side bag.
" That's none of your business." He stated to the boy.
" You'll catch a cold." The boy said eyeing how the boy in front of him was soaking wey.
" Come to think of it, How did you pull me out of the waters ? I didn't feel anyone being behind me." Yoo Hakim said, this time in a friendly tone,trying to switch the topic. After all, he didn't have a reason to be vary of this boy. He wasn't going to be scared by some kid.
" Waahh---" Before Hakim could react he was lifted up in the air. He was astonished to see himself floating in the air. It wasn't unpleasant. There was a pretty purple light covering his entire body. It felt very comforting.
" Woah! How are you doing this ?" Hakim asked with enthusiasm.
" Huh ?" The boy appeared surprised for a slight moment.
" Do you perhaps not know.... About magic ?" The boy said with a look of amusement. He was a little surprised at the unexpected question. After all it was common knowledge for everyone to know about it.
" U-uh… No, about that… I can't do magic…" Hakim said with a hint of embarrassment. ' right, magic exists here..' He had almost forgotten it. After all no one in the mansion spoke of it.
The blond replied with a simple ' I see ' as he gently placed Hakim back down on his feet.
" What is your element ? Is it wind? Mr…." Hakim stopped before completing. He didn't know the boy's name.
" Mizuki, Call me Mizuki." The boy said he restrained from using his surname.
"Then, It's a pleasure to meet you Mizuki. I'm Hakim." Hakim smiled while offering a hand shake. The blond simple stared at him for a good while, making Hakim nervous, before shaking his hand.
" By the way, What are you doing alone in a forest ?" Yoo Hakim asked out of curiosity. It was weird to see someone hanging out alone in the forest alone at midnight. No matter how beautiful the view was. ' No way could this guy be one of those serial killers, who hunt at night.' Hakim chuckled at his thoughts.
" Oh, well…. I was hoping to prevent a suicide." The blond teased with a grin.
" I wasn't going to commit suicide." Yoo Hakim replied.
" So what's your reason to be here ?"
" I like the view." Hakim replied.
" From underwater ?"
" Yes."
" Sorry, But I have to leave now. It's getting late and I need to reach home before dawn." Yoo Hakim waved a bye at 'Mizuki'.
Mizuki returned the gesture as he saw Hakim disappear into the woods. Turning around he faced the Lake.
" A beautiful view, indeed." Mizuki smiled to himself.