Saka lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Ever since his parents' death, his life had changed drastically. Things had happened that were beyond human comprehension. Even now, he still couldn't fully believe that demons existed.
He used to think they were just stories meant to scare people. But after experiencing it firsthand, he realized it was true. Is this what people mean by "eating your own words?"
Saka's stomach growled with hunger. There was no food in the fridge, so he had no choice but to go out and buy something. Reluctantly, he got up.
"Grandma Sila? When did you get here?"
"Just now."
Sila was Saka's maternal grandmother. She was the only family member who still cared after his parents' bankruptcy and death. His paternal grandparents had passed away, and the rest of his relatives had turned a blind eye, acting as though Saka didn't exist.
Sila lived in a different city and had asked him multiple times to move in with her. But Saka always refused, convinced that he could take care of himself.
"Do you still want to live here? I'm not trying to push you, but maybe you should reconsider."
"My answer is still the same, no."
"Alright." There was a look of disappointment on Sila's face.
"During the long vacation, I can come visit."
Sila's face immediately brightened. "I can't wait! Let's eat first."
"Yes, Grandma."
"I'm going to the bathroom first."
Saka started eating, but after a few bites, there was a noise from the direction of the bathroom, followed by Sila groaning in pain. "Grandma!" Saka saw Sila holding her ankle. "Why did you fall?"
"A cat ran by when I opened the bathroom door. Do you have a cat? Since when?"
"A cat? No, I don't have any pets here. Let me help you to your room." Saka struggled but eventually managed to get Sila to her room. "I'll call a taxi. We're going to the hospital."
"There's no need. Just call a masseuse."
"Don't be stubborn, Grandma. It's the modern age. You need a doctor, not a masseuse. What if the pain gets worse?"
"It won't."
"We're going to the hospital anyway. No arguments."
*****
"There's no need to go to the hospital, let alone be admitted."
"It is necessary. Health is the most important thing. I don't want anything to happen to you, Grandma. Please understand. I'll step out for now. Get some rest."
Leaving was better than continuing to argue with Sila. Saka tried calling his uncle—his mother's brother. The phone only rang, but no one answered.
"If Grandma weren't sick, I wouldn't be calling him." He tried again, but still no answer. He left a message about Sila's condition.
Sleepiness began to creep in. Saka closed his eyes, nearly dozing off when a sudden cold breeze jolted him awake. There was no sound of anyone nearby, only a loud buzzing.
"What is that sound?"
The buzzing stopped. The once-white walls slowly shifted to a dusky brown. Large footsteps echoed in the hospital corridor, passing by Saka. He followed the sound to the critical care ward.
Everything went black.
Saka's vision failed him, and he was left confused. "What's happening? Why can't I see?"
Something passed by him. He wanted to chase it, but his body was frozen in place. A loud scream echoed through the air, followed by the sound of sobbing. Suddenly, Saka's vision returned, and his body fell backward in shock at what he saw.
A woman was being dragged by a sharp, spiked rope tied around her neck. Her hands were bound behind her back. She looked at Saka with pleading eyes. "H-help." But no sound came from her mouth.
Saka remained frozen, trying to get up. As he looked closer, there was no one pulling the woman. Only the long, spiked rope that extended into the darkness.
Shaken, Saka finally managed to stand and looked around the hospital. The white walls were back, patients and health workers moved about as usual. He rushed to Sila's room, breathing a sigh of relief when he saw everything was normal.
"Why are you out of breath? Where did you come from?"
"Huh? Oh, that... I ran here from the front."
"What for? Did something happen?"
"No, nothing... just felt like running."
"You're strange," Sila chuckled, gently punching his arm.
*****
Saka couldn't stop thinking about what had happened to Sila. He was certain no cat could have entered the house, let alone the bathroom. Even if one had gotten in by accident, it would have made some noise. There was only one explanation he could think of.
That's why he decided to move with Sila to Loka City. Sila was thrilled with his decision. As they drove, Saka stared out the window, noticing the abundance of trees on either side. Loka City was small, sparsely populated, with many forests scattered throughout.
Half an hour later, they arrived.
Saka immediately took the suitcase to his room and lay down on the bed. His phone, which he had left on the table, began to vibrate.
"Saka, where have you been? We went to your house earlier, but your neighbor said you'd moved," Jerry's voice came through.
"Yeah, I moved with my grandmother to Loka City. I'll be staying here with her from now on. Will my move affect our mission?"
"Not at all. Tom and I were just surprised to hear you moved."
"Sorry, I should've told you sooner."
"No worries. The important thing is we know where you are now. I'll hang up. Take care."
Saka went downstairs, looking for Sila. "Where's Grandma?" he muttered as he opened the front door. Just then, a woman around his age was about to knock.
"Is Grandma Sila home?"
"I'm not sure where she is. Maybe she stepped out. Is something wrong?"
The woman standing in front of Saka seemed hesitant. "I just came to return this food container." She handed him a paper bag. "Excuse me."
She quickly walked away before Saka could ask her name. "Why did she seem so nervous?"