Year 2021, The Month of Chrysanthemum.
[ Allyson's POV. ]
Rumors...
Gossips....
Conspiracies....
Your average words that can describe everything that is not explained by science.
They are the Creatures that is far from being normal.
Creatures that invoke people's curiosity and fright.
There are plenty of them these days. They are found on the internet, history books or even told as rumors or bedtime stories. These superstitious beliefs are nothing but opinions. A far-fetched story passed by one to another. No one can tell if they are real or not. No one can prove they exist.
People does not believe on others but only to themselves. Believe, if they've actually seen it. Assume, if they caught a glimpse of them....
In the end. It all remains a mystery.
...
" Ally! ".
A voice snapped me back. " Why are you standing there doing nothing? Come help in the Kitchen! ". It was Todd. I was reading a newspaper taped into the board that I forgot there are customers. " Coming! ". I replied, walking to the kitchen.
" Today's sure is busy than I expected. ".
Sherry comments while continuing to pour hot water over the coffee ground. It causes a fresh aroma that wafted around the kitchen. Fred, our waiter, served expresso and cappuccino towards the tables.
I looked in front and helped Todd preparing the bubble milk tea. Currently, a customer wants two Cream cheese flavored and one Strawberry Matcha flavored. Despite the rush, I am quite concerned to why there are plenty of customers today.
* Sighs. This is why I want to recommend Boss to hire more staffs.
" Ally, could you get another coffee grounds.... ".
Sherry pointed the room where we stack the fresh goods. I head towards the room and searched for the bags of coffee grounds. It smelled so good.... Fresh coffee grounds.
* Rustles *.
It startled me when the television nearby changes into another channel.

Man 1: " This past weeks, we have covered lots of missing report... and horrible findings in the neighborhood. This news is a bit trigger warning, you may change the channel if you don't like hearing this..... ".
The man took a minute before continuing...
Man 1: " Okay, a severed hand was spotted near the Isterr park. Police have determined it is infact a woman's right hand and is currently missing. The severed hand is then later taken for DNA tests as Investigations are being held right now as we speak. "
Man 2: " The authorities are on a chase on a possible serial killer on a loose. Authorities suggests that be careful to wander late at night as the perpetrator might be out there. "
Creepy. I don't like this kind of news in the morning.... I should've turned it off rather than be curious about it.
I turned off the television after I spot a jar filled with coffee grounds. I returned to the kitchen and handed towards to Sherry.
" Here.. ". She smiled back and continued her work.
" I'll help outside. Fred can't keep up serving this many. ".
...
Expectedly, all is well.... Few customers are leaving satisfied. We had breaks. " So glad it's break time. ". Fred sat on a nearby chair as he clapped his hands on satisfaction. " Refreshing day, isn't it? ". Sheryl smiled as she wipes off the dust on the side of her apron. " The day looked young.... I guess I'll make cold ice tea. ". Todd exclaimed as he goes to the kitchen. " Can you make us Boba instead? ". I replied.
" But why did the number increase this morning? ".
Sherry asked. Todd points the closed store few miles away from the café.
" Maybe it's because of that.".
" Ah..... that one? That's explains everything. ".
Fred nods as I picked few plates in the dish bin. Todd handed the fresh drinks at the counter. The soft cold wind sublimated from the dripping glasses. Sherry glanced at the café and spoke.
" The owner of that café really had more customers than we are, but why did they close? ".
" Maybe they're tired of working? Last week there was an incident regarding a wild Karen in that place. ". Fred replied.
Todd looks at him and ticks his forehead.
" Nonsense.... It's because the owner's mother was missing. The owner had to close the store to focus on what's important. ". Fred touches his forehead.
" I'm more worried about the missing people in this area. " Sherry spoke.
Fred clapped his hands as he said.
" We'll just have to be careful, then. The police are on the investigation to this strange occurrence. "
We looked to each other before we head back to work.....
***********
[ Third Person's POV ]
Hours passed after the work ended. Allyson, who was staring at the screen of her laptop. Sound of the keyboard caps clicking echoed in her room. She sighed.
" It's seems like a hoax. ".
She had this troubled look. She stared at the large board next to her. Pictures pasted along with a large wrinkled map at the middle.
" No leads again. ".
She said to herself. She looked up, staring at the patterns of the ceiling.
" Ally. ".
A knock followed as the voice called her from the outside. He opened the door. Allyson hurried to turn off her laptop and quickly arrange the things scattered on top of the desk..
" Oh boss... Your already back! What brings you here? ".
She smiles at him. The man looked at her room and sighed. A sign that he knew she was doing that again.
" Just checking up. ". He warily looked everywhere.
" I can see you're still searching? ". He asked. Allyson gave a nervous laugh.
" Yeah.... I can't stop. ". She looked in his eyes, waiting that he might say something against her actions.
The man, Allyson calls Boss, looked at the board and saw the pins and pictures.
" I guess you'll need your time alone. ". He approached the door and was about leave.
" Hmm? ". Allyson wondered.
" I know that I'm no position to say this to you, but... ".
" Curiosity kills the cat. So take it slow, Allyson. ". He added. The young woman smiled and replied back at him.
" Don't worry. I will... ".
* Door closes.
As soon the door closed, Allyson sighed and removes her hand from covering a bunch of crumpled paper.
" Ah... ".
She tried to press her hands to smoothen it up. She stopped when a single file catches her attention. A big front text followed by blurred printed pictures of dread. It was clear as day that it was the recent newspaper about the findings of the culprit that could possibly roaming in their neighborhood. She gulped. And picked it up....
" Maybe I'm too curious. ".
*****************
Sherry talks with her co-worker, Todd.
" Boss... Welcome back, Boss. ". Sherry greeted. He was carrying a grocery bag.
" Hans, why you didn't stayed today? ". Todd asked him.
The man named Hans looks at his watch and spoke. " It was tiring. I had to do some business this morning. I'll be back tomorrow to help you guys. ". He looked around the neat and cleaned café. " Did Fred cleaned, again? ". He asked. Sherry nodded. " Yeah. He was hoping you could return this afternoon. Apparently, he cleaned the café so much that he would be proud to say My Pay Will be Doubled, as soon as you enter. ". She explained. " Sadly, he left his shift. His midterm exams are close he said. ". Todd added.
Hans chuckled and looked at his watch again. " What's with that look? Are you leaving tonight again? ". Todd asked. Hans rubbed his temples. " Yeah.... I have to go. ". The two co-workers looked at each other. " Rough family business... ". Todd whispered to himself as soon Hans left the café. " Please take care of the café for now. I'll be back in the morning! ". He shouted.
* Car drives away....
" Welp. It's just us... Again. ". Sherry uttered. Todd turns back to see the stairs leading to Allyson's room. " Babysitting again. ".
" Not anymore. ". Allyson spoke.
Both of them looked at her. She was sitting on top of the counter, carrying files in her hand. " Not again, Ally. ". Sherry said. " You almost got arrested for trespassing a property 3 days ago, remember? ". Todd exclaimed. Allyson lifted her right hand as she shows her knew leads. " It's dangerous. ". Both of them spoke at the same time. Allyson didn't pay attention. " I know, I know. But I have too.... ".
" Ally. This is obviously not a something you do for fu- ". Sherry stopped when she sees the young woman's eyes. " I'm serious.... ".
" This might be the only lead I can say, they are..... Real. ". Allyson explained. " Please. I have to go now.... I promised to be safe tonight. ". She added. Todd at the front door doesn't look too impressed. " Absolutely No. ". He muttered as he locks the door.
" Please.... ". Allyson pleaded again, with both palms uniting but both had the same response.
" Okay... Ummm.. ". The young woman looked everywhere. She sees a knife laying on the counter. She grabs it. " I'll bring this... For self-defense of course. ". She smiled nervously. The two co-workers had this same look: it's like the word " FOR REAL " was etched in their foreheads.
Sheryl sighs.
" You're 17 and you might parkour the window from your room.... Here. ". Sherry grabbed something from the drawer... She handed Allyson a small taser. " Where'd you got that? ". Todd asked. Sherry smiles and spoke. " My uncle's a cop. ".
Todd is more confused.... " Still, you can't go. ". Todd insisted she will stay. " Todd, please. Just this one time.... ". Allyson pleaded. Todd sighs as well. He unlocks the door, a big smile forms in Allyson's face.
" Thank you. ". Allyson smiled and placed the taser from the pockets of her hoodie. " I'll be safe ... I promise. ". She leaves.
* Glass door closes.
" We'll be responsible for this. ". Todd uttered. " I know. I know. ". Sherry replied.
[ Allyson's Perspective ]
Curiosity.... People who have seen me tells me about this. They say I'm weird to focus on something so seriously.... They say I had too much free time to discuss about this. But I don't blame them. After all, they didn't experience something as traumatizing like what happened last year.
A Revelation....
Fear....
Pursuit....
We were attacked that day. The day where stars fell. My memories about my Aunt are haunting me every time I sleep - It makes me sad, It makes me mad. I want to see what's behind the secrets. It's like the world has been hiding something very important. So I focus on questions like: " What's the reason? " " Why is it hidden? ".
" Why did it happened? "
I'm itching to know about them... It's all mixed feelings. I had to do this.... I had to start from the bottom...
In order to find him.....
* Steps.
I'm currently in front of an abandoned building. It's raggedy atmosphere, the darkness of the inside. Everything spooks me.... I still don't know why the government haven't demolished this seemingly haunted construction.
The culprit was here before. I heard about the news about this place.... The hooligans who first entered this place reported to have found dismembered fingers in front of the doorstep. Hearing about it makes me feel uneasy...
Without wasting any time, I decided to enter the crime scene. I rummaged my backpack and pulled out a flashlight. It was so dark that I could see any reflection of faint light.
* Steps in.
I'm here to gather some evidences. It will be a big mistake if the culprit is here. However, I deduced that the culprit wasn't even human..... Hands on the park, Severed Fingers in the ground? That's a lot of reason this person might be Pure Maniac or a Monster.
Anyways... I walked around. See if I can find any specific leads or things I could use for. But, all I see are trash - broken bottles, withered grocery bags or graffiti on the wall. It was still dark. Maybe it's because of the clouds shutting the moonlight?
* Phone rings....
" Who might be this- ". I stopped after I found out it was Boss's number. Did he found out already? Did those two reported me? Ugh~
" I'll just wait till he hangs up- ".
* Drips ....
A liquid fell from the ceiling with the accuracy hit the on button. " NO..no! ". I tried to wipe it out but it's too late.
" Allyson? Where are you? ".
Ooooff... I can sense a scolding will happen. Maybe he'll hang up if I go quiet-
" What are you doing this late at night? COME BACK IN THE CAFE, RIGHT NOW! ".
* still quiet...
" GET YOUR ASS BACK THERE OR ILL- ".
* hangs up..
I've done it now... sweet condolence to my future self.
" * Sighs... Seems like I have to go back now- ".
I looked below and my phone slipped from my pockets. It was then I realized my pockets had a huge hole. This jeans are rather old anyway.
* Drips.
Interrupted by the sound of another dripping. This time, I thought that there might be a leakage of water from the second floor. " It's not even raining... How come the water is dripping up there. ". I lifted the flashlight to reveal the ceiling. Horror meets me.
It was blood. Blood was dripping from the ceiling. At first, I was about to scream but I managed to keep down my voice. The blood kept dripping from up there... What's more disturbing is why is it very fluid?
" Is the culprit, above? ". I asked myself before I slowly walked my way out of this bloody building.
* Breathes...
What the heck was that? Did I hear someone breathing?
Footsteps echoed from above. It seem to notice my presence. I didn't took any second to stand but I quickly closed my flashlight and hid in the corners.
* Squelching...
Footsteps echoes after it walked down in a nearby stairs. Followed by a sound of squelching and dripping. I was sure that the culprit might never visit this place... But why?
It seems to be speaking... It's footsteps are still far. The culprit slowly approached my direction but stops.
" Phone? ".
Phone?.. oh sh*t. I left my phone.... Curse you, Torn-Up Jeans! I want to retrieve it as possible, but I don't want to look at him..
" Whose phone this might be? ".
Based on his reaction. It seemed that he picked up my phone to examine... My heart was beating like an engine but I've kept my composure that I won't make any noise. " My my. ". He exclaimed.
" What a lovely scent. ". He added.
That alone sent shivers down my spine. Further making me to NEVER turn around to peek. " It's quite a rare smell. I've never smelled a scent like this before. He then began to sniff.
I must say, this killer is quite a perv.
" Oh. Almost forget about the hand. "
* Crunch * squelch.
I had to look. It was dark but the moonlight reveals something that will haunt my dreams.
* Crunch.
He was eating a hand...