Snow falling from the sky wasn't I'd expect to see in this afterlife.
Maybe I am still alive but... back then? I'm sure I would not have survived. Just thinking how much blood I lost drains my life away. Leeching my very consciousness bit by bit until it slowly drifts away.
There was nothing I could do but lie on this cold ground helplessly as the night sky continued its tormenting storm, showering the entire place with dust of ice. Nothing to hear but the howls of wolves deep within the forest trees. Nothing to feel except the cold sending numbness to my skin.
Everything I was, slowly burrows into the ground of snow. None of my limbs were capable of moving and the snarls of hungry beasts draws near.
And I guess once again, I'd be dying... twice.
You're probably guessing how did I end up in such a state with my nearly last breath. All I can say is it felt like a dream but so real, you'd wish it would be.
I guess I should start at the moment when things are still... normal.
For the world, at least.
The city temperature drops as these large cumulus clouds devour the clear sky. Although the breeze was strong, not a single droplet of rain was felt. If you ask me, the weather's pretty great. I wasn't much of a fan when it comes to downpours, especially massive rain showers. I hated it during the times of my travels and it only reminds me of the sad parts of life.
But I always loved the feeling of having cold weather like I'm living in a snowy country. It just feels... reassuring.
Oh, I forgot to mention. The name's Arjay Craftel. And, yeah... I guess the name doesn't suit me well. Or rather defines me.
Why? You ask?
Well, if you know what it means, you'll figure out why. From its origin, I'm its antonym. I didn't really possess any redeeming qualities, talents, or good looks. Talking about a total average guy who doesn't exactly know what to do in life.
There was even this feeling of emptiness as if something was still missing in me. Something... important.
Speaking of importance, the day was the 8th of November. A date no one in the world would ever forget. Even I, myself included. The day none knew a single event could change the fate of the world.
And it all started in a chilling late afternoon.
Strolling alone around the city sidewalks was the kind of hobby I've gotten used to, and everywhere I go, there are always a lot of things that would keep my mind busy. Like the park where a lot of children play, the chapel where people pray, and the streets where vendors market their products as they stray.
I ventured to every place as if it was my own, wearing the black leather jacket I rummaged back home. It used to be father's but I doubt it could still fit in him. Judging how skinny the jacket was.
But under some circumstances, I had found myself walking towards the grand plaza. To where instincts, and I guess habits brought me to the place where a lot of events sprang. Like the time the musical bus visited, bringing famous actors and singers along to entertain the masses.
Or that time this large old tree sheltered me when it suddenly showered.
There was also this time when a hostage-taking took place in this area but I shouldn't be telling you that, should I? I wasn't even around at that time and only heard it on the news. It all happened way before I got into this place but the rumors are still circulating about it as it was not your average crime. Something… unnatural that they can't even believe was true.
To sum it up, both beautiful and weird things are somehow attracted to the plaza. And I guess I'm one of the latter.
Although today, beautiful things were brewing within the very place. The population was getting ready for next month's season as they shoot out the Christmas lights on every branch of the large center tree. Not only that, an array of stalls were installed, introducing all merchandise with an early holiday discount.
Scarfs, knitted fabrics, decorations, dolls, and sweets. Even ordinary bottled water was in full stocks. All had the theme of Christmas and love. It had me thinking maybe I should grab an item as a souvenir but with this week's allowance, I doubt I could even afford to buy snacks on this small trip of mine.
And I'm utterly embarrassed of myself, obviously. Watching and asking prices without even actually planning on buying. But I just can't help it. They do have a lot of interesting stuff worth browsing for. And it's not like I'm all to blame for being broke.
Boarding and living separated from my family as I study for college in the city do cut off a lot of cash in your pocket but it does have some perks. Including having a lot of free time for yourself.
The downside? You'll practically do everything on your own. You'll wash your own clothes, budget your own money, cook your own food, everything is on you that even the free time you have for yourself is pretty much eaten by house chores.
But I guess I won't be worrying about that from now on.
A lot of things happened, and mistakes were made. And those mistakes became ripples, affecting something of today which is beyond fixing.
Melancholy sure was strangely visiting my mind as I was window shopping until someone looking utterly familiar caught my sight. My heart raced, my eyes brightened and the butterflies inside my chest suddenly danced at a fast pace.
She was the one I really liked, the girl I had a crush on ever since I got into college. She wears her usual dark orange shirt and tight denim jeans. And like always, she had her glasses on, making her look even prettier. Her hair was long and straight, while hued by a bit of dark brown dimly shines when struck by light.
Like a lost child, her gaze shifts back and forth in every direction. The way she walks around was delicate and the way she turns was like a model in the fashion industry while holding her phone near her ear.
I really can't help but smile whenever I see her and I couldn't stop looking until she glanced my way.
She paused for a second then waved.
"Over here!" She called and then started walking in my direction. I was already melting just seeing her grinning rosy lips and couldn't think about what should I do.
Should I wave back? Should I go ahead and greet her? My heart and mind couldn't keep time on track, being lost in the moment, thinking just what the heck was supposed to do.
"Ah, h-" my soft voice broke and my heart ached as someone from behind walked past me.
That "someone" was also a friend of mine. Rather, one of my classmates. But I could feel envy beginning to engulf my heart then shame overtook me. What was I even thinking? I already knew her heart wasn't meant for me yet I had wished it was me she was looking for. I wished I could be the reason for those smiles.
Yet she was still a star someone like me could never obtain.
The clouds in the sky faded, and the great star made its appearance, beaming the surrounding with light. The two continued their quiet time as I began to walk home alone. It was supposed to be a reassuring time but all I could feel is emptiness after seeing the two. I couldn't cry anymore nor be angered by this feeling for I've already done it a thousand times before.
It didn't even help.
But the emptiness was heavier compared to before as if it's trying to drag me into the ground and every step I take added additional numbers to the force of gravity, making my chest want to burst until my phone rang.
["Hello? When are you coming back?"]
"A little later, sis. Just gone off to buy something…"
["Speak up, I can't hear you with you murmuring there."] she complained, although her line was way noisier. Murmuring and vague chatting could be heard from the other side. Something like "it's about to happen" or "it's gonna start soon" but I couldn't really tell what. ["Anyway, I left some allowance at the top of the fridge back home to cheer you up… Hey, don't just dawdle there! Monitor the sky!]
"..."
["Sorry about that." she apologized. "Don't feel too bad about it, okay? Maybe it wasn't really meant for you. Just be sure that your next one should be the last one though. We're not rich, you know."]
"I know… thanks, sis" then she hung up. I was back to being alone in the middle of the sidewalk as people mind their own business everywhere else.
Then everything became tangled again.
I couldn't clearly see my surroundings but I could hear the murmurs, slowly turning into imaginary rebukes my mind kept creating. The scorns, rejection, the words I don't wish to hear but kept on resonating. Some are memories, some are created by my own mind as if it wants me to feel that pain but all were piercing like blades.
It was painful and worst of all, only I could hear it.
Thud!
"Oh, sorry about that" A stranger with a handful of baggage excused himself after bumping into me, causing for my phone to fall.
Although it was cracked, it wasn't the thing that caught my attention. The shadow beneath my feet had disappeared, blending into the surroundings while it dims. It was still too early for night time and to my surprise, the sun above darkens as the moon starts to appear, snatching the attention of the people in every corner of the city and probably the whole world witnessing it.
It was both intriguing and frightening at the same time, I couldn't stop my eyes from staring at it until an explosion occurred on the road near the plaza.
People started gathering and those who had gotten stuck in the traffic were enraged by the scene, they couldn't help their curses. Their anger wasn't of any help either and only raged, influencing the passing crowd.
They did settle their anger down. But in exchange, they went rampant as fear took over them. The mad population caused a stampede to those who had fallen, and vehicles went crashing as they try to escape. Some even ditch their ride just to not get caught along with the mad race yet still get mixed up with the mess.
It was horrible. Injured people screaming for help yet the insanity of the others made them care nothing but for themselves. The worst kind of minding your own business.
I too would have done the same. I too would have run and escaped to save myself but as they tried to get away, I found myself going exactly the opposite. I don't know what came over me but I knew I had to go back.
Was it confidence? No, I think it was fear. Well actually, I was freaking terrified. Trembling in the thought she might have gotten hurt, or worse.
I had to find out what happened to her no matter what.
The great multitude bumped against me so strong, it took almost forever to pass through the running crowd, and the first thing I saw within the crash site was mouth vomiting and nose wrecking.
A decayed adult, walking on the face of the earth and turning dead people alive in a gruesome form to attack every living being in sight. Its skin was hidden by a robe, already peeling by itself as flies orbit around it. The soil underneath It was corrupted and the stench was unbearable, I couldn't stand just being near it. And those within the dead soil started screaming, hurting my eardrums while those helpless human beings started to wane into corpses.
At first, I couldn't believe it but what's there to not believe when the very thing is just in front of you?
Yet skinny and waned, the corpses could still move and as it noticed my presence, a command was sent to chase me away and to escape, I paid the price of getting injured. Thankfully, a bite on my shoulder and some scratches behind my back were all I had taken, and luck was on my side as these creatures were dumb enough to not notice my presence behind these broken stalls.
Still, having an open wound was still life draining, even with just a little one.
Those fiends eventually gave up on the chase and started to dissolve into smaller groups until scattered into individuals. Still, there were too many of them left loitering around, to move around freely.
But as I wait, all of my energy started waning, and the heaviness of my eyelids became too much that I couldn't stop it from shutting, and eventually, it won over me.