Next Day
Australia, U.S.A
**JOSEPH**
We run at full speed through the dark forest, the thick canopy of dark-green leaves above blotting out any light. The wind rushes through the trees, a whistling sound that sets my nerves on edge. The scene is eerie, every shadow a potential threat.
The others split up, our instincts kicking in as we try to escape from something we haven't even seen yet. My breath comes fast and shallow, my feet pounding the uneven ground. Suddenly, the earth gives way beneath me, and I plummet into darkness.
I reach out wildly and grab onto a vine. My hands burn from the friction, but I hold on for dear life.
"Help! Somebody, help me!" I scream, my voice echoing into the void below. My chest tightens with fear, my muscles trembling as I cling to the fragile vine.
"Hold on! I'm coming!" a voice shouts above me.
It's Joshua. He peers over the edge, his face a mask of concern. "Don't let go!" he urges as he begins pulling me up.
The vine creaks under our combined weight. My heart races as I hear it begin to snap. "Joshua, hurry! It's breaking!"
Before he can pull me up, the vine gives way. I plummet into the void, the world around me becoming a blur.
---
I hit the ground hard, my body aching from the impact. I groan, pushing myself up, and realize I'm in a strange place—a massive, abandoned church. The smell of decay fills my nostrils, and when I look around, I see bodies sprawled everywhere.
Arrows pierce most of them, their lifeless eyes staring into nothingness.
I stagger backward, my stomach churning. "Oh my God... Did I do this?"
Flashes of the past hit me—chaotic battles, screams, bloodshed. My hands tremble as guilt washes over me.
I force myself to leave the church, stepping into a world of devastation. Buildings lie in ruins, smoke rises from fires, and the streets are littered with debris.
"What happened here? Who did this to my city?" I whisper, my voice trembling.
I walk aimlessly until I reach a hospital. The sight inside is worse—corpses everywhere, even the doctors.
"Jesus Christ..." My voice cracks as the weight of the destruction crushes me.
---
Outside, I see a line of people being herded into vans by armed men. The boys are chained, their faces pale with terror. The girls wear revealing, tight clothes, their eyes downcast.
Then, I hear a shrill cry. A man and his pregnant wife are pleading with gunmen, clutching their young son.
"Please! Don't take him!" the man begs.
The gunmen ignore him, dragging the boy toward one of the vans.
Before I can act, I see someone descending from a nearby building. The figure lands with precision, his movements sharp and calculated. My heart skips a beat as I recognize him.
It's me—or at least, an older version of me.
He's dressed in a red-and-black costume, his hood obscuring part of his face. He carries a crossbow, his arrows gleaming in the dim light.
"No..." I whisper, ducking behind a wall. "That can't be me."
The older me raises his crossbow and fires. The boy's parents collapse, their blood pooling on the cracked pavement.
"No!" I shout, stepping out from my hiding place.
The older me turns, his cold eyes locking onto mine.
"Who are you?" he asks, his voice low and menacing. "And how do you know my name?"
I hesitate, my mind racing. "I'm... I'm your past. I know it sounds insane, but it's true."
He narrows his eyes. "Kill him."
Five ninjas step forward, their weapons glinting—swords, chains, and throwing stars.
"Guys, can we talk about this? We're all adults here," I say, backing away.
They don't respond. One steps closer, his blade raised. I close my eyes, bracing myself.
---
When I open them, I'm no longer in the chaos. I'm in my room, lying on my bed.
To be continued...