[Day 1]
I saw it.
My village was destroyed by a terrifying monster.
Flames engulfed the entire place.
Corpses were scattered everywhere.
The houses were ruined, either from the monster's attack or consumed by fire.
Smoke rose from the burning homes, painting the sky a dull gray.
"M-mom… D-dad… Hic… boo hoo…"
I cried my heart out at that moment.
Raindrops drenched me, masking the tears that streamed down my cheeks and into my nose.
It was the worst day of my life—one I would never forget.
As if that day marked the beginning of a story.
I dropped the basket of vegetables and mushrooms I had gathered from the forest.
I wasn't far from my village at the time.
So, I ran. Leaving the past behind, trying to hide and protect myself from the laughter of memories.
I was sad.
I was scared.
But I wasn't angry.
My mind was blank, with only one word etched deeply into my thoughts.
Run.
I didn't know how long I ran until I found an abandoned hut.
The door was ajar, revealing a dry and warm interior.
I entered, not caring if the owner of this hut would be angry or drive me out.
I took off my soaked clothes and hung them near the fire to dry.
On the table, I noticed a thick, open book.
The chair was too low, so I searched for something to stack and sit on to reach the table.
I approached the book and sat on the makeshift seat.
It didn't have a title. I rummaged through the desk drawer and found a quill pen along with an ink bottle.
Since I could write and read a little, I decided to write my story in it.
"Day One."
The candle on the table illuminated the pages I was writing on.
I was still cold, so I turned back to the fire and put on my now-dry clothes.
I returned to the table and kept writing.
Time passed, and before I realized it, my hands were covered in ink.
The thick book now had writing in it, though it was just one page.
I was tired.
The candle's light began to dim. I decided to blow it out and lay down on the bed inside the hut.
"Warm..."
The fire was still burning. Strangely, it never went out.
I fell asleep, staring at the unending flames.
And with that, Day 1 ended.