In the quiet suburbs of our city, life went on much like any other day. My name is Rael, a high school student trying to navigate the challenges of adolescence. Our neighborhood was peaceful, and the most exciting thing that usually happened was the occasional weekend barbecue or a friendly game of basketball with my friends.
I lived with my family in a cozy two-story house. My parents, Mark and Linda, were the embodiment of the stereotypical suburban couple, always looking out for the best interests of their three children. I was the middle child, sandwiched between my older sister, Emily, and my younger sister, Lily.
Emily, at twenty-two, had already graduated from college and was working in the city. She was a responsible and caring older sister who often gave me advice on school and life in general. Even though she was often busy with her job, she always made time to visit us on weekends.
Lily, my adorable seven-year-old sister, was the sunshine of our home. She had a knack for brightening up even the gloomiest days with her infectious laughter and ever-present smile. She was still in elementary school, and I took pride in helping her with her homework and reading her bedtime stories.
As for me, I was just a typical eighteen-year-old trying to balance school, friendships, and the usual teenage dilemmas. My days revolved around attending high school, where I struggled through classes, played on the school's basketball team, and occasionally dabbled in video games and anime in my free time.
One particularly sunny morning, I groaned as my alarm clock pierced the peaceful silence of my room. It was another day in the mundane life I had grown accustomed to. After a quick shower and breakfast with my family, I headed off to school.
As I strolled through the hallways of Westwood High, I exchanged greetings with friends and classmates. My best friend, Jake, slapped me on the back, and we chatted about the upcoming basketball game. Life was simple, and I was content with it.
After a long day of classes and sports practice, I returned home to find Lily working on her art project at the kitchen table. She beamed when she saw me, her face lighting up like a beacon of joy.
"Rael, guess what? I drew a unicorn today!" she exclaimed, showing me her colorful masterpiece.
I chuckled and ruffled her hair affectionately. "That's amazing, Lily. You're getting better every day."
Dinner was a lively affair, with my family discussing their day and teasing Lily about her latest crush. My dad shared his work anecdotes, my mom talked about the book club she had joined, and Emily chimed in with her own experiences.
After finishing my dinner, "Thanks for the food, Mom!"
"You're welcome, dear. Oh, I forgot to tell you. I'm going to the supermarket tomorrow to pick up a few things. Do you want to come with me?" my mom asked.
"Sure, why not?" I shrugged. It was a nice way to spend time with my mother.
I got up from the chair and walked toward my room. However, when I passed the living room, the TV was playing some news, so I stopped to listen to it.
The newscaster, a severe-looking woman with graying hair, was reporting on an incident in the city.
"An armed robbery occurred this morning at the bank on 45th Street. The perpetrator is believed to be part of the group that has been carrying out a series of robberies across the city. Police are currently investigating and urge the public to remain vigilant."
I frowned. Robberies in the city were not an unusual occurrence, but the thought of someone robbing a bank and putting innocent people's lives in danger unsettled me. I hoped that the police would catch the culprits soon.
I turned away from the television and continued to my room. After reaching it, I grabbed the doorknob and opened the door, stepping inside and shutting the door behind me. As I turned around, my mobile which was placed on the table came into view, and a sudden impulse hit me.
I picked up the phone and checked for messages. There were no new notifications, and a strange sense of loneliness welled up within me. I knew that it was a ridiculous feeling, but it was there. I sighed and placed the phone back down.
'Maybe, she is busy,' I thought to myself as I lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
'Well, she's always busy, right?'
'It's not like she has the time to chat with you. Don't be too demanding, man.'
'Besides, even if she is busy, it's not like she's obligated to chat with you, you know?'
Ah, well. It's fine.
I let out a soft chuckle and closed my eyes, letting the sound of the fan's soft whirring lull me to sleep.
'Good night, Yoo—'
Suddenly, my eyes shot open as my ears caught the sound of my mobile phone's chime.
I sprang up, and grabbed the phone, my chest pounding wildly.
"Is it her?" I muttered under my breath, quickly unlocking the phone and checking my inbox.
There was only one message, and it was from my friend, Jake.
[Yo, dude! The basketball game is canceled, so let's go to the arcade!]
I let out a groan, and my shoulders slumped in disappointment.
'Of course, it wasn't her.'
'It was just a stupid dream, man.'
I ran my fingers through my hair, feeling my heartbeat return to normal.
'Well, that was a bit embarrassing,' I thought, scratching my head in embarrassment.
But... What is this Yo, dude?
It was a pretty old-fashioned line from Jake, who usually used slang and lingo.
My brows furrowed.
"I told him not to use that kind of lingo, didn't I? Why can't he get it into his head that it makes him sound like a complete tool?" I mumbled to myself.
He should've said, "Yo, broski! We should hit up the arcade!"
Yeah, that would have sounded a lot cooler.
I typed a response, and a grin stretched across my face.
'Heh, I bet he'll be surprised when he reads it.'
I pressed send and tossed the phone on the table, then laid down and closed my eyes, letting out a soft sigh.
'Ah, whatever. It's late anyway.'
With that, I drift—
Bzzt!
I snapped my eyes open again, 'What the hell? Did that bastard Jake reply already?'
Ah, man, I have to check it out again?
There are always the type of friends that make you do things you don't want to do, huh?
And there are even times when you start to feel like they are just a nuisance.
Well, that is what friendship is... Or that is what I think, at least.
So, I reached for my phone and grabbed it, then squinted at the bright screen.
Maybe this is also an important matter...
Or not?
Who knows.
Anyway, it is a message from...
Wait.
What the f*ck?!
Jake: Bro, Can you translate this? It is a message from the girl we got from the online Ludo game. She has replied at last.
Jake: Here is the message; آپ کا نام کیا ہے
The message that came out was so surprising, that my jaw fell.
Jake: Bro, are you there?
What?
What?
WHAT?!
He just messaged me to translate this simple sentence, "What is your name?"
And then another message from the Jake appeared,
Jake: Bro, voice message it in Whatisapp.
T-this bastard...
Why can't he use his head?
I swear, he is a complete dumb*ss.
With a swipe on the message, I started to type,
Me: Dude, how many times do I have to tell you, "Don't message me for translating such a simple sentence." And, I don't have a Whatisapp package. So, I won't send you the voice message, and I won't help you anymore.
I pressed the send button and waited for his reply.
But, no response came.
I let out a sigh.
Seriously, I don't understand him at all.
Well, anyway.
I closed the application and just as I was going to put my phone down on the desk a loud bang reverberated through the air.
Crash!
Suddenly, the roof of my room broke and a big, pointed-like thing pierced through it.
My body froze, and my eyes widened in shock as a huge shadow engulfed my room.
'What the hell?'
It looked like a big meteor or something.
No.
That's not right.
It was clearly a...
Humongous leg.
And it was followed by another, and then a third.
What...
What is this?
A monster.
A massive monster with spider-like legs.
I-It was standing on top of our house.
My eyes wide opened, and my breath hitched as I looked at the monstrosity in front of me.
"T-This... What is this?"
Suddenly, the door of my room was opened, revealing my dad.
"D-dad?"
His face was pale, and he was trembling.
"Run," It was the only thing my dad managed to whisper as a single tear slid down his cheek.
And, then.
"RAAAAHHH!!!"
In a flash, his head was smashed by a weapon; a large wood-made club. My father's head was burst open, and blood and gore sprayed everywhere, staining the walls and ceiling of my room.
"NOOOOO!!"
My scream filled the room as I looked at the gruesome scene in front of me.
The creature who had just killed my father was now looking down at me. Its cold, lifeless eyes pierced through me, and its mouth was twisted into a cruel smile.
It was a green-skinned humanoid monster, around 3 feet tall, and pointed ears.
A goblin.
I could feel my heart pounding in my chest, and my body was trembling uncontrollably.
"N-no..." I whimpered as tears began to stream down my face.
I was paralyzed with fear.
My legs refused to move.
Terror.
Fear.
Dread.
It was an emotion I had never felt before, but now it was gripping my heart and soul.
I was going to die.
I was going to be killed.
"P-please..." I pleaded weakly.
But, the creature did not show any sign of mercy.
"M-mom... Emily... Lily..."
As those words left my lips, the creature raised its weapon and dashed toward me.
'N-no!'