Kodoku
The Night Shift
I don't know how I got here. I woke up in a wooden booth in what looked like an old-style restaurant. I think I recognize this place. But I don't know why I am here. I was... I was...
I don't remember what I was doing before this. I rubbed my forehead as I tried to think. Where was I? I woke up and I was here. I slowly took a look around.
I have seen this place before. I think this used to be a family restaurant in my hometown. The wooden interior and the stone floor looked just the same. But how did I get here? I know I didn't go back to my hometown. Wherever that was.
There were so many empty booths in the restaurant. I found that I was sitting near a large dusty window. I couldn't see outside but it looked like it was night. I reached for my phone. I wrinkled my nose as I looked at my screen.
The time and date are all scrambled up. The numbers kept flashing around and changing. Okay, this can't be real. Either I am dreaming or I have stepped into another world and just didn't know it. I paused when I thought I heard something.
"Hello?" I glanced around behind me. There's nobody here. Come to think of it, I haven't noticed a single member of staff here. I haven't seen any wait staff or any cooks. There isn't even anyone at the cash register. So how did I get in here?
Honestly, I don't know what to do. I should be trying to get back to where I was before. But yet, I don't know where that is. Do I even know who I am? I closed my eyes and tried to think. I... I...
My mind keeps drawing blanks. I don't know who I am. That can't be right. I do have a name. I am a person. I am somebody!
Then why are you here?
I opened my eyes. I... I don't know. I don't know! My eyes landed on an old dusty cigarette machine across the room. It kept staring me down. That machine looked just like the one in my hometown. I could see there were still some packs of cigarettes inside. My dad used to go up and buy a pack of Peace.
Did he really do that? I'm starting to confuse myself now. This place is so creepy. Why would I end up in a place like this? I wasn't a huge fan of that old restaurant. My family and I didn't frequent this place either. I barely even thought about that restaurant. Why was I here? I looked at my phone again. I had no reception here. Of course I wouldn't. If the time and date kept messing up, why would I have any reception?
I tried again to remember what happened before I got to this point. Nothing. Why do I keep drawing blanks? I don't think I hit my head or anything. Was I drugged? I don't feel like it. I woke up fine in this booth. Was I kidnapped and taken here? I looked over at the front door. It didn't look like it had been opened in years. Maybe I came through the back?
I sat back and frowned. Why haven't I tried to get up? How long have I been sitting here? I've been sitting in this booth and I haven't tried to get up once? Okay, I think I'm losing it here. I should just get up and leave. I don't know what is stopping me. I could just get up and look for a way out.
Then why haven't you done that?
I... I...
I don't have an answer for that. I could feel my body trembling. I want to go back. Go back where? I... I... I don't know where that is! I... I... I...
I don't remember anything about myself at all!
I could hear myself screaming.
I'm back in my room. I took a look around. Yeah, this is my room. It's all starting to come back to me now. I am a high school student. My second year to be exact. I have a mom and a dad. I even have a little brother.
I don't what that was. I know that wasn't a dream. I was wide awake. I don't think I'm going crazy. Maybe I was teleported to another world?
Suddenly my phone rang. Oh good, it's normal again.
