Cafe Break-In

Sleepnaves

**FWOP**

...

Am I still alive?, I thought to myself. I slowly opened my eyes, the world flashing into my vision. What seemed to have stood before me, appears as a shadow. As I blinked a few times to regain my composure, I made out who the figure was, a tall man with a stoic expression on his face. He had long black hair that was in a ponytail, as well as wavy bangs that flowed to the starting point of his ponytail.

"Are you alright, dear sir?" the man spoke, causing me to snap out of my daze. I suddenly acknowledged my surroundings and found that the man had caught me in his arms. Embarrassed by being in this vulnerable state, I couldn't help but feel my face blush as I stammered a reassurance towards the man, "I'm fine, don't worry."

"I am quite glad. Is there anyone else in there besides you?" the man questioned. I remembered my co-worker, my best friend was still in there. A sudden rush of adrenaline flowed through me as I realized the possible danger that Zijaki could be in. "Yes, my fr- co-worker is in there too."

"What a nuisance..," is what I could hear from under his breath. Is he being for real? Or did I hear wrong. "Sir, it would be nice if you let me down now," I nervously chuckled. Despite his stoic expression, he looked like someone that could kill you just for the fun of it, I will definitely stay out of his way.

"Are you able to walk?" the man asked once more. Is he stupid? How could I know when I'm not even touching the ground. "Well, I feel fine so might as well," I replied, my tone laced with slight annoyance. The man nodded and let me down from his arms. I stumbled a bit at first but managed to at least walk and stand.

The moment I stood well, the man dashed into the cafe. I couldn't see well in the dark, it doesn't help that the lights broke during the eerie customer's outburst. All I could hear was the familiar shrieking and violent noises. I stood there hopelessly, only wanting the safety of my friend. The cold night's breeze brushed past me as I felt the time suddenly go slower. Will Zijaki be okay? Who was that man? Why did that eerie customer attack us? I had so many questions that were unanswered, but as one may say, some things are..best left unsaid.

I snapped out of my daydream when I saw something, or someone flying towards my way. On instinct, I instantly caught them. I took a good look at them and realized that it was Zijaki, he had a terrified look on his face. Relived my friend was okay, I hugged him tightly but all I felt was a motionless body in my arms. "Zijaki? What happened?" I quickly questioned but was left with no reply.

I noticed a bite mark on his shirt through his shoulder. Curious, I pulled down his shirt just enough to see his shoulder and to my horror, the bite mark has brutally bruised his shoulder, dried blood, purple marks and veins, and worst of all, his flesh was visible. My eyes widened upon this discovery, I could feel warm streams of tears rolling down my eyes as I realized my best friend, was no longer here. I felt so distracted by the brutal death of my best friend, that I couldn't see the eerie customer flying towards me.

My head jerked up as I felt a hard grip on my shoulder. My eyes widened even more as I saw the eerie customer opening its wide mouth, preparing a similar death to me. Before I could think any more, the eerie customer suddenly collapsed, its body hovering over mines as a blade pierced through its neck. I looked up and realized it was the man that saved me from earlier.

I was thankful for it, nonetheless, but with my best friend dead, I wish he didn't save me. I blurted out the first question that came to mind, "What's wrong with this person?"

"It's no person, it used to be a person but he got attacked by a hazardous parasite. The parasites usually clog itself in its host's neck to kill the person while taking control of the body. Dead people controlled by these parasites are called, 'Sleepnaves,'" the man replied knowledgably.

Sleepnaves? This isn't a horror movie..is what I would've thought if my best friend didn't die a gore-ish death. Almost like the man could sense the reason behind the despair on my face, he pulled me up to my feet and spoke reassurance, "Don't worry, he may not be here, but he will be if you don't forget about him."

How would you know how it feels like? You seem like the person that exploits manpower and make people lose loved ones. Well, who am I to judge, I failed to protect my best friend...