Forlorn Fate

CHAPTER 1: Wal

WALNUT'S POV

The internet was blacked out... for a short while... and my family went out, well uh, marketing. I didn't go because I'm a home person, mostly. And it was evening, as the clock ticked 10 PM. And my mom also made the dinner before they left, so I had no stress. I sighed at the sight of the clock and walked to my parents' room, slouching down onto the bed and turning on the television. I was slumped.

My gaze set down on the TV screen, and I flipped through the channels, finding no possible interesting shows. I randomly stopped on the news channel... only to see the condition of the internet around the country, heh.

But the news that occurred right now quite piqued my interest.

Missing of a security guard...?

My back stretched straight and my brownish-amber eyes squinted, focusing on the television.

"Reports are flooding in of a catastrophic breakout at the highly classified Anomalies Containment Facility. These unnatural creatures, known as Anomalies, possess extraordinary abilities and pose an extreme threat to human life." The news read. Meh... What else could they blabber about.

It all seemed like a fairy tale story to scare the kids. But anomalies... they're a different subject. Why would the reporters even bring up about this...? It almost seemed realistic, but I somehow was struggling to believe it. But at the same time, reporters aren't actually supposed to just go around saying nonsense things. This has to be either fake or real, well, two roads.

I kept quiet and continued to listen to the news on the TV. My eyes widened as I heard the news speak about showing some captured footages from the remaining CCTV recorders in the monitoring room.

Some silence occurred except for the silent ticking of the clock, and a loud 'EEEEEE' was ringing in my ears at the deafening silence. It happens to literally everyone.

The TV screen glitched a little, causing my brows to furrow in intrigue. After a while of the glitching, some footages of the CCTVs have been shown.

At first I couldn't see anything for a moment. But then I saw something strange. Some dark figure with white eyes standing in front of an operation theatre in some hospital. I didn't quite catch the name. Ocean Crust, Core... or... or just something.

TV screen glitched once again, plunging into a blurry vision before something happened which I didn't know. My expression frowned in bewilderment, and I let out a quiet "What?" The news speaking up for once again.

"Anomalies exhibit anomalous behaviours, including:
Shape-shifting, Invulnerability, Abnormal physical features, such as glowing eyes, elongated limbs, or distorted body part, Possess various abilities including telekinesis, teleportation, and regenerative capabilities, Highly aggressive and unpredictable"

Hearing those words and reading the subtitles, I froze in silence, staring onto the TV as the news further warned,

"Armed forces and emergency personnel are currently engaged in a desperate battle to contain the outbreak. However, the threat remains dire.

Remember, your safety is paramount. Shelter in place and follow all instructions from authorities.

Do not underestimate the danger. Lives depend on it."

I turned off the TV, silently just... staring onto the black screen. What did I just watch...? I can't believe it.

Moments after, as I continued to process the phenomenon, my phone suddenly ringed soon after, the classic melody echoing in my ears. From the sound of the ringtone, it was a direct call with no use of the internet. My eyes drifted slowly to the phone, I pick it up and see the name of the one that was calling.

Risa.

I picked up the call and held it close to my ear, a lazy, slow tone spoke up to me from the other side.

"Eyy... Walnut...? You seen the news, bro...?"

"Yeah bro. I was like a moai  seeing that."

"Damnit, fam. I'm scared to even go to the toilet now."

I sighed at the phone. "Did you pray today, man...?"

"Yeah... Bro. What is an 'Anomaly'?" Risa spoke, her voice suddenly sounding serious.

"From what I heard they're some creatures with glowing eyes, long limbs... sorry man, I have high amnesia." I said, in vain.

"Nah I saw it on the TV too. Bro, they can teleport. Seriously, freaking teleport. How am I gonna study, sleep, eat, shit at their presence?"

"You thinking about shitting? I'm doubting if I can even step into the bathroom after this."

"HAHAHAHA!! Wait what? I can relate to you bro. That's sad..."

I sighed at the phone again, facepalming. "I need to mutter every possible prayers before taking each step." I said.

"We better. Or else 'Hello I'm here to kiss you goodbye' from the Anomalies."

I let out a quiet snicker at that response.

"I told Riko about this before ya." Risa added.

"Yeah? What did she say?"

"She be like 'I don't know bro, I was sleeping while hearing my mom insult me' like OMJAE, sleeping beauty or what. True k-drama character oof."

"Fax."

"I wanna da-da-dieeeee"

"Bro I'm home alone." I said flatly.

"Good luck, fam."

"Did you tell Riot too?"

"Nah she ain't answering the call."

"Okay. Bye, the phone is dying."

"Ok bye."

I hang up the call. I don't even have the courage to turn on the TV again. I just kept the lights on, and laid down on the bed, bracing myself in the covers as I muttered a lot of prayers in my wake. I thought maybe a nap would distract me. But I couldn't sleep. But then when I couldn't sleep, my mind lingered on some creepy thoughts I definitely didn't want to imagine.

Tomino's hell poem.
Sandman.
Momo. Ugh, please not that.
Slendrina, and all that shitty stuff from video games and whatnot.

The recall of those creatures made me just sink into the bed even more, in terror. Oh that long necked demon. My abdomen hurts remembering those. I was in such a state, even a small creak under the bed would scare me. Cold sweat forming on my forehead.

Then I realized. The cold sweat increasing and my body trembled.

I didn't close the windows and doors properly. And it's all about fate, now. I just hoped that my family comes back before the clock strikes 12.

I muster up the courage and peek from under the blanket towards the clock, patiently watching it tick.