District Shade

'Steve'

Another persons POV.

I just woke up, where the heck am I?
Its very dark here. I could still see a little.
But less on the details. I see there are a lot of people walking around.
When I woke up,I woke up along some group of people they call newbies.
Maybe I'm one of them, do they even know how they got here?

There's this guy I'm stuck with on one house.
His name is Steve, I got lost so I just asked him if he could tour me a little.
He didn't actually tell me his name, he was just known as Steve.
Actually he doesn't talk at all, that's how we know its him.
So when i asked, he just shrugged his shoulders as a respond.
Saying that, he doesn't know. And me?, I know my name.
Its Max.

After some time as Roommates for 5 minutes, I spilled a lot of stories stuck at the back of my throat which was waiting to come out. And Steve? Yeah I think he was listening.
I could only see that dark guy nodding. Well even if its dark, We could still see figures running around or doing something. Imagine it like its night time everyday with less lighting.
Its good to see him listening.
He's my only friend here only after minutes.
At some moment, he grabbed a rectangle figure.
And took another figure and started to rub it together maybe.I dunno.
It turns out he was actually writing something.
I mean,how could he even write at a place like this.
I don't think writing really matters here unless if you can read in the dark.
He showed me what he was writing after then.
I told him I can't read it.
He seem not to be upset.
He placed my hand on the paper.
I could feel the written words but I can't seem to think if its right.
It says "I'm mute"
I was a little shocked but that didn't really surprise me.
I continued my hand to search on the other words.
That can't be it, it doesn't take you long to write those words.
There, I found it. It says "My name is not Steve"
That is more surprising than the first one.
I was about to open my mouth when a loud knock interrupted. Steve was about to do something too.
I guess that knock didn't help.
I stood up from my seat and approached the wooden door. A heavy coating of rime from outside wandered in, as I can see, there was no person.
Odd. As more air pass inside, a weird smell came with the second batches of wind.
The kind of smell that makes you retch.
Smells like something dead which is left to rot.
I checked on steve which is still writing.
I guess he can't smell it from inside.
I stepped further down the porch.
Hoping i'd find that unpleasant smell.
No sign.

Steve was still writing until the afternoon.
I watched him do that. I wondered, how did the other newbies go? Speaking of which.
I'm confused at the start but I'm still confused today. Where am I.
I stood up from my seat and took a short walk.
The longest one too. I just left Steve he was too busy to deal with me anyway.
While I'm at my walk, I seem to find less people than before. Even if I had short experience here, I'm a little worried.

Where did everyone go?

What is happening actually, this place is a bit weird.
I'm wondering how I got here in the first place.
Yep very weird.
I don't even remember the day before I got here.
I don't remember anything since I got here.
Maybe I should ask Steve about this.
..nah I'll ask someone else. I see a man passing by.
Well I should try to ask, everyone is nice here.
Or are they?
I sidled behind him, he seemed to don't notice that.
I tapped on to his shoulders and he turns around.
"Umm hey I wanted to ask a question, it will be quick,yes?" I stuttered
He seems to be quiet, he proceeded with a gentle nod.
I asked "Do you have any thought on why there are less of the people?"
For some time he doesn't really know what to say until he finally opened his mouth.
"Actually no, I just been here"
"Oh sorry for bothering I'm new as well, but im really sure there are a few or a bunch of people missing" I continued.
He added"hmm? I don't really see what you mean but, let's just go with that, I do too think we are a few"
Our chat was short but it felt nice talking with people that can speak.
I'm not offending Steve here now, or whatever his name is.
"Well i'll be going now" he said.
"Nice meeting you" I added with a smile (he can't see it )
"And who might you be?" The guy said.
"Its max, just max I think" I replied.
"Brian, just Brian" he included a small chuckle
We parted ways from the conversation.
Its getting even dimmer here.
I think I got lost, I don't know where I am right now. Not because of the dark.
I'm literally lost.
And Steve is probably still home writing.
Luckily I seem to have bump into someone.
Wait is that a good thing?
The person I just bumped into ranted words.
"Oy mate you should watch where you're going!"
It was a child.
Great now I have to deal with a Brit.
"Yeah I'm 'sorry' for that kid"
He growled "you better be"

How rude

"Ok run along now kiddo" I rolled my eyes at some point. The kid huffed and ran away.
I continued to walk straight forward.
I think I see a black figure even in this darkness.
I can't tell if he's facing in my direction or the opposite of that. I ran towards it like I was gonna give it a hug, I started with a small and exhausted
"Hey"
The person looks at me like he recognize my voice somewhere. He raises a hand.
I didn't really know why.
Until he suddenly swiped his palm at my face.
It was a bit like a bitch slap.
But it still hurts.
I opened my mouth to respond but he held on my arm and pulled me off somewhere.
I didn't really try to defend myself.
I wanted to see where this is going.
But then I smelled the scent from before.
I finally realized that it was Steve who was dragging me back to his house.
I could tell he was worried.
Even if I just met him, but how would you react
If you lost your guest huh?,
Ahem, so right now Steve is dissapointed.
Crossing his arms like he has been looking for me that seemed like hours.
He sat down and sipped on his tea.
Well...I think I'll just end it here.