Choices

⏸aftermath 2.0

HOSPITAL

Once they reached me, they stood in front of me with soft gazes. However, I still felt like a small child, sitting on the only metal bench in the waiting area. "You can choose to go to school or stay home Taehyung." The doctor stated with a sympathetic smile.
"I'm here to take you home or drop you off, T." I followed the soft voice, which led instantly to my mum. Judging by the minor jerks in her long legs and her tightly crossed arms, she was cold.
"I'll go to school, I just hope June is conscious. Is she?" The last bit was aimed at the doctor, who nodded and full heartedly smiled. 'K good.

══════ ? ══════

When I came home after long hours at school, something suddenly, but finally, clicked. Coincidentally as I passed the metal threshold of the front door as well. As I spaced out briefly, I became numb to the cold sensation of the ice winds blowing at my legs. Luckily I wore trousers.

In 'attempt one', Jimin got run over...

and so did June.

Could this be some parallel universe shit?

...

Nah~. It's just a game.

Unfreezing from my position, I locked the door behind me with a silver key, and left it in. Then I immediately sprinted up the stairs, headed to my room, whipped off my backpack and jumped in the shower at the end of the hallway.

An hour later, I was sat on my bed, texting my best friends. It was break time so it was ok, as we couldn't text during lessons.

J.A.M

Hi

ad.i.el| What's up?

Nothin really

Just bored

ad.i.el| Same here

ad.i.el| June is ok, right?

Yh the doctor said shes conscious

...

ad.i.el| What?

Wheres manil?

ad.i.el| I don't know, he said he's busy 🤷‍♂️

But we usually always come to the group chat at the same time

I mean once someone has messaged

Its literally a routine

ad.i.el| 😂 I agree I guess

Without warning, I was punched in the stomach with a craving for a sweet snack- or savoury; I couldn't tell at that moment.

ad.i.el| It feels empty without the guy..

Without june too

ad.i.el| True.

Yh adiel im kinda craving food

Pushing the thought back of my best friend being injured, I slipped on some white canvases from the corner of my bedroom.

ad.i.el| You're going to the shop?

Yep

ad.i.el| Also, can I come over after school?

Sure, my mum will be working all day till 10pm so yh

ad.i.el| Awesome. Go get your cake :)

...Cake sounds like a good idea tbh 🤔

ad.i.el| :)))

Yh im getting cake.

With that, I shoved my phone in my back pocket and left the house.

This time, I should call the police.

══════ ? ══════

I suddenly felt a cool breeze surround me as I pondered through the corner shop. Did someone come in then? I shifted my gaze from the shelved goods to the shopkeeper to see if he looked up too. The black haired, mid 30 year old paid no attention to the chime of the door bell, and proceeded reading his newspaper. Careless... Then I glanced at the door.

As expected, someone dressed in black strode swiftly into the premises; looking as if they literally came out of the game. It was just one person, unlike in the game, where there was 2. That doesn't change the outcome, I don't think. But who'd steal in broad daylight?

...Clearly them. I thought as the new comer gazed upon the variety of kitchen knives near by. They seemed to analyse the range with an adoration filled look. This gave them an intimidating, menacing persona, and as a result, they looked psychotic.

Because of all this, my plan backfired.

The only person who could call the authorities now was the shopkeeper, but he had turned a blind eye.

Shit... so the game either knows me and knew I'd become scared again, or the future until after I finish the game is inevitable.

That's if there is an end to the game.

The two unfortunate conclusions I had come up with lowered my mood as I scanned the flavours of cake available. Chocolate, chocolate with icing, vanilla, red velvet- angel cake! I hadn't had this type in a few months, and seeing it now made me realise what I had been missing. However, my reaction was shock, but didn't result in long lived happiness. As I walked up to the shopkeeper(who finally looked up from his newspaper), one thought ran through my mind.

Whatever happens in the game happens in real life, so I have to be careful.