THE SPECTRE

•1 THE SPECTRE

"Where am I?"

"What's this place?"

He awoke on a bench, the sensation of unfamiliarity enveloping him. Unsure of his whereabouts, he surveyed the scene. It seemed to be a park by a riverside, yet the location remained a mystery. As he stood and glanced around, the eerie silence and the absence of anyone hinted at the lateness of the hour. The night sky loomed overhead, casting darkness all around. Puzzled, he couldn't fathom how or why he found himself in this place.

"It's weird, how did I end up here?" he muttered to himself, bemused by the curious circumstances.

He strolled through the park, marveling at its beauty despite the limited illumination. The serene ambiance added a tranquil touch to the surroundings, captivating him as he meandered through the area.

Leaving the park behind, he ventured onto the road. Suddenly, a question pierced his thoughts, prompting a moment of introspection.

"Wait a minute, who am I again?" he whispered, his confusion deepening as he grappled with his lack of recollection.

A sense of disorientation settled in as he grappled with the absence of his own name. "First, I don't have an idea where I am, and now I don't know who I am," he muttered, frustration edging into his voice.

"I want to hit myself," he remarked, a hint of laughter tinged with frustration escaping him as he grappled with the strange and disconcerting situation.

He stood frozen, his mind racing for a solution to unlock the mystery of his identity and location. After a pause, he rifled through his pockets in a desperate attempt to find anything that might provide a clue—a wallet, a phone—but came up empty-handed.

Then, a glimmer of hope surfaced as his eyes fell upon something encircling his wrist—a plastic bracelet, not a typical accessory one would wear. His thoughts raced as he inspected it closely, recognizing it as the type of label given to hospital patients.

"Could it mean I'm admitted to a hospital?" he murmured to himself, the realization sparking a mix of concern and curiosity.

Examining the bracelet more closely, he sought answers in the words and names inscribed upon it, hoping they might offer a thread to unravel the mystery.

TEN ■■■
Doctor: Huang Kunheng
St. Ignatius Medical Hospital

"So my name is Ten?" he whispered, a tinge of surprise in his voice. "But I don't have a surname, it's like it fades out," Ten remarked, perplexed by the incomplete information.

"At least I know my name now," he mused, a sense of relief washing over him despite the lingering confusion.

"Ten. No surname. Admitted at St. Ignatius Medical Hospital. Dr. Huang," he recited the details, trying to piece together the fragments of his identity. While this newfound knowledge offered a semblance of clarity, the pressing question of his current whereabouts remained unanswered.

Determined not to stay lost, he resumed his walk, taking in the tranquil night. The streetlights cast a soft glow, creating a picturesque scene amidst the trees, their shadows adding a touch of drama to the surroundings.

"I'm like a lost boy," he muttered, a touch of vulnerability in his voice as he navigated the unfamiliar surroundings.

The midnight breeze swept through, causing the trees to sway gently and creating a soothing rustling sound. However, a peculiar realization struck him—despite the movement around him, he couldn't feel the wind against his skin.

"Is it normal?" he wondered aloud, a hint of concern coloring his thoughts.

As he continued walking, passing by houses in the quiet neighborhood, a reluctance to disturb the residents during their restful hours held him back from seeking help. Despite his growing sense of isolation, he pressed on, unaware of his destination after nearly 25 minutes of aimless wandering.