I’m in a strange city.
It was a perfect copy of the city I live in. But the absence
of people made me shudder. The bright morning did nothing to ease my anxiety. I
walked through familiar streets as my mind plays the sound of noise I hear every
day. It was silent save for the wind that passed by carrying with it a cloud of
dust. I shielded my face.
I gathered my memories from last night. I was walking back home taking a shortcut I’ve never tried before. The city lights gave me a false sense of safety as I tread a strange path through the woods. I’m lost.
Eventually, I found a road with a tunnel close by. I entered
the tunnel. The city lights now look distant. The tunnel was dark inside, but a
nearby street lamp convinced me to walkthrough. The light slowly faded as I
walked further into the darkness. Suddenly, I saw a bright light from the other
end that blinded me. In a quick flash, it was gone. I walked on and found
myself on the other side.
And that’s how I got myself into this fake city.
While I should be finding a way back, curiosity drove me to
explore the place. It’s not every day you get to see the city deserted.
I tried the mall. The interior seems so much bigger now with
the lack of crowds in it. As I looked around further, I heard something. I
stopped in my place.
There was whispering. A drop of sweat slid down my face. I
can hear people talking. But nobody’s here. In panic, I ran back through the
entrance with a clear path ahead. Suddenly, a shapeless form appeared before
me. It was a white foggy mist. But as I
ran nearer right towards it, it took a more discernible form. It was a man.
At that moment, I ran right through him but not before
hearing a loud scream that resonated in the mall. The whispers from earlier
turned louder. I got out of the mall.
I panted as I rest from a distance. What just happened? I
didn’t feel like exploring the buildings now. Maybe it’s best that I go back to
the tunnel. As I was about to leave, I saw a woman staring right at me nearby.
I took a few steps backward. She looked at me suspiciously. She made one step
towards me but vanished. I fled the scene.
There are ghosts in this city. I randomly see them as I go
through the streets. What is going on? Did I find myself in hell? Is this even
a replica? Or is it the same city now haunted by dead people? The latter
question made me worry. What if I was the only survivor?
I must check home.
I took my usual route this time. My house was intact. The
neighbourhood was quiet. I got inside and found nothing out of place. My
family, where are they? Their photos including my own decorate the place.
I heard crying.
The sound grew louder as I followed it to the kitchen. My
hand reached for the door. Please be alright. Please be alright.
The door squeaked as I opened it. Inside, I find my family
sitting on the table with gloomy faces. I opened the door wider. The crying
stopped and they stared at where I stood. Something’s wrong.
I tried to speak but when the words left my mouth, they
vanished.
No! No! No! This can’t be happening! Everyone is dead
including my family! What do I have to live for? What use is being the sole
survivor if I’m thrown to a fate worse than death?
Wait, can I reverse this?
That tunnel, it must be a portal somehow. I don’t know. I’m
willing to try anything. What do I have to lose?
I retraced my steps and walked through those same woods. The
tunnel was in sight. The sun was bright showing more of the tunnel’s interior.
I walked through inside.
My steps echoed. I could hear myself breathe.
I found something ahead of me. It looked like a small shrine
with fresh flowers on it. There was a framed picture at its center. I looked at
it closely. It was my photo.
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