One's Travel

Rei hurriedly walked passed the crowd of people who got on and off of the train. Once in a while he looked back to make sure he was not followed.

A ring of his phone stopped Rei on his track. He took his phone out. Andy name was blinking on the screen. Rei ignored the call and continue with the flee attempt.

He didn't familiar with the station area. They should have been traveled to the the outskirt region of the N Province. Rei, who grew and raised in a city part of the N Province has no idea of his whereabouts. Rei found a vending machine and hided behind it. He leaned on the machine and was out of breath.

.

.

.

Earlier, while commuting in the train, Andy suddenly grabbed Rei's hand and gripped it hard.

"Don't you curious as of who has poisoned your food that caused you to be admitted to hospital and stayed for a night?"

Rei stared wide eye towards Andy. He recalled the night of the 17th birthday of Alden.

"How did you? It's you!" Rei stood up and shouted with anger. He pointed his hand to the smirking Andy.

"Too bad your dear friend should ended his life at a really young age."

Rei clenched his fist. His wrist still in Andy's grip. With his other hand, Rei punched Andy on his face, hard. He could even see bruised on his white skin.

That smile was still there. Andy cupped his swollen face.

People next to their seat looked with curiosity. Some murmured could be heard. Rei ignored them.

Rei watched the young man in front of him with disgust. His face still red with fumed.

"Who are you?" He hissed.

"Just called me the time keeper."

.

.

.

Rei finally could escape the person and run away when the train stopped in a rural station. He exhaled while rubbing his sore wrist. Red marks could be seen on his white skin.

'That weirdo! I should have noticed his strange behavior since the first time we met!' Rei cursed in his heart.

Rei then remembered that he left his bag with his wallet on the seat beside Andy. He swore in his heart.

'How am I suppose to buy the return ticket now?' Rei ruffled his hair.

Rei fished out his phone and stared at it. He considered calling his mother. He was sure he would be nagged, but he got no other option.

He pressed his mother number and dialed it. However, it was connected to the phone service.

'What a day! He forgot to pay his pre-paid balance!' Rei pondered his next action. He was stranded nowhere with no money and cannot called anyone.

In his exasperation, someone stroked his hair.

"You forgot your bag."

Rei looked up and saw Andy leered at him. Rei wanted to ran away again, but he remembered that he got no place to go. He humph and took his bag out of Andy's hand.

Andy sat beside Rei.

"Don't get angry. I do not mean harm."

Rei felt like punching this man again until he was left with bloody mess. However, Rei restrained his anger for this time.

"I don't want to see your face again. Now, scram!" Rei hissed.

"Let me take you home, first. Then, I won't bother you anymore."

Rei turned his head quickly towards Andy and glared.

"I don't need your company. Leave!" He pushed Andy, but the man won't budge.

"Okay, if that's what you want."

Andy stood up. He patted his pants.

"See you tomorrow."

"I don't wish to see you any time soon." Rei spitted.

Andy just waved his hand while walking away, leaving Rei sat by himself next to a vending machine.

Seeing the man has left, Rei hurriedly rummaging through his bag and found his wallet, completed with all the money in it. Rei was relieved.

He checked his watch. It's already noon time. He started to feel hungry.

"I'll check the food first, then go home."

+++

Rei strolled out of the train station and stopped in a nearby sushi place. He contemplated, then walked in.

"Welcome." The waitress greeted him.

Rei nodded his head and walked towards the empty booth and took a seat. A girl, with age not older than Rei, followed him.

"What do you want to order?" The girl asked as Rei settled down on a back table for two, beside a big glass window.

Rei turned the menu pages and read through the dishes available.

"I want this A package." Rei pointed to a varied types of sushi included in a package. The waitress nodded and wrote down his order.

"Please wait, our chief will prepare your food."

After saying that, the young girl took the menu and walked away towards the kitchen counter.

Rei glanced towards the empty road from the window. This time should be when office workers went out for their lunch. But the place was empty, safe from a couple of man and woman who sat not far from Rei's table. They were whispering to each other.

At first, Rei did not take notice of them. However, he accidentally saw a glint on the man's neck. Rei paid close attention to the necklace and felt that he has seen it somewhere before.

Then he recalled Sedit, his old friend from his last system experience. That necklace was similar with the one who Sedit wore, with crescent moon intricated the silver chain. He was sure it was the same necklace.

Rei gaped at the necklace for awhile, until he felt someone was staring at him. He lifted his eyes and met with that man's. Rei hurriedly diverted his gaze.

"What's wrong?" Rei could hear the woman whispered to the man.

"I think we found him."

***