2 Chapter 1: Introduction

Sfx: Boom!

A loud explosion filled the silent night but neither of the people noticed. It's as if the explosion never happened and everything is just plainly normal.

I stood up from my chair and stretched my arms. I've been hearing things again and I have to know what it is!

I didn't care if my hair's a mess and just wore a black hat. I also changed my cloth in just a minute because I know.... The explosion, it's near the vicinity.

I opened my apartment's door and quietly sneak outside just to not trouble the other doors. After passing through the gate, I ran fast and brought myself to where I think the explosion happened.

" Where the hell..." I looked up and stared at the tall buildings. The city. This is where the explosion happened.

I kept on looking and seeking for at least an incident but unfortunately, I can't find any.

I heave a sigh and sat quietly on the waiting shed. Luckily there's still a bus available at this time. I stood up and let loose of my hopes.

'Guess it's just in my head' I heave another defeated sigh and looked up.

" Huh?" I narrowed my eyes just to see clear of what the thing is. I heard the bus's door closed and left the area but my attention was still on that thing.

It is swaying midair like a dried leaf falling down it's tree. It landed just right next to me as if it's telling me to pick it up.

The fixated me cannot stop it but to pick it up and caressed it as if praising it. It is a plain full face mask with only two holes for the eyes.

I flipped it and looked at it's back when I thought of doing something. I slowly closed the gap of the thing in my face as if I am about to wear it.

Sfx: BEEEEEP!

"Gaaaaah!" I screamed at the top of my lungs and looked at the fucktard who disturbed me.

" Hey kiddo, the last bus has already drove out. You should walk your way to your home." The driver then just take his leave.

I blinked three times and realized something." Fuck, I lost the last ride."

*****

" Oy, Natsusa! You look so tired today." Selene patted my shoulders while laughing.

I wasn't able to have a good night sleep last night because I keep on examining the mask. There's nothing special to it aside from being an emotionless mask. The color is white and nothing more.

I don't know but it feels like it's calling me. Call me stupid or not but when I tried it on last night, I somehow felt chills from my spine.

" Oy, you sure you're okay?" Selene snapped her fingers that brings me back to my senses.

There's no point if I keep on thinking about it. It's not like it's haunted or something.

I let out a deep sigh and looked outside the window. It's more calm outside but something really bothers me...

' Are they looking at me?' I asked myself while trying to secretly gaze back to those two. Their gazes are so creepy as if it's penetrating my skin.

I shove off the thought and just looked in front. It didn't took so long before the door opened and our homeroom adviser entered...together with a foreign looking guy.

" Good morning everyone." Our teacher greeted." This is quite sudden but I'd like you all to meet Mr. Amos Felad." She nodded to the guy with a smile as if saying 'introduce yourself kiddo.'

The guy stepped forward with a confident smile on his face. His white teeth are showing off as if it was used by a toothpaste commercial or something.

" A pleasant morning to everyone. My name is Amos Felad. I lived my life in America for my entire life but due to some circumstances, I was sent here. I hope we can all get along." His perfect smile blinded the girls whose looking at him intently while the boys smile and grin turned into a grimace.

The teacher instructed him to where his sit is which turns out to be at my back. As he walks closely, I felt something strange in me. This guy have the same aura as to those whose staring at me a while ago.

I just let the idea go and listened to the lecture. It's not that long until the bell rings which means it's break time.

I was about to stand up when Selene suddenly stopped me. Her gaze terrifies me to the core. It's as if she's examining not my physique but my spirit.

" Ahhhhh..." She looked up and breath in with a creepy vibe then smiled to me.

' What the hell's happening?!'

" Move your ass bitch." I was caught off guard by that sentence coming from the new guy.

He shove Selene's hand off me and suddenly grabbed my wrist. I was appalled by the sudden commotion but I think it's more better to come with this guy for now.

' What the hell's happening to those people?! Those guys and Selene... It's as if they are a ferocious monsters ready to devour their prey.' I frustratedly messed my hair after I sat under the tree.

" You." Amos looked at me with annoyance in his face." You don't know a thing." It's not a question but more of a statement.

" W-what do you mean?" I tried to show at least a bit of attitude but I just stutter like a stupid dork.

"Tch!" He clicked his tongue and crossed his arms. He walked out suddenly with a smug look on his face.

" What was that?" I shrugged and looked up only to find someone looking at me.

" Gaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh!!!" I can't help but to roll away from the tree with fear evident in my eyes.

I heard a faint sound of scratches as the girl whose looking at me jupmed off the tree branch.

" Hi, I'm Nellie Svenson! I'm also from America but I'm not American." I felt at ease when she gave me a reassuring smile.

She's also wearing our school uniform but one thing I noticed is her boots. It's has a weird design that is not really that obviously unless you really look into it.

" You've worn it, did you?" She waved her hands happily while greeting some peers.

" Huh?" I'm not really sure what she's pertaining to. I don't remember myself wearing something...

" The mask." I was appalled when Amos suddenly appeared from my back, bringing up the mask I wore last night....

' Don't tell me?!'

" H-how did you know? I never told anyone about this." I am quite skeptical of what the hell is happening but for them to know that I wore that mask, there must be something about it.

I sat near Nellie but keeping a one meter distance, just in case something will happen. Nellie is smiling sweetly while looking at me while Amos... I think he's pissed.

" You see, the mask that you have worn is a special one."

" How special? Can I sell it for like millions?" I already cut her off just hearing the word special makes me think of something big and extravagant.

Unfortunately she just laughed at my question as if saying that I really am an ignorant fool.

" Uhm.... How do I say it? It's something like magical! Yes, it's magical!" She seemed pleased by how she foolishly said the word magical.

Are these people for real? Mask with magic? Magic in this era?! These fools are--ugh!

I stood up and gave her an appreciative smile." I...better take my leave." Without a second thought, I ran away from that place.

I was huffing and gasping for air after that sudden marathon. I gathered my composure and then entered the room but to my surprise...

" How did you get here?!" I asked, almost shouting while pointing my fingers to Amos.

" Tch!" He just clicked his tongue and looked outside the window as if I never asked.

I just shrug off quietly sat on my seat. My eyes traveled around the room but no Selene was ever founded. Where the hell could she be?!

The class once again started and for the whole day, Selene never showed up again.

The sky is tainted with a dark blue color when the class has been dismissed. I never looked nor talked again to that weird Amos and just headed straight outside and walk my way to my apartment.

Never have I thought that this will be the start of something that I never wished to start.