18 At the Cromellu Diner, Jetkins District

5th April

Looking around, I see high old structures, garbage littered everywhere, which tells the place is abandoned. Vine started to swallow some of the significant buildings and the quiet, eerily quiet that gives an unwanted feeling. I'm in an alley, and light seems deprived of here.

Like a tunnel, I find a light at the end of the alley, and a glistening sunset from afar welcomes me. And unexpectedly, a vast ocean of sand where some small structures swarm.

I step my foot to get down as the city space is like a dig-up hole filled with sand. But before I continued getting down, I step on something. As l look at it, a revolver emerged.

Suddenly the whole city is enveloped by darkness as the sun sets and the blood moon appeared on the East.

A scream cut my reverie that echoed around. Where did it come from? I run downward and keep myself from tumbling off. But the moon is gradually covered by dark clouds keeping it from lighting my way.

To prevent me from ending up in an accident, I stop. Calming myself, I heaved a sigh and got my grip on the gun, and set my finger on the trigger. I don't get a chance to check if it's loaded as I don't know how to do it.

I heard some movements coming from my right, and it's moving towards me. I hold the revolver firmly and pointed it on the thing coming. Without a second thought, I pull the trigger once. It banged. But then the movements continued. Again, I pull the trigger twice, and another two secondly resulted in the activities to vanished.

Beams of light appeared successively. On the sand three meters away from me, a body was lying face down and blood splattered on the sand.

My hands trembled again. I killed someone. With shocks in me, I threw the gun away and stumbled on my feet. My reverie stopped when I heard footsteps and saw a man pick the revolver, check the cartridge, shook his head and got something from his pocket then put it in the gun. I heard the man cock the gun and saw him pointing it at me. Why?

"How pitiful," his voice lingered in my ears. I know the voice.

And before he pulls the trigger, I saw his face.

Why is it that I'm killing myself?

BANG!

***

I woke up untimely when a loud bang disturbs my slumber. Half-closed eyes, I took a peek from the window and saw some civil guards running after a boy who was the same age as me running for his life from being captured.

A civil guard stopped and got his gun, pointed it at the boy, and a bang stops him on his track—poor boy.

My digital clock tells me that it's already eight in the morning, so I got up and fixed myself. I have a plan of doing stuff to refresh myself away from church sessions.

As I leave the church, I reminisce my way coming here and remembered that there's a diner by the street, estimated nine blocks away from the church.

Having some tea will give me a relaxing vibe this day.

The clinging of the bell and chime can be heard one block away from the said diner. Bicycles and motorcycles parked outside orderly. Quite impressive.

Opening the diner's door and getting a few attentions made my facial emotion more stoic and severe. All of the seats are occupied upon entering except those high chairs—situated at the counter wherein a middle-aged woman in her apron stationed.

I saw myself sitting beside a woman in her white shirt and long black pants partnered with dark brown boots. She has golden-brown ponytailed hair. She seems honorable in her looks compared to me wearing a simple shirt and pants on flip-flops.

"Got to order, sir?" the woman stationed ask. I look up to their menu just right above the counter and pick a heavy meal and tea.

After telling my order, I turn my chair and observe everyone. Different people engage and have their breakfast here, which I didn't expect to see. From elderly to kids, I presumed ages eight or older running to and fro. Some couples are talking and enjoying their snacks, and also those lone persons eating silently.

I shifted my gaze on the person on my side, and we're the only person sitting here. She has her coffee and cigarette. I observed how she moved and sipped her cup until my eyes landed on her jacket situated on the chair between us. Bluish-black in color and have this badge on one of the pockets that everyone knows. The civil guard badge.

I was taken aback when the woman who got my order say her words. I didn't expect to push the cup of tea near my right arm. It was already placed half-inch away from falling and be shattered on the tiled floor.

"Don't let the cup be on the edge and fall just to be shattered." A calm but severe voice said. I look on my side to see the woman I'm observing a while ago looking at me expressionlessly. Is she the one who talks?

"Pardon me," words came out of my mouth. I look at the woman's hands, got my cup, and placed it correctly on the counter away from being shattered. I look again in her black eyes as she sipped on her coffee without cutting our gaze.

What does she want?

"Enjoy your meal and good day ahead, mister." She said and got her jacket before leaving. The diner's chime lingered on the four-corner place.

When the chimes stop, I heaved a deep sigh. It feels like drowning underwater for half an hour, and breathing is prohibited.

Who is she? Why does she leave me with this kind of rich environment?

One of the civil guards of Jetkins District.