The End-Time is Here

"Repent. Forsake your sins and turn to God. The end time is here"

The ringtone of a smartphone buzzed out. The owner of the phone instantly dug to his pocket, bringing it out to answer the call.

"Yes, hello?"

"Sheesh!" The young boy with a black cap, ash combat trousers and a baggy white Tshirt snickered.

"That's unfair, Abbey." The one by his side said to him. "Everybody has a reason why they use their ringtones." The second guy was much smaller, although he had a bigger body than his friend.

"I know, Ben." The first one spoke again. "But come on. Does he have to use that cringe line for his ringtone?"

They shared a laugh while the smaller one nudged him by the side.

The two of them were currently done with secondary school. Or as the outside world would call it, high school. In Nigeria, secondary school struck best.

They had just taken their university admission exams. Although in different schools and while they waited for the results and their possible matriculation dates, they had decried to simply hang out here in the mall.

After all, they had grown tired of simply doing nothing at home.

The taller of the two, Abbey, was fair in complexion. He has a lean body which showed off his athleticism. He used to run back in secondary school although he had been too withdrawn to bother contesting in the school Olympics.

He had deep black eyes that seemed To peer into everything he saw and he loved playing chess. Altogether, it made him very tactical, so much that all he ever saw to life was just a game of chess.

"I mean, someone would hear that and think it's the end of the world in such startling way it sounded." Abbey muttered, still on the matter. "Everything is a chain reaction. One move like that, a panic could start. Then everyone goes bonkers in the mall and you know what that means right?"

"You're still on this?" Ben chuckled. "Nothing is going to happen." He said, although he was not so sure about it.

It was just about the election year in the country. The politicians were definitely bound to make their hands dirty. More so, they would not mind if a few innocent civilians got in the way so far as it worked to discredit the opposing but incumbent persons in power.

Things were really on a high stake. So much that it could be said everyone was simply praying for the election to come and go. Elections were a die hard in this country.

Ben, a youth who had devoted his time to listening to news and following up on trendy things knew about this. And if Abbey was talking on that, it only meant there was a high probability of it happening.

The people only needed one thing to make them snap.

"Let's just enjoy today. Anddd… we should get that wireless game pad. It's in the tech division." He said, trying to change the topic.

"Of course! It will be there." Abbey rolled his eyes. "I've been coming to the mall many times before you were born."

"Ah ha!" Ben gave a short laugh, patting his black jacket which he wore over his Grey shorts.

He had a little red scarf on his neck while sunglasses, or rather goggles with strap on was suspended from his neck.

Ben had a thing for looking like all those anime figures he watched. He was into cosplay. Which was a total contrast to Abbey.

The latter was more of programming and chess. He basically did not see any reason why anyone would want to dress like an anime.

It did not meet his way of reasoning in life. Dressing like anime did not completely obey the law of equal and opposite reaction. That was the way Chess operated. You had to move your pieces either aggressively or defensively but dressing like anime did not follow that principle.

However, Abbey did not bother Ben about it. Neither did Ben bother him about his shut in lifestyle.

This way, they complimented each other. Becoming best of friends for close to 7 years in toll.

Climbing the escalator, more like standing on it, they ascended to the upper floor. Upon getting there, the whole expanse of tech was within their view.

"Oooh!" Ben exhaled in excitement. "This is amazing."

"Stop!" Abbey rolled his eyes at him. "You've seen this for more how many years now? How can you still be excited about it? Sheesh!" He grunted as he walked past.

"Ah hah! You boring tortoise. Maybe you should have a girl friend then you would know what is really exciting about life." Ben chuckled, hurrying after him.

The mall was exquisite, to say the least.

Even in the the mid day, the multi color lights beaming from every side brought about a disco experience. The air conditioning was top notch, however, Abbey was not a fan of it.

"Hey, can you borrow me your jacket?" He asked. "It's always so cold up here."

"Sure! Why not?" Ben said, handing it to him. "Go ahead. I need to use the rest room." He said and then hurried away.

"Typical!" Abbey sighed, wearing it as he walked to one of the tech stores.

Inside the store, the female staff stood up with a bright smile on her face. She had a white shirt on and a blue high waist trousers.

"Hello, welcome to Marrvs Tech Hub." She greeted.

Abbey just nodded, walking in through the narrow corridor. It was the only space in which he could pass between the many rows of tables of tech here and there. Computers, headsets, smartphones and the likes were all about on display.

He reached on table and signed, picking up a wireless Bluetooth receiver. He was here for a wireless gamepad but why not get wireless Bluetooth as well?

"Can I try it?" He gestured to the lady.

"Sure! Let me help you!" She said, smiling as she made her way over.

"I can manage." Abbey refused, promptly hangingthe Bluetooth on outter ear

Immediately he wore it, his vision blurred, static erupting in his eyes. Abbey shut his eyes for a second, he was always low on blood. Perhaps, this was one of the many side effects.

But upon opening them, he gasped, an entire rectangular screen in front of him.

[BEEP!] A computer notification sound resonated in his eardrums.

[DING! End-time Apocalypse System is fully Operational. Activating Survival Guide.]

[Mission 1: Kill Your Closest Friend, Ben!]

"What?"

The words on the screen blurred to nothingness. Before Abbey could react, new words appeared.

[Follow the legend. Understand the secrets of the system. But most importantly, stay alive, Abbey. ]

"How the fuck did you know my name?"

Abbey gasped.

"Abbey…" An all too familiar voice called to him.

Abbey turned around. He saw his friend, Ben, looking at him with a surprised expression.

And right at the elbow of his left hand, Ben had a…

"Is that a bite?" Abbey asked.

[DING! To show mercy is to die, Host! Kill him now!]

The words appeared, a red icon blinking over Ben's head.