Close Call

For a few days, everything was nice and quiet.

Well, missed calls and messages on my phone were gradually accumulating, but I just bought a new SIM card and changed my number. There was no need for me to deal with that.

I also ignored "my" job. I had to go to the office eventually to settle things, but I planned to miss at least a few working days first. I had to give them a good reason to fire me, after all. It was easier than quitting. No resignation period or whatever.

All I did was just chill and finally enjoyed some well-deserved fun.

Unfortunately, my happiness did not last long.

I was browsing online one day and opened my email to confirm an account registration, when a certain message caught my attention. Missing people? What the hell was that supposed to be?

Having some suspicions, I opened up the email. It turned out my feelings were right. I was reported missing.

Fucking great. Was that his mother?

I sighed and got up. I guess I'd better go make a trip to the police station before they come looking for me.

***

I would have never thought that one day I will enter a police station willingly. Unless it's to wreak havoc, of course. My previous experiences with the police were… not so great. They attempted to arrest me multiple times. They always failed, obviously, but still. It was quite annoying, dealing with them, when I've just been trying to live my life my own way.

This time however, I did not break any laws for a change, so I should be fine.

I came over to the reception. "Ahem, excuse me. I seem to have been reported missing."

The woman sitting behind the desk looked up at me without much interest. "Your name?"

"Se… James Foster." Out of habit, I almost said the name I was currently using.

The woman hasn't noticed it though. She just nodded and typed something on her computer. "Please sit down and wait for a moment, an officer will come and ask you some questions in a minute."

I slouched down on one of the chairs nearby and started reading posters on the wall out of boredom.

It didn't take long until an officer arrived.

The whole thing went unexpectedly smoothly. He just checked my ID, asked if I'm safe, my address, do I want to relay any message… Then I just needed to sign and the case was closed. I was honestly surprised.

"One moment please." I was about to leave when the police officer approached me again. "May I ask you where were you on the night from 27th to 28th last month?"

Fuck. What was it now?

"27th…" I had no idea what date that was, but there was only one reasonable answer anyway. "I was at home, if I remember correctly." I was definitely not involved in anything sketchy. There was absolutely no way. I swear I am a regular law-abiding citizen, sir.

"Was there anyone with you?"

I did not like where it was going. "…No."

The officer nodded, writing something down. "I see. That will be all, you can go now."

I walked out of the office at a regular pace, perfectly calm and collected.

As soon as I was outside though, I quickly took out my phone to check the calendar. 27th… If I'm counting correctly, that should be my first night in this world. Fuck.

What was it about? The accident? Or the burglary?

If it was the former, then I should be fine. The accident was not my fault, they can't do anything to me. But if it was the latter… Then I guess my peaceful days might end pretty soon. I did not know what the penalties for burglary were, but unless it's something that can be paid off with money, I wouldn't want to deal with it.

Completely absorbed in my thoughts, I was walking through a park, taking a shortcut on my way back home.

Suddenly, I felt chills creeping up my spine.

I looked around. The area was completely desolate.

It was weird. It was still early, but usually, there would be a few people jogging or walking the dogs around. Especially since the weather was nice.

And there it was, that unsettling feeling of being observed. I quickened my pace, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible.

Sensing something from behind, I jumped out of the way.

A bullet grazed past me, tearing my sleeve.

Now, it didn't actually hit me. I was still perfectly fine, uninjured. But I should have avoided the bullet completely, with no difficulty.

It wasn't the first time I was shot at. As the destruction of a world was progressing, sometimes people were able to identify me as a perpetrator. When that happened, they attempted to fight back. As a result, I've been under constant fire from different directions before.

But that was never an issue. I could easily avoid or deflect bullets. Ever since I figured out how to break the reality laws as a child, I have never been in any real danger.

This time, however, it was truly a close call.

I raised my hand to stop the second bullet in the air. And I… kinda did, for the most part. It was difficult to consider it a success though, as the bullet still managed to injure my hand slightly.

Not wasting any more time, I quickly located the spot from which the bullets came. In a few leaps, I was there.

However, by the time I arrived, the area was completely empty. Whoever attacked me, was able to vanish completely within a few seconds.

I glanced at my hand. I couldn't help but shudder. A wound like that was easy to heal… but I should have no need for any healing in the first place.

I was left with countless questions. Who was that person? How were they able to get so close to hitting me? Did they break the reality laws?

…Were they just like me?