Prologue: Future Diary

"991... 992... 993..."

As he came close to finishing his last set, Reuben Dock counted each one-handed pullup. Sweat dripped on the hard wooden floor with light glaring through the open curtained window.

"994... 995... 996..."

It was as if the sun was challenging him on whom would give out first. Naturally, Reuben continued undeterred. After all, after repeating this routine for almost two years now, it was a daily habit.

"997... 998... 999..."

In addition, he also only wore a pair of grey workout sweatpants. This was because of the summer heat. He could have had the AC on low to prevent getting hot, but he refused to run his condo's bill higher.

This was also because he still had some uncertainties.

For example, if everything did not go according to plan, how would he repay the loans? What about what he read, were the claims entirely true? How about the torture he put his body through, preparing for 'that day?'

In the end, he decided what was done, was done. He simply needed to accept it and move on. Besides, there was no longer time for regrets.

"1000... Huu!"

Finished, he dropped down and grabbed a bottle of water.

The results of his work ethics were noticeable. Compacted muscles without an ounce of fat were all that was left on his figure. It left anyone who knew him before, speechless.

Moreover, this wasn't just exclusive to his fitness streak. Various items, for long-term survival, decorated his room. Whether it was ranging from water jugs, snacks, protein items, weapons, or anything else to help preserve life, he had it, filling the complete area.

Refreshed, Reuben sat the empty water bottle down and took a quick shower. He then sat on the sofa and switched the TV channel to the news.

They were repeating what he knew, which made him lose interest before he noticed the thick platinum ring on his index finger. It was this ring that caused the whole thing and started this insanity.

**

Two years ago, in the City of Chicago of a random apartment complex.

At the age of 22, Reuben lazied on his couch watching cable sports. It was something he always did after getting back from his Call Center job.

"Unbelievable! Charles Jr. just single-handedly carried this team to the chip! You heard right, Brad Charles Jr. is the champ and most definitely, this year's final's MVP! This will go down as the best NBA run in history!!!!"

"What did I tell them? They shouldn't be sleeping on BC20."

Reuben mumbled.

Unlike most NBA fans, he did not jump up from his relaxed position, lying down on the couch. Instead, he prolonged his comfort, giving out a small smile, before the sound of a knock interrupted him.

"Give me a sec!"

He yelled and got up.

"Yes?"

When he opened the door, he saw his neighbor.

"Your mailbox is full again."

"Oh, alright. Thanks for letting me know."

He knew he forgot to do something. It turned out this was it.

He went and grabbed everything, then returned to the couch. After taking a moment to search through the stack, he tore open the single letter with an item inside. The date was June 11, which was three days ago.

There, he spotted a ring. This ring was thick and made out of platinum with unique engravings. Moreover, there was a strange sapphire in the center, forming the shape of a yin-yang symbol, while also having dark and light colorings.

'Hmm... I didn't know a sapphire came in different shades of blue.'

Once he inspected it, he read the short note that came attached.

{Check your freaking email, idiot! \( `A`#) How can you possess an email and NOT use it! \(#`A`/)}

"..."

The image of a blonde man with blue eyes surfaced.

'That guy... I guess.'

Reuben didn't know what to say since he rarely used online mailing. Still, he pulled out his phone and scrolled through the missed emails.

>Timothy Kingsmen May 7

(no subject)

Hey! I know it's been a while, hit me up la...

>Timothy Kingsmen May 9

(no subject)

I hope I got the right email address. Let m...

>Timothy Kingsmen May 19

(no subject)

It's been a whole week already. Do you eve...

>Timothy Kingsmen May 26

Urgent and can't be ignored

Look, this is important! We need to talk as...

>Timothy Kingsmen May 28

Really urgent and can't be ignored

Reuben, listen. I don't have another way t...

>Timothy Kingsmen June 2

Check your home mail!

I find your address, idiot! Why aren't you r...

>Timothy Kingsmen June 8

Life and death matter!

I sent dozens of letters to your apartment...

>Timothy Kingsmen June 13

My will to a brother like family.

Reuben, If you're finally reading this, I'm d...

>Timothy Kingsmen June 13

Future Diary

Entry June 13, 2032. This day, there was a ...

Reuben's hand shook reading that second to last message. He combed his hand through his black hair to calm himself before checking again. But it did little to ease his terror.

'This has to be a joke.'

He reasoned. It was too hard to admit otherwise. He then clicked on the second to last message.

>My will to a brother like family.

{Reuben,

If you're finally reading this, I'm dead. I know it might be hard to take in, but this is the truth. Still, that's not the most important thing I have to tell you... Your life is in danger.

I would have preferred to tell you this under more convincing circumstances, but you don't answer my letters. So, I am left with little choice in the matter.

I know no other way how to explain this more thoroughly, therefore I will say it bluntly. It's about the future where I come from.

I have written a detailed diary of what is to come and how to prevent your death. This is not a joke, Reuben. I'm not making this up or trying to prank you.

Because of somethings, I paid a price to travel to the past and won't live long. If you still find this hard to accept, the ring I sent you should be of some proof.

I need you to live this time, or everything will just repeat itself. In an email I will send you shortly, you can find that diary explaining everything I know.

I beg you to remember this, you must kill these ten people, or the human race will go extinct.

1. Robert White

2...

Reuben, take care, brother, and stay safe.}

**

Reuben sighed at the memory. It turned out the ring was a sacred item of the 5th Order. It allowed one to store stuff in a separate dimension without the burden of its mass.

If he had to estimate the storage space, it was somewhere around 10,000-12,000 cubic feet, the same size as three average warehouses.

He understood Tim had little to no family left, the same as he had, but it was still a lot to take in.

He, himself, was a lazy person that hardly did any physical work. Then, out of nowhere, he was told to become the best athletic guy there was if he wanted to survive?

That was some serious faith Tim had in him.

In truth, he wasn't entirely convinced. Of course, the ring seemed beyond today's technology, but it didn't eliminate the fact that it could have had been just as possible of being secret technology.

Furthermore, It was more believable to think that because Tim had gotten into something he had no business getting into, he was killed by the people who coveted the ring.

Now, he, Reuben Dock, was the next victim they wanted to hunt down. However, he knew Tim pretty well. It was highly unlikely that he would do something like this. Especially when it regarded friends or family.

They both cherished family and true friends too much to do something this lethal. And it was because of this, with it also being the death will of a dear friend that was like a brother to him, Reuben was willing to take the gamble.

He spent everything to make this goal a reality. He asked for loans, quit his job, hired trainers to teach him martial arts and how to shape his body to perfection, and how to survive from scratch.

Nothing was missed.

Nevertheless, two years wasn't much for such advanced training. But Reuben still crammed everything he could into two years. The remaining time, he could only gather extra supplies and food.

'I filled the storage space up, so this is it. Just a few more days are left before the truth is known.'

Reuben increased the TV volume as the next segment caught his attention.

"Breaking news, just in! There's been a crisis in Africa, and the US government might just dip their hands into it. We'll switch over to our reporter there live, Mike Hanes, to get a better view."

The screech then changed from a woman sitting at a desk, to a man with hard winds blowing in the background. Just behind him were a crowd of people running away and surrounding the area.

"..."

"Mike, can you hear me?"

"Huh? Oh, sorry, Jenny. I'm here!"

"Go ahead!"

"Yes! This is Mike Hanes from ZZ4 station reporting live that there are some crazy things going on in here, in Africa, the City of Kinshasa. I am told that I'm not permitted to go inside the city because it is under lockdown and has not authorized entry for non-locals.

"But what I could make out from the fiasco here is that people are rioting. The Gouverneur has also stated that they will be seeking help from the US to resolve this issue. Which is rather peculiar if you ask me, even if we are allied, but we are still waiting to find out more news."

"Are there any victims?"

"...Yes! Yes, there are! As you can see behind me and a little bit above, there is smoke. Some buildings and places have already been set a blazed. In fact, wait just one moment."

The man turned around and walked toward the crowd. He then tapped one of the individuals on the shoulder to gain their awareness.

"Excuse me, are you a local? If so, what do you make of this situation?"

The man did not get an answer. Instead, the cameraman screamed, jerking the live feed, before it shifted to static.

"Mike! Mike! Can you hear us, Mike?!"

Reuben was alarmed. He didn't see or hear anything that resembled what Tim called, the 'Dead Walking Among Us,' or a virus codenamed, 'DWAS-32.' But, he still felt his heart drop momentarily.

However, that was before he heard the rest.

"What is this?"

The woman questioned, reaching for her earpiece.

"They are now recommending people visiting from Africa to not return until further notice. It's been issued, Africa is having a state of emergency from a very deadly and extremely contagious virus just named, DWAS-32."

Despair seized Reuben. It was three days ahead of schedule.