The red sky glowed brighter than ever as men, women, and children walked through the streets of the settlement.
"I used to think I was happy… or was I? I can't really remember. It's been three years, they said time really does fly these days. Things have been a little uneasy since it happened, but what can I say? We've been doing alright. Not great, but alright.
Lebia's been helping out with the chapel ladies. I still think they're strange I never trusted them. But Nuno said they're harmless. Weird freaks maybe, but as long as they don't hurt her, it's okay.
Louie's been really busy since it happened. He's been studying hard and has tried many times to convince Micah to join him, but Micah kept refusing at least until a few days ago. Louie was so happy. That's rare for him these days. Usually, he's either rambling about his weird facts or pretending to be our big brother, always talking about how he has to protect us. He's a fool… but a funny one.
And Mister Micah he's been leading the scavenging missions for years now. Strong, but terrifying. Those scars of his… they say a lot.
Mister Coroules can't go on scavenges anymore. He's mostly been the one holding us together, which is strange, considering he has only one arm and can barely walk. But he's still the kind man he's always been maybe even more joyful lately, unlike some others.
Naran's been different these past few years. Distant. Sad. He used to be the one who made everyone laugh, but now it's just… quiet around him. Especially since Miss Cathie left. Things haven't felt the same.
And then there's the new kid, Lucas. He's the strangest of them all. Hardly talks just broods all day. At first, he seemed like a fool, always asking about a ball of fire in the sky and about his mother. But Louie says he's smart since they read together. I don't really like Lucas. He scares me. Maybe it's his eyes dark blue, almost glowing. Beautiful, but cold. Still… I hope we can be friends someday. Everyone's so busy lately. No one wants to play with me anymore. It's kind of sad.
Shoyo
Shoyo."
"I'm coming! Okay, journal that's all… till I remember you exist again."
Shoyo closed his diary and dropped it on the desk before heading toward the door. Someone had been calling him, and curiosity pushed him to leave the room.
"Looking at it won't change its color, you know," lebia's voice came from behind him as she stepped inside.
"I didn't ask for you," Lucas muttered without turning. "Why are you here?"
"I just wanted to talk, Lucas. Nothing more."
"You want to talk and your first move is to make fun of me. Very funny."
"Okay, I apologize. I'm sorry."
"Shut up."
Hearing Lucas's blunt reply, lebia couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Very funny," he said again, clearly annoyed.
"Sorry, I'm sorry," she said between laughs, "but seeing your brooding face always cracks me up."
Lucas sighed. "What do you want?"
"I just wanted to ask… how have you been lately?" Lebia's voice carried a softness that Lucas wasn't used to hearing. She looked genuinely worried she always did, ever since they found him three years ago.
Back then, Lucas had seemed lost. No, not just lost broken. At first, he acted like a confused psycho… or maybe more like someone who hated himself. To Lebia, it felt like his mind was slowly deteriorating.
The chapel always taught her to care for others, to offer kindness and compassion. But Lucas wasn't like the others she'd helped. He was different, distant, unreadable, and scarred by something she couldn't see.
Lucas blinked at her question, unsure why she'd asked. For three years, people had looked at him like a madman, whispering behind his back. Over time, he had built invisible walls a subconscious form of self-defense. His mind analyzed everything, overthought every word.
Why would she ask that? he wondered. What's her motive? What's she up to? Is she… interested in me?
Then another thought crossed his mind. No. She's probably just playing the "I care" card like the rest of them.
Still, he couldn't quite figure her out. So he answered bluntly.
"I'm fine. Thanks for asking."
"Oh, that's good to hear," Lebia smiled softly. "You know… what you said about the sky the fire in the clouds, the shadows that attacked you, and the day turning from light to darkness…"
Lucas stiffened. I knew it… she's going to make fun of me. Call me a psycho again.
"I believe you," Lebia said quietly.
Lucas froze. What the hell? The only person who had ever believed him before was Coroules.
"Wh—what? Why? How?" he stammered, confused.
"I've been having dreams about it," she admitted. "I know how it sounds, but it felt real. Like I was there."
Lucas sighed inwardly. Too good to be true, he thought, conflicted between hope and disbelief.
"Thanks," he said finally, forcing a small smile. "I really appreciate it… and your concern."
He stood up and left the room before she could say more, ignoring her calls for him to stay.
The questions about where he came from and whether he was insane were a wound that never healed. Sometimes, he wondered what would've happened if he hadn't woken up that day. Maybe… death would've been kinder.
[Three Years Ago]
"Move! Everyone, move!" a man shouted as the bodies of Coroules and Micah were carried into the building.
"Where are the chapel nurses?"
"A raven's been sent for them!" someone yelled back.
"They're losing too much blood! Hurry!"
Moments later, the chapel nurses arrived dressed in white gowns with golden flower sigils embroidered across their chests, their heads covered by veils of cloth.
"What happened?" Miss Maryl asked as she stepped inside, alarmed by the urgency of the message she'd received.
"It's Coroules and Micah they're not doing well," the man explained breathlessly. "Coroules… he's falling into mana backlash."
Though still young, he had learned to take charge in chaos, even while knowing that his brother Hugo was likely dead.
"Take me to them," Miss Maryl ordered.
Whispers spread among the onlookers.
"Who was the boy with them?" someone asked.
"He can't be more than six… how is he even alive?"
Nuno, a teenage boy, stepped forward. "We can't worry about that right now," he said firmly. "We need to stay strong and find out what really happened."
"Mummy… no." You... you're the reason I'm dead."
"No! I didn't—"
"You caused everything," the voice accused.
"Titi, no…"
"It's your fault," the voice grew louder, warped. "You hurt Mummy. You hurt Mister Butler. You made him hurt me!"
Me? I hurt you?
The man in all black appeared, his form flickering, multiplying dozens of him surrounding Lucas.
"You know it's your fault," the man hissed. "You killed your mother. You even killed yourself."
"Mummy, no…" Lucas whimpered, clutching his head.
"She's right," the voice whispered again. "End it, Lucas. Make things right. End your life."
Lucas curled up on the floor, trembling. "Please, no… I didn't mean to! I didn't do it! It was you! You're the one who should die! Please… Mummy, forgive me!"
"No… no…"
"Mummy…"
"Mummy!"
Lucas's heavy breathing filled the room as he jolted awake.
"Mummy… Mummy!" he cried, his voice trembling with fear.
He looked around, eyes wide, heart pounding confusion and terror clouded his thoughts. The room was unfamiliar, dimly lit, and silent except for his own shaky breaths.
"Mummy! Mummy!" he shouted again, hoping someone anyone would answer.
A woman rushed in after hearing his cries. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, kneeling beside him and trying to calm him.
Lucas stared at her, trembling. He didn't recognize her face.
"Wh–who are you?" he stammered.
The woman frowned, hearing the fear in his voice. "It's all right, boy. Calm down. What's your name?"
But Lucas couldn't respond. His lips quivered as he kept repeating, "Mummy… Mummy…"
His cries grew desperate. "Where's my mummy? What did you do to her?!"
"Calm down, boy breathe," the woman said, reaching out, but Lucas jerked away. Panic took hold. He stumbled to his feet and ran, clutching his head as tears blurred his vision.
He burst out of the room, his small footsteps echoing down the corridor. Faces turned toward him strangers, every one of them.
Then he saw it.
The gate.
He sprinted faster, heart hammering, shouting as he ran, "Mummy! Mummy, please! Where are you?!"
But as he stopped, breathless and shaking, he looked up.
The sky above him was blood red.