Carl laid face down on the bare cold floor of the alley completely battered. He had bruises under his clothes and a few broken ribs. Peter and his gang had thoroughly roughed him up so much that he nearly passed out, he could barely stand on his feet. He just laid there on the floor feeling utterly beaten… hopeless even. The cold biting through his pale skin. He had tried to cry but only pained groans escaped his throat.
He tried to turn but moaned instantly as the pain overwhelmed him, but he didn't stop moving his body, until he was able to face up.
Carl's condition had changed for the worse ever since he reincarnated. He had read a lot of fictional novels from this world where people from other worlds who got reincarnated, were reborn, overpowered in another world. They receive all the perks that would aid them in surviving their new world. Some of them get to see a sexy and hot blonde goddess who showers them with divine gifts and equipment, and sends them off with a warm smile.
He could still vividly remember his experience while trying to go through the Gate of Rebirth. He Soul was literally attacked by a Soul Eater in the void. If that wasn't luxury what was?
Carl glued his eyes to the sky. The sun had set a couple of hours ago and the dark skies were adorned with twinkling stars. The view was spectacular even for someone going through immense pains like Carl. Carl felt calm… relaxed, and his soul felt comfort, peace. He longed for this kind of feeling. He felt nostalgic.
This situation reminded him of someone—his mother. He longed for her warm embrace, her sweet smile, her words of encouragement, her scent. He longed to see her peaceful face. She was what kept their family together all those years, but now that she was gone they were apart—broken.
He couldn't control his thoughts anymore as his mind drifted to the events that brought to her sudden demise. But before he could immerse himself in his own thoughts a rumbling sound jolted him back to reality. The sky cracked and it suddenly poured down heavily.
"Crap!" Carl cursed as he tried to lift himself up, the rain soaking his uniform. He managed to stand and began to limp out of the alley way, his destination… home.
"Damnit." Carl yelled when he accidentally bumped his injured foot on a rock and was sent stumbling back to the floor. He felt the ringing pain travel from his feet all the way to his head. The intensity of the downpour was increasing by the second. At this rate he could catch a cold if he doesn't figure something out quickly.
Carl picked himself up gradually from the floor, his muscles felt numb to the cold invading his system. He quickly started limping towards a shelter he spotted by the road. It had a shed that could keep him off the rain, but it didn't provide a hundred percent protection to Carl. He would still have to battle against the cold wind that sent chills all the way through his entire body, and there was still the fact that his clothes were soaked.
Carl decided to head home, his rental apartment was only a few blocks away from him. About thirty minutes later, he arrived in front of a four storey building. Carl had left his father's house last year, when he was old enough to get a part-time job. He was able to save up for this place that he was currently staying in. Although the place was old and a little cramped, Carl was content with what he had, at least it was better than seeing that old man's annoying face every day.
However, he knew that his father would have gotten him somewhere better if he had asked, but Carl didn't want to. He felt that a fresh start was all he needed to get through his trauma.
Carl climbed up the stairs and arrived at the third floor, this was where his room was located. He arrived in front of a brown wooden door, fetched out a key from his pocket and opened the door. The sight of his meager existence welcomed him.
The cramped room looked empty, with only a bed by the side of the room, drawer, and a desk. The apartment also had an inbuilt kitchen and bathroom. Carl walked into the bathroom to change his clothes and take a warm bath. After some time he came out of the bathroom, tended to his wounds, and went into the kitchen to prepare a quick dinner. Breaking two eggs, Carl fried them and he also prepared noodles. He filled up his plate and left the kitchen to eat. He ate his meal gently because his jaw hurts.
Carl went to bed early, however, he was unable to sleep comfortably. He was in immense pain and his bruises were itching.
"Damn you, Peter. I will surely get back at you, I promise you. Argh! It hurts." Carl said as he rolled under his blanket. When he couldn't bear the pain and itching anymore, he went out of bed, dressed in comfortable clothes, took some cash from the drawers and left his room. Glancing at his phone, the time read; '9:11 pm'.
"They should still be open by this time." Carl said as he locked his door, descended the steep stairs and left the building. His location? A nearby pharmacy store.
After a few minutes of walking, he finally arrived at his destination. He entered the pharmacy store and bought a few pain killers, stitches and bandages, and any other thing he learnt from online. He still had a few credits left, so he bought some snacks and a two-litre bottle of coke.
He left the store and walked through the streets illuminated by streetlights, savoring his snacks as he walked home. The night was quite lively compared to what he had assumed, this was because most people worked during the day and only have time for themselves and their families during the night. There were people walking around him; a parent and their little daughter probably having fun, there was a group of boys returning from the arcade game store, a couple going out on a date, and a young woman dressed in a thick coat, probably returning from work. They all passed by him from both directions, disappearing into the distant dark streets.
If you felt as isolated from the rest of the world like Carl, you would find out that you've developed an uncanny ability to pay close attention to the people around you or to the things happening in your environment. Carl didn't know whether to call this gift a blessing or a curse due to his predicament.
Carl was distracted from his thoughts when he suddenly heard noises coming from several meters away from him in the dark streets. There were screams and tapping sounds made when the feet met with the ground.
'Running…?' Carl was able to analyze the noises and came up with an answer. But it made him more confused.
'Why would people be running during the night? And those screams? Were they from cheers and merriments? Or–" Carl paused for a second, he immediately stopped walking any further, his body trembled in dread. "... Could it be a Xenosapian attack?" Carl asked himself.
However, he didn't dwell too deeply in his thoughts because, as soon as the screaming and running sounds echoed in the dark night, a group of people ran pass him with panicked looks on their faces.
— "Everybody run, quick, escape out of here before they see you. It's Villains and they are on a rampage."
— "No, no, no… not today, I can't die yet. Damn that fortune teller."
— "My daughter. Has anyone seen a little girl around this height, she's just ten. Please, has anyone seen her? My daughter?" A woman cried out for help.
— "Help …
Carl recognized the woman that was looking for her missing child. She had just passed him, her, her husband, and her daughter, looking very joyful and happy. Now, she seemed completely distressed, her light brown hair disheveled, and her makeup came undone. Carl could barely recognize the face of the man that was consoling her.
"Is that her husband?" Carl mumbled something to himself, but he ignored them because they weren't his problem.
Right now all Carl wanted to do was to escape from this place, but somehow escaping wasn't the first thought that came to his mind.
What if he ended all his suffering today? Would he get another shot at reincarnation? Maybe this time he would reincarnate with numerous perks! Carl wanted to end it up, he wanted to restart—if such a thing even existed.