"This is the museum? I mean, what's so special about this?" Noor said with a bored expression.
They were inside the museum, one of the most popular in the city.
"What's so special? Seriously? This museum contains special antique items, paintings, statues, even the biggest aquarium in the city," Ashraf said dramatically.
"Huh? This aquarium?" Noor pointed in that direction, deadpanned. "There isn't even any fish."
"Maybe they'll bring the fishes later," Ashraf said, fixing his hair.
"Nah, Noor. Ashraf is excited because there are some special things in the museum related to that nonsense stuff he blabbers every—"
Grab.
"Mmmph!"
Ashraf grabbed Suvro's mouth.
"Nothing, Noor. Look, if the museum wasn't interesting, the teachers wouldn't bring students from both Class A and B together to visit. He he," he smiled awkwardly.
"Seriously, man, I was suffocating," Suvro said, annoyed.
"Come on, you two," Noor shook his head.
(So Class A and B together… but I haven't seen Jenne. I don't know why, but—)
Noor suddenly held his chest.
(My chest feels heavy when she ignored me. I wonder why I'm craving her attention… is it lo—)
"Noor!"
Smack.
Ria suddenly appeared out of nowhere and slapped his shoulder.
"Eeekk!" Noor jumped.
"Again, Ria?! Where did you come from?" Noor asked.
"I should ask you three the same thing. You guys got separated from the group and are messing around here. The teacher is looking for you," Ria said, squeezing Noor's shoulder.
"Ouch. I get it. Guys, let's go."
"Okay, boss," Ashraf and Suvro said in sync.
---
"Why is everyone standing in front of that big painting?" Noor stepped forward.
The main hall was filled with people. Various paintings, statues, and antique items like swords and crowns were protected behind glass. Little kids ran around, causing trouble, while their parents tried to calm them down.
Noor looked around.
Sigh.
He exhaled heavily.
"Wait… there's Jenne," Noor muttered.
Jenne stood quietly away from the students while Ria tried to annoy her.
"Students, what do you think about this picture?" the teacher asked.
"Can anyone explain it?"
"The painting shows a man smiling and walking away from two people through a flower field. One is a woman, the other a man. The moon is glowing brighter," a student explained.
"Isn't it referring to the ending of the famous novel where the main character sacrifices his feelings for the woman because she loves another man? In the end, he reunites her with her lover and walks away smiling, never confessing his true feelings."
"Correct," the teacher said approvingly.
"This painting is almost a hundred years old."
…
"The person you're seeing in the picture is Modhu, the Pure Human," Ashraf began yapping, repeating the conversation he had with Dr. Abir that day.
"Oh, that's so cool," Noor said flatly.
(There he goes again.)
Noor looked at Jenne. Suddenly, her behavior changed. She looked nervous.
(What happened? I've never seen her like this. I need to talk to her.)
"Jenne," Noor called.
"Oh my," Ria covered her mouth in surprise.
"Sigh… never mind. What happened?" Noor asked.
"Noor, do you see that stone?" Jenne pointed, her finger shaking.
Noor followed her gaze.
A red-colored stone, shaped like a crystal chunk, was covered by glass.
Stone No. 19 was written beneath it.
"Yes, I do," Noor replied.
"That stone—"
"Students, this stone was used to hunt evil beings such as vampires and demons. At least, that's what the story says," the teacher explained loudly.
"She's right. There's a chance stones like this were used as power sources for hunting weapons," Ria added.
"But why is it here?" Jenne whispered.
(Both of them look nervous because of it. Is it really that dangerous?)
"Oi, Noor!" Suvro called from behind.
"Yeah, coming—what—oh…"
Suvro was standing with Sameer.
Sameer looked old enough to be Noor's older brother. He was slightly taller and more muscular. His hands and knuckles were covered in bruises, his hair cut short.
"Hey Noor, this is my sparring partner and also a friend. Sameer—he's my bro," Suvro said.
"Oh… I see. We met again," Sameer said.
"Hm," Noor replied softly.
"Wait, you guys know each other?" Suvro asked, confused.
"Yes, Suvro. It's not a big deal. I'll explain later," Sameer said.
"Oh, that's cool. Then I don't have to properly introduce you two," Suvro laughed.
"So, what are you doing here?" Noor asked as the three walked through the museum hallway.
"I was just passing by, then I spotted Suvro. He dragged me in," Sameer smiled slightly.
"Oh… I see," Noor looked down.
(Another person I met again. When I look at him, he feels related to me somehow. I can't understand why.)
…
They walked silently for a moment.
"Where's Ashraf?" Suvro asked.
"He's in the main hall."
"Oh, let me get us something to eat. Bro, wait here with Noor, I'll be right back," Suvro ran off.
"Wait—" Sameer tried to stop him.
"Just let him go. Don't be nervous," Noor said with a small smile.
"Let's go to the main hall."
---
Screech… screech.
"A lot of fire extinguishers," Noor muttered.
They saw workers dragging fire extinguishers onto trolleys, moving them through a small storage room near the main hall.
"Looks like the old ones are outdated. They're replacing them," Sameer explained.
"I see," Noor scratched his head.
"Noor! Where did you go? I was looking for you—and you," Ashraf said, adjusting his glasses while looking at Sameer.
"Umm… I—"
"He's Suvro's sparring partner and friend," Noor said.
"I see. Nice to meet you," Ashraf replied.
"Oi Noor, Ria is looking for you," Ashraf whispered.
Sameer looked confused.
"Why does everyone keep looking for me? I'm not a baby," Noor muttered.
"How would I know?" Ashraf shrugged.
"Okay, I'll be going," he ran off.
"So… ahem. Sameer, can you wait for me? I'll be right back," Noor said.
"Okay, no problem."
Woosh.
A man wearing a red hoodie passed through the gap between them.
Noor caught a glimpse of his face—there was a deep cut on his chin, like his mouth had been slit. His smile was creepy.
The man ran away.
(What was that?) Noor's jaw tightened.
Sameer reacted the same.
"Sigh… maybe I'm seeing things. I feel exhausted," Noor rubbed his neck.
"Okay, I'll be right back," Noor said and walked away.
"Okay…"
BOOM.
SHATTER.
A heavy explosion hit Noor's ears. The ground shook violently.
Noor struggled to balance himself, his ears ringing.
(What was that?!)
"Noor, move!" Sameer ran and pushed him.
CRASH.
SHATTER.
A heavy artifact hanging above Noor crashed down—but Sameer saved him just in time.
"Thanks… huff… huff…" Noor said.
"It's okay… huff…"
BOOM.
CRRACK.
"Aaahhh!"
"Ahhhh!"
People screamed in terror.
The building shook as if it were about to collapse. The floor cracked.
"What is happening?!"
Noor look at the hallway. Sameer pointed.
Noor followed his gaze.
Crk… fwoosh.
The hallway was engulfed in heavy fire.
"What should we do now?"