...
.....
The alarm rings…Beep. Beep. Beep.Click.
"Uhhhh… my head," Nerro said while lying on the floor.
Did I drink last night?I don't think so. I don't even have the money to buy a drink.
So why does my head hurt like hell?And why am I on the floor?
Wait… what's the time…He checks the clock.12:47 a.m.
"Damn… I really slept like a log."
I've still got plenty of time before my shift starts.
Suddenly, a small memory flashes through his mind—so fast it feels like it hits him.
Glass shards.
Shards cutting into his body.
Then it's gone.
"Fuuu—what was that?"
"Ughhh… my head…"
Glass shards?
Was that a dream?
And if it was… why glass shards of all things? Ugh.
He stumbles forward and almost falls, but just before hitting the floor, he grabs onto the desk.
"Ugh… my legs—why are they trembling?"
What's happening…?
Then everything starts shaking. Rapidly.
"Ughhhhh—"
Suddenly, someone—or something—whispers:
"Close your eyes and say… 'Adiuva me.'"
"Huh? A voice…?"
"Ughhhh—"
The shaking intensifies. His room rattles violently.
Nerro squeezes his eyes shut and shouts,
"ADIUVA ME!"
Silence.
The shaking stops.
Then he's body gaved out and he sits on the floor trying to process it all.
His body full of sweats.
I believe in ghosts now…What a great way to start the morning.
He slowly gets up, the trembling in his legs finally stopping.He stretches his whole body. Everything is sore—but he's used to it after years of construction work.
Coffee. I need coffee.
He heads to the kitchen and brews a small packet of coffee—the cheap kind. Five pesos.Cheap black coffee.
It doesn't taste good. It just wakes you up because it's bitter.
That's all he needs to stay awake.
Slurp.
"Ughhh… this feels a lot better."
…or bitter. Heh.
He sits down on the couch, pulls out a pack of cigarettes, takes one, and lights it.
Huuuufff… fuuuuuh.
The smoke calms his nerves.
He takes another sip of his black coffee.
In the office…
A job application slides onto the boss's desk.
Huuuuffffff.
Cigarette smoke hangs all over the room.
Name: Nerro D. WilliamsGender: MaleAge: 35Children: One daughter
Specialization:Physical ability over brains.
Skills:– Can sketch almost anything– 2–3 years of boxing experience– Great physical condition due to construction work and boxing
Notes:Kicked out of the boxing team for being overly aggressive.
Criminal Record:One count of killing a boxing opponent.
Reason:"Letting his emotions take over, resulting in loss of control and the death of the opponent."
Recent Jobs:Construction worker, janitor, delivery driver, milkman
Education:None
Achievements:Former middleweight champion
Reason for applying:"I need cash."
Huuuuffff…
"What a crazy job application," the boss mutters.
He leans back.
"Well… it's just a security guard job. I don't need anything fancy."
"Not that I'm complaining."
He exhales smoke.
"You're perfect for the job."
The boss slides a white box across the desk, sealed with tape. A uniform sits on top of it.
"Everything you need is in that box," the boss says.
"Okay, boss."
(Damn… this is the same guy I talked to yesterday? I thought he'd look like a homeless person. Why does he look so buff?)
"As you know, your shift starts in one hour. Prepare your things and head over to the mall. That's all."
"Ut fortuna te sequatur."
Nerro turns and walks away. The door closes behind him.
What was that?Well i had more shadier bosses than him.
…Well, at least I got the job.
Better prepare and see what's inside this white box.
—
Back at home.
He slowly peels off the tape. The box opens.
A flashlight.
A note.
And a…
…pistol?
"What the fuck?"
Why is there a pistol? I thought I only needed to patrol and take pictures.
Do I have to kill someone?
…Wait. Let's read the note first.
—
As you know the task:
Simply patrol the area and take pictures and notes of specific locations that show major damage.
Take pictures of any living things lurking around the mall, specifically humans.
If you see a homeless person lying on the ground sleeping, take a picture and DO NOT wake them up.
Most homeless people lurking in the mall have been in mental hospitals. They see things they were not meant to see. They are unstable. Do not disturb or make contact with them.
If a homeless person wakes up and suddenly rushes toward you, you are permitted to use the given weapon/self-defense kit inside the white box.
Aim for the legs or other non-lethal areas.
If killing becomes necessary, you may act at your discretion.
If you see a dead body, leave the area immediately. It may be linked to a deadly unknown virus. Take a picture only.
Each area has motion sensors, but no CCTV due to lack of funds.
Do your job. After your shift ends, return to the office to receive your payment.
That's all. Good luck.—Boss
"Whoaaa…"
Is this even a security job anymore?
What do you mean I'm given permission to kill if needed?
…Okay.Take pictures.Patrol the area.Take the money.Go home.That's all.
So it really is a pistol.One magazine.Four bullets.
"Damn…"
Thirty minutes until the shift starts.
Nerro puts on his uniform and grips the pistol in his hand.
He simply stares at it.
If I need to kill for Abby, I'll fire without hesitation.
He pulls out a cigarette and lights it.
Hufffff…
"Central Mall, huh…"
Why does it feel… familiar?
No matter how hard I think, I can't recall any memories with Central Mall.But I can't shake the feeling that I've been there before.
Perhaps this is what they call a false memory…?Is that even real? Or did I dream about this mall and confuse it with a memory?
…Anyway.
"Let's do this shit."
Nerro puts on the uniform.