the night passed. ren barely slept. whenever he closes his eyes, the voice dragged him into the endless void, speaking deeper, clearer, louder.
by sunrise, he woke up.
he got ready for school on autopilot. brushed teeth. bag packed. shoes on.
before leaving ren's eyes drifted to the pendent on his desk. ren picked it up and put on.
the walk to school to ordinary.
Ren slipped into class right before the bell rang. His friends waved, but he barely noticed. Someone nudged his shoulder. "Ren, dude, you look like a ghost," Toma whispered. Akira leaned closer. "Bad dream again?" Ren wanted to say no. Wanted to pretend everything was fine. But the words dried in his throat. He didn't answer.
Ren realized two things before the first period even ended.
First—
The dream hadn't faded this time.
Second—
There was a guy staring at him.
Not a quick glance.
Not curiosity.
A unblinking stare.
Ren shifted in his seat.
The guy didn't look threatening. Average height. Messy hair. A backpack that looked way too
heavy for school. His uniform was slightly untucked, and he had that expression people get
when they're thinking too much.
Ren ignored him.
Or at least, tried to.
By second period, Ren could feel it again.
That pressure in his head.
That faint ringing, like glass being rubbed together.
And every time it happened—
The same guy glanced at him.
Finally, during break, Ren stood up to leave.
The guy followed.
"Hey."
Ren stopped walking.
"…Yeah?"
The guy grinned. "Youwere zoning out earlier. Like—really zoning out."
Ren sighed. "So?"
"So,"the guy leaned closer, lowering his voice, "do you hear voices too?"
Ren froze.
"…What?"
The guy's eyes lit up. "Oh, that reaction's interesting."
Ren turned and walked away.
Fast.
Ren spent the rest of the day actively avoiding him.
Changed routes.
Didn't matter.
The guy always showed up.
At lunch, he sat across from Ren without asking.
"You know," he said casually,"people who suddenly get headaches, dissociation, and recurring
dreams usually fall into three categories."
Ren stared at his food. "I didn't ask."
"Psychological stress," the guy continued, counting on his fingers, "early-onset mental illness…
or supernatural interference."
Ren stood up.
The chair screeched loudly.
"I'm not interested," Ren said. "So stop."
The guy blinked.
Then smiled.
"Okay."
Ren paused.
"…That's it?"
"Yeah,"the guy shrugged. "For now."
Ren walked away, confused.
Ren left school later than usual. The sun was already sinking, casting long shadows across
the road.
He turned a corner—
And almost walked straight into the same guy.
"Oh, hey,"the guy said cheerfully."Perfect timing."
Ren's patience snapped.
"Why are you following me?"
"I'm not," the guy replied. "You're walking home. So am I."
"…You live near me?"
"Not really."
Ren stared.
"That doesn't help your case."
The guy laughed. "Fair."
They walked in silence for a few seconds.
Then—
"Yourdream,"the guy said. "Does it involve light breaking apart?"
Ren stopped dead.
The world felt quieter.
"How do you—"
The guy raised both hands. "Relax. Guesswork."
Ren turned slowly. "What's your name?"
Generated with https://kome.ai"Kai," he said. "And before you ask—yes. I'm into supernatural stuff."
Ren exhaled sharply."Figures."
Kai tilted his head. "You don't believe in it?"
Ren hesitated.
"…I didn't."
Kai smiled, softer this time. "That's how it always starts."
They reached a crossroads.
Ren stopped. "This is where I go."
Kai nodded. "Cool. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Youdon't know that."
Kai turned, walking backward. "You'rehaving dreams you can't explain. I'm annoying but
curious. Trust me—we're not done."
Ren watched him leave.
For a moment, he almost called out.
Almost.
Instead, he clenched his fist.
The pendant in his pocket pulsed faintly.
Very faintly.
Somewhere far away, something unseen shifted.
And for the first time—
Ren wondered if avoiding Kai might actually be impossible.
coming soon
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