The sun was setting into the horizon of the bustling city. Just like any other day, everyone was busy at his own work. No one cared enough about what was going on.
Red and orange hues spread a pretty sheet in the sky. Birds were going home and humans were still busy like always. When the first star of the evening became visible, a young man twisted his keys on the door lock to secure his house.
A two story house that wasn't warm like before. Light flickered on the second floor room. The young man glanced at the flickering light before groaning. He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away.
The weather wasn't cold. But the man had put on a black coat on his shirt. His hair was disheveled as if he hadn't washed them the whole day. He kept his eyes low while he walked fast, kicking the stray cans or pebbles in his way.
The sky slowly darkened, stars shimmered. But the city lights made it impossible to enjoy the starry night. The young man paused and looked up. A gust of wind flew past him, playing with his hair. His eyes were mostly hopeless, but the glimpse of admiration was undeniable when he watched the stars twinkle in the sky.
He continued his walk. His phone rang. He pulled his phone out of his coat pocket and rested it near his ear.
"Hello?"
[Milo, where are you? You're supposed to be at the office! How many times do I have to tell you that you take leave from me, get it?!]
The other person on the phone was pretty upset. This wasn't the first time Milo had ditched work for personal interest lost. He sighed and rubbed his temples.
"Yeah, yeah. I get it."
[No, you don't! If you don't want to work then don't even bother coming at all!]
Milo groaned inwardly. He was too tired to deal with his boss after making him angry.
"Oh, the signals cut off. Guess we'll just talk tomorrow."
[What?! No, you brat! We're not done talking yet!]
"The signal is so bad. I can hardly hear you, Derek. Bye~"
[Wait-no, don't-]
Before Derek was done, Milo hung up. He put his phone back into his pocket and continued his little walk.
There was nothing special in his life. He was among the earthly population who still didn't know their purpose. Like an aimless leaf, he goes wherever the stream takes him. He wasn't alone on earth. He still had his family in another city.
Milo aimlessly walked on the pavement on the bridge, seeing the cars and other vehicles. The lights occasionally illuminated his figure. When he reached the middle of the bridge, he rested his elbows on the railing while watching the sky and the drifting clouds. He then looked down and saw the calm water underneath the bridge.
For a second, he considered jumping. But that was just a stupid intrusive thought that brought a soft smile to his lips. Not because he wanted to jump, but because he found the idea of jumping humorous.
Slowly, his surroundings glowed. He glanced at his own hands and then over his shoulder to see two headlights approaching him. But Milo didn't move. He couldn't. He figured it was useless to even try. The lights grew nearer and nearer. Milo felt his heart beat faster. He heard the horns, he heard the driver yell at him to back off.
"Move! Move out of the way!"
He tried to. Gods know he tried. But his body has frozen. He felt the time slow around himself. He heard his own heartbeat and breathing.
For one second, he was tempted to move his body. But it was too late. Then Milo saw white. Pure white.
He could still hear people trying to call ambulance and he heard the shouts, the wheels screeching, the frantic footsteps. He heard them. He heard them but kept his eyes close. He could've opened them. But he didn't.
His first thought was,
'.. I'm alive?... Why? '
He couldn't feel his body. He only saw a white void.
'it doesn't feel like I'm alive... Or.. am I? '
He closed his eyes again. When he opened them again, he heard voices. Voices he didn't recognize. Not at all.
He fluttered open his eyes and slowly sat up. He found himself on a warm floor.
"We've checked the basement. Except for two knives, there's absolutely nothing."
A husky and deep voice woke Milo. He looked around and saw a warm house of some sort with candles and warm food on the large dinner table.
"Nothing? There must be something."
Another voice caught his attention. A shrill voice. The woman who spoke wore a beautiful gown as if she was in some sort of British banquet.
The man who spoke first wore an old-fashioned overcoat with brown pants and a hat and mustache. He shook his head and lowered his eyes to the floor as if it might tell them the secrets itself.
"You have to take my word, there was absolutely nothing." Said another man who wore a suit with a blue tie.
The woman sighed.
"What do we do now?"
"Perhaps greet our new friend over there?"
Everyone turned their heads to look at a woman sitting on the dining table chair, biting into an apple. Then the eyes fell on Milo.
Milo met their eyes with his own doubtful ones. He slowly stood up from the ground even though he felt his body aching in a way it never had.
"Hello... My name's Milo. Do... Do you know where we are?"
He asked cautiously. He seemed calm on the surface. But he was as lost as everybody else. The people there glanced at each other before the first lady in gown shook her head.
"Unfortunately, none of us know where we are."
Milo stared at the lady, trying to figure out if she's lying. But then, he suddenly remembered something. Wasn't he going to get hit by a car?
Is he dead?
Is this afterlife?
Who are these people?
Is he alive after all?
Where on earth can they be?
While he was lost in thought, two more people emerged from the staircase.
"We've searched far and low. Nothing."
The blonde guy explained. He had a strong Italian accent. His rested his hands on his hips with a huff.
"I told you, there's nothing we can do. We're trapped here."
The other guy crossed his arms, leaning against the wall with a frown on his face.
"Trapped..." Milo repeated the guy's words softly as if he didn't believe it.
"Oh no.." the woman in the gown hid her face into her gloved hands. The man in suit stepped closer to her and gently grabbed her shoulders from behind protectively.
"Elli..." He tried to comfort her by calling her nickname.
"If there's no clue we can find, we can't just sit here and do nothing either. Ain't no way we're all stuck here without any purpose."
The girl on the chair stood up and walked two steps forward.
"We don't have time to sob. Let's all figure out a way to get out."
Milo raised his hand timidly.
"Um..how many more people are here with us?"
His voice was uneven, as if regretting his question midway.
The girl raised an eyebrow.
"Sixteen when we include you, too."