"Leo! …Leo!! …LEO!!!"
Leo's eyes snapped open.
He shot upright, gasping for air like someone who had just been dragged out of death itself.
His chest rose and fell violently.
His vision blurred—
Then slowly cleared.
"Jane…?" he muttered.
Jane stood in front of him… but her expression wasn't relief.
It was fear.
"How… are you still alive?" she asked.
Leo looked around.
People were still running.
Screaming.
The chaos hadn't ended.
It was real.
"Do you know how long I've been like this?" Leo asked, his voice still weak.
Jane narrowed her eyes slightly.
"You really love answering questions with questions."
She exhaled sharply.
"I'll tell you—but first, we need to leave the road. Can you stand?"
Leo hesitated… then slowly pushed himself up.
"…Looks like I can."
AT LEO'S HOUSE
The moment they entered, Jane exploded.
"What the hell is going on with you?!"
She pointed at him.
"There's blood all over you! Were you shot?! Why were you on the road gasping like that?!"
Leo scratched his head slowly.
"Hmmm… which one should I answer first?"
But inside—
Will she believe me if I tell her something entered me…?
No… there's no way.
He forced a casual tone.
"Nothing actually. I was just playing dead… so the bullet wouldn't hit me."
Jane's eyes sharpened.
"Then why is there blood all over you?" she fired back.
"And why did you stand up and say—'What have you done?'"
Leo froze.
"…I stood up?"
Jane stepped closer.
"Yes. I ran past you at first—I was panicking because of the gunshot."
Her voice lowered.
"But then… you stood up."
Leo's heartbeat slowed.
"You just said those words…"
She stared straight into his eyes.
"And that's when I saw you."
Leo swallowed.
"What happened after that?"
Jane answered quietly,
"You collapsed."
Silence.
Heavy.
Uncomfortable.
Leo lowered his head slightly.
That glowing thing…
Can you hear me?
A voice echoed inside him—
Yes… I can hear you.
Leo's eyes widened for a split second.
But he quickly controlled his expression.
He looked back at Jane.
"Jane… you should go home. I'll talk to you later."
Jane frowned.
"But everything is still in chaos outside."
Leo paused.
"…Then you can stay."
Jane stared at him.
Why is he acting like this…?
Suddenly—
Leo felt a strange pressure inside his body.
Like something was alive within him.
The voice spoke again.
You need to sleep… or your body will collapse again.
Leo stiffened.
"Uh… Jane… I need to sleep now… bye…"
Without waiting, he rushed to his room and shut the door.
He fell onto his bed.
His eyes struggled to stay open.
Each blink felt heavier than the last.
Then—
Darkness.
Living Room
Jane sat quietly.
Something wasn't right.
There's something wrong with Leo…
Her fingers tightened slightly.
When I found him… he was glowing…
She leaned back.
"…What is happening…?"
She sighed.
"Let me just get something to eat…"
9 HOURS LATER....
"LEO!!"
"LEO!!!"
Jane shook him repeatedly.
Leo suddenly gasped and woke up.
"What's wrong with you?! Why are you hitting me?!"
Jane crossed her arms.
"We're late for school."
Leo's eyes widened.
"WHAT?!"
School – Morning
Both of them ran toward the school gate, breathing heavily.
Their hearts pounded loudly in their ears.
They didn't stop.
Didn't slow down.
Finally—
They reached.
As they stepped onto the assembly ground—
Every radio around the school suddenly activated.
CRRRRRSHHHHH…
A distorted voice echoed through the speakers.
"Attention all humans!"
The entire place froze.
"Our planet is under attack. I repeat—our planet is under attack."
Silence.
Fear spread instantly.
The voice continued—
"We are not sure what they are… but here is the information you need to know."
"There are three unidentified beings on our planet."
1. Spiritual Beings
"Glowing entities that cannot be fully identified."
"Some are friendly… others are not."
"They cannot survive long on Earth… so they inhabit human bodies."
A pause.
"If you are lucky… they will not destroy your soul."
"We call them… Spiritual Beings."
Leo's body went cold.
2. Demons
"They are extremely dangerous."
"If encountered—run immediately."
"I repeat—run."
"We have very little information… as only one has ever been encountered."
3. The Beasts
"These are highly destructive creatures with immense strength and durability."
"Avoid all contact."
"Stay indoors."
"This is a global warning."
"All regions are to remain in lockdown."
"Our patrol units will be deployed worldwide."
"Stay safe."
CRRRRSHHHHH—
The transmission cut off.
Silence.
Deep.
Terrifying.
Jane slowly turned toward Leo.
Leo didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Didn't blink.
The air around them felt heavier.
Colder.
Oppressive.
Because deep inside Leo—
Something whispered.
Now you understand…
Jane felt it too.
That pressure.
That fear.
That unknown presence.
The world… was no longer normal.
To Be Continued…