It was just another ordinary morning in Riving City, where the sun gradually emerged over the horizon, casting a breathtaking palette of orange and pink across the sky in a spectacular display. The golden rays spread warmth over the vibrant streets, bustling with life and anticipation. The invigorating crispness in the air was tinged with the delightful scent of freshly baked bread wafting from nearby bakeries, mingling with the distant sounds of vendors bustling about, setting up their colourful stalls overflowing with goods. Below, the clean river meandered serenely beneath an ancient stone bridge, a testament to the city's rich history. Its surface sparkled like a field of diamonds, glimmering in the sunlight as tiny waves danced gracefully. Birds flitted playfully against the backdrop of the azure sky, their cheerful melodies harmonising with the laughter and lively chatter of people immersed in their morning routines, creating a vibrant symphony that resonated throughout the city.
Yet, in stark contrast to this idyllic tableau, a small boy named Renn Ashmer, around 14 years old, found himself ensnared in a haunting nightmare. He was hurtling through a dark, smoky landscape that seemed to stretch infinitely, the air thick with an ominous haze that clawed at his throat and stung his lungs with each ragged breath. Little light illuminated his surroundings, save for a faint, pale sliver of moonlight that barely sliced through the oppressive darkness. Adrenaline surged through his veins, sharp and frantic, as he sprinted, trembling with an all-consuming fear, desperately trying to outrun the ominous silhouette of a man that lurked just behind him. The shadow surged forward with a speed that felt unnatural, relentlessly closing the distance between them. Every frantic step Renn took felt increasingly heavy, as if he were wading through thick molasses, and he could hear the thunderous pounding of his heart drowning out all other sounds. Just as the shadow reached out with a gnarled hand to ensnare him, Renn jolted awake, his body drenched in sweat, tremors coursing through him like an electric current.
Gasping for breath, he struggled to regain his composure, whispering to himself, "Not again. Why do I keep having these nightmares?" His eyes instinctively shifted to his right palm, where a distinctive black sun symbol, intricately detailed and surrounded by twelve rays radiating outward, was imprinted on his skin. This mark, an inexplicable part of his identity, had accompanied him since birth, a constant enigma that both intrigued and unsettled him. Despite his fervent attempts to erase or conceal it—scrubbing it with soap, obscuring it under layers of clothing—the mark had stubbornly remained, refusing to fade or budge. As time passed, Renn gradually accepted it as an indelible facet of who he was, a mystery he was destined to carry, intertwined with the shadows of his nightmares.
As Renn sat on his bed, deep in thought, he found himself overwhelmed by memories of his unsettling nightmares and the mysterious symbol that adorned his hand. Just then, a loud, commanding voice echoed from downstairs. "Renn, are you coming down or not? If you don't make it down in a minute, I'm coming up to teach you a lesson!"
The familiar sound of his mother's voice brought a smile to Renn's face, dispelling some of the gloom that shrouded his thoughts. He quickly sprang into action, hurrying to brush his teeth and get dressed in his crisp school uniform. The morning light filtered through his window, filling the room with a sense of hope. Grabbing his school bag, he dashed down the stairs with newfound energy, eager to embrace the day.
When he reached the bottom of the stairs, the cosy smell of breakfast wafted through the air, welcoming him home. His father, Mr. Ashmer, was seated at the dining table, munching on a sandwich, while his mother set out plates of golden-brown toast and fresh fruit. The table was beautifully arranged, a contrast to Renn's racing thoughts.
"Good morning, Dad! Good morning, Mom!" Renn exclaimed as he took a seat, the cheerful tone in his voice brightening the room. Mr. Ashmer looked up with a smile, nodding in acknowledgement.
Mrs. Ashmer, her brow slightly furrowed with playful exasperation, remarked, "So finally, someone decided to make it to breakfast."
Renn offered an apologetic grin as he bit into a sandwich. "Sorry, Mom! I just lost track of time."
With a flicker of concern crossing her face, Mrs. Ashmer leaned forward. "Did you have those nightmares again?"
Renn quickly cast his eyes downward, avoiding her gaze. "No, Mom, I didn't have any today," he replied, not wanting to burden them with his worries.
A look of relief replaced her concern. "Good, Renn. Now eat your breakfast; we don't want you to be late for school again." Renn nodded, grateful for her understanding, and finished his meal, the tension easing away with each bite.
After breakfast, he made his way to his little sister Amber's room. At just five years old, she looked utterly adorable, with her curly black hair splayed out on the pillow and her cherubic face framed by the morning light. As he tiptoed closer, Mrs. Ashmer cautioned, "You better not wake Amber."
"Yeah, Mom, don't worry," he reassured her, leaning down to place a gentle kiss on Amber's cheek. She stirred slightly but remained asleep, a small smile curling on her lips.
Renn stepped outside, breathing in the fresh morning air while calling back, "Bye, Dad! Bye, Mom!" His parents nodded, and with each step towards school, Renn's excitement mounted.
As he walked through the familiar neighbourhoods, he greeted neighbours with cheerful waves and bright smiles, his innocent energy radiating warmth. When he arrived at the school entrance, he spotted his best friend Jack waiting for him, a grin plastered on his face.
"What's up, man? Late for school again? You're truly impossible!" Jack teased, crossing his arms playfully.
Renn laughed, shrugging his shoulders. "Sorry, Jack! Let's go together!" They both ran into the school, a large building with multiple stories that housed hundreds of classrooms. The robust structure towered over them, filled with the hustle and bustle of students entering and exiting, eager for the day ahead.
The school boasted a vast playground in front of the main building, featuring a basketball court, two volleyball courts, and football nets. The sight of children playing and laughing brought a sense of liveliness to the air. Behind the main building, a big swimming pool glistened under the sun, reflecting the excitement of the afternoon.
Renn and Jack made their way to their classroom on the second floor, where they eagerly slipped into their seats beside each other, their bond strengthened by shared experiences.
"Hey, did you finish your homework today?" Jack inquired, curiosity lighting up his eyes.
With a confident nod, Renn replied, "Yeah, my mom made sure I did. No way I could have gotten away with it!"
The two friends enjoyed their time in class, exchanging jokes and learning together, their laughter mingling with the sounds of the school until the final bell rang.
"Finally! It's time to go home!" Renn exclaimed, his joy palpable. "Let's go, Jack!" With that, they both rushed out of the classroom, ready to embrace the adventure of another day.
As they strolled home together under the fading evening light, Renn and Jack reached the entrance of Jack's house. Jack turned to Renn with a playful grin, saying, "So, it's my stop. Bye, Renn! Remember, no more being late tomorrow."
"Yeah, Jack, bye! See you tomorrow!" Renn called back, watching as Jack waved before disappearing into his home.
Renn continued down the quiet street, the comforting sounds of evening settling around him. However, after a short while, he began to sense an odd presence emanating from the narrow alleyway between two towering buildings. Intrigued, he felt an inexplicable pull toward the obscured space shrouded in darkness from the shadows cast overhead.
As he ventured deeper into the alley, the darkness enveloped him, muffling the sounds of the street beyond. His heart raced with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. In the dim light, he spotted a figure standing motionless, its form vaguely human yet unsettlingly distorted.
His instincts screamed at him to turn back, but he found himself drawn closer. Suddenly, the figure shifted, and as it stepped into the faint glow, Renn was struck with disbelief. The man mirrored the terrifying shadows that plagued his nightmares, those relentless dark figures that always seemed to emerge when he was most vulnerable.
The man's eyes were pure black, devoid of any warmth, and his skin bore jagged cuts as if carved by a serrated blade. Blood trickled from his face, highlighting the sharp, menacing teeth that protruded from his mouth in a chilling grin. His hands were grotesquely large, ending in sharp black claws that seemed to glint ominously in the pale light. A palpable dark aura surrounded him, casting an oppressive weight over the alley.
As Renn stood frozen, he realised a strange warmth radiated from his right hand. He looked down to see the sun symbol imprinted on his palm glowing with a vibrant golden light, a stark contrast to the darkness that filled the alley. Before he could comprehend the significance of the symbol or the potential danger he faced, the man lunged toward him with terrifying speed, claws extended, ready to attack. Fear gripped Renn, leaving him with only a split second to react.
to be continue in next chapter