the hospital doors burst open, I’m doubled over in pain, my left hand over my abdomen, trying to stop the bleeding. My feet drag as I find a gurney to sit it, a few more feet… just a few…

I fall to the crunch just out of reach from the gurney and wince in pain, my hand covered in blood.

Is— is anyone here?? Someone?

I look around the hospital, there’s dust everywhere, it’s eerily silent aside from my cries of pain echoing through the halls of the hospital. I take off my tattered backpack, letting it drop behind me. I use it as a pillow as I succumb to the pain and start to lose consciousness

Help… anyone…please…

I use my left hand to clutch my necklace that’s around my neck. A snake wrapped around a rose, the last thing my father gave to me before dying… ironically, he died a similar death… at the hands at the ancient entities that roam the country… shadowy figures, manipulating weather and time… treating humans and other beings like prey to taunt and a toys to play with

I guess I’ll see you soon daddy… you too mama… my eyes flutter closed, I see nothing but a bright light