July 1st — Manhattan
A somber day of remembrance. Seventy years ago, Manhattan was plunged into a mysterious blackout. Experts once claimed it was caused by a magnetic field surge. Today, the city recalls those twenty-four hours of hardship—
Brian abruptly switched off the television. Stretching, he rose from the sofa. Dawn was breaking, sunlight creeping over the horizon. The faint wail of police sirens drifted through the window.
"Wake up, my good man…" A voice from his dream whispered in his ear. Brian jolted upright, eyes wide. He leapt from bed and rushed to the bathroom, splashing water on his face. But in the mirror, he saw her again—the white-blonde woman from his desert nightmare. She stood with her back to him, murmuring, "Wait for me a little longer."
Suddenly, a piercing sound shrieked, rattling his skull.
"God, what is that noise?!" Brian clutched his ears. "Who are you?!"
"Please… wait for me…" She turned, blood dripping from her eyes down to her chin.
Brian's own nose began to bleed, mirroring her. "A message… is being sent to you," she whispered, before vanishing like mist.
Brian wiped the blood away, rinsing his face again. "What the hell is happening to me?" He swallowed two sedatives, steadied himself, and prepared for work.
By eight o'clock, his car rolled toward the automotive plant. Yet unease gnawed at him. In the rearview mirror, a golden flash flickered in the back seat.
"I didn't take the wrong pills, did I?" He slammed his forehead against the horn. Honk! Honk! "Damn it!"
At the factory, he pulled a cap low over his face, trying to hide his distraction. Adeline greeted employees in the lobby. "Hey, Bri! Why the hat today?" she asked. But he brushed past, his shoulder nearly knocking her over.
"Ouch! Careful!"
"S-sorry, Delly. I'm in a hurry."
"What's wrong with you?" she called, but he had already vanished into the elevator.
As it descended, goosebumps prickled his arms. Voices echoed in his head. "Release me! Let me out!" The doors opened, and he stumbled into the locker room, smacking his shin against a railing.
"Argh! Damn it!" He collapsed, still hearing whispers.
"I have to work… I have to—" Bang! The door slammed open, knocking him flat.
"Oops, sorry, man." Sam stepped out, zipping his pants. "Hey, don't be mad, muscle-boy." He offered a hand. Brian took it, rising shakily.
"Didn't wash my hands yet—kidding, kidding! Don't punch me. You look like you've been through hell. You okay?"
"Just… dizzy."
"There's a saying: twenty plus twenty equals forty." Sam grinned. Brian frowned, headache worsening.
"What?"
Sam crouched, patting his shoulder. "If you see Rolina, don't look her in the eyes. Or she'll bite like a shark. Especially with guys built like you—it sets her off."
"What do you mean, sets her off?" Brian asked.
"Forget it. Just don't stare. Trust me." Sam winked and walked away, leaving Brian baffled.
After changing, Brian stepped out near the restrooms. A worker passed him, but he felt eyes watching. Turning, he saw the familiar blue dog.
"Oh, hey, little guy."
"Yap!" Fuzzy's tongue lolled to the floor. Brian stiffened.
"Smart dog, knows which bathroom to use," he muttered nervously. Rolina emerged from the women's restroom. Their eyes met.
"Good morning," Brian said.
"Hey. Know any bars around here? I'm thinking of taking Sam for drinks tonight."
"There's one I go to with friends. Open till three. I'll show you."
"Bring your friends too." Her owl-like eyes sharpened into a predatory glare as she walked past with Fuzzy.
"Don't look her in the eyes, huh?" Brian murmured, following.
At lunch, he knocked softly on Adeline's office door.
"Come in!" she called cheerfully. She was painting—an eagle and a spider weaving webs under falling stars.
"Hello, Brian."
"What will you call it?" she asked, turning.
"Hmm… Mister Night Sky?"
"Nice, but something's missing."
"How about Our Ordinary World?"
"Our Ordinary Night," she decided, signing with a kiss of red paint.
Brian glanced at her older canvases. "Strange you still use boards. Most people paint digitally now."
"Like you listening to old music. Nothing strange about it. So, what brings you here?"
"Sam and Rolina want us to join them tonight."
Adeline nodded. "Alright. And this morning—tell me what happened?"
"I… don't know. Half-asleep, half-awake. But I'm better now. I'll leave you to your work." He turned quietly and left.
Adeline sat staring at the door, then hung her new painting on the wall among the others.
As evening fell, employees departed the factory one by one until only four remained. Adeline reassured the troublesome duo, "In three days, your ship will be fully operational."
"Awesome! We'll finally get out of here!" Sam cheered.
"Money, idiot! Don't forget we owe them," Rolina snapped, cradling Fuzzy.
"Yeah, yeah… where are we gonna get cash anyway? Forget it! Let's drink first. I need a fix!"
The four piled into the red car. Brian steered them toward a nearby nightlife spot. "Here we are—Barra Vida." He swung the wheel, parking in front of the bar.
"You come here often, don't you?" Adeline teased.
"Not that often. Just with Dan sometimes. A quick drink to wet the throat."
"Hope there's something fun. I'm sick of the hotel," Rolina muttered, making Sam avert his eyes.
Inside, the bar gleamed with gears and tulips. A honey-sweet fragrance filled the air, sprayed by the Asian owner, Jessica, who waved cheerfully.
"Well, well! Brian the handsome brings company. Welcome, boys and girls!" She flashed a grin, skull tattoo peeking from her hip. "What'll it be?"
"Can I drink the owner?" Rolina quipped. Jessica laughed. "Looks like I've found my kind of people. Drinks first, talk later." She slipped behind the counter, shelves stacked with spirits.
"Royal rum for me," Sam said, patting Rolina's shoulder. "And something strong enough to knock her out."
"Hands off, mutt. I'll order myself. Two gin tonics," Rolina snapped.
"Beer for me, Jess," Brian added, then glanced at Adeline. "And you?"
"R-red wine, please," Adeline said, reluctant but willing.
"Royal rum, gin, beer, and red wine—coming up!" Jessica busied herself.
Meanwhile, Sam leaned close to Rolina. "So… what's your plan?"
"He suits me better than you, twig-boy," she retorted.
Sam smirked. "Even if you steal him, you'll crawl back to me in three months. He's got only one brother. You'll get bored."
"Ugh, you arrogant ass. That's why I hate you." She rolled her eyes. Sam shrugged, then draped an arm over Brian.
"Hey, muscle-man, question: do you think a woman like her will ever get married?" He pointed at Rolina.
Brian glanced at her. She tried to lock his gaze, but it had no effect. After a pause, he answered, "Sure. Maybe to you."
The words shattered her composure like glass.
"Drinks are here!" Jessica returned with trays. Adeline lifted her wine delicately, inhaling the aroma.
"Ah, a wine critic," Jessica praised.
"Classy lady," Sam grinned, eyebrows raised.
But the mood shifted as a man in dark glasses entered, tapping Brian's shoulder.
"Ha, what's up—" Brian turned, only to face two tall men. His stomach dropped.
"You're Brian Dixon, correct?"
"What's this about?" Adeline asked sharply.
Sam ducked low, whispering to Rolina, listening intently.
"Just a minor matter from the state. May we see your ID?"
Brian hesitated, then pulled his identification card from his wallet and handed it over. One of the men in black slipped a mysterious card back into his wallet, patted his shoulder, and leaned close.
"Open it when you're home. We see you everywhere, in every action. Cooperate—for a brighter future." His whisper burned in Brian's ear before he vanished without a trace.
"Damn! Is that how the state collects taxes now?" Sam muttered.
"I doubt that was a utility bill," Jessica said nervously, swallowing hard.
"Men in Black!" Sam chuckled darkly. "Thought they were here to erase y'all memories" He nudged Rolina with his elbow.
"Bri, what was that?" Adeline pressed, reaching for his wallet. Brian jerked back, refusing.
"N-no, Dell. It's nothing terrible. Maybe the military's calling me back. Who knows? Let's talk tomorrow."
The duo lost interest, Sam swirling his glass. "You were in the army?"
"A long time ago," Brian said, raising his beer.
"Maybe it's something we can't understand," Sam mused. "Or maybe it's just a memory you can't change. An eagle can't fly without wings, right?"
His voice shifted, deep and rough. Brian turned—and saw a man with burns across half his face.
"Kartz…" Brian whispered. Behind him, lifeless eyes glowed bright blue. Rolina's gaze twisted, as if possessed. A metallic hand slid onto Brian's shoulder—it felt like Adeline's, but wrong.
His grip tightened around the beer glass until it cracked. White light flared across his vision. Jessica's face flickered, replaced by a scanner visor. "YOU WILL END THIS! YOU PROMISED!"
Crash! Reality snapped back. Adeline screamed. "Bri! Are you okay?!" Blood dripped from his palm, shards embedded deep. She rushed to press tissues against the wound. "Lucky it's not too deep."
Brian's mind reeled—memories of youth, déjà vu, now replayed with Adeline tending his injury.
"Damn, man. If I said something bad, sorry," Sam patted his back.
"You never make sense," Rolina sighed.
"Ha! And you never stop nitpicking, you cursed hag."
"Where do you think I learned it? Shut your mouth for three minutes, please." Rolina smacked his head, silencing him. Jessica burst out laughing.
"Haha! You two are hilarious. I like it." Rolina perked up, matching Jessica's playful tone. "If I order two more drinks, will the owner let me eat her?"
"Alright, gorgeous," Jessica grinned, setting down a bottle of concentrated spirits. "If you can handle it, I'll pour."
"I think I should go," Brian said, wiping sweat from his brow. Adeline rose with him, worried.
"Wow, quick exit. Fine, we'll grab a taxi later. Looks like she's staying late anyway," Sam teased, ruffling Rolina's hair as she swooned over Jessica.
"Okay, everyone—this round's on me." Adeline signed the check, then followed Brian out, leaving Rolina, Sam, and Fuzzy behind with Jessica.
"I told you, he won't fall for your trap. He's too good for an alien bride," Sam sneered.
"Shut up. You know if I don't get what I want tonight…" Rolina's eyes narrowed.
"Eh, Jessica looks tasty too. What do you think, dummy?" Sam grinned.
"How much for the drinks?" Rolina asked Jessica, lips curling wickedly.
"One hundred twenty coins. And are you two… together?" Jessica teased, letting her hair fall loose.
"No, not lovers. He just fills the gaps I'm missing," Rolina leaned close to Sam.
Sam laughed. "You've been annoying since the day we met. Anyway, consider this check a small service fee, Jessica. Tonight, good show's coming." He drained his last glass, slamming it down. Thud! "Ah, damn! I feel alive! Woo!"
"The question is..... would you like to join us?" Rolina asked the lady.
"Looks like we're closing early tonight," Jessica made up her mind, pressing the remote to lock the bar doors. Whatever was about to happen inside would not be ordinary. A man's shout thundered across the room.
"Don't look this way, Fuzz! It's about to get naughty~ hehe~"
The moonlight spilled across rooftops as the diesel engine outside fell silent. Brian and Adeline had returned to the mansion, their faces bathed in the soft orange glow of the gate lamps.
Adeline noticed the heaviness in his sigh, the weariness etched across his features. She wanted to reach him, to open the conversation.
"What's weighing on you?" she asked softly. The air was so still that even the hum of the air conditioner seemed absent.
"Something won't leave me alone. This morning I saw visions—hallucinations, nightmares I thought were gone for decades. No matter how many pills I take, it only gets worse. I'm starting to think…" He shook his head, voice trembling. "Think I'm not normal."
Her gentle hand rested on his back. "From the first day I met you, during your interview… I saw something in your eyes. It reminded me of myself, long ago. I don't want to see that sorrow, that defeat, ever again."
Brian lowered his forehead to the steering wheel. "Maybe fate meant for me to die in the desert two years ago like my dad. I've had so many chances to end it all… but something kept pulling me forward. I thought I wanted nothing more from life. Then I realized something was forcing me to keep going and going. My life's freakin' unstable from the start." His eyes fell to the scar across his right wrist.
"This world may be unstable for you, but when I see you smile… it feels stable for me." Her words lifted his gaze from the wheel.
"See you soon, Bri. Take care." She slung her bag over her shoulder, stepped out of the car, and walked through the gate. Turning back, she waved. He smiled faintly, started the engine, and drove away.
Alone, Brian pulled out his wallet and opened it. The mysterious card gleamed under the dashboard light.
WORLD D. GOVERNMENT : DEKA Project
"We understand what you seek, Mr. Dixon. Join us in building a brighter future for the world—ten years from now."
Brian parked his car in the garage of his modest rented home. The wail of emergency sirens echoed through the neighborhood. Then, that piercing sound struck his ears again.
"Ugh… damn it."
"Awake, awake… the time has come…" The whisper coiled into his left ear. He stepped out into the empty street, walking past rows of rental houses until he reached a deserted intersection. The whispers grew louder, closer, more insistent. Bare feet slapped against the pavement from the right.
Brian steadied himself, forcing calm. From the shadows emerged a blonde woman, shackled by laser handcuffs, stumbling forward in desperation.
The traffic light bathed half their faces in red glow, as if the whispers had guided them to meet. She was drenched in sweat and tears, her sorrow palpable. She tripped on the brick pavement, scraping her ankle. Brian stared hard—recognition struck. She was the same woman from his desert nightmare.
"You…" he breathed.
She rose shakily, meeting his gaze from only three meters away. Her voice trembled, familiar.
"P-please… you have to help."
The mysterious lady—the one who had saved him in his nightmare—now stood before him in reality.
"Is this a dream? Or has time slipped by in the blink of an eye?"
Brian W. Dixon
Thump! The final page closed. The scene froze, the street torn away, replaced by a dim library. An old man held the book to the flames, burning it for reasons unknown.
"The first tale ends here, children. This book is old, and my hands are dusty. So I burn it." His blind white eyes reflected the fire.
"And no… it isn't over. I have many more stories to tell. The future world hides countless secrets. Time waits for no one—it leads us here, to this library. But now, I must prepare the next tale. We will meet again. As for the way out… I've never once found this room familiar."
The flames spread across the book, consuming his hands, yet he showed no pain. His body burned away, vanishing piece by piece.
"I am Reader. Farewell for now. Remember—time will bring us together again."
The library dissolved into ash, leaving only emptiness.
-Part 1 Ends-