Light streamed in through the gap in the curtain, illuminating a portion of the bedroom. Kain slept until he woke up naturally. He stretched, the crisp sounds of his bones cracking as he bent and stretched filled the room.

’Damn! That was the best sleep I’ve had in forever.’

Opening his eyes, he found himself still in the same room as yesterday.

’Huh? Still haven’t come out of the illusion? It’s pretty thorough. Still, I got a good night’s sleep. I should see if I can find those kids. They should be nearby. My soul goes wherever they go, so maybe they didn’t die, and they’re trapped in the illusion too.’

Still not used to the weight of his own body, he slowly made his way to the bathroom. Catching his reflection in the mirror, he stopped to look. Call him vain, but Kain knew he was handsome, and after seeing his sickly pale face for years, he liked the way he looked now.

He took a few more looks at his angular features, the muscle mass he now had, and went to do the morning routine he once considered mundane.

Moving around more, he started getting used to his own body. It was like riding a bicycle. It didn’t take long for him to have a pep in his step. He walked like today was the best day of his life.

Inside the villa, Kain made his way into the kitchen. His eyes scanned the living room. Memories, he hadn’t thought of for numerous years, surfaced. The times he spent with family and friends.

Up until the point his parents were betrayed, and he had to take over the family business.

A wry smile appeared on his face. Just like his parents, he too was betrayed. He had told himself that this person would always be there. That there was no way he could betray him.

But when the world plunged into chaos, the first person to stab him, literally, was the person he trusted. If not for that crazy woman, he didn’t think he could survive.

Kain’s lightheartedness took a sudden nosedive as he remembered things from the past. Still, it didn’t stop him from getting something to eat. He hadn’t eaten in years, and no matter what, since he was able to sleep, it meant he could eat.

He didn’t do anything fancy, just some eggs, sausages, and coffee.

The flavour burst on his tongue, making him want to go back to the fridge and take everything out and cook it. He just barely restrained himself and continued to eat.

’Time to go back to bed. The only thing I want to do now is eat and sleep. If I can do that for a few days, it’s definitely worth it to stay here.’

Plopping down on the bed, he let out a contented sigh.

The moment was calm, pure, and entirely what he needed, until his phone rang.

"Phone?" he said disbelievingly. It had been forever since he heard a cellphone ring.

A strange giggle bubbled up in his throat. Disguising it as a cough, he turned towards the sound. There, he saw the phone’s screen light up. A call was coming in.

Picking up the phone, he saw the name on the screen.

His body trembled involuntarily. His eyes turned red, his hand gripped the phone tighter. His jaw clenched and he gritted his teeth. He answered, but didn’t say anything immediately.

Keeping his breathing level, so as not to betray his true emotions, he released a calming breath. He couldn’t help thinking that he was being tested.

"Kain, are you there?" came the voice he knew all too well. Noel, the person who betrayed him.

Clearing his throat, he responded. "I’m here, what’s up?" His voice was deep from restraint.

"Where were you? We had a meeting with the Donovans for the construction project on the south side. Don’t tell me you forgot. Doesn’t matter; I closed the deal. I’m on my way over to celebrate."

Before he could say anything, the call disconnected.

"Heh. I haven’t said anything yet." He looked at the phone, disgust written on his face.

A good day turned into a shitty one, just like that. Still, he couldn’t help thinking. If Noel could call him, does that mean he could call her?

Leaning forward, resting his elbows on his thigh, he stared. Steeling himself, he looked for the number. He hadn’t wanted to add it, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

Before he could second-guess himself, he dialled. As the phone rang, he laughed to himself. He never thought there would be a day he would be willing to call this woman. But, he couldn’t forget the memories of their time in the New World.

After ringing twice, the call was answered.

"Kain," the voice was calm, a hint of warmth trickling through.

"Amelia," he replied, his voice hoarse.

As soon as he heard her voice, he felt a lump in his throat. In all honesty, Kain wasn’t sure what he felt for this woman. Before the apocalyptic event, he would say she was annoying at the least, a paranoid schizophrenic at most.

Frankly, he thought she was crazy.

He still remembered the day he and a female companion had left a hotel after a wild night. Shortly after parting ways, the woman was found dead. He became a suspect in her murder. If not for his solid alibi, he might have been indicted.

The moment he left the station, he received a call. He still remembered the sound of her voice from that day. It was sweet, almost sultry. She told him every gruesome detail.

He still remembered her telling him that if he ever found another one, she would do the same to that woman.

He had laughed at the time. He listened to every word and walked away from the police station. He never told a soul. But he did it again, and again. Every time, the woman would end up dying.

Now, hearing her on the phone, he only said three words.

"Come to me."