Chương 2: 1.2 An Unusual Room

Nero was perplexed as he stared at the rusty golden candelabra hanging from the high ceiling. That was certainly not his. The room may be dim as the candle lit chandelier held no flame but he was certain that he was not in his bedroom.

He sat up from the enormous bed he supposedly laid on. Briefly, he wondered if the landlord had done any work on the property but that was obviously a stretch. Although he came from a rich family, his flat was never this big and his stuff was never as luxurious. Not only that, the structure of the room was more akin to a royal chamber rather than his typical dwelling. He rubbed the ivory duvet, racking his brain for any memory to recall as to why he was in a seemingly medieval room. His brain brought him to a small laboratory, one of the university's science labs.

"You got to be kidding me."

Beside him was Linda, his childhood friend and lab partner for the whole semester. Linda gasped as if she just heard the most offensive statement ever to exist. His childhood friend gave him an incredulous look while he cleared their desk.

Nero then rose with the medical equipment in hand. Linda whined and followed him as he walked to the shelves. Her loud voice caught the notice of other students but Nero was still unresponsive as he placed back the equipment safely to its compartment.

Even when they left the room, Linda walked beside him like a kicked puppy. "Come on." Linda whined once more. The woman was persistent that he spends the incoming semester break with Linda and her family. Nero had stated he applied for a part-time job during the break and ever since, Linda— self-proclaimed best friend (he thinks so as well but he is not going to say that out loud)— tried and tried again to talk him out of it.

"You're always like this. Ever since we were young, I have to drag you everywhere so you can indulge yourself in fun activities. Why do you live such a monochromatic life? I am so worried for your indifference," she nagged beside him and Nero rolled his eyes at her dramatics.

In the end, and as expected, Linda could not change his mind and could only pout and give him a tight hug, promising to bring him souvenirs.

Nero blinked at the memory. There was a small tug at the end of his lips. He unconsciously rubbed the duvet, reminiscing for a while about their younger selves.

He would read a book by his window, killing time, being the only child of busy parents. When a loud thud smacked the window panes, he would sigh in exasperation as he begrudgingly accompanied Linda to her so-called adventures. Most of it had them soaking wet as she loved to play by the river next to their subdivision.

Nero's eyes wandered to the unfamiliar room, his gaze then locked to the deep violet drapes that hid what he guessed was a large window. He then shook his head, attempting to remember why he was in the room once again.

This time, his mind showed him the convenience store he worked at.

Nero stood behind the counter, waiting for a customer to finish rummaging through racks stored of items they wished to buy. It was the last day of their semester break which meant that it was his last shift too.

While waiting, his phone buzzed continuously inside his pocket. He ignored it, knowing that it was Linda's updates about the web novel she recently discovered. She was clearly obsessed about it, if her constant posts on the internet were anything to go by.

Nero had to suffer texts and calls about how handsome and smooth the male leads were. It also did not help that he had the same name as the villain of the novel. What was his name again? Oh right, Nero Lanchas-

A slam on the counter snapped him to reality.

He feigned a smile towards the grumpy customer and diligently took the items. "Thank you for your purchases. Please come a-"

The door slammed shut before Nero could even finish his words. He gave no reaction to the treatment, too used to the indifference of most customers. Besides it's not like he is bothered by it. He is just as indifferent, far more in fact to the point that those around him are concerned. At least, that is what he heard from Linda.

His phone rang this time just as the digital clock beeped; both sounds indicated the end of his shift. Nero dismissed the alarm to silence the device then stretched his numb arms so he could start to tidy up the place.

There was not much to spruce up that day as the stocks were recent. Although he took quite the time to clean a table a group of high school students used. Nero can never understand the amusement of hiding chewed gums all over it.

Once he was done and had taken off his uniform, which was merely a green vest, the door to his manager's office swung open. Ms. Gina strutted her way towards him with a small brown envelope in hand.

The woman thanked him for his hard work and Nero nodded as he reached for his last salary. Once it was safely hidden inside his favorite black backpack, he swung the bag over his shoulders then took his leave. . . never to return again.

It was cold, inevitable considering the time. The sky was pitch black, not a single spark of stars on sight. The street was devoid of busy crowds and noisy cars. One lamppost stood out like a sore thumb with its flickering light, dimming a portion of the empty road.

Nero walked as the store was just a five-minute walk away from his apartment. When he saw the alleyway he needed to pass through, he quietly made his way towards it.

Suddenly, a gust of wind appeared.

He shuddered at the chill. His steps faltered but he still kept his head facing front. He was by no means a superstitious man but he can't help but feel that someone— no, something was eyeing him.

A chill crawled up his spine but Nero. . . he shrugged the creepy feeling off.

Nero frowned, wondering why that was all he could think of. There were no memories of him making it at home but he also had no recollection of getting attacked.

When he could not decide for an answer, Nero heaved a deep sigh and stood up from the enormous bed.