Chương 1: What the fuck is New World?
In New Orleans, 2025.
My Thursday night seemed like just another ordinary night, just another typical Thursday, and I was in a "whatever" mood. It was simply a matter of putting on an old romance movie, and my eyes could close with pity for my love life. However, a loud knock on my door startled me, turning this night into the most unusual one in recent years.
Yes, in recent years.
I confess I was apprehensive, but with courage, I approached the door, holding a wooden bat in my right hand.
"Look at my mom being right again, she made me buy this and it's finally going to be useful for something other than killing cockroaches on the ceiling."
I opened the door slowly, prepared to face a possible burglar or any idiot who might want to do something serious. However, I didn't even need to open the door completely to see that there was a man lying in front of my house.
"What the…?"
I stood there looking for a few seconds and realized the man wasn't moving. Not a single movement, which made me curious. I wondered if maybe he was just another guy who decided to drink himself into oblivion after being left by his wife, or if he was a high school teenager in trouble.
"Ah, another drunk or a teenager seeking attention? Please, let it not be a teenager who is drunk and was dumped by his girlfriend, that would be the combo."
As I got closer, the man moved his left leg and started to get up slowly. I just watched, thinking.
"I was right, it must be just another guy left by his woman..."
To my surprise, the man stood up completely. He looked completely lost and bewildered. Upon closer observation, I realized he really wasn't well. He wasn't drunk or high. After running his hands over his face, as if trying to wake up, the man asked me.
"Why did I leave the New World?"
"A drunk, huh? He's just a crazy guy," I thought immediately after hearing him ask that.
Obviously, I had never heard of a New World, and I replied sincerely.
"Sir, I don't know what that is."
The man showed a reaction of frustration, but I offered him help, trying to be genuine.
"Do you want me to help you?"
"I would appreciate it."
He accepted the help, so I went to get a glass of water and some headache medicine, simply deducing he needed it. As if we were old friends, we sat on the steps of my door, just looking out.
I wanted to break the silence because I could see the man was disheartened. So, I opened my mouth and asked.
"Do you want to explain to me about... this so-called New World?"
He looked at me and asked.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Well… there's not much to do on a Thursday!" I affirmed with sympathy, trying to cheer him up.
I stayed quiet, and he began.
"The New World is different, it's totally different from here. I didn't see anyone or any sign of life. I don't exactly know how to get back there; I just remember blinking and BOOM... I was in the New World. It's easier to return because there's an exit!"
I was really surprised. After all, the man didn't seem to be lying, and who knows, if he became a great screenwriter with this New World idea, I might make some good money. But before I could think of saying anything, the man spoke.
"I plan to return there. There are people I know who need to know about the existence of this place. But, for that, I need someone to help me with proof, with photos from there!"
I was at a loss for words. I asked him.
"A photographer... you need a photographer? Is that it?"
"Yes. I need to find one to help me," said the man.
I don't know why or how, but a strong interest and a dose of adrenaline invaded me. Despite the surreal story he was telling, my life was boring, and maybe it was time to try something. I looked at him and said.
"It's just that I... am a photographer."
After talking, the man, whose name I still didn't know, and I went into my house.
Honestly, I couldn't stop thinking about how I got to this point of loneliness. Basically, I met a man in a totally unexpected way and in a situation that's certainly not normal to make friends. And I still invited him into my house without even knowing his name.
"What am I doing?"
As soon as we entered, he broke the silence and my curiosities.
"This is all very strange, but I want you to really trust me and what I saw. By the way, I don't think I've even introduced myself yet…"
I just looked, paying attention to what he was saying.
"My name is Henry, and I'm from Atlanta. I moved here a few months ago, but I'm already quite adapted."
"Glad to hear you've adapted. I'm Phill, I'm from here," I replied amiably.
Henry sat on the couch while I went to the kitchen to get something for us to eat. After a few minutes, I returned with the snacks, and he asked me.
"Is this abandoned vibe normal in New Orleans? Since I arrived, this feeling hasn't left me."
I laughed at the comment and, smiling, said.
"It's not like this all year round. The city has been dealing with a wave of violence for a few months; we've had problems with those giant creatures."
"The Gyakus, right? It's bizarre that those things exist."
"But about New Orleans, it's kind of normal now. Practically no city is safe regarding these beings."
We laughed together, and I took the moment to grab my professional camera and show it to him. I picked it up, and as I was preparing to place it on the coffee table in the middle of the room, suddenly...
Everything went dark. I felt as if my senses had disappeared. I don't know if it was out of fear or desperation, maybe both, but I started screaming like crazy. Finally, the darkness began to brighten. I blinked my eyes and found myself in a seemingly large city, with dim lights, a dark city illuminated only by the glow of a strange sun, reminiscent of Victorian London. I felt lost...
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