Chapter 2: Apocalypse beginning pt2

I got dressed in a simple jean and oversized white t-shirt

While I was dressing up, my attention suddenly got stolen by the lights flickering from TV next to me.

" Looks like dad forgot to turn it off, hmmm... what this?"

I was just about to turn it off when I noticed something interesting. On the TV screen was the news, it was live footage from a hospital named Yashimoto.

I recognized the place, it's on the west side of the city right next to the Entertainment District- the center of the festival right now.

A commotion was happening on the TV screen where it shows the hospital entrance being guarded by police. Patients was running out from inside screaming, it look like something was chasing them. Just as the camera was panning to what it was, a police hand blocked the view. It was an officer in full riot gear, they were making every effort to blocked the media from what is happening.

" Something like this is happening near the festival? It is really okay..."

" Well, the police are there so it would probably be under control soon..." I mused to myself.

Turning off the TV, I prepare to head out. Outside, I see grandpa standing next to the car, he's wearing a black traditional haori and using a cane to stand. Judging by his impatient looks, he must been waiting for a while.

" Hey Gramps, you been waiting for long?"

" Hmph" He gave a short grunt " That father of yours is sure taking his sweet time"

" I'm sure he has his reasons. Anyway how are you feeling grandpa, you excited for the festival?"

" I'm a bit too old to catch up with you younglings now, but going out every once in a while ain't so bad. At least you being here will make it a lot more bearable"

What does he mean by that? Just as I was about to ask, dad came out.

" Sorry took me a while to find some stuff. Look like you are all ready, c'mon let's get inside the car"

We got inside the car and dad speeds away.

It was late night.

The air was chilly and the moon was shining on the starless night sky.

And yet, the lights in the city still hasn't gone down. The city was still exploding with the cheers and roar of the excited crowd.

The bridge that takes us from the outskirts to the city was almost as if a gateway transitioning us from a dull countryside to a magnificent kingdom with sparkling lights.

I could already feel the festival air washing over me as we reach the end of the bridge and stepping foot-er.. wheels in to the city. In the corner of my eyes, I could see a concert taking place where a singer is singing his heart out to the cheering crowd below. In another place, people gathering to take photo around the famous Hologram Square. 

The streets was bustling, the city was like a vibrant beating heart where every beating sound was the noise from the thousands of people currently enjoying the festival.

We pulled over a small stop, then proceeds to walk to the center of all this hustle and bustle- the entertainment district. The New Year countdown has just ended the moment we arrived making me feel a bit sad inside, but that sadness was immediately washed away by the deafening roar and cheer from the crowd gathering in front of the countdown board. The sound they make is louder than any speakerphone rocking my heart along with it.

Far away, a man was slumped over in a dark alleyway. His breathing was ragged, his face- now covered by his hood-look like it has seen better days, it was covered in blisters and some parts were melting off. He was clearly in pain, but he didn't care for any of that. The massive noise from the center of the city was calling out to him.

His stomach hungers like never before, his insides was clawing away his skin. Yet, his gaze still lingers on the lights of the entertainment district. 

" Hurry! Check that spot, don't let any of them escape"

He could hear the sound of the police mobilizing on the streets, their boot stomping hard on the concrete pavement. Thankfully for him he didn't get discovered, the shadow of the alley concealed him perfectly just like it did him throughout his life.

A soft voice whispers in his ear.

" Go toward the lights and sate your hunger"

The words keep ringing in his ear and with an almost cult-like obsession, he wander through the deserted street, his leg limping behind him.