Abnormality

"Ahhh...ahhh...ahhh... What pain!"

In the middle of a desolate forest, a man was lying on the ground, clutching his head and mumbling something while keeping his eyes tightly shut.

"Why the hell did I do that? I should've stayed still and let him die..."

The man suddenly opened his eyes and looked around, realizing the forest he was in and that there was no noise or movement coming from it.

"Shit, where the hell am I now? Looks like it's night... Bah, doesn't matter, I'll probably find someone to tell me once I get out of here."

The man walked through the forest without worrying about anything or anyone attacking him, lost in his thoughts.

If anyone needs my help in this life, I'll leave them to their fate, I'm tired of repeating the same thing. But, would it really be the right thing to do? Hmmm, nah, at this point it doesn't matter.

I'll just keep going if I see someone in trouble. After all, their problems are theirs, not mine.

Let's see... How many lives have I lived? I think this one makes it a thousand, I better stop dying or I'll lose my sanity. That would really suck.

The man kept walking for a while, jumping over fallen tree branches and rocks that crossed his path.

After a while, he exited the forest and reached an asphalt road. It seemed like a street where cars passed.

"So this time it's in a modern era, huh?" the man suddenly said.

He walked down the road until he reached a convenience store, where three cars and a motorcycle, probably belonging to a delivery guy, were parked. Strangely, the store was closed and there were no signs of movement inside.

The man murmured something:

"Ahhh, I just get here and problems start, I haven't even had dinner yet. Though, it's not my responsibility to go in there, yeah, probably just thieves doing their job so well they don't make a single sound or movement. That's the safest bet."

Suddenly, a scream so loud and terrified came from the store that even someone 800 meters away would hear it.

Don't go, don't go... the man thought.

Another scream, even worse than the last one, echoed from the same store.

The man said:

"Ahh, fine, I'm coming, so you'd better shut up."

After saying this, he ran toward the store and kicked open the door. Inside, everything was in complete darkness, but it was a darkness so dense it didn't seem normal.

The man sneaked through the store, seemingly looking for something or someone without being noticed, though that contrasted with his action of kicking the door.

He noticed something from the corner of his eye, it moved so fast it seemed inhuman.

The man suddenly spoke out loud:

"Oh, so you're one of those who move fast. Let's see, which wish did you originate from? Theft? Murder? Or are you just some freak?"

After saying this, the man noticed the same being again. However, now it moved slower, as if it wanted to be seen.

It was a being about 2 meters tall, resembling a shadow with such dense darkness it seemed to swallow the light. No facial features could be distinguished except for what appeared to be empty eye sockets.

Realizing the silhouette's form, the man quickly recited an incomprehensible prayer that sounded like it came from an ancient language forgotten in the corners of history. In the next moment, he intertwined his hands and closed them, as if to pray and ask for forgiveness for something.

Suddenly, a blinding light appeared, blending with existence.

The being that was there before vanished, and part of its darkness fused with the man. It was so fast that even if everything had happened in slow motion, it would have been barely distinguishable.

The man spoke aloud:

"You can come out now, that thing is gone, of course, if you're still alive."

A young man slowly emerged from behind the counter. He had green eyes, brown hair, a slim build, a sharp and symmetrical nose, and a perfectly chiseled jawline. His skin was slightly tanned. He wore a uniform consisting of a red shirt and cap, dark blue pants, and black leather shoes. He appeared to be between 20 and 23 years old, and based on the uniform, a store employee.

The young man looked around the store, fearful that the being that had been there might still be around, thinking the man might be trying to trick him into using him as a sacrifice to save himself. Though he knew it was illogical, since the person seemed to know whatever that thing was.

Also, just after asking something, an abnormal light appeared. It was clear that it wasn't a coincidence. He had probably somehow dealt with it, which is why he remained a bit cautious and distrustful, though still confused.

After calming down and confirming that the being was indeed gone, he looked at the man in front of him. The man had brown eyes, black hair, and facial features that could only be described as average. He wore an old white linen shirt and black pants, with no shoes. He appeared to be between 27 and 31 years old.

Certainly, although the man's general appearance wasn't extraordinary, his clothing seemed curious, as the shirt he wore looked very outdated, as if it had been made five decades ago. He also wondered why he was barefoot, as he didn't look like a homeless person.

The young man decided to take the initiative and start a conversation with the man:

"Hi, sir... What happened to the thing that was here? Did you get rid of it?"

"Yeah, that's right. By the way, what happened to the others? I'm talking about the motorcycle and the cars parked outside, and please, don't call me sir."

"Aside from you, I'm the only one who's been here for hours, no one else has entered the store for a while now."

"So that's how it is... Hmmm, what's your name?"

The young man extended his hand to the man. "My name's Edward, and you?"

"Nice to meet you, Edward. My name is Cain." The man shook the young man's hand.