Argh!
My chest!
It... It hurts!
The world slowly blended back together from the flashing lights and the myriad of colors. Noir fell to the ground, gripping his chest. It felt like his body was being ripped apart from the inside.
What... What is happening to me? My heart... It's not beating! Noir frantically pressed his hands to his chest, trying to feel for his heartbeat. After a moment, he felt it—a weak, but unmistakable pulse.
What the hell? Did I just have a heart attack? I'm not even twenty yet! Is my diet really that bad? Maybe I should have listened to my mom when she told me to exercise more...
Noir tried to stand but stumbled, falling back to the ground. His head spun as his eyes slowly adjusted to the bright surroundings.
When his vision cleared, he realized something was terribly wrong. The place before him was completely different from what it had been just moments ago.
Where... Where am I? Wasn't I just in the supermarket?
Why the hell am I suddenly out in the open?
And what's up with these weird-looking buildings?
They look so vintage… Like something out of a medieval movie. Even the people around me are dressed weirdly!
Shit! It's freaking hot too... I feel like I just stepped out of the shower—I'm completely drenched! Argh, why is my sleeve so wet... Wait—sleeve?
Wasn't I dressed in a T-shirt?
The hell? Why am I decked out in a full-on formal suit? There's even a cane and a top hat next to me!
Noir blinked in confusion, taking in the strange sight. Men in formal attire and women in long dresses waltzed past him. The street buzzed with activity, but the sound only added to his discomfort. It was as if he didn't belong in this place.
Around him, shops of all kinds lined the street—clothing stores, restaurants. The buildings were made of stone and finely crafted oak, each one boasting a similar, classic structure.
To his left, a shop displayed suits and dresses in large windows. But it was his own reflection that caught his attention.
The man staring back at him was unfamiliar—middle-aged, clean-shaven, with a sharp, rectangular face and a protruding nose. He wore a brown suit, an elegant white shirt beneath, radiating an aura of sophistication.
Suddenly, loud, overlapping voices pierced his mind. Noir dropped to the ground again, clutching his head as pain surged through his skull. In an instant, he saw the life of the man—Benron—flash before his eyes.
From his birth to his first crush in school, Noir saw it all, felt it all. The emotions, the memories… it was overwhelming.
He knelt on the ground, a crazed grin forming on his face as tears streamed down his cheeks. His body trembled, his eyes unfocused.
The forty years of Benron's joy, sadness, and anger merged with Noir's own mind, fracturing his thoughts.
"Stop..."
I love you, Amy! Let's go! Don't go! You're the worst! It wasn't my fault!
"Stop..."
It wasn't my fault, it wasn't my fault, it wasn't my fault…
"Stop!"
Behind him, a woman in a white dress reached out. Her red hair fluttered in the breeze. Noir instantly recognized her.
Amy…? What—why is she here? I have to tell her it wasn't my fault, I… Noir's thoughts became a jumbled mess. No! What the hell am I thinking? I don't even know her! These aren't my thoughts!
Amy's hand touched his left shoulder. It was dry and cold, contrasting with his drenched body.
"Smack!" In a flash, Noir slapped her hand away.
No… Why did I do that? He recoiled inwardly. I... I need to run before I lose control.
Pain throbbed through his chest as he tried to stand, but his legs betrayed him, refusing to obey.
Shit!
"I know you're upset about how we separated, but don't you think this is going too far?"
"Stay away from me! I don't know you! I don't! I don't!" Noir's voice cracked as he shouted, his chest tight with panic. Passersby started staring at him, their eyes full of judgment.
No, no, no, no, no! I can't control myself...
Noir wished for the voices to stop, for his body to regain control. Instead, a skull-piercing ringing filled his ears. The sound of a church bell reverberated in his mind, growing louder with each passing second.
It was too much. He collapsed again, his face hitting the grimy pavement.
"Benron!"
Amy rushed to his side, flipping him onto his back.
"I can't believe you…" Her voice was laced with frustration and sadness.
"Ark!" Noir gasped, his blurry eyes catching a glimpse of two slender hands wrapped around his neck.
He felt the cold grip tighten slowly, his surroundings falling silent. Amy's face, once full of concern, now looked distant and hollow. Her eyes became dark, lifeless—like the buttons on a doll.
Why... Amy... someone, please save me... am I going to die? Noir's breath grew shallow. No… not yet!
"Cough... Stop… please…"
The life slowly drained from Noir's eyes as he struggled to hold on. His body grew stiff, and with one final, desperate exhale, he went limp.
For a long moment, he lay motionless.
Then, he was dead.