Rain: "What can I do to help you, Mr. Andrew?"
This time, Mr. Andrew felt a glimmer of hope.
Mr. Andrew: "You have to find my body, Rain."
Rain: "But where? And how?"
Mr. Andrew: "That's the problem—I don't know either," he replied with a gloomy expression.
Rain: "Is there anyone here you know? Maybe we can ask someone, sir."
Mr. Andrew: "Unfortunately, no, Rain. I just died last night."
Rain let out a heavy sigh.
Mr. Andrew: "Rain, how are you planning to get out of here?"
Hearing that question made Rain realize she was in the same situation, how would she return to the real world?
Rain: "I don't know... This is my first time, sir."
A moment of silence fell between them, as they both felt overwhelmed and frustrated.
Rain: "What if we look around for someone else here, sir?"
Mr. Andrew: "Someone? You mean a soul?"
Rain: "Yes, that's what I meant, sir."
Mr. Andrew chuckled slightly, and Rain felt embarrassed and foolish for what she said. Still, it brought a bit of lightness to the tense situation.
Rain: "Where should we start, sir?"
Mr. Andrew: "How about we walk straight down that road, toward the light of the moon?"
Rain: "Yes, I agree."
Mr. Andrew and Rain began their journey in search of another spirit trapped in that place, hoping to find answers how Rain could help Mr. Andrew, and how she could return to the real world.
Time passed. They had walked a long way, yet the road stretched endlessly ahead. The place felt like a prison with no exit. Where should they go? Where were the other souls?
Rain: "Sir, we've gone so far and for so long, but we haven't seen a single person."
Mr. Andrew: "I don't know, Rain... It's the same for me. I've been alone here since last night. I tried looking for someone too, but found no one. Instead, I found you wandering around here."
Rain: "Then how do you know that to help you escape this place, I need to find your body? And that if you stay here, your soul will be consumed by vengeance and sent to hell?"
Mr. Andrew: "When I first arrived, a shadowy figure approached me. He touched my forehead, and suddenly, I had a vision with all those answers."
Rain: "Oh, I see."
Mr. Andrew: "How about we try heading that way, Rain?"
Rain: "Are you sure, sir? I'm really tired from all this walking," she complained.
Mr. Andrew: "Let's try. Who knows, maybe we'll get lucky. Or do you want to stay stuck here?"
Rain: "Alright, let's go."
Rain hurried ahead, leaving Mr. Andrew behind, feeling slightly annoyed and creeped out by his last words.
During the journey, nothing changed. They saw only trees, rocks, fog, and the moonlight. The place felt lifeless and empty.
Suddenly, something strange happened to Rain. Her body began to turn transparent and slowly disappeared like light and smoke, sending both her and Mr. Andrew into a panic.
Mr. Andrew: "Rain, what's happening to you?"
Rain: "I don't know, sir."
Mr. Andrew: "You have to hold on! What should I do?"
Rain: "I don't know, Mr. Andrew... Sir... please help me..."
And with her screams, Rain vanished completely before Mr. Andrew's eyes.
***********
Meanwhile...
An alarm rang, waking Rain from her sleep.
Sunlight filtered through the window. The clock showed 6:00 AM. She was back in the real world.
Rain touched her face and body, making sure she was truly alive. Then she stood and walked to the window, drawing open the curtains. The morning light filled her eyes with awe and gratitude she was alive and still in the world of the living.
Yet, a burning question remained: What had happened during her sleep last night?
To clear her mind, Rain got ready to go for a jog before heading to school.
As she jogged, she took in every detail around her the trees, the animals, the people, the clear sky.
She compared it all with the eerie world she had walked through in her dream: gloomy, dark, empty, lifeless. The only light there had been the blood-red moon.
At 7:20 AM, Rain checked her watch. Time to go home, clean up, and get ready for school.
******
7:50 AM
Rain was dressed in her school uniform, ready to have breakfast with Aunt Anna.
Aunt Anna: "Finish this, Rain! I added a new sauce I made yesterday. It tastes completely different you won't stop at just one!" she said, handing Rain a sandwich.
Rain: "Yes, Auntie."
Breakfast ended. It was 8:10 AM. Rain and Aunt Anna got into the car, heading for school part of their daily routine.
On the way, Rain broke the silence.
Rain: "Aunt Anna... do you believe in another world?" she asked cautiously.
Aunt Anna: "Hmm... another world?" she replied, frowning.
Rain: "Yes, a world that only the dead can enter. It's called the Hades Dungeon."
Aunt Anna: "Hmm... I've never heard of it, Rain. Where did you get such an idea?"
Rain: "No, nowhere. I was just asking. Forget it."
Aunt Anna: "Hmm, alright then."
Aunt Anna returned her focus to the road.
They soon arrived at school. Other students were arriving too. Rain opened the car door and waved goodbye.
Aunt Anna: "Rain, you're coming home early today, right? You said your fencing practice was canceled until next week."
Rain suddenly remembered her dream and meeting Mr. Andrew's souls. He was dead, and his body had been hidden.
Rain: "Auntie, what if we go visit Mr. Andrew after school? I want to see how he's doing."
Aunt Anna: "Hmm, okay. I'll call Mrs. Amy to ask for permission and pick you up when school ends."
Rain: "Thank you, Aunt Anna."
Aunt Anna drove away, and Rain headed into the school building. Her mind was full of questions about last night's events. She felt scared, but maybe this could help her find answers and help Mr. Andrew.
**********
During class, Rain struggled to focus. Her thoughts kept returning to the dream and the mysterious Hades Dungeon. The fear and doubt about visiting Mr. Andrew filled her with anxiety.
It was now 3.00 PM. School was over.
Rain took a deep breath. She had to do this meet Mr. Andrew and see for herself. Was it really Mr. Andrew... or his twin, Brian?
Maybe it had all been just a meaningless nightmare.
Aunt Anna was already waiting in front of the school. She waved at Rain, who entered the car.
Aunt Anna: "I called Mrs. Amy. She said it's fine for us to visit Mr. Andrew. I also bought flowers and some gifts to bring."
Rain: "Good. Let's go."
Twenty minutes later, they arrived at the hospital, parked in the basement, and headed inside to the reception desk. After asking for directions, they made their way to Mr. Andrew's room.
Standing in front of the door, Rain's hands trembled. She tried to calm her nerves.
Click. The door opened.
Inside were two people: Mrs. Amy, welcoming them, and Mr. Andrew, sitting on the bed with bandages and bruises on his face.
Mrs. Amy: "Hi, Anna. Thank you for visiting my husband."
Aunt Anna: "Hi. It's our pleasure. Rain asked to come maybe she was worried about her favorite coach."
Mrs. Amy: "Hi, Rain. How are you today? Thank you for worrying about Mr. Andrew."
**********
To be continued...