The sound of birds chirping slipped through the window blinds, brushing softly against Rin’s ears like the last warm whisper of summer. His alarm buzzed once, then fell silent as his hand slammed down on the snooze button.

  “Ugh…” he groaned, eyes still shut. The smell of something toasty and buttery drifted from the kitchen.

  “Rin!” his mother called from downstairs. “You’re gonna be late for school again!”

  “I’m coming!” he replied, dragging himself upright with a lazy stretch. His brown hair was a mess, sticking out in tufts, and his eyes still heavy from sleep. The floor felt cold under his feet as he padded to the bathroom, washed up, and stared into the mirror.

  Same old brown eyes. Same tired kid. Sixteen, with a soft look and a quiet attitude. He didn’t stand out, didn’t want to. Just a regular guy in a regular world.

  Downstairs, the breakfast table was already set. Scrambled eggs, toast, and Hana’s favorite—blueberry jam. She sat at the table swinging her legs, wearing her school uniform, humming some anime opening under her breath.

  Their dad sat in his usual chair, coffee in hand, scrolling through the news on his phone with a furrowed brow.

  “Morning, sleepyhead,” his mom said, setting another plate down. She looked tired too, but still managed that warm smile she always wore.

  “Morning,” Rin mumbled as he sat down.

  “Eat up,” his dad added, not looking up from the screen. “You’ve got that math quiz today, right?”

  Rin shrugged, picking at his eggs. “Not worried. I studied a little.”

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  “‘A little’?” Hana smirked.

  “You’re gonna fail again,” she teased, sticking out her tongue.

  Rin grabbed a crumb of toast and flicked it at her. She laughed, swatting it away.

  Everything about the morning felt normal. Peaceful. Familiar. And yet… maybe a little too perfect.

  The TV was on low in the background, reporting on the usual noise: politics, weather, some celebrity scandal—until one line cut through everything like static:

  “…multiple reports of a mysterious illness near the northern region of Wavern. Local authorities are advising caution…”

  His dad raised an eyebrow and turned up the volume slightly.

  “…symptoms include severe fevers, tremors, erratic behavior, and in some cases, violent aggression. The source of the illness is still unknown…”

  “Probably just a new flu,” his dad said, though something in his eyes said he wasn’t so sure.

  “Turn that off,” his mom said, a bit more sharply than she meant to. “Let’s not ruin breakfast.”

  Rin didn’t think much of it. Every year it was something—some virus, some scare. This would blow over too, right?

  He finished his eggs, grabbed his bag, and waved goodbye as he left for school.

  The city of Wavern was wide awake. People bustled down sidewalks, chatting, rushing to work or school. Despite the warning on TV, there was no sign of panic. Just traffic, coffee shops, and laughter echoing down the streets.

  Wavern was a well-known city — polished, clean, and proud. Tall buildings loomed like guardians, and the school district was the envy of the country. Rin had grown up here, walked these same sidewalks for sixteen years. Nothing had ever really changed.

  But something felt off today.

  When he got to school, the hallways were loud as always. Students jostled past each other, joking and complaining about assignments.

  He headed to his locker and felt a hard shove from behind.

  “Oof—”

  “Watch it, nerd,” said Juno, one of the usual bullies, flashing his crooked smile.

  Rin brushed it off. Same routine. He didn’t hate Juno — he just didn’t care anymore.

  He made it to class and sat by the window, watching the clouds roll lazily across the sky. The teacher walked in just as the bell rang, calling for everyone’s attention. It was a normal lecture. Math problems, sleepy students, scribbled notes.

  Until the coughing started.

  It came from the front of the room — sharp, raspy, wet.

  Everyone turned to look at the source: a boy named Kai, slumped over his desk, hands trembling.

  “Are you alright?” the teacher asked, stepping toward him.

  Kai didn’t respond. His entire body started to shake violently. Seizure-like spasms rocked his limbs as he collapsed to the ground.

  Several students screamed. Desks screeched as they pushed away. The teacher knelt beside him, shouting for help, while someone ran to get the nurse.

  Rin froze.

  Kai’s mouth was foaming, his eyes rolled back. His limbs kept jerking wildly — until they stopped. Just like that. Silence.

  Dead silence.

  The teacher looked up, pale. “He’s not breathing.”

  The ambulance came ten minutes later. But by then, everyone already knew.

  Kai was gone.

  And that… was the beginning.