Wandering Gone

"Slim Town" Chapter 4

Ren strolls along the highway, where the passing cars are a rare sight. A young girl shadows Ren, tracing the edge of the highway with her steps. Curiosity tugs at her, and she inquires, "What's our purpose here? Would you rather return to that house?" The girl falls into silence, her gaze fixated on the ground as she absentmindedly nudges a pebble along the path. "It should appear soon," Ren mutters under her breath. The girl lifts her eyes to meet Ren's, unable to catch her whispered words. Before she can inquire about the secret message, a peculiar yellow bus, distinct from the previous vehicles, decelerates beside her.

Ren beckons the girl to join her as she boards the bus, casting a longing glance in her direction. The bus driver, focused on the road ahead, pays little attention to her but keeps the door ajar. With hesitant steps, the girl steps onto the bustling city bus, her eyes scanning the multitude of passengers. Ren stands beside a vacant pair of seats on the right side, and she settles by the window, with Ren taking the seat beside her. As the bus sets off, the girl is puzzled by the absence of any peculiar vibes from her fellow travelers. They all appear ordinary, devoid of any strange aura. Curiosity tugs at her, tempting her to test their normalcy, but her introverted nature holds her back. It is only now, after she has taken her seat, that the girl truly comprehends the peculiarity of her situation. Like stumbling upon a hidden door in a cave, she finds herself transported from the depths of underground to a long empty road.

Shortly after the girls were picked up, the bus came to a halt once again, this time to welcome two more passengers. Among them was a girl with cropped hair, sporting a striped shirt and shorts. The other was a bespectacled boy, donning a collared shirt and slacks. The short-haired girl appeared bewildered and fearful, taking a seat while the boy trailed behind her. They settled in front of the girl and Ren, and an eerie silence enveloped them. Breaking the stillness, the short-haired girl turned around, her voice filtering through the gap between the seats. "Hello, I am Anna." The girl stared at Anna, her eyes filled with a mixture of terror and curiosity. In a timid tone, she replied, "Hey." The unnamed boy introduced himself as Dan. Anna, her voice tinged with uncertainty, asked, "Are you real?" The girl, her voice elastic with hope, responded, "Did you also find yourself transported to this strange dreamlike realm?" Anna glanced at Dan and inquired, "Did you have to escape from an old woman too?" "I did," Dan confirmed. At last, the girl felt a glimmer of hope, as if she had found something to hold onto in this bewildering place. If these two existed, then surely there were others who had stumbled upon or been ensnared by this peculiar dream world. Ren's attention drifted away, captivated by something outside the window on the opposite side. "Do you see her?" she asked the two newcomers. "See who?" Dan inquired, his gaze shifting to Anna. The girl harbored a strong desire to test the theory by stepping on Ren, but before she could voice her thoughts, she noticed the impatience etched on Ren's face. It was as if she was eagerly awaiting something.

The bus jolted upward with such force that it felt as though it had collided with a colossal speed bump. Startled, the girls and their two companions were propelled from their seats and then swiftly descended back down, shaken by the violence of the sudden movement. As the girl's gaze ventured outside, she beheld a peculiar sight - they appeared to have arrived in a town. From her vantage point, she could observe the entirety of the bustling shopping district, extending all the way into the sloping neighborhood. This town, she thought, was unbelievably slender, with the shopping area enveloping the main road. In order to reach the beach, which seamlessly merged with the vast ocean, one had to traverse two buildings. "Where did the ocean come from?" the girl stammered, her voice betraying her bewilderment. When she glanced back, the highway she had been traveling on had vanished, leaving only a precipice that led directly to the beach and the boundless ocean beyond. In that moment, the girl couldn't help but entertain the notion that if this enigmatic world desired her demise, it could undoubtedly accomplish it. The unsettling metamorphosis of the surroundings only intensified her unease. The town, despite its liveliness, seemed to exist within its own realm, with each inhabitant absorbed in their own separate universe. It was an undeniably surreal experience. "If this town weren't so slender," the girl mused aloud, "I would almost believe I had returned to a familiar world." Curiosity piqued, Anna turned her gaze towards the girl,”what's not familiar about it?” her eyes fixed intently upon her, awaiting an explanation.

As the crimson light transformed into a vibrant green, granting the bus permission to proceed, Dan's gaze shifted towards Anna, his hand gently resting on her shoulder. Suddenly, a cacophony of screams erupted from a nearby shopping establishment, piercing the air. In the midst of the chaos, the chilling sound of gunshots reverberated through the surroundings. The girl's eyes darted towards the commotion, witnessing a horde of frightened individuals fleeing from a mysterious figure concealed beneath a hood.

Reacting swiftly, Ren seized the girl's arm and tugged her urgently, but as they moved, the assailant aimed their weapon towards the bus, unleashing a barrage of bullets. A sharp, searing pain shot through the girl's shoulder, causing her body to tremble and the point of impact to radiate intense heat. Ren snickers, realizing the urgency of their situation. "We must leave the bus!" Ren exclaimed, swiftly draping the girl's arm over their own shoulder, leading her towards the front of the bus. In a frenzy, the remaining passengers scrambled away, seeking safety from the relentless shooter. Unbeknownst to Dan and Anna, their instinctual act of assistance inadvertently displaced Ren, an entity visible only to the girl. The girl, still in a dazed state, struggled to fully comprehend the agony inflicted by the bullet. Dan and Anna, disregarding Ren's presence, diligently aided the girl, forcefully pushing Ren aside.

With a sense of urgency, Dan proclaimed, "We have her! Let us remove her from this dangerous scene." Anna, her voice filled with determination, echoed his sentiment. Their declaration caught the shooter's attention, diverting their focus towards the trio. Sensing imminent danger, Ren swiftly exited the bus and tackled the girl, dragging her towards the safety of an adjacent alley. Once there, Ren hoisted her up and sprinted deeper into the labyrinthine passageway, shielding her from harm.

Ren ponders the perplexing question of why Dan would unleash a thunderous yell in the presence of a lurking shooter. She contemplates that this outburst was no mere blunder, for every encounter they've faced thus far has possessed a hidden significance. Nestled upon the ground, Ren cradles the girl tenderly within her embrace. With a swift motion, she tears her left sleeve asunder, fashioning a makeshift bandage to staunch the girl's bleeding shoulder, securing it tightly. A wince of pain escapes the girl's lips, her teeth sinking into her quivering lower lip. Determined, they both rise from the ground, a shared resolve etched upon their faces. "We must extract those fragments of lead and cleanse your wound," Ren declares, her voice laced with concern. The girl's apprehension lingers, uncertain of the fate that awaits her. The town's boundaries extend slightly beyond the structure adjacent to the road, a mere whisper of civilization. Undeniably meager, the town lies before them, beckoning their ascent towards the hillside neighborhoods. Through the narrow passage between buildings, they catch a fleeting glimpse of the bustling main road. The absence of human presence within the town comes as no surprise, given the looming threat of the shooter. Yet, as they hastily retreat into the alley, the deafening symphony of gunshots remains eerily absent. Suddenly, a piercing cry reverberates through the air, originating from the alley across the street.

Anna beckons them over with a graceful wave, her eyes filled with urgency. The young girl, her index finger pressed gently against her lips, silently instructs Anna to remain silent. Anna glances back at the group of people trailing behind her, causing the girl to assume that her gaze is fixed upon Dan. Suddenly, a surge of energy courses through the crowd as Anna, Dan, and a few others sprint towards the girl. In the midst of the chaos, Ren reaches out and firmly grasps the girl's trembling hand, Anna and Dan are accompanied by a girl adorned with freckles, a bearded man, and an individual with a strikingly elongated face. "Your shot!" Anna exclaims, her voice brimming with urgency. "There's a medical center just around the corner on this street." Anna tightly clasps the girl's hand, determined to lead her to safety. However, Ren forcefully tugs at the girl's hand, causing Anna to stumble. "No, it's far too risky. We still have no knowledge of the shooter's whereabouts," Ren warns, her voice laced with concern. "I understand, but they are genuinely trying to assist us," the girl responds, her voice tinged with a mixture of fear and hope. Dan, perplexed by the girl's conversation, gazes at Anna, awaiting an explanation. In that moment, the girl is reminded that Ren is a figment of her imagination, a voice only she can hear. "They are attempting to lure you towards danger," Ren interjects, her words dripping with caution. A single droplet of sweat trickles down the girl's cheek, mirroring the tension that hangs heavy in the air. The five individuals fix their eyes upon the girl, anxiously awaiting her decision. "Sorry, but could we perhaps seek refuge in the nearby neighborhood?" the girl pleads, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

The quintet embarks on their journey towards the dilapidated neighborhood. Leading the pack, the girl strides confidently, while unbeknownst to her, Ren trails behind the rest. Exiting the bustling shopping district, they enter the neighborhood nestled upon the steep hill. Ascending their way, they leave behind the safety of narrow passageways. As they climb higher, the girl glances over her shoulder, casting her gaze upon the entire expanse of the shopping district. A heavy silence engulfs them, yet their feet continue to tread upwards. The motive behind their unanimous agreement remains shrouded in mystery. Suddenly, Ren's voice pierces the air, proclaiming the presence of the shooter across the block. Swiftly, the girl turns her head to the left, only to find the shooter brandishing his weapon. Reacting swiftly, she drops to the ground and darts towards the side of a nearby house. Meanwhile, the remaining four companions scurry down the street, seeking refuge in a different house. The girl finds herself separated from the group, but Ren dashes across to reunite with her. Gunshots reverberate through the air, striking the house and piercing through its walls. Urgently, Ren implores the girl to flee, emphasizing that their companions cannot be trusted. “They orchestrated a ploy to lure you out, drawing attention to the shooter upon your departure from the bus” Ren exclaims. "Perhaps they were simply frightened," the girl suggests. Ren dismisses this notion with a murmured retort, asserting that no one could be that foolish.

The duo flees, abandoning the quartet in their wake. Night descends swiftly, as daylight gradually surrenders its reign. With an air of familiarity, Ren guides the girl, as if possessing an innate knowledge of their destination. "Have you been here before?" the girl inquires. "No," Ren replies. They continue their trek until they arrive at a yellow abode, now engulfed in impenetrable darkness. Ren unlocks the door. "How did you know the door was going to be unlocked ?" the girl wonders. "Enter," Ren commands. "We must tend to your wound and extract the bullet." Ren escorts the girl to the bathroom. Retrieving a pair of tweezers, Ren firmly restrains her. "Why do you know where the bathroom is?" the girl persists, only to be met with silence. After a struggle, Ren successfully removes the bullet, causing the girl to emit a blood-curdling scream as alcohol is poured into the exposed wound. Ren cleans the torn sleeve and carefully wraps it around the girl's shoulder. Shortly thereafter, the girl hears the clamor of footsteps reverberating throughout the house. Anxious, she frantically searches for Ren, scouring the bedroom, bathroom, hallway, and peering down the stairs. Fearful of potential intruders amidst the chaos outside, she retreats to the bedroom window, gazing out at the neighborhood before her. Clutching the windowsill, she implores, "Ren! Are you here?" Tears cascade down her cheeks. Suddenly, the sound of heavy thuds on the stairs rattles the very floor beneath her feet. The entrance to the room where she was located forcefully bursts open, revealing one of the individuals who had accompanied Anna and Dan.

The house was encircled by a swirling frenzy of people, their frantic movements resembling a swarm of flies drawn to a luminous beacon. Ren stood at the threshold of the bedroom, trailing behind the man. With a firm grip, the man clasped the girl's delicate hand and guided her towards the window. In that moment, the girl's eyes locked onto Ren, the very person she had been desperately seeking. However, Ren remained rooted in place, intently observing as the man prepared to fling her out of the window."Ren!" the girl's voice pierced through the chaos. Startled, the man turned towards the doorway, his words dripping with disdain. "You're quite the peculiar lady, but I have a taste for the peculiar," he sneered, his right hand prying open the window. "Perhaps I should indulge in some amusement before you join our ranks!"

In an instant, Ren surged forward from her stationary position, delivering a swift and forceful kick that sent the man crashing into the wall, his head protruding through the open window. Seizing the opportunity, Ren seized his feet and hoisted him out, his body colliding with the unforgiving ground below. The crowd that had congregated around the house swiftly descended upon the fallen man, their bodies intertwining and melding into a grotesque, towering monstrosity. The amalgamation of humanity transformed into a nightmarish creature, its abhorrent head looming at the second-story window. Overwhelmed by the unfolding chaos, the girl stumbled backwards, her mind racing with a whirlwind of thoughts. From the return of Ren, to the man's vice-like grip on her arm, to the abomination lurking outside the window, her thoughts scattered in every direction imaginable.

Ren steps forward with determination, ready to confront the mysterious entity face to face. "Say aden," Ren declares, a cryptic phrase that hangs in the air. The girl, trembling with fear, questions why she must utter these strange words. The monster, its gaze fixed upon the girl, responds with a chilling acknowledgement. Desperate to end this ordeal, the girl pleads, "Please, I don't understand why you're doing this, but please don't hurt us." The enigmatic creature beckons her to follow, its intentions shrouded in mystery. Ren locks eyes with the girl and instructs, "Follow it," leaving her even more bewildered. "Why must I trail after this creature? Why are you suddenly speaking in riddles? Why did you only intervene when he began to harm me?" Ren approaches the girl, crouches down, and enfolds her in a protective embrace. "I apologize," Ren whispers softly. In the embrace of dawn's first light, Ren remains steadfast, cradling the girl until the break of day. Finally, Ren rises and guides the girl downstairs, where the creature patiently awaits their collaboration.