Grim's Miasma: AfterLife

Chapter 3 - Home

...

...

...

There's a place where we want to return,

A place where we feel comfortable and safe,

That's the place we call home.

[You must return to that place...]

"HA!"

Matsuda waked up, he shifted his body upwards.

His eyes were wide open and noticed that he had a tight grip at the

Bed.

"Suda, what's wrong?" Sophie worriedly said.

"I had a strange dream."

He bends his body and placed his right hand across his face.

Sophie smiled while looking at him and said

"It's nothing Suda, It's just a dream."

She went close to him.

Her face close to him, she looked at Matsuda's terrified face.

She smirked and said

"You can't lie to me, it's all written in your face."

"Something's bothering you."

(What's with that dream?)

(It felt like it did happen)

"Matsuda?"

(That guy said something...)

"Suda?"

(Those words... why does it feel like)

"Matsuda!"

"Uh Sophie, Sorry..."

"Is something bothering you?"

"That Dream I had, it feels like... I don't know..."

"Huh? Feels like what?"

"It's strange It feels like It did happen."

(Return... Why does it feel like something's telling me to return to something?)

(It feels like there's a part of me missing.)

"Suda, don't overthink it. It's just a dream."

[Lance...]

"Take it easy, Matsuda I think it's from the trauma yesterday."

He looked at her and nods

"Rest again, it'll be gone soon."

[Fire]

[Melting doll]

[A man]

"Now I'll tell you."

[Field of grain]

[Spreading Fire]

[Hands pointing at something]

"Before."

[White Hair]

[Eyes]

"You"

[Dark Robe]

[Fading]

"Get Lost"

"From this place"

"You must break free."

"Return to the place precious to you."

...

...

...

After a day had passed,

Matsuda was discharged.

"Let's go, Suda."

"Sophie? You sound unhappy, something wrong?"

She looked at him with ease

"Oh, don't worry about me,

It's nothing to worry about."

She said while giggling

"Is that so, then let's go."

They walked their way out of the Hospital

"Hey Sophie, have we camped before?"

"No, we haven't done that yet."

"I just remembered a place somewhere

And I think we'll enjoy it together."

"Remembered...?"

"Uhh Yeah? So what do you think?"

Sophie looked at him with a shocked face

"Wait...huh?" She said quietly

"Uhm?"

"Oh nothing It's just that

You haven't invited me once, it just surprised me."

(Huh?)

"So, what do you think? Let's go!" he said cheerfully with a wide smile.

A tear fell from Sophie's eyes.

"Uhhh Wait Have I said something wrong?" he said curiously

(Haven't I already invited her to go out...)

She wiped it and nods at Matsuda

(She nods? Huh???)

"Alright, let's go!" she said happily

(Oh anyways at least she agreed)

"Jeez, I don't know you're that soft-hearted Sophie," he said with a smug look on his face and laughs

She got annoyed after he said those words then she spoke

"Hmmph, so when will we go?" she asked

"How about next week? Two days from now?" he said

"Okay I'll prepare for that, so where is this place?" she asked

"It's a secret." He then smiled

(It's a place that you must remember.)

(A place that I won't forget.)

A place that ends misery.

~~~~

There are places that we love,

A Place where we find happiness.

Fields of Grains,

Mountains,

Ocean

And

...

[Chapter 2 - Home]

(I'm having a lot of nightmares these past days)

(We should take a rest for a while.)

(There's this place that I remember, I don't know where but something tells me to go there.)

"Sophie, I'll take a ride now see you soon."

"Okay, have a safe trip. See you soon."

"Wait are you sure you don't want to ride?"

"Nope, don't worry about me. I'll be fine."

"Okay, keep safe."

After that, they waved at each other.

Sophie continued walking while Matsuda rode a car to go home.

A minute later he saw Sophie outside,

He looked out the window and calls her

"Sophie! Take care! See you later."

He raised his hand and waved again.

She nods at him and waved back.

He seated again comfortably.

(She should've ridden as well, but she prefers to walk.)

(We live in the same apartment.)

(I'll just wait for her later.)

He closes his eyes to rest

[Image of Glass]

[A hand reaching into something]

[Glass c***k]

He had a short shock that made him open his eyes.

(Huh? Did something just c***k?)

He looked at his surrounding but nothing happened.

(I guess I'm just tired...) after that, he tried to sleep again.

He waked up just before he reaches his destination.

(Oh, I'm near.)

After an hour had passed, he arrived at the apartment.

He looked for his key in his pocket and grabbed it,

The key was inserted at the door's knob and he tilted it.

He pushed the door to open it. The scent of home and the dimmed inside upon seeing this,

He said these words.

"I'm home." He said but after saying it a realization came into his mind

(Oh, I forgot no one's living with me.)

He breathed out, a long sigh.

He took off his shoes and placed them on the entrance floor.

Before he takes a step through the house, he remembered something

(Have I closed the door?) Asking himself he looked back.

(Oh, jeez It's still open.)

He closed it and returned.

Looking down he noticed that there are scars that came from the incident before.

"Oh, It's a huge scar huh." He said as he touches it

(I don't know If I should be scared but these scars are proof that I survived.)

He wiped his foot at the floor mat, then opens the door leading to his Living room.

"I feel tired, I'll rest for a while and then I'll cook some food."

(Who am I talking to? Jeez anyways I'll rest again.)

He seated at the coach beside the door and he laid down.

(Hmm, I want to open the radio but I don't have any strength to stand up.)

He then closes his eyes.

(There's a lot of things happening and It's weird.)

(I wonder what's even happening.)

(Is it events that will occur in the future? A Bad omen?)

(It feels real and It's scary.)

(I'm scared)

As thoughts came into his mind

His heartbeat gets faster and he begins to shiver in fear,

He shifted his body backward to face the back of the couch.

He felt that his hands and feet are getting colder, there are pillows on the other side of the couch, using his feet he slides them until his hands reach them.

The fear began to fade away as he hugs the pillows.

His closed eyes were then slightly opened, he shifted his body again to face the other side.

(It's so dark...)

(Oh, right I forgot to turn on the lights.)

(That's it I should stop lazing around.)

He stands up and clicked the light switch, his room was then lighted up.

(I forgot it, but It's still morning so It's not that dark.)

He walked into the room at the left of the living room.

There was a door but It wasn't locked, he opened it and entered it.

The room was dark so he turned on the lights.

(I must cook something.)

(Hmm, what should I cook.)

He looked at the shelves but there's not that much left

Canned foods and instant noodles.

He opened the refrigerator, there was some leftover curry and some uncooked frosted fish.

(Jeez, I'll just eat the noodle and heat this thing up.)

The curry was picked up, He put it near the stove.

He looked up and saw a pan at the shelve which he gets and then he put it at the stove,

He also picked up the pot beside it and put some water on it.

He puts the curry in the pan and he twisted the dial and adjusted the fire to medium.

After that, he looked at the pot and saw that the water is overflowing so he had to remove the excess water.

He gets the noodle on the shelf and opened it.

He placed the pot at the stove and he twisted the dial for it to boil, as he waits he leaned at the wall, he looked at the left where the door is located and he saw the refrigerator still open.

(...)

"What the!"

(How can I forget it...)

He walked towards it and closes it.

(Jeez, how can I be so careless...)

He took a deep breath out of frustration,

His eyes looked tired.

(I've been getting forgetful...)

There was a mirror at the sink and he looked at it.

He saw the stitches on his head and then He heard another glass cracking

"Huh?" He said shockingly.

He looked at his surroundings and he remembered that he was cooking.

"Noo!"

The curry was heated, he turned the dial off and he placed it at the kitchen's counter.

He looked at the pot but It wasn't boiling yet, he forgot to put the noodle so he just put it.

He opened the flavorings, he mixed them with the noodle.

While waiting, he walked near the sink where the dish rack is located.

(Well, I already cleaned it so I'll just use this.)

He picked up two bowls, placed them at the counter beside the curry, and transferred it.

(Okay, it's finally done.)

A minute later...

(It's one minute, the noodle must be ready.)

He picked up the pot and placed it near the sink.

He looked up the shelf but he can't find a colander to dry it.

(Jeez, I'll just use a spoon.)

It was then dried...

"Okay time to eat!" he said with a satisfied feeling.

Until he remembered that...

He drained a noodle...

"EHHHHH!!!"

"WHY DID I DRAIN IT!!! GAHHH!"

He felt hopeless as he looks at it.

His eyes started to get watery.

"That's it..."

He gets the bowl, opened the rice cooker, gets some rice, and puts it in the bowl, The curry was toped at the rice and the drained noodles were put at the corner.

He carried it to the table in the living room.

He seated at the chair near the couch, the bowl was then placed at the table.

He returned to the kitchen to get some water because he forgot it too.

After returning to the room, he seated again, placed the cup at the upper right of the bowl.

He holds his hands together, closed his eyes, and said

"Thanks for the meal."

He separated it and grabbed the spoon.

He began to eat the noodle using the spoon

(Jeez, It's not complete without the water.)

Then he took a bowl of rice and Ate it with some curry. He finished the noodle and half of the rice, he sipped at the water he has.

After that, he began to eat the curry.

(It tastes bland...)

(Maybe because It's heated.)

It took him ten minutes to finish eating.

He holds his hands again and thanked me for the food.

He picked up the glass of water and the bowl, he walked to the kitchen

Using his elbow he clicked the light switch but It turned off the light

"Oof I forgot... It's already on."

He clicked it again to lighten the room.

After that, he placed the dishes in the sink.

He drank the remaining water, then went to the gallon dispenser to refill it.

Just by drinking he becomes full and walking becomes hard as his belly aches as he moves.

"Oh jeez, I drank too much."

He walked out of the door but returned because he forgot to wash the dishes,

"I almost forgot..." he whispered with an awkward face.

He washed it, placed it at the rack, and after that, he decided to go out,

He got out of the door and closed it.

The weather was nice and It's windy, he was seated at a chair that is placed at the front of the door.

[His room was on the 2nd floor of the building, next to his room was Sophie's room]

He stood up because he wants to be closer to the fence so he lifted the chair and placed it near the fence.

The nice weather puts a smile on his face.

He looked up at the sky, It was nice because It's clear today.

It's the afternoon, the atmosphere made him relaxed.

The warmth that is brought by the heat made him dizzy, It was relaxing that he wants to sleep again.

He looked up to see the sun and It's bright that he immediately looked away.

(Light...)

(Light!!!)

"The lights!!!" he shouted as he remembered that he forgot to turn off the lights,

He runs towards his room to turn off the light.

"I forgot something again... Is there anything else?"

Instead of going back to the hallway, he decided to go to the balcony located at the back of the room.

There was a washing machine and some clothes that were hanging in there.

"Oh Yeah, I did some laundry before we go to the festival."

He collected the clothes and went to his bedroom located at the left part of his room, there was a small hallway that leads to his bathroom and besides, it is the bedroom, he opened the door of the bedroom and went inside, he walked towards his closet and placed the clothes on the bed then opened the closet at the front.

He yeets the clothe into the closet because he's lazy to fold and arrange them,

After that, he went outside again to have some rest.

(I can't rest...)

He looked at Sophie's room and decided to call her,

He knocked at the door but there's no answer.

(wait...)

"Hello?" he shouted.

"Sophie are you there?" he shouted again.

But no matter how many times he tries to call, Sophie's not yet home.

"Hi?"

"Sophie?"

"Why aren't you-"

Matsuda heard a step going through his direction,

As he looks to the left to where the stair is located he saw Sophie.

"Uhh, Suda?" she curiously said as she looks at him.

"So...phie?" he said with an awkward face.

(Ugh, I forgot Sophie isn't home yet)

"Sorry Suda, I just got home."

(I... said that I'll wait for her...)

"Sophie, Welcome home." He said with his face still awkward.

"Thank you, Suda." She said

When she looked at his face she giggled

"What's with that face Suda?" she said and then she laughed.

"Gomen! I forgot that you just walked to get home..." he said.

"Oh no, are you getting older?" she said while laughing.

Matsuda got embarrassed by what she said

She continued teasing him that made him enraged.

"Gahhh!" he shouted out of embarrassment.

"Jeez, don't laugh because of it. It's a bad attitude tch." He said while angrily looking at her.

"I'm just kidding you, Suda! Oh, come on" she said as she giggles.

He sighed and said

"Well, I'm glad you got home safely." He said but he didn't look at her

"Thank you, Suda." She said.

He looked at her eyes, Sophie smiled widely, He noticed it.

The cuteness of her smile made him blush.

"So Suda, about that place." She said.

(Place?)

"What place?" he asked

"uhh, haven't you?" She asked

"Ohh never mind, Let's just go to another place." She said.

"Hmm Suda, do you remember what you said to me?" she asked

"What is it, have I said something to you?" he asked

"I see so you have forgotten." She said.

"You invited me." She said

"Oh right! I forgot... Sophie, sorry..." he said as he looks down.

"No, it's fine don't worry."

"That stitches on your head, does it hurt?" she asked

He touched it

"This? No, It's not bothering me don't worry about it." He said

"Is that so, I'm glad you're fine so we'll continue on our plan okay?" She said as she looks at him

He looked back right into her eyes and said

"Yeah, we'll go." He said

"Okay, well since you've forgotten the place you want to show to me, I'll show you something else." She said

"Alright, I'll look forward to it." He said

Sophie looked at her front and walked towards the door,

She unlocked it using the key in her hand a key that is connected to a key chain.

The key chain has three keys on it, The first key that she inserted didn't open the door.

"By the way, What If..." she said while trying to open the door.

"What is it?" he responds.

The second key opened the door, she pulled it and It opened.

Matsuda looked at her face but the door blocked her.

"...everything isn't real?" she said.

He looked up, and using his right hand he scratched his left shoulder.

"What do you mean?" he said

He looked in her direction again but she already entered her room.

(Isn't real huh? What does she mean by that.)

Is the thought that came into his mind, and because of it he remembered the nightmare that he had.

[You must return...]

[That place]

[Return]

[What's lost.]

He remembered the words that were said to him, when he closed his eyes he saw an image, a man that was crying and his hands were trying to reach unto him.

He opened his eyes again and opened the door to enter his room.

(I don't know what it means but It brings sadness into my heart, It feels like It's precious to me.)

He closed the door and when he stepped on the floor mat he realized that he's not wearing any slippers.

As he sat on the couch, he saw that the kitchen's lights are still on so he walked towards it. The stove was still open, he rushed into it to turn it off. He's lucky that there wasn't anything that might start burns. He was relieved but at the same time frustrated as he saw it before anything bad happens and frustrated because he forgot it.

He turned off the light and headed into his bedroom. It's still two in the afternoon, he shoved himself into his bed facing down, he yawned. The weather made him feel relax, the afternoon's warmth, the breeze entering the room, and a ray of light that's peaking from the window.

These relaxing elements made him dizzy, his eyes closed and before he knows it, he fell asleep.

A step can be heard, it's getting closer as time goes on, but before it gets near him he heard a voice.

"Wake up!"

"Wake up you moron!"

(Who's that?)

My eyes opened up, I found myself looking into an unfamiliar place.

It is a field of grain, I'm confused about how I got here.

"Aren't I just at my room a moment ago?'

"Hey, we finally met, Matsuda?"