I opened my eyes and someone was hugging me, someone was hugging me so tightly. I tried to take a look at the person's face but I couldn't, it was blurry—my vision was blurry. But I could tell that it was a guy, I just couldn't figure out who. "I'm sorry..." the guy mumbled. Why was he sorry? I wanted to reach out and help calm the poor guy down but I couldn't move my body.

"I'm sorry, Shawn... I'll—" The guy said and I woke up, sweating and crying. This was the 5th time I've dreamt about that guy this week. What's happening to me?

I got up and took a cold shower to wake myself up and calm myself. After that cold shower, I walked out of my bathroom and my phone rang. I checked to see what it was about and it was my alarm. I completely forgot that today's my first day at my new job!

Yes, there's still time but I don't want to be late on my first day, so I made myself some breakfast and ate it. After, I brushed my teeth and put on my favorite suit that my mom gave me as her last gift before she left.

Seeing myself in the mirror with the designer suit my mom gave to me made me feel hurt a bit. Am I really that awful? This is so unfair.

After that, I walked to the bus stop and waited for the bus. I was in a completely bad mood now. I knew I shouldn't have worn this suit... But I also don't want to let this go to waste. It was my mom's gift.

"Good morning." A voice interrupted me from my thoughts. I looked up and saw a man smiling at me. The man looked friendly.

I didn't want to be rude and nodded. "Morning.."

"You're suit's really nice." The guy complemented.

"Thank you, sir.. You look nice too.." I said. That wasn't a lie tho. I mean, the guy has a handsome face and he looks good in his suit.

Soon, the bus arrived and I went in. After a few minutes, I arrived in front of the company's building and was hesitating to go in. I'm really nervous. I hope this goes well.

I went in and I found my Manager waiting for me. "Good morning, sir. I'm Shawn Adams. The new worker.." I introduced myself.

"Hello, Call me Mr. Smith." He smiles.

"Come, let me introduce you to our team." He said and called the attention of everyone. Feeling their eyes on me made me feel even more nervous. "Everyone, Meet Shawn, your new co-worker." My manager said.

I bowed to everyone and introduced myself to them.

"Oh! You're that guy!" I heard a familiar voice. I looked up and saw that guy again. He was the most energetic out of everyone and the room and it seems like everyone's used to him and paid him no mind. "Pardon..?"

"It's me! Remember? We met at the bus stop!" He said.

"Now, now. Alex, stop bothering the poor guy." The manager smiled.

"Mr. Smith, let me be the supervisor of this guy! I think we'll be really good friends!" He said, looking at the manager.

"Alright. Take care of the new guy and don't pressure him too much, okay?" Mr. Smith agreed.

"Of course!" Alex smiled. After, Mr. Smith left us two alone.

"First, let me introduce myself. I'm Alexander. You can call me Alex." He reached out his hand.

"I'm Shawn.." I shook his hand.

"Let me take you to your table first." He smile as he led me to my table. "Mine is here, we're neighbors." He adds.

"Thank you." I said as I put my things on the table. "We're not finished yet!" He said. "I need to give you a tour!" Alex says.

"Okay, thank you." I said as I follow him

"Mhm! Now, let's start here!" He says.

...

After walking around the building, i finally got to sit down on my chair. Mr. Alexander told me to just organize my things for today since there really isn't that much to do yet.

A few weeks passed and I've gotten used to my job. It was kinda nice since no one really disturbs me while I work—well, only Mr. Alexander talks to me to be honest. Like, am I that unfriendly looking..? Haha.. I should just work, that's what I'm here for anyway.

My dreams also got weirder for some reason.

' Shawn... I.. I'm sorry. H, have a good life." The guy says as he looks down on me sadly and left by his carriage. My heart tightened. Why?! You liar! Liar! Liar! Liar! Go to hell, both of you!! '

Yeah... I woke up at 3am because of that dream. It happened quite a lot, explaining the eye bags under my eyes. But of course, I couldn't tell my co-workers that. Is it maybe because of my eye bags that my other co-workers won't talk to me or something? I honestly don't care anymore.

...

In the middle of the afternoon at a work day, I went to make myself some coffee and take a short break. On my way to the break room, I heard some voices. I paused upon hearing my name.

"Hey.. that new guy from our department, he's a bit weird isn't he?"

"Oh, Shawn? Yeah, I think so too.."

"Mhm. He never talks to anyone and he looks gloomy too. Did he, by any chance, recently lose someone dear to him?"

"That's a possibility too..."

"Ehem." I got a bit startled and the voices inside became quiet. There's a third person? I continued listening, even though I know I shouldn't.

"S- Mr. Hamilton.."

"Why are you gossiping about your own co-worker at work?"

Ah, so it was Mr. Alexander..

"What if Shawn is outside and hears the both of you? How do you think he'll feel? And you both shouldn't have gossiped about anyone in the first place."

I am outside. Mr. Alexander sounds mad tho, I heard the two girls apologize to Mr. Alexander and I left so I wouldn't get caught and just went to the rooftop to get some fresh air.

"Sigh... Can't even take a break without anyone talking bad about me.."

"Did you hear them?" A voice appeared behind me and I got startled. Did I say that out loud?

I turned to see Mr. Alexander. "Mr. Alexander.." I said.

"Did you hear those girls talking about you in the breakroom..?" He asked.

I gave him a smile.

"Ah.. sorry about that then.." he apologized.

"Why're you apologizing to me, sir? You didn't do anything wrong. In fact, I know that you were the one who scolded them.. so I should thank you.." I said.

"Well—"

BOOM!

BOOM!

What the hell happened.. I opened my eyes and saw fire—literal fire! I quickly stood up and found myself injured but I was okay, I need to find sir Alex first!

"S- Mr. Alexander!" I shouted. I ran around and then someone suddenly pulled me to a corner, covering my mouth. I looked to see that it was Alex. I felt relieved.

"Quiet. Something appeared just now." He said, his voice was serious as he took his hand off of my mouth. "What do you-" I looked down and Alex was injured! He was covered in blood. "S, sir?" i stuttered.

"What happened to you?" I asked, my voice was shaken. "I'm fine, just a little bleeding but I stopped it." He assured. I was about to say something when I heard screams: "Ahh!! Monster! Help me!! He-"

Then, there were crunch sounds. I was horrified.

"Shawn." Alex called, and I was a bit calmed. "Yes, sir..?"

"We need to leave this place. I think what I saw was right." He says, standing up.

"Sir? What do you mean? If I can ask, please, tell me what you saw." I pleaded as we ran to the fire exit.

"They were aliens, monsters, I don't care how you call those creatures but they are not from earth." He said, his voice serious. We finally saw the exit and we hurriedly ran but then, An 'alien' appeared in front of me.

They were horrifying. It.. looked scary. I was so scared that I couldn't move and I fell backwards. What the hell?! Move! Move, damn it! I thought to myself.

Just then, something was thrown at the creature. It was Alex. "S, sir!" I exclaimed. "Run. Run, Shawn." He said, holding a metal piece, using it as a weapon.

"I can't leave you here.." i said, my voice low. The creature launched at him. "Sir!"

"Run before my sacrifice becomes a waste!" He yelled. "This is an order as your supervisor!"

"I-.." I pulled myself together and escaped. Ha.. what a fucking coward you are, Shawn.

Even tho I've only known Sir Alex for a few weeks, he was my one and only friend, I've never admitted it but I actually like spending my time with him! He was a great friend. Fuck, I hate myself!

I was running until my legs ran tired. I ran and ran but I couldn't find a single alive person everywhere, it was all blood and I barely managed to escape from those creatures.

I found myself in a forest, sitting under a tree, exhausted and badly injured. It was quiet. Too quiet. I couldn't even hear the cicadas anymore.

I broke down, I cried—I grieved for Alex. Why did you leave him, Shawn? If I were braver, If  I didn't freeze, I wouldn't be alone right now. Fuck, it's all my fault, it's all my fault. I cried. My hurts so fucking much. Sir Alex was so kind and yet, he gave up his own life for me.. what the hell did I even do to deserve this?