⧼ CHAPTER ONE,
THE END OF THE BEGINNING ⧽

PART Ⅰ

wrapped rations, unfinished to-do lists

1ST PERSON POV:

KIM SUNOO

Day 730. Get bread, or pastries, whatever's available.
NOTES. Sunoo, get sticky notes.
Find some new clothes, maybe.

I scribble this down in a hurry, not caring about the legibility of my words. I'm moving as fast as I can because it's sundown, and the guards on the opposite side of the street are changing shifts. I can see it from the window pane. If I don't go now, I won't get a chance, and I'm hungry as hell.

"Damn it," I curse with my chest as I drop the sticky note.

But it's too late. I have to get moving. I pick myself up and end up walking out the door, with messy hair that I didn't bother to tame. If society hates it, well, they're gonna have to deal with it for now. I interlock my hands through the pockets of my windbreaker, hoping that I don't end up tearing the fabric from my own anxiety.

I step up to the automatic doors, with the security stationed at either side. I nod at them in silent greeting, but I'm not looking at them. I noticed two knives tucked neatly into their pockets nearest to me. Logically, it would be easy for me to slip them out and carry it with me instead, but I promised myself I wouldn't use...that. It isn't worth the trouble.

"Do you need something, sir?" One of them inquires, jolting me out of my mind.

That definitely wasn't friendly. If not for the mask on my face, they would have most definitely suspected me. Instead, I let out a soft exhale and shake my head.
"No, thank you."

I can feel their stares on my back as I walk through the door, burning holes through it. I try to ignore it, trying to look like I'm sauntering through the mall. This would have been a lot easier if I actively used my ability, but I can't. I just can't after that day.

I entered a store, and their eyes are finally off of me now. But I'm not off the hook yet. Now, I have to manage to somehow steal everything I need and get back without having police on my tail. This is going to be a tough run.

Luckily, I walked into a bakery. The store is absolutely filled with the sweet aroma of vanilla, and the pastries at the front counter are left unaccounted for. Now, see, I don't endorse stealing, but I have to live. I hop behind the counter and grab as much wrapped croissants as I could from the displayed pastries without wasting much time. However, my pockets don't have a lot of space, and I lock eyes with an employee that just entered from the back room as I'm about to leave.

She has a black, plastic tray in her hands. It's occupied with new raspberry tarts, and I assume that she's going to replace some of the treats on display. She drops the tray and just freezes in place. I advance towards her, while she takes a few steps back. The distance between us closes to the small barrier of inches and I stare down at her, a little perplexed by her reaction.

"Are you going to hurt me?" She stammered and sputtered. "Please don't, I'll give you anything-"

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just want to ask you for one thing," I speak quickly, glancing around at my surroundings. "Do you have any sticky notes?"

"S-sticky notes?"

I know how strange it sounds. A guy robbing a bakery then politely asking for sticky notes is so out of the blue, I would think I'm dreaming if I were her. But I'm not. So that's why we're here.

"Uh, yeah," she continued, "give me a second."

She scurried, and I could hear her struggles as she ruffled through bags and rummaged through metal, for some reason. I take a moment to look at the store itself, disliking the intense, red designs all over. I hate the colour. If it had been a bit more pleasant, I wouldn't have felt so nervous. I end up staring through the doors, wondering if I can hear footsteps outside or if it's just clicking coming from the vents.

"Here you go," she hands me a small block of sticky note paper with trembling hands.

"Thanks." I take it quickly, pushing it in the pocket of my sweatpants. "You've been a huge help, but you didn't call security, did you?"

"No." She answers with certainty, and I smile. Thank God for honest people.

"Good," I say with relief before holding her chin up so she looks into my eyes.

Her warm eyes, covered in the veil of fear as they shivered, almost made me feel sad. I'm sick of it, of being shown as a villain, of being pushed to be so low that I have to do anything to survive. I simply can't have empathy for them anymore.

"Sleep."

I let her go, and her eyes flutter shut as she slides down the wall. I didn't want to have to use it, but this is as difficult as it is already. At least I pushed her against the wall so she wouldn't hit her head somewhere and get hurt. She'll be knocked out for a while, but at least my cover won't be blown.

Wait. What was next on the to-do list?
I reach into my sweatpants, ignoring the new sticky note stack. I pat down my pants all over, and I even empty the croissants from my hoodie and throw them on the floor. Nothing. Did I really forget the sticky note with my to-do list?
Crap. I'm screwed.

I try to calm my senses that are on high-alert, and I pick up the croissants one by one, again, annoyed. I kick one of them towards the door, panting. My to-do lists are very important to me. They're one of the only reasons I can keep myself in control, the only way I can keep myself organised. I forget things easily, and if I can't have something to remind me, then everything starts going wrong.

I have to leave. I have to go back for it. But what if that's a risk? What if it's not worth it? For a note?
Wait, I hear footsteps to the right, outside of the door. Could that be the security by the entrance of the mall?
Snap out of it, snap out of it!

I immediately grunt, running out of the store. I dash to the opposite direction, my hands in my pockets to prevent my food from falling out. I slide around the corner, only peeking around to catch a glimpse of them. Unfortunately, my eyes meet theirs as they chase after me, but they're far from alone. There's at least two more rows of officers behind them, and that's when I had a light-bulb moment.

I have to go immediately, but I'm nowhere but a small corner. The officers are way too close for comfort, and running away could risk even more of them on my tail. But I have an idea. If they hear a commotion from somewhere else, maybe that would get them off me for a bit. It's a gamble, but it has to work.

So I'm looking around, scouting the area for anything. A headlight, tools, a....vase? I spot a ceramic vase on the second floor, just barely visible enough for me. I assume it's from a gardening store, but the store's sign isn't illuminated. Oh well, it works for now.
I stare at the vase, watching it as my thoughts function as intended. I throw it to the floor, and a shattering sound reverberates through the mall.

"Up there! Get him!"

Idiots. All of them.
I take my chance to leave, holding back my laughter. I didn't expect them to fall for it, but the entertainment was appreciated while it lasted. I sprint past the doors, safely as far as I know. But I guess I don't know much, considering the fact that I heard shouting behind me again. For being so easy to kill, they are so determined to rush into danger.

I breathe deeply, closing my eyes to stabilise my thoughts. I let my worries disappear for a second, my mind going completely blank with one objective. Goosebumps trail down my back and my heartbeat slows. I can't feel anything within my limbs, not even my feet settling in my sneakers. Opening my eyes again, I observe the policemen as they look around them with exhaustion, hands either propped up against their hips or on their knees. Some of them glanced in my direction, but I know they can't see me.

"How did we lose him?" The tallest exclaims. "This guy is fast."

"If we didn't get distracted by that damn vase, we could've caught him a long time ago."

"No thanks to you. You called for us to check it in the first place."

"Enough, guys. He has to be around the mall somewhere. Let's keep our heads on our shoulders."

They all turn back into the mall with impatient expressions, and I break out of my intense concentration. I'm breathing heavily, exhausted from using so much of my energy. I broke my promise to myself again. I'm disappointed, but a part of me knew that I had to use it. It's one of the things keeping me alive, though I wish it wasn't. It always feels like it's saving me, rather than me saving myself.

I hate it. I always did, and I still do.

It's already dark outside and the streetlights are on, shining over my head like a mocking spotlight. I planned to make it back so I could catch the sunset and watch the sky, but I lost track of time. Great. Just awesome.

I'm making my way back into my small apartment, and opening my door. The door has no resistance to it whatsoever, and I find it strange. I ignore the strange feeling that hovers over my shoulders, because I left my door unlocked anyway. But as soon as I close the door behind me and twist the doorknob, the feeling doesn't go away. In fact, it's getting stronger. Warning alarms are ringing in my mind, but there's nothing apparent or out of place that shows that something's wrong with my apartment.

The dishes are all where I left them, the cupboards are still closed and cold to the touch. Even the counters have no sign of being tampered with. I approach the small living room area, crashing on the sofa. Still cold.
But someone's here.

I cautiously and slowly empty my food and stack of sticky note paper on the coffee table, hoping that my instincts are wrong. Regardless, I'm ready to fight if they interfere with any of my stuff. I make a quick scan around me before I speak, just in case.

"I know you're here. Show yourself."

No response. Is it just my paranoia again? No, the feeling isn't going away. If it's another police officer, I have to be on high guard. I have to be ready to kill if I have to. Oh, whatever.
I shrug, unwrapping one of the croissants from the plastic. It's halfway to my mouth when a silvery, feminine voice speaks up from opposite the table.

"Are you gonna share that or what?"

"Took you long enough. No, and get out." I point at the door, but she doesn't budge. I sigh, in physical pain, as I place my uneaten dinner on the table. "If I have to repeat myself a second time, this is going to end with some serious consequences for you. Get. Out."

"No. I'm here for some food. Give me that."

I scoff, cocking my head to the side. My smirk shows how confused I am by how resolute she sounds, and her audacity to stand in my apartment, demanding me around.

"You're really funny, hilarious actually," I laugh, picking up the croissant again and taking a bite. Though I couldn't taste it, the texture is fluffy rather than crumbly and stale. "I don't know what you're doing in my place talking to me like this, but take one. See how far you get."

And she indeed did take one. She rushes for the door, but I obstruct her path. She should have taken the threat seriously. Grabbing her wrist and throwing her against the wall, I corner her with my two hands on either side of her so she doesn't escape easily. We both are breathing heavily, very obviously tired. Up close, I get to take a good look at her.

Her irises are swirling with a hazel colour, a gaze that's sharp and attentive, but never falters. Her eyebrows are relaxed and she stares at me with everything but fear. I could even point out each freckle that decorated her tawny beige skin, like stars in a night sky. Our breaths synchronise, and take a second before I get to the point.

"That was a threat, not an invitation."

She giggles. "Oh, so because you stole it, it's yours? Just like this apartment?"
I stay silent, but it only encourages her.
"All these sticky notes on the walls reminding you to live for yourself are yours too, huh? Looks like you're doing a pretty bad job at it."

She sees my expression tighten, but she stops me from making a move.
"Ah, ah, ah. Using your Alarm on a defenceless girl is bad manners. Use that power to start finding the meaning behind why you're an Anomaly in the first place."

"How do you know that?" I mumble so quietly that I'm not even sure she hears it.

"You're thinking about it." She simply replies with a meek smile.

I drop my head, just not wanting to deal with this.
A mind reader. Of course, how annoying. I've already had a bad day, but this has got to be the cherry on top. I could send her on her way with the food, maybe. Perhaps that would get her out of my hair and I've already had as much trouble as is-

"Actually, I'd like to stay for a day or two before I get up and go back to the shelter." She adds in, her smile still plastered on her face.

"First of all, get out of my head. Don't read my thoughts." I blurt out coldly. "And I have rules. So follow them."

"Is that a yes?" I can see her expression bubble with excitement, and I pray to everything good in the world that this act of kindness doesn't bite me in the ass. I'm tired.

I put my palm out, and I take back the croissant as she hands it to me. "For now."