"B1 to C3."

"G7 to G6."

"Chess has quite an interesting history behind it. It is a simple game on the surface but can become incredibly complex with the right knowledge and experience. In a way, it is similar to life itself, a simple concept that becomes complicated without the skills to master it."

"You sure have a way of turning something as common as chess into a deep philosophical discussion."

"I think that way of thinking is just in my nature. So many ideas and possibilities remain undiscovered, leading to even greater discoveries. One path always opens another."

"I suppose you are not wrong there."

"Many are stubborn in pursuit of the path they have chosen. Few are stubborn in pursuit of the goal."

---

I feel a bit sick today. Maybe it is just the weather, or maybe it is because I saw someone get killed right in front of me yesterday. I know it sounds strange since I had no problem scavenging a dead body, but I guess the aftershock had to kick in eventually.

After taking my meds, I gathered my clothes and strolled around the neighborhood. Most people would call walking alone suicide, but for me, it is a peaceful escape. It gives me time to take a deep breath and clear my mind. The rustling leaves, the distant sound of dripping water, it all makes me feel like I have stepped into a paradise, however brief.

As much as I fear loneliness, that fear is not on my mind right now. Believe me when I say this feeling cannot be replicated. In this hellscape, people covet even the smallest moments of peace on someone’s face. Maybe I am rambling too much, adding unnecessary filler to my thoughts, but I just needed to get this off my chest. That fleeting moment of serenity meant everything to me.

Unfortunately, it did not last long.

A deep, guttural grunting came from just a foot away. The fluorescent street lamp above me hummed louder and louder, an unnatural sound that sent a chill down my spine.

I knew I needed to run. Every part of me screamed to move. But I was frozen.

I did not have time to react before massive teeth erupted from the ground, just inches from my feet. I stumbled back in shock as the creature fully emerged. It was so easy to avoid, yet I had been careless enough to walk right into its trap.

Lampshades. That is what we call them.

They disguise themselves as ordinary street lamps, tricking anyone who does not think twice about their surroundings. But those who step beneath them are greeted by the horror that lurks underneath. Its true form was grotesque, a mass of land, rock, and dirt, hiding a cavernous mouth filled with rows of disturbingly human like teeth. A long, slimy tongue slithered out from within, eager to drag its next victim inside.

The creature lunged, its tongue whipping toward me.

Before I could react, it wrapped tightly around my ankle, yanking me toward its gaping maw. My heart pounded as I struggled, kicking and screaming, but its grip was relentless. The closer I got, the more I could see the strands of saliva dripping from its teeth, its mouth stretching impossibly wide.

I fought with everything I had, but it was useless.

Its grip tightened around my leg, squeezing the strength from me. It was like a giant constricting snake, draining my energy with every desperate kick and scream. My limbs grew weaker. My voice faded. My movements slowed.

Was this how it ended?

Just as my mind accepted the inevitable, something clicked. A sudden jolt of memory.

My pocket knife.

With what little energy I had left, I reached for it and drove the blade into its tongue.

The creature shrieked in agony, releasing me instantly. Without hesitation, I scrambled to my feet and sprinted toward my house, not daring to look back. I flung the door open, slammed it shut, and pressed my back against it, gasping for breath.

Silence.

I assumed I was safe.

Lampshades never chase.

I had never felt as close to death as I had before. I was so close to dying that my mind almost went blank. I couldn’t stop my heavy breathing, but eventually, I managed to calm down and regain control of myself.

"Sigh... I can’t believe how stupid I was to walk under them."

I guess I was so lost in my own thoughts that I didn’t bother to pay attention to my surroundings. I felt like a complete idiot, but at least I was still alive. We had torn down many street lamps and instead used candles and spotlights for light, making the Lampshades easier to spot.

Of course, just as I was catching my breath, a loud bang echoed down the street where I lived.

"Just my luck… could this day get any worse?"

I already knew checking it out was a bad idea, but if someone was in trouble, I had to at least try to help. Or...

Suddenly, a terrible realization hit me.

"Shit. He didn’t do what I think he did."

The sound had to have come from the old man who lived two houses down.

I couldn’t believe that son of a bitch had actually killed someone. Then again, I supposed the person who provoked him was the real idiot.

I knew I should have just minded my own business, but I had to see what had happened. I unlocked my door and ran toward the old man’s house. But when I got there, I saw no sign of him. There was no dead body in the yard like I had expected.

I stopped in front of his house and noticed his door was wide open.

I knew I shouldn’t go in.

But what if there was a creature inside? What if he had been trying to fend it off?

My gut told me I should at least take a look.

Slowly, I stepped inside, peering around for any signs of life. I moved carefully, tiptoeing toward a room with its door shut.

A terrible sense of dread crept up my spine.

This was a bad idea.

Even as my instincts screamed at me to turn back, I forced myself to push the door open slightly.

What I saw inside made me sick to my stomach.

The old man had committed suicide.

He had shot himself in the head.

"Fuck… fuck..."

I should have expected this.

I could already tell from his age that his body had been withering away. But even then, I had no idea what would have driven him to do this.

Was it the guilt of killing someone?

I couldn’t tell.

Then, as my eyes scanned the walls, a more chilling answer came to mind.

The words Sin and Sinner were scrawled all over in black marker. The handwriting became increasingly erratic, smearing in places as if he had lost control.

I stepped further inside and noticed a piece of paper on a nearby table.

It was a note.

I am Sin.

I must be a sacrifice.

He will be gratified.

A shiver ran down my spine.

"A wise but imprudent soul."

A voice echoed in the distance.

"Who’s there?!"

No answer.

The voice sounded familiar, yet I had never heard it before.

I glanced around the empty house, my heartbeat pounding in my ears. There was no one else here.

Was I going insane?

Maybe it was the shock of seeing someone take their own life. Or maybe it was because I hadn’t taken my meds in a while.

I needed to sleep. I couldn’t handle any more of this today.

Everything from the moment I woke up had been overwhelming.

I headed home, hoping to find some way to ease my mind, but the weight of the day made me feel like vomiting. I knew I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep after what I had just seen.

Nothing could take my mind off it.

And I knew this was something that would haunt me for a long time.

Still, exhaustion finally overtook me. My body sank into the bed, and my eyes shut.