(Chapter 3)

   

  Right Time, Wrong Place?

      

I got discharged from the hospital. I stepped out into a world that looked the same — but the silence between heartbeats, something inside me felt... different. Off. I heard howling and whispers through the cold air. And it was dark and the stars were across the skies. It was the sign of nighttime and university started tomorrow after the sun rises and when the Mid-Autumn Festival stops.

“ Well so much as a break I didn't even get to enjoy my three days off from university or get to eat that Kao Rou Ji, restaurant famous roast lamb”.

Well I need to call a taxi. My apartment building is far away from this hospital. I put one of my hands into my pockets taking out my phone. I pressed the button on the top right trying to turn it on, but when it did come on it was for a split second with a logo of an image telling me that the phone was dead and needed to be charged. Well I should have gone back into the hospital to ask for a charger or ask someone to call a taxi for me. But I didn’t because I saw a bus stop, and on the sign it was the number 27 that should take me to my apartment building. It was across the street from a 7-Eleven convenience store. So instead,  I decided to just go to the 7-Eleven convenience store to ask for the time for when the bus will come. I looked at the streets and the crosswalk that led to the other side. I checked both sides of the road, heart tightening. No cars. Still, my legs hesitated. After what happened last time...

I forced myself forward when the light turned green, running across with quick, careful steps. My chest heaved — maybe from the effort, or maybe from fear I didn’t want to admit. Anyways, I look forward to my left to the 7-Eleven convenience stores. I went to the store and looked up and saw the banner of the 7-Eleven. It was green, orange white and red. The lights were still on. I opened the glass door and walked in hearing the jingle of the bell on the door into the softly humming 7-Eleven. I was greeted by the 7-Eleven employee.

A young man stood behind the counter, dressed in the familiar green-and-orange 7-Eleven uniform. His wire-frame glasses glinted under the fluorescent lights, and his calm eyes met mine with a quiet awareness that felt almost... observant. He adjusted his silver wire-framed glasses. His face is calm and friendly—maybe a little quiet, like someone who notices more than he says. His black hair is clean-cut and swept lightly to one side, just brushing his eyebrows.

He gives you a slight nod and says softly,

“(nǐ hǎo) / 你好 = hello” the 7-Eleven employee said.

I glanced at his name tag that caught my eye, clipped just beneath the logo. It reads:

Mo Longyan. Behind him, rows of cold drinks hum quietly. Outside, the night presses gently against the glass. In that moment, Mo Longyan feels like a pause in the city’s noise—simple, grounded, steady.

You glance at the name tag again.

Mo Longyan.

You think… it fits him perfectly.

Then, after being mesmerized by this person, you decided to bring up your question about the time when the bus will come.

“(nǐ hǎo) / 你好 = hello” Lan Zhan said, back to him.

“I was wondering, do you know when the next bus 27 will come?”

Hold on, I can check the tracker for you.”He pulls out his phone from behind the counter and taps the screen a few times. His eyes scan the app, calm and steady.

Mo Longyan looks up, the overhead light glinting softly off his glasses. He pauses for a second, thoughtful.

“The 27?” he asks quietly.

“Yeah, that's the one," said Lan Zhan.

 “It usually comes around this time, but it’s been running late lately.”

He glances at the wall clock behind him. While putting his phone back behind the counter.

“I’d say… maybe 10 to 15 minutes? You’ll probably hear it before you see it — the brakes always squeak at night.”

His tone is calm, like he’s used to watching things come and go without rushing. He nods once, then adds:

“I’ll let you know if I hear it coming.”

I nodded. “Thanks.”

He gestured toward the coffee machine. We just made a new pot.. “You’ve got time to grab something… Said  Mo Longyan.

“Yeah, I'd go for coffee by now,” I said  

After these past three days I went through, I would definitely need coffee. But I didn't say this 

openly through.

I take a look around and I see rice balls ,bento boxes, fresh-baked goods,on one side and a selection of hot and cold beverages on another. I went through the aisle and I found the coffeemaker and started prepping a cup. Eight packets of sugar, a bit of creamer. Yeah, I liked my coffee sweet — I always had a sweet tooth since I was a kid. Tea was more my thing, but after the last three days, this would have to do.While doing this, I noticed Mo’s calmness as he prepared his own coffee behind the counter. There was something reassuring about this quiet routine — maybe even a little comforting. I found myself watching him more closely, noticing the small things that made him who he was.

But while doing this I heard this voice that sounded so damn malicious. I froze. That voice—clear, violent, too close. But no one was speaking. Not out loud at least.

Oh yes… perfect. Only one person in here? Maybe two. Doesn’t matter. I’ll take care of them if they get in the way. I’ve got a weapon, just in case. Or maybe I’ll wait ‘til one of them leaves... hahahaha—

I froze where the hell did that voice come from? My pulse spiked. The bell above the store door jingled just then, and for a second I couldn’t tell if it was the meds or if this was real. But deep down, I already knew. My breath caught. My legs locked in place. That voice... It slithered inside my head like poison.

But if it was true,” I had to stop this”.

To be continued