(Ben’s POV)

I heard the birds chirping and I slowly opened my eyes. 

A ray of sun flashed through my eyes.

‘Where am I?’ I asked myself 

I blinked my eyes many times to recover my vision. 

As I get a clear view of my surroundings, I slowly get up on the bed but I fail as my whole body is screaming in a lot of pain. I looked at my body, my wounds and bruises got bandaged. I don’t know who’s the one who treats them… maybe it’s Mrs. Abby. 

I looked at the place. It's a small room. Perfect for one person.

‘I’m saved but… where’s Mrs. Abby? How did we get out of that place?’

A lot of questions flooded into my mind but there’s no one beside me. 

I tried to sit on the bed again and tried to call for someone but my voice wouldn't come out. 

Suddenly, the door opened.

“Oh! You’re awake!”said the man

He’s tall and… has a beard on his face?

He hurried to come beside me and he helped me to sit on the bed comfortably.

“Good thing I have food with me…You slept well, kid. It took you a whole month to wake up.” He said

‘What? A month?’ 

I'm shocked and speechless by what he said. I don’t know where to start asking.

Without knowing, I stared at him.

“Don’t worry kid, I won’t harm you like those monsters in the shelter.” He said

I came to my senses when I heard that.

“You–!” my voice cracked and I coughed before I say a word

He placed the food on the bed. A warm soup, bread and water. 

“Don’t be in a hurry, I’ll tell you everything, kid. You need to eat first and get well.” He said

I was on guard because of his kindness. I experienced that same kindness in the shelter so I don’t want to be fooled twice.

‘I don’t know if he’s telling the truth.. or not. I don’t know if I will trust this guy especially, I didn’t see Mrs. Abby anywhere. I don’t know what happened to her that night and to others too. I don’t know if I will be happy that I am alive. But I need to be wary. If he transforms here suddenly, that will be my end.’

He chuckled.

It feels like he can read what’s on my mind. 

“You looked like a growling kitten, kid. That’s fine by me, you need to be aware of your surroundings. Even a friend of yours will betray you someday.” He said while smiling

I pause... I remember what I did to Jenny. 

‘Everything happened because I left her. The adults too… They would be safe inside if they didn’t try to find me.

It’s all my fault..

I will not forgive myself.. Even to my last breath.’

Because of the guilt I felt, I clench my fist. 

We were silent for a second. 

“So many things happened there when I saw you that night. I will tell you everything but you need to eat first and get rest. I’ll come back before the sun sets.” he said

He left after saying that. 

*****

A week has passed and my wounds are continuing to heal. 3days ago, that man told me what happened that night. Mrs. Abby passed away while protecting me and before she died, she entrusted me to him. After seeing our situation, he heard people’s voices inside, screaming and calling for help but he didn’t go. Even though he wanted to go to the forest to help others, he couldn't go inside because I was badly wounded and even if he goes there, it’s too late to help them. 

When I learned what happened to them, I couldn't stop myself from crying. 

Everyone.. Everyone who’s dear to me died.

Losing Jenny makes me miserable… 

But losing everyone made me feel lifeless.

Is it alright for me to be alive? 

Strangely, that man gently tapped my head and kept saying “It’s not your fault.” 

After he told me what happened that night, he also said that he went there because someone sent him there. He didn’t tell me the name of that person. He only said he would tell me about them and introduce me to others if I gained my strength again and sort all of my thoughts. I didn’t question him about that. 

After that, he also told me his name. 

Alfred…

A man of many secrets.

That’s what I thought.

******

3weeks have passed and my body has finally recovered. He said that we need to travel to the place where he is originally staying. He also said that I must stick close to him because travelling to the outside world is more cruel than that island. 

At first, I didn’t know what he meant. But when we started travelling, I got separated from him and met the cruelty of this world.