Vyral

Chapter 0: Part 6 - Karma

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The House
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Kayden takes no time to scan the hall of this rundown house, as his friends carefully venture ahead, and the door shuts behind him. Through the round window above the door, covered in dust and cobwebs, his first focus are the beams of light bleeding down the blue wallpaper above the stairs, folding into itself as if to hide what it once was. It's pale... Like it's been neglected... Forgotten... Dead.

Billy: "Holyyy moly... Talk about dilapidated..."
Amina: "It's worse than that... A gust of wind is enough to tear it down."
Rory: "Might happen on our heads if we're not careful."

They cautiously step ahead, each of them inspecting something of their interest. 

Kayden: "Hey!" - He instinctively calls, making them snap towards him. "Just-- be careful. There might be threats here."
Amina: "Who do you think we are, Kay? We've explored Zones worse than this before, we're not rushing into it like maniacs."
Kayden: "Yeah, I know. I just-- Can't fathom that this place actually exists. There's something abnormal about it."
Amina: "Or about you!! Maybe you're a psychic or something cool like that. That stuff was pretty common when we were little. Everyone wanted to be one." - She smiles, sticking her tongue out at him.
Kayden: "Just watch your step."
Amina: "Okay daaad!! You worry too muuuuch." - She scoffs.
Billy: "Don't be like that, Amina. He cares about your safety. Even if you already know it, it's always nice to hear" - He shrugs, glancing at Kayden as they move forth.
Amina: "True.. You're right." - Amina nods at both. "We'll watch our step."
Kayden: "Roger that." - He states, stepping into the room on his right.

It's a cozy living room featuring a very small amount of furniture. In the center sits a lone couch, facing a television in the farthest corner. The tiny wooden desk that supports it seems to be in good shape, yet it's difficult to identify its age through the thick layer of dust coating it, same with everything else in here. Behind it sits a tall lamp with a red cover, matching the one on the direct opposite corner of the room. As he steps through, small puffs of dust rise from the large gray carpet covering the floor. His finger inspects their surfaces.
Apart from that, everything is shockingly identical to the dream, well preserved too.

Mell: "Hey.. Kayden?" - He turns to the hall, seeing Reyna and Rory accompanying her around the stairs. "I'm gonna check upstairs, you okay with that?"
Kayden: "Sure. Want me to tag along?"
Mell: "No no!! I'm sure you have your own reasons to be here."
Kayden: "Not really. I'm just curious."
Mell: "Okay!! Well.. yeah.... I uhh- I just... Have a feeling I should go upstairs. So yeah.. I'm gonna do that.." - She catches her short breath, which everyone notices this time around.
Rory: "I'll tag along. Miss ma'am seems to be nervous."
Mell: "I'm not nervous!!! Well.. Maybe a little.."
Rory: "You've explored Zones by yourself and this is what scares ya? You really are mental..." - He sighs.
Mell: "Just shut up and let's go."
Rory, smirking: "Okay Dora." 
Mell: "Please don't tell me the Dora thing stuck..."
Rory: "Most definitely did. But we should get going. Can't be too careful in this place."" - He nods to Kayden, who reciprocates.
Kayden: "I'm glad you know."
Rory: "Course I do. Won't see me charging into a dark forest by myself, that's for sure." - He smirks.
Kayden, apprehensive: "Just fuck off. Cautiously!" - He demands, as they both smirk. Rory branches upstairs with Mell.

The rays of light seeping into the living room, embellishing the windows poorly covered by broken blinds, Kayden slowly strolls towards the kitchen, where Zach held the ceremonial nightmare that now fuels him with indignation. Reyna inspects their surroundings, quietly following behind. How did he dream of a house like this? Aged like an old log and hidden away in the darkness of the fores. In its everlasting silence. A place where birds avoid chirping. Leaves forget to rustle. Shadows rarely abandon what they're tied to.
Despite being extremely difficult to locate, how is it possible to accurately trace it without any clues? Much less without the knowledge of its mere existence?