Shadow of Death (SOD)

Chapter 57

It didn’t take too long for Asher to get back home.

He and Rick had taken the first bus they saw, with Rick getting off at his own stop before Asher.

Soon, the boy could be seen walking into his house with an exhausted look on his face.

Whether it was mental exhaustion or physical exhaustion, he had no idea.

All he knew was that he was tired.

The time was currently 3 PM.

So his father wasn’t getting back soon.

He always closed from work by 5 PM and got back by 5:30, or ten minutes later at most.

"Jesse should be back from school now."

He pushed the door open and walked in, only to see Jesse sitting in front of the TV—watching a series.

The aroma of food wafted through the air, making it clear that Clara was definitely whipping something up for the family.

Jayden was sure to be in his room by this time—surfing through the internet for any job vacancy whatsoever.

Taking a few steps inside, before he could announce his presence, Asher froze in his tracks.

His eyes blinked a few times as he stared at the living room.

Flip—!

The sound of paper turning could be heard as Asher stared at the figure seated on the sofa.

’Huh?’

"Dad....?"

Jack paused and slowly turned around with a small smile on his face.

He neatly folded the newspaper in his hand and set it aside.

"Wassup, champ? How was the last paper today? Was it okay?"

Asher blinked in confusion.

"Shouldn’t you still be at work by now? Why are you back so early?"

"....?!"

Jack’s brows knit together in confusion before he proceeded to lift a brow.

"Huh? Too early? I should even be asking you why you are back so late."

’Late?’

Asher’s brows furrowed in total confusion as he looked at his father.

He dipped his hand into his pocket.

"Late? The time is just—"

He faltered as he pulled his phone out and the screen lit up, displaying the time.

6:10 PM.

’Eh? How is that possible?’

Asher kept staring at the phone screen in his hand with a lost expression on his face.

Before he walked into the house, he was sure that the time was 3 PM.

To be sure, he lifted his left hand and stared at his wrist, where his watch lay.

The time was indeed 6:11 PM.

Still unconvinced, he lifted his head toward the wall where the wall clock was hung.

It displayed the exact same time he had been seeing.

6:11 PM.

"What’s wrong? Why do you have such a confused look on your face?" Clara could be heard asking as she walked out of the kitchen while wiping her hands on her apron.

Asher blinked a few times.

He rubbed his face, especially his eyes, then exhaled through his nose.

"It’s nothing. I must have read wrong due to tiredness."

Clara just smiled softly.

"Aww.... Okay, go and freshen up. Dinner is almost ready."

Asher stared at Jack, who had already turned away to face his newspaper.

He looked at Jesse, still glued to the TV, who hadn’t even reacted to his presence.

And then back at his mother, who was still beaming at him.

"Mhm."

He then walked away, heading for his room.

Jack slowly turned his head to watch Asher’s back as he ascended the staircase.

He lingered for a few seconds, then shook his head and turned back to his newspaper.

....

Asher reached his room and proceeded to toss his backpack to the side.

He then walked forward.

Proceeded to crash into his bed with a frustrated breath.

"What’s going on with me? Why do I keep having these strange occurrences? Am I going crazy?" He muttered to himself.

His hands massaged his temples and hair.

A rising headache was beginning to gnaw at his brain, so he just stopped thinking about the strange events that had been going on since he woke up.

The repeated words.

The strange memories.

The missing time.

Everything was piling up inside his head.

Heaving another sigh, he stood up and walked to the bathroom, where he freshened up.

He purposely took his time in there.

He stood beneath the shower, feeling the cold water run down his back and wash over his skin.

With the help of the cold water, he massaged his head a few times, gently rubbing his temples and scalp.

The headache gradually began to reduce, if only for a moment.

Tok! Tok! Tok!

A knock was heard from his main room’s door, followed by a yell from Jesse.

"Asher! Mum said to call you. Dinner is ready."

Turning off the shower, Asher pushed his hair, which had fallen over his face, backward before replying.

"I will be there in five minutes."

"..."

"Hurry up, man. I’m hungry." Jesse snarled before walking away.

Heaving a sigh, Asher wrapped his towel around his waist and proceeded to walk out of the bathroom.

Grabbing a face towel, he began wiping his face and hair, rubbing away the remaining droplets of water.

He then grabbed a hair dryer and positioned it over his hair, feeling the hot air blow through it and gradually dry it up.

A minute later, he was done.

Quickly picking out a pair of clothes, he threw them on and exited his room.

....

Dinner was dished out, with everybody seated around the table.

No single piece of technology was in sight, thanks to Jack’s rule.

Clara sat down, and everybody said a soft prayer before beginning to dig in.

The familiar atmosphere should have felt comforting.

It was the kind of ordinary family dinner Asher had experienced countless times before.

Yet, for some reason, he couldn’t completely relax.

After a few scoops of food, Jack lifted his head and scanned the table.

"So, how was everyone’s day today?"

Jayden shrugged.

"As usual, didn’t get any job. I guess I’m not destined to work at all."

Clara shook her head.

"Awww.... Don’t worry, honey. Just persevere and don’t give up. I’m sure you would get a job sooner than you think."

"Yeah, I hope so." Jayden replied with a dejected sigh as he shoved his spoon into his mouth.

’Hmph.’

Asher mused inwardly as his eyes scanned each and every one of the people seated at the table with him.

Jack.

Clara.

Jayden.

Jesse.

His family.

The people he had seen die.

The people he had watched disappear.

Yet they were here now, sitting around the dinner table as though nothing had ever happened.

His gaze lingered on them for a moment longer.

"Asher, you didn’t even answer my question from earlier. How was the exam?" Jack questioned.

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