END OF A NORMAL LIFE

In the cozy living room of their quaint suburban home, Kane sat cross-legged on the rug, his eyes glued to the television screen, which illuminated the room with vibrant colors. The sound of his voice echoed off the walls as he exclaimed in excitement, "Hey! Big sister. Look. It's here."

Merylene, his older sister, emerged from the kitchen, her apron still tied around her waist, a curious expression on her face. "Really?" she asked, her voice filled with intrigue as she hurried over to join Kane in front of the TV.

Kane nodded eagerly, his eyes never leaving the screen. "Yes. Now he's going to have a battle against the witch," he exclaimed, his excitement palpable as he leaned closer to the television, fully engrossed in the unfolding drama.

The living room buzzed with anticipation as the siblings watched intently, their imaginations whisked away to the fantastical world playing out before them on the screen. The characters leaped and danced across the vibrant landscape, their struggles and triumphs mirrored in Kane and Merylene's eager faces.

Outside, the setting sun cast a warm glow through the windows, painting the room in hues of orange and gold as shadows danced across the walls. But inside, the world of the television held sway, transporting Kane and Merylene to a realm of adventure and excitement.

As the battle on screen reached its climax, Kane's hands clenched into fists, his breath coming in short gasps of anticipation. Beside him, Merylene leaned forward, her eyes wide with excitement, her heart pounding in rhythm with the on-screen action.

And then, with a triumphant shout, the hero vanquished the wicked witch, sending her fleeing into the depths of the forest. Kane erupted into cheers, his voice ringing out in the living room as he celebrated the victory of his beloved character.

Merylene smiled indulgently at her brother's enthusiasm, her heart warmed by the sheer joy radiating from him. In that moment, surrounded by the flickering light of the television and the sound of Kane's jubilant laughter, she couldn't help but feel grateful for the simple pleasures of family and shared moments of excitement.

As the credits rolled on the first episode, Merylene settled onto the couch, anticipation still coursing through her veins. "Oh damn. This is going to be amazing. Right, Kane?" she remarked, her eyes alight with excitement.

Kane, still buzzing from the thrill of the previous episode, nodded vigorously. "Yeah. Obviously," he replied, his gleaming eyes fixed on the television screen where the next episode was about to begin.

Their mother's voice drifted in from the kitchen, a gentle reminder breaking the spell of excitement. "Merylene. Honey, you have your basketball match tomorrow. Go to bed already," she called out, her tone loving but firm.

Merylene's excitement faltered for a moment as she remembered her upcoming match. "Oh yeah. I do. Will go right away, mom," she responded dutifully, rising from the couch.

Before leaving the room, Merylene turned to her brother, a request on her lips. "Hey listen. Can you record this episode for me?" she asked, hoping he would oblige.

Kane tore his gaze away from the television just long enough to nod in agreement. "Yeah. I can. I will send it to you on your phone, okay?" he assured her, already reaching for the remote to set up the recording.

"Great, thanks," Merylene said with a grateful smile, patting Kane affectionately on the head before straightening her skirt and making her way out of the living room.

Alone now, Kane settled back onto the rug, his attention fully captured by the unfolding drama on the screen. "You go wizard Barry. Finish them off!" he cheered, his arms swinging in excitement as the next episode began, immersing him once more in the thrilling world of magic and adventure.

As the second episode unfolded, casting its spell over Kane, his mother's voice once again interrupted the scene. "Kane honey. You too go to bed," she called out, her tone gentle but firm.

Kane turned to his mother, his lips forming a pout, his eyes wide with pleading innocence. "Mommy, please can I just watch this episode?" he implored, employing his signature puppy-dog eyes that had a knack for melting hearts.

His mother hesitated for a moment, her resolve softening as she looked into Kane's pleading gaze. "Fine. Fine. Turn off the lights when you go," she relented with a sigh, knowing full well she couldn't resist her son's charm.

A broad grin spread across Kane's face as he received permission to continue watching. "Yes. You are amazing," he praised, his admiration for his mother evident in his voice.

"Trust me. I really am," his mother murmured under her breath, a hint of amusement in her tone as she shook her head fondly at her son's antics. With a sigh, she turned back to her own tasks, leaving Kane to enjoy the remainder of the episode.

As the clock ticked past midnight, the glow of the television illuminated the dimly lit room, casting flickering shadows on the walls. It wasn't until twelve thirty that Kane finally relented, switching off the television with a satisfied smile.

"Recorded and copied. I can watch it again too, hehe," Kane remarked to himself, a sense of accomplishment tingling through him as he realized he could revisit the thrilling adventure at his leisure.

With the rest of the household now asleep, the only sound echoing through the quiet corridors was the soft hum of the refrigerator in the kitchen. Kane, feeling a sense of responsibility and gratitude towards his sister, tiptoed out of the living room and down the hallway towards Merylene's room.

Carefully, he pushed open the door, the hinges creaking softly in the silence of the night. Inside, Merylene lay sound asleep, her room bathed in the soft glow of the moon filtering through the curtains. Kane approached her bedside with a smile, the excitement of the recently watched episodes still lingering in his mind.

"There sister. Enjoy this episode. It's insanely amazing," he whispered to himself, a sense of satisfaction washing over him as he placed the pen drive on her bedside table. He took a moment to admire his handiwork, ensuring everything was in place before quietly slipping out of the room.

With a gentle click, Kane locked the door behind him, ensuring Merylene's undisturbed rest and the secrecy of his late-night mission. Satisfied with his stealthy delivery, Kane made his way to his own room, the anticipation of a good night's sleep mingling with the remnants of excitement from the evening's entertainment.

"Good night, Kane," he murmured to himself as he slipped under the covers, the warmth of his bed enveloping him like a comforting embrace. With a contented sigh, he closed his eyes, ready to drift off into dreams of magical adventures and heroic battles, knowing that he had brought a little extra joy to his sister's night.

Just as Kane was on the verge of slipping into the realm of dreams, his peaceful moment was shattered by the jarring ringtone of his phone cutting through the silence of the night. With a groggy sigh, he fumbled for his phone on the side table near his bed, his fingers clumsily searching in the darkness until he finally grasped the device.

"Huh? Really?" he muttered sleepily, his brow furrowing in confusion as he glanced at the caller ID displayed on the screen. The name "Jizel" illuminated the dimly lit room, prompting him to answer the call.

"Oh, Jizel," Kane recognised, his voice tinged with a mixture of curiosity and fatigue. He reached over to switch on the night light, casting a soft glow across his room as he settled back against the pillows, his head resting against the wall behind him.

In the quiet solitude of his room, his phone cradled in his hand as he answered the late-night call from Jizel. "Hey Jizel. How are you doing?" he greeted, his voice tinged with a hint of curiosity.

"Hey Kane. I thought you wouldn't pick the call. It's two hours and forty-three minutes past your bedtime. How are you still awake?" Jizel's voice sounded concerned, yet tinged with a hint of amusement. Sitting cross-legged on her bed, Jizel held her phone close to her ear, her voice carrying through the quiet of her room.

"Just watched two episodes in succession of Berry, the crown wizard. So late. You memorized my bedtime?" Kane replied, a note of surprise in his voice.

"Yeah. Ten, right?" Jizel confirmed, her tone proud, her eyes wandering around her room.

"Woah. You're good, girl," Kane chuckled, impressed by Jizel's attention to detail.

"Yeah, I am proud of myself, Kenie," Jizel laughed, using a nickname that Kane promptly rejected.

"Don't call me that," Kane retorted with a playful groan.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly as they exchanged banter, each word a testament to the comfort and familiarity they shared. Kane shared details of his late-night TV viewing habits, while Jizel teased him about his bedtime routine.

"By the way, where did you watch it? Phone? Laptop?" Jizel inquired, curious about Kane's viewing setup.

"Nah. Television. Why do you think I was up two hours past my bedtime? They telecast it late," Kane explained, his voice betraying a hint of excitement.

"Oh. It really is," Jizel acknowledged, understanding Kane's predicament.

As their conversation continued, the clock in Kane's room ticked steadily past midnight, marking the passage of time as they caught up on each other's lives. Kane, ever the dutiful friend, inquired about Jizel's health, only to be met with a surprising revelation.

"Dang. I thought you were all fine, so I didn't ask about your health," Kane admitted, his tone laced with embarrassment and concern.

"You dumb boy. I will come after summer break though," Jizel reassured him with a laugh, their easy rapport evident even in moments of teasing as she glanced a look at her plastered leg.

Their conversation took a more serious turn as they discussed their friendship and the dynamics of their relationship. Kane's sarcastic demeanor clashed with Jizel's straightforwardness, creating a playful tension between them.

"Sociopath is a strong word, Jizel. Doesn't matter. That's all, I guess. I am hanging up," Kane declared, his frustration evident in his tone as he prepared to end the call.

"Haha. You are very interesting. Why are you only ever interested in magic shows and fantasy series but never interested when it comes to being a normal teenager?" Jizel questioned, her curiosity piqued by Kane's singular obsession.

Their conversation meandered through topics of imagination and reality, with Kane defending his love for magic and Jizel challenging him to explore other interests. Despite their differences, their bond remained strong, anchored by a shared love for lively debates and spirited conversations.

"It is. I feel like if we have magic too, like they show in shows, things will be so much more interesting," Kane mused, his voice tinged with wistfulness.

"As impressive as those thoughts are... I don't really think my thoughts are going to change on the fact that I don't really like magic," Jizel replied, her tone softening as she acknowledged Kane's perspective.

"Yeah... I guess, bye then," Kane sighed, his disappointment evident as he prepared to bid farewell to his friend.

"Rude. Whatever, Kane. I don't expect much from you anyway. Yeah... Bye then. Take care," Jizel retorted, her voice tinged with a hint of resignation, Jizel's gaze drifted to the window, where the moon hung low in the night sky, its gentle light filtering through the curtains and casting a serene glow across the room.

With a final exchange of goodbyes, Kane ended the call, the weight of their conversation lingering in the air as he settled back under the covers. Setting his alarm for six in the morning, he closed his eyes, his mind filled with thoughts of magic and imagination, slowly drifting off to sleep with the promise of dreams to come.

As Kane began to drift deeper into slumber, a sudden rattling shattered the peace of the night, jolting him awake. Groaning in frustration, he rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed, his mind buzzing with curiosity and apprehension.

"What? Don't want me to sleep?" Kane muttered to himself, his annoyance evident in his voice as he slipped into his slippers and rose from his bed. With determined strides, he made his way towards the source of the disturbance, his senses on high alert.

"Store room? How'd I even hear a sound from this far anyway?" Kane wondered aloud, his brow furrowing in confusion as he approached the front door. His hand reached for the torch that rested on the table nearby, its reassuring weight providing a sense of security as he prepared to investigate.

With a flick of the switch, Kane illuminated the darkness with the beam of the torch, casting a narrow path of light ahead of him as he unlocked the front door. Stepping out into the cool night air, he felt a shiver run down his spine, a sense of anticipation coursing through him as he ventured into the unknown.

As Kane made his way towards the store room, the sound of his footsteps echoed off the walls, mingling with the soft rustling of leaves in the night breeze. His heart raced with each step, his mind racing with possibilities of what he might find awaiting him in the darkness.

Kane's brow furrowed in confusion as he glanced at his sister, her expression mirroring his own sense of bewilderment.

"Huh? Sister Merylene? What are you doing here?" Kane asked, his voice tinged with wonder as he regarded Merylene, who stood before him with a look of perplexity.

"I heard... A certain rattling... But from such a distance...such a low rattling... I think I just discovered I'm a light sleeper or my sense of hearing is heightened?" Merylene mused aloud, her voice laced with uncertainty as she tried to make sense of the strange noise.

"You are unbelievable. Stop talking nonsense," Kane chided, his frustration evident in his tone as he dismissed Merylene's speculation.

Not being able to believe in her own heightened senses, Merylene slowly stepped back, her gaze darting nervously around the corridor as she struggled to comprehend the situation unfolding before her.

"But what if it's a thief though? And has a gun or any weapon at that? Gosh, I hate it when we actually listen to a slight sound and come to check it out," Kane fretted, his mind racing with worst-case scenarios as he unlocked the door with trembling hands.

"Maybe... Let's call mother..." Merylene whispered, her voice barely above a murmur as she grappled with her own fear.

"Nah...what if it is just an animal...and not what we are thinking? Then? Let's not panic, I guess. Funny I'm saying this. I am sure... I haven't sinned so much as to die so young..." Kane rambled nervously, his words tumbling out in a rush of anxiety.

As Kane swung open the door, a blinding light flooded the corridor, causing both siblings to shield their eyes against the sudden glare. Blinking furiously, they squinted through the brightness, trying to make sense of the strange phenomenon unfolding before them.

"Something... Is in here... Causing such immense illumination...." Merylene gulped, her voice trembling with apprehension as she struggled to process the surreal sight before her.

As the light slowly began to dim, a faint image started to take shape, revealing a rusted, bronze coin lying on the ground. Kane's eyes widened in confusion as he gazed at the ancient artifact, its unrecognizable patterns casting an eerie glow in the dim light.

"A coin?" Kane wondered aloud, his mind reeling with confusion as he tried to make sense of the bizarre discovery.

"Yes... But more importantly... Why are we scared..? What are we scared of? It's not like... We saw a ghost or something....?" Merylene's voice quivered with uncertainty as she struggled to articulate her thoughts.

"I don't know, sister... But it seems like... Something is expecting us to be... Afraid of it... How is it--" Kane trailed off, his voice faltering as he grappled with the inexplicable sense of dread that gripped them both.

"What is this coin anyway?" Merylene asked, her eyes fixed on the mysterious object that lay before them, its presence sending shivers down her spine.

"Hehe...what on earth is even...going on....." Kane murmured, his hands trembling with a mixture of fear and confusion. "Why are we trembling like this? I am not even scared in my head so why?"

"More importantly... I am not able to move... Kane!" Merylene's voice rose in panic, her words tinged with desperation as she struggled against an unseen force that seemed to hold her in place.

"Should we pick it up...?" Kane asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he hesitated to approach the coin.

Merylene's eyes widened in horror as she realized they were both trapped in a state of immobility, unable to move or scream for help. "I don't understand... What even on earth is going on here? Why can't I move, why can't I scream? And why does that coin... Give this eerie... Feeling...? Like something ominously bright and shining even though it gives out no shine of its own...?" she murmured, her voice trembling with fear and confusion.

As they stood frozen in place, the oppressive weight of the unknown pressing down upon them, Kane and Merylene were left to grapple with the terrifying realization that they were caught in the grip of a darkness.