Darkness enters my view as soon as I open my eyes. The fogginess in my mind hinders my ability to apprehend my whereabouts. Noticing that I fall asleep on a table, I slowly straighten up and my bones groan like an old man. My entire arms numb as I slept on them for probably a long period of time. I rub my eyes with the back of my hands, but touch against my damp skin. While I’m perplexed by the unknown water on my face, tears are rolling down my eyes incessantly. Startled by the fact that I’m crying, I scan around my surroundings with a throbbing head.

It takes several seconds to realize that I’m in the same small apartment room that I've been paying the rent for 3 years, but for some reason I feel like I've been away for a long time. I sit at my study desk with a dark screen laptop in front of me. A doraemon clock on my nightstand shows that it’s 4 in the morning. Looking outside the window, I spot the blood red color full moon. But when I blink, the moon has turned to its original bright yellowish color.

My tears have no sign of stopping, my chest aches, my heart feels hollow like something very important is missing from my life.

What’s wrong with me?

The lack of sleep must’ve driven me crazy. As I’m heading to my bed, I step on something that sends me tumbling to the floor. Pain shot through my , I curse at the culprit. A glass rolled away after I stumbled on it. Suddenly, memories rush into my head like a waterfall.

I gasp, hands tugging at my hair in disbelief. Sweat breaks on my forehead while my heart thumps as if it’ll jump out of my chest.

I just came back from another world!

I remembered how I accidently poured water on my laptop, got electrocuted and transmigrated into the fanfiction that I read, in which I found out later that it was an alternate universe. Overthere I met pirate Ateez and helped them break the curse. I successfully brought them to Wonderland and killed the sea witch. But I was dying, so Yeojin wished for me to return back to my world.

Now here I am, back in my room–safe and sound. I press my hand on my abdomen. There’s no wound, no pain, no blood. I breath out a sigh of relief that my soul wasn't stuck between two realms.

Nonetheless, I want to know what would happen to my friends after I left. I return to the desk and frantically turn on my laptop, but it doesn't open. Water probably damaged it. Hence I turn to my phone which is placed next to the laptop. I open the fiction site and search for the story.

My mouth turns dry from anticipation and scaring of what I’ll read.

Results not found.

The text renders me speechless. How could that happen? I just read it a few hours ago. So I continue searching for Seakeeper in case I remember the title wrong. To no avail, the username doesn't exist either.

Panic starts to consume me. I rack my brain, trying to remember some users who usually comment on the fiction. I reach several of them, and wait impatiently for their response.

Ding!

The notification pops up on the screen when one user replies to me.

Joongsisterinlaw : Wut story? I never heard of it.

I am flabbergasted by the answer. How could this person never heard of it? I remember the comments shipping Y/N and Joong in every chapter. Before I reply, another message pops up.

JjangjjangmanSani: Hmm, I never read it tho…

After I receive the second response, my hand clasps over my mouth as my gut tells me that something is very wrong here.

—

When the sun rises, I still stare at my phone blankly. All users that I sent the messages to responded back to me saying they have never read such fiction.

The story and Seakeeper vanish as if they never existed before.

It could be because the fiction was the wish manifested from Aurora. After it did its purpose, it disappeared. Although the logic sounds reasonable, I couldn't help but feel sad that I’ll never know how my friends are doing.

I believe that they must be living a good life since the sea witch is gone and they will not return to being pirates. They got the happy ending they deserve.

Dragging myself into the bathroom, I stare at a familiar yet unfamiliar woman. This is the real me. I’m not Star who everyone cherishes anymore. Alice was considered a beautiful woman while I look so mediocre. She had a pair of aquamarine blue eyes, and silky black hair that still looked good after a week without washing it. On the other hand, I got a pair of normal brown eyes with dark circles from staying up all night and short tangled brown hair resembling a bird nest.

That day I called in sick leave to my part time job and sent my laptop to be fixed. Then I spent the whole day trying to find the clue on an alternate universe. I stumbled on something like lucid dreaming, astral projection, and other conspiracy theories that didn’t help me explain much of my experience.

At this point, I didn't know what to think of my adventure. But I swear it was real. I feel it in every cell of my body. My mud brain couldn't come up with such vivid and complicated dreams.

However, a small annoying voice in my brian whisper to me that it was my illusion.

—

The next day I went to the university for afternoon class like a zombie that hadn’t fed on human meat for a month. I’m a third year student in Liberal arts who has no direction in life and stan Ateez as a way to cope with life problems.

I head toward my usual hanging spot of a group of friends. A long table with 11 people, men and women chit chatting so loud that people in the area give them sidelong glare. But well, they don’t care since they normally hang out here at lunch break.

“Woahh! You look terrible today. What’s wrong? Your bias got into a dating scandal?” One of them greet me as I sit on the opposite seat of her. Mila always teases me for liking Ateez. Normally I’d joke back but this time I’m not in the mood.

“She probably stayed up late again reading how her character fell in love with her faves in some weird fantasy worlds.” Ava, another short haired girl next to me chimes in and giggles together with Mila.

She’s not totally wrong though. These girls know my weird side. Both of them are considered the closest to me in this entire university since I’ve known them since orientation day. We got closer as we happened to take the same classes with each other. Mila and Ava have been best buddies since young and I’m the third wheel. I used to try to get closer to them, but they didn’t open up so I decided to remain in the same position.

Still, these girls aren’t bad even though I kinda hurt when they tease me for liking Ateez and having different lifestyles from them. They love going out and partying while I have to do several part time jobs and prefer to spend time at home, reading fiction and of course, spending valuable time with Ateez. At least they greet me while the other ‘friends’ don't bother to acknowledge that I’m here at all.

“Well, I had a dream that I became a hoe on a pirate ship.” I yawn while responding to Ava. Truthfully, I barely slept last night thinking about my friends from another world and when I missed them, I started crying. So I kinda look extra ugly today with swollen eyes.

At that moment, the whole table quiets down and the others can hear my answer.

“Woah! That must be an exhausting dream. Did they make you cry out Aarrgghh matey!?” A guy sitting at the head of the table asks, wiggles his eyebrows in suggestive manner and causes the others to laugh at his comment.

I inwardly sigh with his behavior. I’m not close with this guy, I even forgot his name, but we kinda end up in this big group of friends. He’s the type of men that I want to stay away the most because he always say ual jokes that sound like harrasment. Sadly, girls like him, according to the majority of girls in my classes think that he’s handsome. But because I stan Ateez, my standard is high.

“I was fed to sharks and woke up.” I answered, deadpanned. The others snicker at my answer and quickly lose interest in me. They begin talking about their own stories. Mila and Ava also chat about the blast party that they went to on Saturday night.

Instead of playing with my phone which I usually do to kill time, I scan each of my ‘friends’ and can’t help thinking about my real friends from the other world. They wouldn't ignore me like this. I think of Mingi’s comment that he allowed me to have a new best friend. Sighing, I don’t think I can find a true friend here. In this world, I’m not an important friend in the group. I kind of get along with some of the girls, while they’re close with other people. So we end up hanging around each other in a big group. But honestly I’m not close with them at all.

“Hey guys!” A sweet voice calls for the whole table’s attention.

“Hi Cindy!” They greet a newcomer a little too enthusiastically.

The Cindy girl sits in the middle of the table as one guy gives up his seat for her. She smiles sweetly at him while that guy is completely lost in her smile. He reminds me of Aurora’s worshiper and I snort.

I can’t blame him though since she’s the main character of the group whose everyone wants her attention. She's smart, pretty, tall, has a good figure with the right amount of meat in her bust and booty, and most importantly she comes from a rich family. Well, she’s the prototype of perfection. I won’t lie that I want to be her friend too. Anyway, after meeting Aurora and Yeojin, I think she wouldn't stand a chance next to them.

“I heard the final presentation for Mrs. Rose’s class requires a group of two. I’m wondering if any of you want to work with me?” She asks, her round innocent eyes scanning her friends.

Everyone immediately offers themselves, except Mila, Ava and I. Cindy smiles with a hint of pride as if she has predicted their reaction.

I flop my head into my arms since I already know the outcome. Our group has 13 people, so the odd one is me. I guess I’ll have to find a random partner again this semester. In the past, I used to feel bad about being a blacksheep and try to fit in. But now I don’t care, I’ll be a loner. A cool lone Star.

—

Days passed into a month, and into a year. I finally graduated from the university.

During my senior year, I drifted away from that fake group of friends, but I still kept contact with Mila and Ava. I realized I didn’t need fake friends to survive university. And after graduation, I’m officially friendless.

Sitting on my bed inside my apartment, I hug my knees while staring blankly outside the window. This year I have been living in autopilot mode. I was busy with studies and thesis while working several part time jobs to pay bills.

What should I do next? I’m already considered an adult but I’m still not sure what to do with my life. No passion, no dream job, no lover, no reliable friends, no one to talk to. I’m like a small boat in a vast ocean that sails without direction.

My phone rings, pulling me out of my train of thoughts. The caller ID shows Mom.

It's been a long time since she called me. Normally, she called me once a month to update me about family matters. My mood goes up since I think she remembers my graduation ceremony day. Last time we talked, mom said she’d confirm the date when dad and her could fly to the city I’m living in.

“Hi mom.” I received the call.

“Are you free next week? You're already on a summer break, right? We’ll have a party for Jenny. She finally got into her dream college!” Mom sounds so excited. In the background, I hear dad and my younger sister, Jenny, laugh happily.

“Wow, good for her.” I say, suddenly I don't have a good feeling about it. “Well, I have a graduation ceremony. I couldn’t go home yet, don’t you remember?”

Since I chose a university that is far away from home, I barely went home, especially during my senior year. I was busy and another reason was because I felt like I didn’t belong there.

“Oh, right! You’re already in your 4th year… ” She trails off and completely quiets down. I hear dad ask her when I’ll come back as he’ll pick me up at the airport. Mom answers him back about the ceremony. Then I hear dad and Jenny shout congratulations through the phone.

I listen to them, my heart clenches, but I’m sure it’s not from happiness.

It takes a moment until mom continues speaking. “Ah, too bad. Even Jenna will come with her husband. We could have a family reunion.” She sighs after mentioning my older sister, Jenna. “Then fly back home when you finish with your graduation. Don’t forget to get a lovely present for Jenny. We miss you, alright, bye.” Then she hangs up just like that.

I sit in the same position. A dry sarcastic laughter leaves my mouth. I keep laughing louder until tears spill from my eyes.

It was always like that in the past, until now they never changed. My family acted like they care about me, they said they love me but their actions prove otherwise. My parents always neglect me, a middle child, while they pour all their love into their first and youngest child.

Jenna, my older sister, is a smart woman owning her online business, she has to travel across the country to present her products. Dad and mom are so proud of her and can’t stop bragging of her achievement. And then my little sister, Jenny, is a child prodigy. She can play many instruments and has won a lot of awards since young.

Last but not least, me, Ann without an E, the mediocre middle child who has no place in the family. I got good grades because I studied hard. I’m not smart, nor have a business mind, nor a child prodigy. My parents would praise and prioritize my sisters. Even Jenna didn’t really care for me, but she absolutely adores Jenny. And because of the attention received, Jenny became attached to Jenna. As I was living in that family, I felt like an outsider in my own home.

I wanted to ask them what I did wrong, why couldn't they love me too while I love them unconditionally?

I tried to fit in, by swallowing the inferiority down my throat and acting like I was fine. Nothing improved. After graduating from high school, I gave up. What was the point of living with people who never cared for me? Thus I applied for university in another city far away from home.

Still I had hope that the distance would make them miss me. I was totally wrong. We drifted apart even more and now they forgot my graduation ceremony. I lost count how many times I cried because of them. I harshly rub my eyes. This will be my last time. I’m sick of that family.

My gaze avert to Ateez wallpaper on my phone. They’re the only thing that heals me. Their music comforts me, their performances mesmerize me and their comedy variety makes me forget about my pain.

But now whenever I look at them, my mind drifts to the other people. Those people who I can’t differentiate whether they’re real or not. Still, I miss them every day. Staring at the night sky, I spot no single star in the city with light on 24/7. I wonder if they’re also looking at the same stars as me?

I sniff my nose and open my laptop for a job search. Even when I feel like , I still need to find a full time job to fill my stomach and pay rent.

After ten minutes into job search, I end up on twitter. My eyes go wide when I read the recent tweet from Ateez’s official account. Ateez will have a concert tour in the next 3 month. The ticket will open for sale the day after the ceremony day.

My heart explodes with excitement. It’s been so long that I feel alive. This concert is definitely my next life goal.

—

I stare at the spotless blue sky while listening to the enthusiasm noise of a crowd around me. Laughters and giggles come from a group of teenagers walking past my seat. I’m sitting alone in the row of empty sunbathing chairs since today is scorching hot. I guess they’re laughing at me since I’m applying sunscreen until my skin turns gray.

I wear a hot pink bikini top with short jeans that barely cover my , lying down here for a few minutes but already catching many people's attention. Whether it’s my clothe or the heavy sunscreen, I learn the art of not giving a and being happy in my own little world.

Apparently, I didn't get a hand on Ateez concert ticket because it sold out so fast. Damn, Atinys, stop lying that you guys were broke. Thinking about it makes me depressed.

So I bought a cruise ticket to the Caribbean to vent out my frustration. After a month of graduation ceremony, I still didn’t get a job. But let’s just forget about it. I’m on a holiday, I prohibit myself from thinking about my depressing future.

I breathe in the salty fresh air and exhale. I miss this atmosphere; the sun my bare skin, the sea waves playing lullaby to my ears, the wind carrying the scent of freedom. Although the cruise is crowded with travelers, at least it helps me cure my soul after a tiresome year.

My mind involuntarily drifts to a group of people from another world. Life was hard during 2 months in another world, but because I had people I love I could go through any obstacles. Now, I feel lost, tired and lonely. This is harder than to fight with the sea witch.

I no longer look up for an alternate universe explanation since I found nothing close to my experience. The annoying voice in my brain becomes louder as time passes by.

Could it be a fragment of my illusion?

It always ends up with the same question whenever I think about them. And I can never answer that question.

I shut my eyes and feel it in my heart. As long as I believe it, they’re real. Then a thought appears in my head. I wish to see my friends again.

I startle awake when a loud thunder roars. My heart falls to the ground as I see dark clouds looming above me, lightning flash all over the sky. The large ship noticeably shakes by the churning waves. It was sunny a moment ago, but now the storm is hitting us. In the next second heavy rains pour down from the sky.

The announcement from speakers calls for the passengers to get inside the hall. There’re few passengers left outside and they’re running inside the building which kinda leave me as the last person in the open deck.

I quickly get up, wearing my hot pink flip flop and scurrying toward the shelter when suddenly, the ship rocks to one side. Because the floor is slippery, I lose my balance and crash to the floor. My body uncontrollably rolls over and hits a nearby glass rail. I groan and grab my painful arm.

Then I accidentally look down at the frenzy waves below. I swear sea water splash into the ship even though I’m on the highest deck. My body shudders, remembering when I once drowned at the devil’s triangle, if I fall over now no one will save me this time.

As I try to get up, something in the distance catches my eyes. In my blurry sight, a tall dark object rises up from the water. That thing waves in the air, reminding me of a creature that I believe doesn't exist in this world. But when another black object rises up into the sky, my body turns cold.

“Kraken!!!!” I scream on top of my lungs, my eyes bulge out of their sockets. I think I’ve lost my mind. One hand grip at the rail, and another rubs my eyes and I stare at it again. Yet, the tentacles rise and shine in the air and seem like it’s coming closer to the ship.

A hand grips on my shoulder, I whip my neck to see a woman around my age wearing a staff clothes. “Miss, you must come inside!!! It’s dangerous out here!!!” She shouts at me through heavy rain and thunder.

I turn to shake her body and point at the Kraken. “Kraken!!!” I shriek at her.

“Karen!?! I’m sorry that your friend Karen fell into the water but we need to keep you safe first!!!” She screams in return, totally missing my point.

“NO! I SAID KRAKEN!!!!!!!!” I scream louder and point at the creature.

Then my surroundings become darker, I look upward and almost have a heart attack. A wave higher than the ship is about to crash into us. The staff screams and runs away, leaving me alone to face my death.

I stand there as the gigantic wave come down and wash everything into darkness.

—

“She’s alive.” I wake up from a male voice, feeling a presence of people surrounding me. I pretend to be unconscious since I’m still confused about what happened.

How did I end up unconscious? My last memory was when I went to the Caribbean cruise and then there was a storm and…

“Kraken!!!!” I jolt awake and sit right up, making people around me startle.

“Woah! Miss, don’t say the curse word!!!” Someone yells back at me. I look up to see almost 10 tough looking men surrounding me. I shrink and scoot away from them, hugging my body.

“Calm down, we won’t hurt you.” Another man says in a soothing tone.

I scan around the area and realize that I’m on a beach. I must’ve fallen out of the cruise ship because of that giant wave and washed upon an island. These people could be survivors too, but why they dress like a sailor in a pirate movie-

Alarmed by my own thoughts, I study their faces scrutinizingly. Most of them have beards and either wear hats and bandanas on their heads. But no matter how much their outer appearances change, I still remember them by heart. My mind explodes like getting hit by a thunder.

I abruptly get on my feet. A long black coat that covers my body falls to the ground. Those men quickly look away, flustered. Then, a familiar looking woman steps forward, she picks up the coat and covers my body. She stares at me wearily from my head to toe like she used to do when I first met her.

However, my brain stops processing since I’m too stunned by the reality in front of me. I have to slap my face to check that I’m not dreaming.

Seeing my weird behavior, they exchange glances at one another, probably thinking that I’m crazy.

My throat clenches, my mouth turns dry. I imagined many times that if I met them again, how would I react? At this very moment, I want to shout their names but the word that comes out of my mouth is…

“Beard!!!”

( : ౦ ‸ ౦ : )

Omgomg Who are those people??!!