Tomorrow
I groaned as soft sunlight entered my eyes. Two days had passed since… that alien beat the shit out of me.
As I shifted on the bed, my back protested. It still ached, but the tiredness was gone.
With a sigh, I sat up. I rubbed my eyes, slowly adjusting to the light that filtered through the curtains. I swallowed, feeling the dryness.
I reached over for my phone.
2:14 pm.
It was mid-afternoon already.
I noticed the countless messages and notifications. With a sigh, I plopped back down on the bed, not in the mood to go through them all.
I opened the fridge, taking out a bottle of cold water. I poured myself a drink before settling down on the bar stool.
I prepared myself before opening my phone to read through the messages. Weather news, angry messages from Grant—ignored.
A message from the arena?
My eyebrows furrowed. What could it be?
I opened it, reading through.
"White Watch, your unreported absence raises concerns about your commitment to the arena. If you do not return within two days, your membership will be revoked."
My eyes widened as I read through the message. Subconsciously, my fingers tightened around the glass. Were they serious? They saw how badly that alien beat me and…
This was a joke.
This whole arena felt like a cruel joke.
From the looks of it, this must not be the first time the aliens residing inside the arena carried out the humiliating ritual. My nostrils flared. There was something darker and deeper about the arena that they were hiding.
That alien woman almost crushed my skull. And when I took time off from work and the arena, somehow I was in the wrong.
Ha.
My phone landed on the kitchen island with a soft thud.
This was…
I sighed.
I was getting riled up for nothing.
I would just go tomorrow and talk with them, I told myself.
I was…
My gaze shifted outside, to the sun between tall buildings.
Why did I even join the arena?
Rays of light pierced my pupils, making them watery.
Was it because I failed as a journalist? Maybe I wanted another chance to succeed and be proud.
But all I got at the end was… humiliation.
Mama… Dad…
I bit my lower lip.
Tick-tock.
The entire day dragged by. Endless switching between the couch and catching up shows I have missed due to taking up extra work.
The closer night crept, the more my resolve faded. I was not ready to head back to work or return to the arena. Not after what happened.
The beating, the eye watching me… Stella. She appeared warm but I saw a cruel spark in her eyes.
I swallowed.
It almost felt like she knew what I did.
Chills ran down my body.
I was not ready to return.
My head landed softly against the pillow.
Buzz.
I reached out, unplugging my phone from the charger. Aunt Joana's message. I dismissed it.
New article published by Caesar Media. A rival company to Delton News and equally corrupt.
I clicked on it, taking me to their website.
"City Wide Blackout In Clematis."
My tired eyes furrowed as I read the headline.
What was happening in Clematis City? What caused the power outage?
I scrolled, briefly skimming the text before my eyes landed on key information.
"Heroes: Fern Mask And Black Watch On The Go!"
Fern Mask and Black Watch were sent to Clematis to deal with the power outage? For a power outage? I highly doubt that was it.
There was something more happening there. Why else would they send two heroes?
Something to think about for tomorrow.
I put my phone down and lay flat on the bed.
Tomorrow.
I would return to the arena. I would face the fear of stepping into that place again.
My fingers gripped the duvet.
Tomorrow.
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