"I'll read to you until you fall asleep! So? How about that?"
It was like listening to an angel, the way his words were quietly being hushed through the speaker of her phone made her freezing toes wiggle as she couldn't contain her beam. The brunette stagnantly remained huddled against a wall, a few blankets being tugged from an unfamiliar bed were swaddled around her figure. Between her fingers, she held her little black box of technology close. The phone's dim glow illuminating her paper face.
She only gave a slight hum as a response, though the listener knew every note in her voice and their meaning.
She could hear him smiling on the other line as he continued, "hmm... What story should I tell you?" the woman kept her open ear pressed against the wall, just able to make out the sound of shuffling somewhere beyond her room, "ah!" she picked up the exclamation on both the wall and her phone. "Here's Cinderella! I have a couple books that I use to practice my acting. Wait... Ready?"
"Mmhm..." she rumbled from her throat, her lips curling.
"Once upon a time, there lived a girl named Cinderella. Her mother passed away when she was young and she lived with her father. One day, her father brought her step mother and step sisters to their home," the very voice reading to her was like a lullaby, all her muscles slowly unwinding as she continued to listen to her favorite boy. He grew to a pause, "Are you listening?"
She found no reason to respond, the wall suddenly becoming a better bed than the one not even ten feet from where she nestled. But she wasn't asleep, just barely threading consciousness though.
"You sleeping?" she listened to the man's heavy sigh through the phone, causing something to ripple straight from her heart down to her fingertips, "I guess you are."
There were moments of silence as neither found it in themselves to hang up. Something like a comfort, as if they were right beside one another. The woman listened to his breathing and he to hers, a steady warmth creeping up both their necks.
The man began to softly buzz words that he didn't think she could hear, "you know, most women want to be Cinderella, right? But, I feel like I'm Cinderella..." from the other side of the line, she could hear what sounded like the crinkling of a pillow case, "My parents weren't bad people. I just- grew up struggling a lot."
Her entire face winced as she could make out the tight pull in his beautifully broken voice. She began to form her lips, but he continued.
"And then, I met my prince Charming. Someone who was as strong and beautiful as that prince. That was you," the way he puffed his drawing three words caused goosebumps to raise across the woman's skin, her stomach suddenly plummeting. It wasn't fear though... No, it was far different. "I've always...wanted to tell you that. I've been bewitched from the first time I saw you, and unlike the Fairy Godmother's magic... This spell will last forever."
Something began to percolate at her golden eyes, her already dark vision starting to fog as streams dripped down her reddened face. She felt her tongue stretching for the words she could not find.
Yet he still continued, "I want to be a better person to you, the one who's cursed me with happiness."
The world became enveloped by the obscurity as her twisting neck began to ache, something still pulling at the words that grew more and more distant.
"Good night,"
It felt as if the blanket that cloaked her was suddenly ripped away, as if it were never there in the first place.
"and,"
Everything seemed too cold.
"I lov-"
Era's eyes spit open, eyelashes suddenly fluttering as she gazed up at the foreign ceiling, its empty white stretching from her field of vision. She could catch the loud thundering of her eardrums starting slow as she craned her neck to look over to where her hand sat outstretched. The little black phone case glinted in the streaming mist of moonlight, tightly wrapped by the brunette's fingers as everything was backed by a wooden flooring.
Slowly lifting herself from the ground, Era rolled her neck, reaching her fingers to pull apart a knot that formed just between her shoulders, "I dreamed of... falling asleep on the floor, while I fell asleep on the floor. Nice going there, Era," she began to mumble begrudgingly as she could barely shake the cobwebs from her mind.
She had been having strange dreams for weeks, ever since she had adopted Kit. She blamed it on a strange symptom of allergies to her new cat. Era glanced around, searching for her little companion to notice she wasn't even in her own apartment. A silver desk with a sleek desktop was a bit a ways, reflecting the night lights around the room. Panic rose in her throat, the brunette suddenly already standing on her toes as she spun all around. She searched her pocket-less sweater dress if she had her wallet, her wound shoulders going limp when she felt it in her leggings pocket.
Like swift jab to her gut, the past events suddenly resurfaced, everything being muttered to herself as if to reassure that it was all real, "...right. I downloaded an app on my phone and a strange person messaged me, guided me to this apartment. When I came in- yes, yes, my phone went berserk and it opened up to a private chat room for an organization called the R.F.A., which basically was a fundraising organization founded by a woman named Rika. She, apparently, died... And I'm in her apartment. I'm in a dead woman's apartment. Which is filled with a bunch of classified information. Which I'm not allowed to touch. But I can't leave since I have already been exposed to a classified location, apparently."
Checking everything else out, the little home was feverishly meticulous. It was unsettling to Era as she felt out of place, like a piece of the wrong puzzle trying to fit in with the box it got left in.
"Everyone who was in the chat room was interrogating me. Then, some guy named V entered the chat room, who apparently is like the current leader. He believed that 'Unknown' was sent by Rika from the afterlife, to have me enter the R.F.A. ... As if this dead woman wants me to take her place as the fundraising organizer, the party planner, I guess. I have to invite guests and prepare a party while keeping in communication with the other members through this chat room. And I can't leave this apartment because it's classified." Era sighed with the rousing wind that shuttered the glass doors just a bit away.
Nothing sunk into perspective as her face paled at the dawning problem, "Who will take care of my Kit?" she fumbled out her phone as if she could call someone, running through her contacts as quickly as she could, "I could text one of my co-workers, tell them to watch my apartment for a while. Because I- got sick and, no I can't say I'm in the hospital. They would want to visit me then. I... took a surprise vacation because; yeah, no, that one will get me fired. I could say that someone in my family died but," her stomach snapped at that option, rising acids into her throat as she merely thought about it. She couldn't even finish her own thought.
Excuse after excuse trickled in and out of her mind until everything was shaken from reality with the vibrating of her phone, which was still practically hot-wired into her palm. An alert box scrawled across the screen.
"New Chat Room: Welcome!"
"Chat room Participants: Yoosung"
Yoosung: I really want to know what kind of person you are, Era.
The woman paused, pondering how to respond. Was there much special about her? She was pretty intelligent, but that didn't come without it's downfalls. Though, she knew she couldn't name herself as normal. She was prepared to state how she was something unique, a snowflake in summer.
But her fingers paused.
What was the point of telling these people?
Was it really something so special to have lived in an orphanage?
Era: I'm just an average person.
Yoosung: Wow, thanks for answering!
Yoosung: I'm pretty normal too ^^^
Yoosung: I'm not as rich as Jumin...
Yoosung: Next to Zen's good looks, no one will look at me...
Yoosung: I don't have a cool career like Jaehee...
Yoosung: And it's not as if I have some extraordinary talent like Seven,
Yoosung: But I try my best to stay confident. ^^
Era: It's nice to see that you're staying positive
Yoosung: Thank you ^^ I try my nest to stay positive
Yoosung: Don't hesitate to come to me when you feel gloomy~!
Yoosung: I want to chat with you often.
Yoosung: I didn't get to see the photo, but Seven said you're cute and I believe him...!
Era: Lol you're gonna be so surprised when you see me in person
Yoosung: Why? Because you're really pretty?! Because you're actually a movie star
Era: I hope so;
Yoosung: To be honest, I don't really care for gorgeous and fancy people
Yoosung: Zen's a pretty famous musical theater actor
Raising an eyebrow, Era felt something oddly familiar as she read about Zen. A musical actor... Somewhere, something swirled in the back of her mind. A hint brushing about lines? She pondered where she had heard those words before. Era became trapped in her own endeavors that she barely noticed the overflowing stream of messages Yoosung wrote at electric speeds.
Yoosung: He got so many girl fans because of his looks
Yoosung: And now he's a huge narcissist...
Yoosung: Whenever he looks into the mirror, he smooths out his hair like twenty times, in a strange pose;;;
Yoosung: Kinda douchey haha
Yoosung: If only I could visit Rika's apartment, I'd be able to meet you
Yoosung: ...But V told us not to go and I can't disrespect him T-T
Yoosung: So please chat with me often ^^
Yoosung: I'll be off now to play games!
When the woman finally snapped back into reality, she felt as if the boy she texted was slipping away. It was oddly easy to send a response to draw him back.
Era: What games?
Yoosung: I play a game that is popular these days which is called LOLOL
Yoosung: Have you heard of it?
She had never played the game, not even seen an advertisement for anything being called LOLOL. Era was more the the nintendo girl, grew up with a game boy to play something like Pokemon Red. These days she had a 3DS to play a couple games to blow off steam, but she wasn't too caught up in the virtual world.
Something suddenly picked at her heart, the fact she left her game system in her apartment. Why didn't she slip it into her purse before leaving? she'd kicked herself about it, but it wasn't like she knew what was going to happen when she arrived.
But somehow, the words were slithering right behind her teeth. They spoke in a tone barely above a whisper as Era typed.
Era: LOLOL? League of Loneliness of Life?
Yoosung: Wow! I can't believe you know League of Loneliness of Life!
Yoosung: Not a lot of girls know that game... Ur awesome!
Era: It's nothing... Really.
Yoosung: I play in the shooting Star server ^^
Yoosung: If you want to play with me, I usually play from 10PM to 4AM, so keep that in mind ^^
Era: Aren't you in college? Shouldn't you be using that time to sleep?
Yoosung: Hahahaha ;;; ... I'll be off now!
Yoosung: Don't stay up too late and sleep tight!
Era: Same to you! Get some sleep!
-Yoosung has left the chat room-
-Era has left the chat room-
The woman laughed silently, padding over quietly to the milky-linen bed that glomped in a corner of the room. At its foot was the mentioned office desk that had drawers littered with secrets that Era didn't have to even test to know it was locked away.
She felt a sting of guilt as she crawled into the dead woman's bed, but it wasn't like Rika was going to be using it any time soon.
The fall night still nipped through the walls, despite the extravagant complex's heating system, triggering Era to form a nest of sheets around her. Era's auric eyes twinkled at her phone, which was still snuggled in just inches from her face. The Neurologist Assistant, that's what she was, didn't know how to begin this party. Everyone was kind enough (and some begrudging) to volunteer their help if she had any questions, but she couldn't even form a start or finish to the jumble of confusion.
Stretching her thumb's just a smidgen, Era opened up the app labeled Mystic Messenger. The R.F.A. logo scrolled across the black background as she raced her eyes across the options. There was the chat room and the phone dialer taking up the most room on the app. Connected to her dialer was a medium sized bubble named, "texts" and an alert saying she had four new messages. Aside from those was a line up to the left, holding a photo gallery, guest list and her email.
The email is where you can reach out to guests and vice versa, V's message from the hectic first chat room.
Era didn't dare open it up.
Everything just felt like too much of a mess to start anything that night.
Yet the world always continues to turn, her phone screen suddenly being taken over by an incoming call. The caller ID was blocked, but Era didn't feel the slightest distrust as she gingerly tapped the green button to pick up.
She snuck the phone in between her ear and shoulder, listening to the rough voice on the other line, "Rrrrrrr. Rrrrrrrr."
They seemed to be simply rolling their tongue, but Era still snuffled a laugh under her breath.
"Your bank account has been used for a fun prank," the speaker was loud, but monotone as if it was merely a machine she was conversing with, "were you aware of this? I must first confirm your cellphone number to verify your identity so calmly follow the instructions."
Her light snicker from the beginning of the call was suddenly gone as she broke from her nest, sitting straight and attentive.
Despite the frigid room, a bead of sweat slipped down Era's forehead in distress. Someone had accessed her bank account? After the crazy night of Unknown and R.F.A., it didn't seem so farfetched. Unknown was a hacker... And the R.F.A. also had a hacker on their side. Could one of them been the one to hack her bank account? To hold her in submission? Far from a prank, but could have been labeled so for a transaction. Banks do that, right?
Era's throat felt as if it were closing up, her words barely scratching out, "Oh my god, what should I do? Do you want me to type my number in on the keypad or tell you? Could you- elaborate on the 'prank'?"
"Gullible customer, please calm down, and take a deep breath. Breath in," the teller on the other side waited, holding silence for her breath. Carefully, Era drew in air, filling up her lungs, "Breath out!"
She let out a weighted puff out, "what now?"
On the other end of the receiver, something sounded like it was breaking. No, a crunch. "You must be collected at a time like this," the monotone became disheveled, as if cotton balls filled their mouth. However, after a struggled gulping noise, the clear robot returned, "Now that you've taken a deep breath, please go ahead and say: I love you!"
Another crunch filled the speaker as Era could only blankly stare at the room in front of her.
"You know, like how the teddy bear says it."
Era began to stutter and mumble, but finally giving herself another calm breath. If it is what the bank does to get her money back, "Honey, I love you!" her voice trembled through each syllable, but she tried to cover it in as much sugar as possible.
Somewhere across the city, the man choked, coughing just slightly as a laugh rumbled up. It grew larger and larger, his smile audible through the phone, "Good job," he began to seem to whisper to himself, but the words made it to Era's ear. "God, so cute..."
A warmth suddenly etched up her neck, the robot on the other line was taken over by a jovial tone. Era's mouth went completely dry as she couldn't even fathom how to respond. She could only begin to laugh along with him, as if butterflies were tickling her stomach to get out. Albiet, she was still utterly confused. Laughing just seemed so... Natural.
"Now I will confirm your phone number. Please tell me your phone number," Era was already telling the area code when she was cut off by the man she spoke to, "Stop! You were about to tell me your number, right? You can't do that. There are so many scams out there, like this one right now!"
"This- was a scam?" Era didn't have even a dollop of suspicion in her voice as she just owlishly blinked.
He on the other side, chuckled, "Yes! If you receive a call like this from now on, don't even think about it and just hang up. And if you're unsure, just call me. Okay? I'll make sure to check, even when I'm busy. But... with Rika's apartment and all, you're so gullible! You can't fall for stupid things like this!"
"Um... Who is this?" The brunette burrowed her way back into the blankets, smugly smirking as she continued to talk, "And you just said this was a scam, so why should I call the scammer back?"
"Wah! You're distrust is wounding me, madam!"
"Hey, you called me gullible. Twice!" Era crowed lightly as she wrapped a blanket over her shoulder, "I think I'm the wounded party here. I demand repentance!" She didn't even notice as her worries melted away as Era lost herself in the conversation.
The man roared on the other side in amusement, "God Seven-Zero-Seven repents to no one!"
Era's expression lit up the shadowed room, "Hah, so it's Seven I'm talking to!"
Seven continued to snicker as they conversed, "What? You tricked me! Clever, I didn't see that coming." The two of them didn't have to talk as they just laughed. It wasn't like that awkward giggle people give to fill the silence. It felt as if their little amusement gave life; neither could force their smiles away. "I just called to check whether this was the right number, and it was me, so nothing happened."
She didn't know. She didn't see the lie in his words. No one would, only Seven.
He cleared his throat with a shaded cough, "But if this were a real scam, a scary hacker could have taken all your money! The moment you receive that call, you lose your money. Okay?"
"Beep Beep, we have detected criminal activity on your account." Era didn't want to let go of the feeling that kept bubbling up through her veins. If she had to call it something, it was happiness. A pure light filled her smile when she finally gave it a name.
"What, you've managed to get into a hacker's account? Amazing!" Seven praised the Brunette, continuing on, "But, I don't have a bank account, so- haha. My boss told me that using cash was the best way to make money."
Era's face contorted slightly, sucking in her cheek in a pout, "aw, pooey. Spoilsport."
He purred out a laugh once more at the woman's antics, "Anyways, I've checked your phone number, so I'll let the other members know. Now if you get a call on this app, you'll see the faces of the members, so try talking with them! You'll be seeing them often from now on. Please take good care of the RFA, okay? Looking forward to it! Then, bye bye!"
"Bye-bye!"
The ending tones echoed from her speaker, before the silence came flooding back in. With it, a wave of exhaustion. The bed was just right, Era's head just rolling slightly as she snuggled closer to the pillows.
She was back asleep just like that.
On her phone, the screen alerted a new text, though she wouldn't read it in time before it would automatically delete from her phone.
Unknown: It'll be really fun from now on. Enjoy your time with everyone. I'll go get you soon.