Normal Day.

It was dark.

'Help me.'

He ran as fast as he could.

'_ it's coming.'

It pursued him, clad in darkness. He could hear the monstrous roar getting close. Very close. He needed to hide, but it always found him. It could smell him. It could sense him.

'Hide _.'

That wasn't his voice, it was of a woman he always tried to reach, she could keep him safe from the relentless pursuer.

He continued running across this dark place. It was once a town, but now strange vines covered the houses and buildings. The sky was covered by dark clouds where he saw red lightning dance, followed by a thunderous roar.

A gigantic silhouette appeared on the horizon, paralyzing him with fear. It had no eyes, but he knew it was looking at him.

And it hated him.

He felt something warm, calming, calling to him. To the right.

There was a house, a familiar house that called for him, telling that he would be safe there.

Regardless of the dread he felt, he forced his legs to move again in a surprising burst of energy.

He ran to the house, away from the gigantic monstrosity and the shadowy pursuer.

But for some reason, as if to defy logic, the more he ran towards the house, it seemed to get further away. In desperation he tried gaining more speed, but the house only seemed to become smaller and smaller.

Then he couldn't run anymore. Looking down he saw the floor turn into a strange sand-like substance. It moved like water, and it was dark like the gigantic monster he saw.

It started swallowing him whole like a whirlpool, the world became a blur and he started spinning

uncontrollably. He tried crawling up, but it only made him sink faster.

Then there was darkness.

'I will find you.' the voice said.

"Who…are…you?"

Then he opened his eye, two familiar shadows staring down at him with concerned eyes.

The boy smiled.

—-

He sat on the large dining table, surrounded by children of his age. They were all having an

early breakfast today. Usually the meals were simple loaves of bread, milk and some fruits, but

today they were lucky and got eggs to accompany it. The Belchero Orphanage wasn't exactly

short on money, but taking care of so many children could take a toll, even with the usual means

of acquiring income, The guild could finance the equipment, but only that.

He was near the end of the table, two friends at his side, all stuffing their mouths. One was a

brown haired boy with blue eyes, that despite eating quickly, had an aura of confiance. The

other, who was eating much slower, had black hair, red eyes behind small glasses, looked very

bookish.

The first one finished eating, giving a big smile.

"You look very satisfied today, Nat."

"Who wouldn't be after a breakfast like this?" the blue eyed boy laughed. "Maybe the director's

finally turning kind. What do you think, Shigi?"

"I'm not sure that's the reason, Nat. Leader said we would learn how to spend an entire day on

the Abyss today?" the spectacle boy said, finishing his meal.

Nat dropped his head with a miserable sight. He slept over that part yesterday. A hand grabbed his shoulder. It was the other boy.

"Thanks," he smiled, then became concerned. "Are those nightmares still bothering you?"

The boy nodded. It was no surprise, ever since he arrived one year ago the nightmares were a

common occurrence. They didn't hinder his overall progress, but were a source of discomfort.

He'd always wake in cold sweat and trembling hands. Most kids said he dreamed of monsters

from the bottom of the Abyss.

"Shouldn't you tell leader? Maybe he can get you something like last time." Shigi suggested.

"No," he said aloud, drawing some attention. "Please don't."

That medicine made him sleep, but didn't stop the dreams. He just couldn't wake up after taking

them.

The other two looked at him with concern. From all the strange tales of how they ended up in

this orphanage, this was the most intriguing.

How could anyone survive on the third layer with no equipment?

No, worse yet; what did he forget?

"Guys, I'm fine. Really. We should focus on today's expedition. Is she gonna be in our group?"

he said, averting the subject.

Nat made a face. "No doubt. We're the only ones who can deal with her during a dive, and Leader paired her with us."

Good, he thought. She is one of the most skilled, if somewhat notorious, dwellers. They could gather a good amount of relics. And more relics meant more money and recognition. Soon he…

They could go to the next level as cave raiders and be allowed to explore in greater depths.

And somewhere down there was the answer for his past.

Where he came from.

Who was his family.

And his true name.

But do I want to? This place might not be his original home, but after one year living here,

making new friends and exploring the abyss, it does feel like it.

"NAT. SHIGI."

A girl came running towards them, dodging tables and other kids. She has blond hair tied into

two pigtails. Like Shigi she wore glasses, but her eyes were green. She almost crashed on the

table.

"Finally out of your daily punishment?" Nat deadpanned.

She pouted. "Not funny, Nat. Besides, it was just one relic…"

"...That you forgot to register…" Nat interrupted.

It devolved into an argument with Nat saying she was guilty, while she defended her small

mistake as an oversight. Shigi could only sight.

"Riko, we're leaving soon so shouldn't you get your breakfast?" said the boy next to an

annoyed Nat.

The girl stopped, then panicked, running away to get her food. Shigi turned to the boy and

smiled.

"That was very clever, Will!"

Will Byers smiled back.

My first attempt. Reviews appreciated.