It is an unusual morning in a town named Syrena. Its usual morning market hustle bustle is gone. Gone the chit chat of people and sound of their vehicles going for their routine.
It is a quiet morning. Not the peaceful one but an haunting one. In the midst of all of this, a teenager boy no older than 17 woke up on a patient bed in a similar quiet hospital.
"Arghh" the boy groaned in a low voice. His eyes snapped open in panic before calmed down in a moment.
Protagonist POV
I observed my surroundings while trying to get up from the bed.
"Where am I?" I ask myself knowing there's no one to answer me.
"Hmm, what is this language? It's like a whole new language yet there's a hint of familiarity in it."
"It's because you have heard the language from which it has evolved, child." While I was contemplating about the language and how I am so naturally fluent in it, I heard a sudden but a kind sage like voice from my right ear.
I jumped from my bed in alert and checked towards my right shoulder. There I saw a man wearing a saffron coloured dhoti and a Veena on his body, while he sat on my right shoulder comfortably.
We stared at each other for a few moments before I asked him respectfully " Pranam, respected sir, but can I ask you who you are and why are you sitting on my shoulder?"
I was respectful because I can tell he was old, like really old that you can't even think of a number. He was also in his astral form, which is not something anyone can do.
"Ha ha, yes child you can ask me any questions, that's the reason I am here with you. As for who I am, you can call me Naarad, just treat me as your friend. I am a devotee of my Lord Vishnu and a wandering musician and storyteller. As for the reason I am sitting on your shoulder is because sitting on your head would be quiet rude on my part." He chuckled while stating the last part.
"As for why am I here, its because I was quite bored while living in upper heaven. There was nothing interesting going on in any of the realms, thats why I have taken up the job of a guide for you while you'll be travelling different mortal worlds."
"Oh, ok. Thank you for being here. I hope you guide me in a right direction." I said to him with utmost humility.
"There is no need to degrade yourself. You have been taught by best of the best in each of their fields. Just do what you think is right." He said to me in an appreciative tone.
I just smiled at the statement because I knew how much of a truth is in those words.
I took few moments to observe my surroundings then walk towards to what I think is an exit.
I continued to ask questions to my guide.
"So, where are we, Naarad?"
"You are in a place what we can call a hospital, where ill mortals are treated." He answered in a sage like voice, like he was giving some kind of wisdom.
"I think... I know that." I chuckled awkwardly.
"Now that I think about it, I think, already know everything what should be treated as a common sense here. Like this is a hospital where ill are treated and there should be doctors and nurses checking on their patients. There should be some kind of usual chaos. But there are neither patients nor any doctors in this hospital." I mused while trying to see outside of my room.
All I see is a long empty corridor. Which is quiet. Way too quiet to my comfort. There's also a smell. A smell which I have gotten way too familiar with.
It's the smell of blood.
Which, as per common sense, shouldn't have been a problem. After all I am in a hospital. But the problem arises when I see an empty corridor splattered with blood all over its floor and walls. It's like someone played Holi with blood.
Now my alertness doubled, I cautiously travelled through the corridor. Reverberation of my footsteps is the only sound could be heard across the corridor.
Seeing the state of dried blood, it has been sometime, whatever happened at that time.
"Do you know anything about the circumstances I am in, Naarad" I asked my guide.
"Oh, I know everything about it! Its just that I won't tell you a thing about it. It's your Dharma to navigate through your circumstances. I'll be there where you will need me."
"I pretty much guessed that kind of answer you will give me."
'Just like uncle Krishna' I thought with a smile.
He just chuckled good heartedly at my words.
'I should check whole hospital, in case i find something useful or informative. Although chances of finding a living human are very miniscule, at the least there should be some bodies.'
I went on my mission to find something useful. But everything is so messy, its like everyone left their work in hurry. I spent around half an hour checking every nook and canny of the hospital while being as quiet as possible.
After checking every thing, the only thing left is heavy feeling in my heart.
'There's not even a single body in this hospital. How's this possible? There are some intestines scattered here and there but not single body. Luckily I found a scalpel under the bed in an ICU ward. Even the meds are gone. Someone must have ravaged the whole hospital and took everything useful.'
Although I don't want to believe it, all indicators are there. But it shouldn't be possible. It's just a pop culture thing of this world which, somehow alongside common sense, is also filled in my head. Is this the reason I came in this world? At least give me some moments of rest.
'aahh, what kind of nightmare have I woke up into?'
