Death Cast

01.1 | Grecia Bella Theatre

A loud clatter and sudden whistle of an engine woke Jaerim up, resonating around the vicinity like a wailing wolf. He jolted awake in response, his brows frowning deeply in displeasure. He strained his eyes tightly as he came face to face with a bright light, which caused tears to well up in his still sensitive eyes. Jaerim squinted a few more times until the glare faded, revealing a dark blue painted low ceiling with a long little compartment.

He was staring at the ceiling, dazed, trying to figure out where he was, when a large face appeared out of nowhere. The wide smile and golden irises could only be familiar, completely startling Jaerim up from his trance and prompting him to sit up right away. Barron's smirking face retreated barely in time to avoid a head-to-head collision.

"Impressive. It's incredible that you can sleep so soundly in such a state."

Barron remarked as he moved to the side and placed his hands above his folded knee over one of his legs. He gave Jaerim a thoughtful glance, a smile lingering on his lips.

Jaerim glanced at the white-haired grim reaper, perplexed, when another clatter from the vibrations and jolting movement drew his attention. Before his eyes is small room encased in a low sliding door with crimson chesterfield sofa covered in tufted upholstery. It is constructed in parallel sides of the small carriage, securing a smooth-edged square table in the middle. Above the sliding door was fitted a small yellow spherical lamp that flickered faintly in response to the small vibrations and movements of the jolting cart.

His eyes raced about the room discreetly, inspecting every nook and crevice, until he came to a halt in front of the clear glass window beside him. Across the window, a dreary darkness is presented by tree silhouettes concealing the moonlight, exuding an eerie impression of creepiness as if someone is watching. His eyes moved focus and landed on the carriage's mirrored reflection.

Beside him is Barron, the long white-haired grim reaper, drinking a cup of a bitter-citrus smelling tea from an intricately decorated glass tea cup. Across him is Silvester, diligently brewing the tea in a small portable and modern looking brewing stove. The kettle used is also transparent, fully showing the strips of dried leaves floating in a beautiful dark translucent orange-tinted water.

An unknown man is sitting beside Silvester, opposite Jaerim. The reflection showed that the person is cowering in the corner, both hands and legs placed in front of its chest, eyes wide looking around vigilantly. When Jaerim looked away from the window and to the person before him, he is met with a pair of heterochromatic eyes.

En. A green and greyish blue.

There is not much surprise of the other person's face but surely it made Jaerim feel a threat. A large maple leaf was printed on the unknown man's wide forehead that has a burning vivid orange-y color. Jaerim immediately understood the situation and turned his head away.

It seems that he's not the only one who was meant to die today.

Barron saw Jaerim finished studying the place. He raised the cup and placed it in his lips, sipping the Earl Grey tea indolently. The refreshing taste of bitter yet citrucy drink cleansed his drying throat, leaving of a comfortable sense. Silvester poured a cup of tea and pushed it towards Jaerim.

"Where are we?" Jaerim straightforwardly asked.

He accepted the tea Silvester handed him. Though, he didn't drink it instantly. He looked examined its dark orange content first, wondering what kind of tea it was.

Barron answered, "Take a guess."

Jaerim raised his head and gave Barron a look. A loud honking sound came again once more, much clearer than when he was still in a sleepy state. The chugging of the sounds of wheels hitting the rails become evident, rolling across the unknown path in the dark.

"We are in a train?" Jaerim guessed.

Barron nodded in affirmation.

"A train? But why would we-"

The image of the contract suddenly flashed in his mind. So, this is the behavioral test simulation Silvester was talking about?

Jaerim touched the teacup which was still warm and then stared at his hand. He opened and closed his fingers, feeling the touch directly in his skin. His vision, sense of smell, and hearing, are working very well he never imagined he is inside a simulation. He raised the cup and drank the tea in one go, his tastebuds recognizing the bitter citric taste.

The little excitement faded after his discovery. He calmed down and looked at the two grim reapers.

"I thought I'm the only one doing the test," Jaerim said. He was the only who signed the contract so he thought he would be treading the task alone.

Barron shook his head, "On the first task, an Autumn should be accompanied by a grim reaper. It is an insurance the company had given to the Autumn so the test subject would last longer."

"Very considerate," Jaerim said sarcastically.

"Right?" Barron ignored the sarcasm and continued. "After all, the incentive is an additional life. It would be a waste if a subject will end its life before we were able to use it."

It is a premise given so they could gather more data. As long as the experiment could last, the company is willing to give whatever the Autumn demands. Though, it still depends on the performance. They don't want to waste their resources towards a defective product.

"Then what should I do now? What is the task to be done?"

"You have to find it yourself," Barron replied. "Though we are allowed to help you, we are not permitted to reveal the task of the world. Go out and walk around. Find it yourself."

Jaerim thought that it made some sense.

The train continued to ran around. Jaerim remained seated, sipping tea while watching the scenery outside. His mind wandered around until he caught sight of the vigilant man still cowering on the corner. He gestured towards the person, asking Barron who the additional character is.

"That guy?" Barron looked at Silvester. He is also not sure about the new person.

Silvester pushed his eyeglasses up, answering, "Someone brought him in when Sir Barron requested for an application for the experiment. The grim reaper assigned to him is currently working on the aftermath he left so I am here to follow him as a substitute."

"The aftermath?" Jaerim looked at the cowering figure and didn't see anything worthy.

Silvester nodded. "He carried a bomb in a subway, placed bombs inside the train carriers, and detonated it once it has been filled passengers."

"..."

Considering that it was still rush hour, many people must have ridden that train, ignorant of the event that had ended their life. Jaerim looked at the person with a frown, his eyes giving off a dangerous glint. Barron chuckled in amusement as he glanced at the person across and to the youth beside him.

"Why are you giving him that look? Are you not the same?" He said, his voice mocking. "You would have also caused a greater damage, did you know that?"

Cutting out the mark without hesitation to pass the scanners and walking in the public thereafter, compared to the madman who detonated a bomb that could be detected of someone is observant enough, is much more dangerous. Plus, with Jaerim's peculiar sense of calmness, it's difficult to understand his next moves.

Jaerim did not take Barron's word into his heart and replied, "But I haven't murdered anyone yet. I could still wash my hand anytime I want."

It is true. Jaerim had not caused any deaths around him yet. Though he had triggered a death mist, it didn't took effect. The death of people around him are caused by other Autumns he encountered along the way.

Barron did not expect the young man to become confident. He took a sip from the tea cup once more, realizing that it has been emptied. He placed the cup down to the plate and let Silvester pour a refill.

"Trying to whitewash yourself?" He teased.

"What is there to whitewash? My records are clean," Jaerim continued proving his worth.

"Clever," Barron laughed. Though, his expression suddenly become serious, pulling in a heavy atmosphere. Jaerim felt the same dangerous feeling again that makes him feel constricted.

"But Jaerim," The voice called out. "What will you do if a situation calls you to kill a person? What if, in order to gain a new life, you have to kill someone and rob off their life? What will you do?"

Silence pervaded between the four, letting the clatter and clanging of wheels play in the background. Silvester, unaffected of the aura, placed a new cup of tea before Barron. The older man smiled gently, taking a sip with satisfaction. He did not show any expression of waiting as if he expected that Jaerim won't give him an answer.

Jaerim abruptly stood up. The white-haired grim reaper looked at the figure with a raised brow. The black hair youth with a gauze filled with dark blood gazed directly in his eyes, blatantly expressing a sour mood.

"What's up?" Barron asked.

"Let me out," Jaerim said. He was sitting on the inside part of the carriage and was blocked by Barron.

The grim reaper did not budge, and asked, "Hmmm? Why?"

"I'm going out."

"Oh," Barron did say that Jaerim should go out and explore to search for answers. He stood up to let the youth pass. His towering figure watched as the young man went towards the low door. Jaerim, however, did not go out immediately. The place is already cramped with four of them in, and with Barron's huge size, he is already crouching to fit in. He could not go back to his seat since Jaerim is blocking the way.

"What's up? Go out and hurry. What are you waiting for?" Barron said.

Jaerim placed his hand on the door handle and slid to open the small cart. He then looked at Barron, eyes still filled with remorse, judging the grim reaper without hiding it.

"What?" Barron asked again since Jaerim had not been answering his questions.

"I'm going out," Jaerim said.

"And?" Barron questioned.

"I'm going out to search for answers," Jaerim said, slipping pass the small door, and slid it back in a shut.

It left Barron looking at the empty space dumbfounded and Silvester pushing up his glasses.

"What a bad temper," Silvester remarked.

Barron came back to himself and laughed out heartily. Jaerim is really filled with surprises. He thought the young man had given up himself. He sat back to the chair and sipped on his tea lazily, mirth glinted unto his golden haloed eyes.

"What a good tasting tea, humans really amuse me," Barron commented honestly. Then, he looked at the empty cup beside him, and added in a mocking voice.

"Sadly, that brat didn't know how to treasure it."