I Only Want a Ramen

You betrayed me,

And I know that you'll never feel sorry

For the way I hur-

"What is it this time?" I grunted as I scratched my messed-up hair. I was lying in my bed when this annoying guy called me for the 42nd time. I looked at the time on my screen and almost cursed when I saw 2:24 am.

"What is wrong with you, Laurent?!" I shouted with a hint of irritation. I went out of bed and got myself a glass of water. Great, now I can't sleep. I'm wide awake thanks to this guy.

"Ugh, I'm just checking if you're hiding your powers well and I want to say that I am really sorry. I did that because guardians don't have a heart. Sometimes, we're really insensiti-"

"Yeah, I know. You say that every day and I'll tell you this every day,"

I inhaled heavily then yelled loudly at my phone. "I STILL CAN'T FORGIVE YOU, UGLY FACED!'" I quickly end the call and smirked triumphantly. That feels good every time.

The truth is, I'm not really mad at him, but it's fun to make fun of him. Of course, I need to get back at that freaking handsome guy! Having to go through your death all over and experiencing the pain the second time again, that's no easy feat.

A loud thud suddenly came from the wall. "Can you please shut up?!" My grumpy neighbor, old Mr. Bakeman complained.

I frowned while zipping my jacket. "Sorry!"

I quickly put the wallet in my pocket. I was about to reach for my phone but decided to leave it for now. I'm so sick of Laurent calling me every single time. I went down from my apartment and savor the fresh air. I looked up and smiled when I saw countless stars and the crescent moon still wearing its glory.

It's such a perfect hour for a cup of ramen.

I trudged along the street as I make my way towards the nearest convenience store. It's just a five-minute trip so no need to worry. Besides,

I have power.

It's been two weeks since I met Laurent Vos. After I almost died again in that freaking bus accident, he saved me and erased every fragment of my death. I was so shocked and needed time to absorb everything so I didn't know how, but I found myself back in my apartment along with Laurent. All I can remember is he cooked for me, it was so delicious it made me go back to my senses. After that, he explained everything to me.

He told me he's a Guardian of the Chambers.

He assisted me and let me sat in my bed. I leaned on the headboard and he sat across me. Thinking back, I shouldn't have let him sat on my precious bed. How dare he?!

He cleared his throat and started explaining. "Our hearts are made of four chambers. We all know its functions, but there's something deeper than that." Since I'm curious in nature, he piqued my interest though my initial plan was to never pay attention to him at all.

"The first chamber is automatically opened the day a human was born. It's responsible for maintaining the life of a person. The second, third, and fourth are intentionally sealed. Those chambers were meant to be closed since opening those three will let a human possess a powerful ability unique to others, but sometimes, certain chambers need to be opened,"

"Why?" I asked while taking down notes. I don't know where in the world I grabbed the notebook.

He stared at me seriously, making me flinched. Whenever he makes a stern face, I can't help but feel nervous. I was reminded of what he did to me and I still don't know what things he's capable of doing. Something in me says I can't trust him.

"Some chambers need to be open to maintain the balance of this world. We aren't the only ones with power. There are still other creatures out there, lurking in the darkness, waiting for the right time to rule over,"

"You mean there are other unnatural creatures such as, ugh, vampires and werewolves?" I can't believe what I'm saying, but this guy in front of me makes me think of all the possibilities.

"Yes, and some of them still can't adapt to this modern world. They still thirst for blood and power. So 4,900 years ago, humans made an oath with the guardians. They vow to take part in the upcoming wars to protect the world. That's why up until 50 years ago in human terms, we, guardians annually choose a human deserving enough to gain power, we call them 'The Chambers'. And annually for us means every 13 years in human terms."

I pushed my eyeglasses up. I also don't know where in the world I got that. "You said 50 years ago. Why did you stop?"

He smiled bitterly. I saw a faint sadness glimmering in his gray eyes. "I told you already, I'm the only one left alive."

I halted scribbling notes and carefully gazed at him. "You mean the other guardians..."

"They died."

"What happened to the Chambers?"

He only shook his head.

I never knew the feeling of having someone you love, but he knew it along.

And having to live knowing that the people you used to be with will never be there again,

that's painful.

"So as the only guardian left alive, I'm warning you to never use your power. There's only one certain outcome when you decided to unleash it," His sharp gaze stared right through me.

"Death."

"Good morning!" I cheerfully greeted Paisley, the pretty staff, as soon as I entered the convenience store. She was currently yawning while fixing her pigtails.

She's one of the reasons why I'm not regretting my choice to live on. After the incident, Laurent always ruins my beauty sleeps by calling me nonstop. I am so stressed out so I need to eat. So I ended up hanging out with Paisley here. She's my first ever friend and she cares for me so much.

"Good evening." She lazily responded as she started munching the expired items.

My eyebrows knitted as I searched for the spiciest ramen on the shelves. "It's already morning, Paisley."

"It's dark inside so it's still nighttime. You can't change my mind."

"Okay, whatever makes you happy." I just said that because she was already glaring at me intensely. I handed her the ramen over the counter. Before taking a seat, she handed me some expired items to eat.

"Oh, that's nice of you." I beamed at her.

She looks bored as she stared at me. "I'm not being nice, my stomach's starting to hurt so you eat them instead."

You know she's really nice, her mouth is just a little bit problematic.

I was about to slurp the noodle soup when I saw something moving in the shadows, in a dark narrow alley. I squinted my eyes more and I think I saw a guy and a kid.

"Paisley, I think I need to go." I started heading out but before I can exit, she mumbled something.

"Good luck on your interview tomorrow, or should I say later? Whatever."

I told you she's nice. "Thanks."

"And be careful. I don't want you to get in trouble,"

"again."

"What?" I asked as I held the door. I didn't hear the last word she said.

"Nothing. What are you waiting for? Scram." She shooed me lazily.

I just shrugged it off and quickly made my way near the dark alley.

As soon as I got near, my heart thumped wildly. I gulped nervously as the cold air brushed past my skin. My legs were trembling, but I inhaled deeply and took a peek at what was happening.

"Why are you here in this dark alley? It's dangerous. Go home, kid." I can't see clearly but I can hear a guy talking.

I heard the kid started crying. "I-I don't know where home is."

"You can describe it. I can walk you home."

"B-but I," As soon as the little boy started walking towards the guy, a street lamp flickered on its own. It went on and off, then on and off.

The kid smirked devilishly and his eyes glowed silver. His voice went deep like it was pulled from the grave. "I never had a home."

My eyes widen in shock and my whole body trembled in fear as I saw something horrifying. The kid shifted into a huge monster. It has six long hands and eyes embedded everywhere on its body. Its eyes were moving rapidly, like searching for a prey to eat. Its face doesn't have an eye nor a nose but has a huge mouth enough to chomp a human's head. Its sharp teeth showed as it smiled slyly. And then it moved so fast my eyes can't follow.

The last thing I saw, the guy was bathing in his own blood, slumping helplessly on the cold floor as he leans on the stone wall. My heart sank as I saw how he tried to get up but failed. I cursed repeatedly on my head, wanting to help but I was too scared my body can't even move on its own. My chest was about to explode as I remembered the excruciating pain I went through when I almost died.

I can't do this!

I need to call Laurent.

My trembling cold hands fumbled through my pocket but I cursed silently the moment I remembered I left my phone.

"I never knew the Claw's Alpha is such an easy target. Better luck next time," The monster hissed as he held the guy on his neck, lifting him slowly from the ground.

"Oh," His hideous face went closer to his, his fangs as sharp as knives drawing closer. "There's no next time for you."

I don't know what is wrong with me, but I found myself running towards the monster, unleashing my unknown power. Five dark long chains appeared as I waved both of my hands. It chained the monster and started glowing red.

"PUT. HIM. DOWN." I clenched my fists and the chains went tighter on the monster's body. I don't know how, but I can somehow feel how to use my ability. The chains slowly dug through his dark skin, making him writhe in pain. His grasp loosens and the guy successfully escaped, running his way towards me.

"Sh*t, thanks for the help. Who are you?" He lifelessly asked while moving his jaw, it suddenly made a clicking sound as he moved it sharply on the right, making me frown in pain.

"I'm no one and I'm starting to get weak," I mumbled as my head started to get dizzy. I almost stumbled to the ground if the guy beside me hadn't caught me in his arms.

"You can let go now. I'll take care of him from here on." His cold tone made me shivered.

"Are you sure?" My voice was already inaudible, my vision started to get hazy as I balanced myself. The ground felt like it was moving.

I stared at him confusedly when I saw his wounds vanished into thin air. It was like he never had wounds at all. "Yes. Now, let go. If you push yourself farther, you might die."

Hearing the word 'die' made me let go of my clenched fist as fast as lightning. My body slumped on the ground and my eyes were already closed halfway.

Everything was blurry, but I somehow saw the guy punching the monster and scratching him with his sharp claws, the ground was wrecked, the walls were broken, the guy was about to behead the monster but then it quickly disappeared.

I don't know how, but I found myself being carried by the guy.

Again, I found myself with a stranger.

"Please don't betray me like him." I don't know why I said that.

He stared confusedly at me, but then he answered.

"I won't."

And then everything went dark.