Dead To Begin

Level 1 – The Frozen Goodbye

Wellington, New Zealand – 2025

15:45

Their footsteps faltered, no longer in sync, as the argument spiraled with no end in sight.

“Why do you never understand me?!” Charis Danella screamed, her voice cracking with fury. Her beautiful face twisted in frustration as she glared at the man she once loved. She was done—done with his inability to see her, to understand her, to even try.

Jackson Kenrich’s jaw clenched. “I’m not the one who doesn’t understand. You’re the one who never tells me the truth! You keep hiding everything from me!”

He had just caught her getting cozy with another man. The image was still fresh, burning in his mind.

“I wasn’t trying to hide anything,” Charis said, her voice trembling. “This time I’m being honest. I didn’t want you to jump to conclusions about me and him. I didn’t want you to get angry.”

“Classic excuse. You’ve used that line too many times. I’m sick of it.”

“I’m tired of this! You always assume the worst about me!”

“How could I not? You lie. You flirt with him. What am I supposed to think?”

“I told you—we’re just working on the same assignment. Why can’t you understand that?”

“Whatever. I’m done with your lies. You never tell me the truth.”

“And you never try to understand me. I want to break up!”

“Fine. If that’s what you want, we’re done. I don’t want to see you again.”

“I don’t want to see you either! Ever!” Charis shouted, her eyes brimming with tears.

Jackson turned and walked away, leaving her frozen in place.

As he stormed off, he passed a man dressed in strange, almost otherworldly clothes. The man’s eerie appearance caught Jackson’s attention, but he kept walking.

The stranger continued toward Charis. He stopped beside her and gently tapped her shoulder. She turned to face him—and the moment their eyes met, a wave of icy air surged into her body. Her organs froze. Her skin turned pale. Shards of ice began to crawl across her limbs.

Jackson stopped, just meters away. He turned back, sensing something was wrong.

And then he saw her.

Charis’s body was frozen solid. She collapsed, shattering into icy fragments that transformed into delicate flower petals as they hit the ground.

Jackson stared, wide-eyed, unable to blink.

“W-what did you do to her?!”

The man glanced at him, a wicked grin curling on his lips. “I simply took what you no longer needed. Or in simpler terms—I kidnapped her. And I won’t be giving her back.”

Jackson’s fists clenched. “Let her go! Why are you doing this?!”

“Isn’t that what she wanted? To never see you again? I just made it happen.”

The man turned and walked away.

Jackson couldn’t let it end like this. He ran, fists tight, and leapt to attack—but the man dodged with ease.

With a flick of his hand, Jackson was thrown backward, crashing to the ground.

Pain exploded through his body. His bones felt shattered. He couldn’t even scream.

The man approached, stepping on Jackson’s hand as he clutched his chest. He leaned down, smiling cruelly.

“You’re no match for me.”

“Argh…” Jackson groaned as the pressure crushed his hand.

The man turned and walked away, leaving Jackson writhing in pain.

Jackson watched him disappear into the shadows. He wanted to move, to fight—but his body refused. His vision blurred. His head throbbed.

“She’s the perfect sacrifice to complete our collection,” the man said, vanishing into the dark alley.

“N-no… don’t go… save her…” Jackson screamed in his mind. But everything faded. His vision went black. His consciousness slipped away.

*

Jackson groaned softly. His body ached, every movement a struggle. Slowly, he opened his eyes.

A middle-aged man stood over him, bent slightly, watching with concern.

“You alright, son?” The man’s deep voice pulled Jackson back to reality.

Jackson tried to sit up. The man quickly helped him.

“Th-thank you,” Jackson muttered, finally managing to sit.

The man crouched beside him, dressed sharply like someone heading to an important event.

“What happened?” he asked gently.

Jackson held his head, trying to remember.

“Charis… I have to save her!” Panic surged through him. He tried to stand, but his legs gave out.

“You’re in no condition to move. Rest for now,” the man said calmly.

“I can’t just sit here. My girlfriend needs me. She’s in danger!”

“I know,” the man interrupted.

Jackson froze, eyes wide. “Y-you know? Did you see where that man went? I have to find him!”

“She’s not coming back. That man wasn’t ordinary.”

“What do you mean?” Jackson’s voice cracked.

“They’re hunters.”

“You know them?”

“I’ve heard of them. They hunt energy. They kidnap humans and drain their life force to grow stronger—to achieve what they call ‘immortality.’ Once they’ve absorbed everything, their victims die. Then they take on their form to lure in new prey.”

“What?! Then I have to move fast. I can’t let her die. I didn’t mean what I said earlier—I didn’t mean to lose her forever.”

Jackson’s eyes filled with tears. Regret clawed at his chest.

“I can help you, son,” the man said quietly.