What drives people to flock altogether and partake in social interactions? It was once said that humans are social creatures, meaning it is in their very nature to seek and interact with other human beings. As for myself, I’ve been living deep in a secluded wood on an island for the past two decades now. In spite of being locked down in one of the most remote places on the planet, I desperately need to tell myself regularly that I was productive enough during last weekend.

“This is my last wish, please let me die as a true warrior who fought with pride alongside his comrades.”

These were the last words that I spoke before the girl, whom my teammates and I were ordered to kidnap, delivered the fatal blow. She slowly lifted my sword and cleanly slit my throat open. Streams of blood started flowing vigorously. It was a sunny day and the wood where I laid seemed almost peaceful if it weren’t for the small scarlet pond that had my hair drenched little by little. A few moments later, the stream of blood started slowing down. But I wasn’t there anymore to observe this because I had already left this world.

Some mornings, I wake up standing there, always in the same place deep in this luminescent forest. This has been happening every now and then ever since the end of summer, or rather the beginning of fall. The memories of the dreams I make before waking up in the middle of iridescent trees fade away as soon as I open my eyes. As I try to hold onto the evanescent memories of what felt like regretful dreams, all that remains is but a sense of profound loss.