III

When he woke up he checked his chest for if the Calamity was still there. To his surprise he was not harmed at all. Not even a scratch. It seemed to have been just a nightmare, which seemed pretty realistic. He knew it was going to be the same old kind of Day again.

He went into the washroom and was about to freshen himself up when he looked in the mirror and what looked back at him was his distorted face. His left eye had grown large in size, almost double of what it used to be. The sclera was blood red in colour and the iris was as dark as the black hole, just like the eyes of a calamity. He was horrified. As if his life didn't have enough misfortune that now he has to deal with turning into a literal monster which gets hunted down every now and then.

Arima was mortified. What now? The near future didn't seem to be in his favour. He knew that the moment he is found out he is going to become nothing but a lab rat. Worst case scenario being he would die a death worse than a street dog. Arima didn't know what to do. All hopes seemed lost.

"Arima, are you home." A familiar voice asked from behind the doors with a bunch of knocks. It was Evan. He had come to pick him up. Arima was not sure if he should answer. He was looking hideous as far as he was concerned. "Buddy are you still asleep?" Evan asked. No answer. "Look if you're angry just tell me outright. I'll do anything to make it up to you, I promise."

"I can't open the door." Arima replied at last. "Please go away. I'm not in the mood to talk."

"Why what happened?"

"Can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"I just can't right now. Please leave."

At this point Evan was not having it. "If you won't open it I'm gonna barge in. I won't mind getting in the eyes of Crime Control." He demanded. "If you wanna see that bad I'm opening it. But don't tell me I didn't warn you." Arima said. He was scared Evan might tell on him. But still he risked it for the sake of friendship worth of years. He opened the door and ther stood Evan with worried eyes of a parent.

Evan stood there in silence at what he saw has become of his best friend. The next thing he knew he was hugging Arima. Tears rolling from both of their eyes. "How did this happen? Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Evan asked. "I don't know how but last night a lesser attacked me in my bed. I fainted and when I came to this had happened." Arima replied. "I don't wanna end up as lab rat." He said, tears streaming down his face.