Time Stop
I woke up, and I immediately got the feeling that something is very wrong. An eerie silence, even though I live in the downtown area. As I stepped out of my apartment room, I realized that the facilities are still working fine, thank goodness for that.
As I stepped out from the elevator, I saw the other tenants and apartment staff frozen in place. I tried calling them, shaking them, hoping that this is all a prank. However, no reactions at all. I started to panic, and I ran outside, hoping that whatever this is, is only happening in my apartment.
It was... a surreal view, as if I am looking at a picture. People, animals, even the vehicles they are in, everything remained at the same spot. Even the air itself felt off, the sun can clearly be seen in the sky but I felt no heat, not even any wind even though it's supposedly going to be windy today.
I sighed. "Well, at least I don't have to worry about food, water, or electricity. Not sure how that worked, but I'll take it." I was on my way towards the convenience store to stock up with some supplies, when I heard a loud bark coming from the park.
"That's impossible... Another living being that can move in this situation?" I decided to check it out immediately, any companion is better than living in this silence alone.
As I reached the park, I saw a husky, now whimpering after it tried its best efforts to help the petrified joggers. I approached it, and the husky's tail wags, happy that it found someone else. "There, there. You must have been scared, aren't you? Wanna come along?" As I pet the husky's head, I realized its name tag: Max. "Ahhhh, Max, nice to meet you. Good boy! You're not going to be alone anymore."
Max barked happily and licked my hand, I can feel that the dog is glad that he found someone else. However, during that interaction, both of us jolted and we heard something. "Find others like you... to lift this curse."
Seems like there are others that remained conscious during this situation. "Well, I guess it's time to begin this journey. Right, Max?" Max barked at that, and immediately followed me as I go back to the store and my room to pack up. It is going to be a long journey ahead, but at least I got Max accompanying me.