Day 5 – 4:42 PM
It had just started snowing. The kind that didn't fall in flakes but came down like ash from the sky. Cold. Silent. Slow.
I was wiping the wooden counter in my bakery, humming softly, when the bell above the door jingled.
And in walked someone I never expected to see in this world.
Ajey.
Freaking. Nagar.
CarryMinati.
He looked exactly like he did in his latest videos—shorter than you'd expect, dark hoodie under a tattered coat, hair a mess, face paler than usual.
And his eyes?
Confused. Tired. Flicking around the room like he was trying to convince himself he hadn't lost his mind.
He took one step in, then froze.
"...What the f—?"
I hid the small gasp that almost escaped and played it cool.
Wiping my hands on my apron, I stepped out with a warm smile.
"Hi there. You look like you've seen a ghost."
He blinked at me, still hovering near the doorway like stepping further would make this world more real.
"Uh... yeah. I might've."
His voice was lower than his usual hype mode—raw and real. No camera. No lights. Just a guy lost in a horror movie.
"You okay?" I asked, tilting my head, all innocent and local-village-girl vibes. "You look cold."
"...Y-Yeah. I mean, no. Not really. What even is this place, bro? What the hell is going on?"
He dragged a hand through his hair, half-laughing in disbelief.
"Is this... Romania? Am I in a goddamn video game? This village looks like it's straight out of Resident Evil. Am I high?"
I chuckled softly, playing dumb. "Don't know what that is. But here sits. I'll make you something warm."
"Wait—no, listen—I don't even know how I got here! I was just at home, bro. Streaming. Editing. Then boom. Blackout. I woke up near the woods. Thought I was kidnapped or something."
"Wolves didn't get you?" I asked, casually setting a steaming mug on the counter and sliding a plate of warm pies beside it.
He looked at the cup. Then at me.
"...Is this—Hot chocolate?"
I gave a small, proud nod. "My speciality."
He muttered, almost instinctively, "Shit, this smells better than five-star cafés in Delhi."
He took a sip. And for a second, I saw his shoulders relax.
The warmth hit.
He let out a small groan, closing his eyes.
"God. Thank you. I needed this."
I watched him carefully, sitting on the stool across him. "So... you don't remember anything before you got here?"
"Only that I was mid-rant about some cringeworthy content, then blackout. Next thing I know, I'm in the forest with wolves chasing me and some creepy doll thing whispering in my ear. Bro, what kind of budget fever dream am I in?"
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop from smiling.
The Carry I knew—sarcastic, sharp-tongued, chaotic energy—but right now, he was also real. Scared. Softened by confusion. Alone.
"You're safe here. For now, at least," I said gently.
He looked up. "You live here?"
"Mmhmm. Run this place, too." I gestured around. "Bread by day, sleep with a knife under my pillow by night."
"...Hardcore."
"You'll fit right in."
He smirked faintly. "You sound weirdly calm about all this."
"I've seen a lot."
(That wasn't a lie.)
He took another bite of pie. Chewed. Swallowed. Paused.
"...Wait, what's your name?"
I hesitated for the briefest second. Then gave him my alias. The one the villagers knew.
"Lina. Just Lina."
He nodded slowly. "Cool. I'm—uh..."
"You don't have to tell me anything if you're not sure who to trust yet," I said quickly. "But if you need a place to warm up, some food... you're welcome here."
He studied me, sharp eyes narrowing slightly. Then relaxed again.
"Thanks, Lina. Seriously. You're the first normal person I've met since I woke up here."
I smiled softly.
But my heart?
Racing. Screaming. Because the boy I used to fangirl over... was sitting across from me, eating my pie in a haunted village.
And he had no idea who I was.
Not yet.
But soon?
Maybe soon, I'll tell him.
Or maybe...
I'd protect him from the shadows.
Like every gamer girl who finally got her crush in her favourite survival horror game.
[BONUS QUEST UNLOCKED]
→ Protect Ajey Nagar (Unknown Origin)
→ Optional: Reveal Your True Identity (Y/N)
→ Reward: ???