I forgot my umbrella, again. I look towards the gray sky and feel the light drizzle on my nose. I can’t help but chuckle at my forgetfulness but what else is new.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlnbkrJQxi8
I look to the other side of the street to see the smiles of my high school classmates. Even the rain can’t dim their mood. I’ll admire them for that. But only that.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oxEY8vPit
Nao: “There are only 2 things that could put a smile like that on my face.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmIUdXRnOQ
I pick up the pace to my destination before the heavy rain catches me and wets my reward for survival. It takes longer than I would like but I make it to my local bookstore in time.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZsPPobkiPQ
I push open the doors and breath deep the smell of fresh new books. The only reprieve in the town for people like me. I scan the area to see only a handful of people reading or at least pretending to.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIt37siYuM1
Nao: “The few that are.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOGfBxD8AYI
But that’s fine, more worlds to escape to for me. I pace around the fiction section, scanning everything hidden gem and catching titles. But none of them really pop out
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHVNpknr0su
Nao: “I need something strong today, come on. Anything, please.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5jZo0Zavf
I search the fiction section up and down but came up empty-handed.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp0mBWNYsB6
Nao: “Can today get any worse? Who am I kidding? Of course it can.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHSrFjOJPF
I begin to leave but I notice something. A book with a silver cover, and a purple gem engraved on it. It wasn’t there before in this bookcase, I checked.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZpfh6y8wSV
Regardless, the cover is amazingly crafted, and the gem…
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA13KRCK8Yt
Nao: “I need to know what kind of story deserves such a treatment.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0mmYyj1XKd
I take the surprisingly heavy book despite not being a particularly big book. Maybe today will be a good day after all. I rush towards the checkout and even more luck blesses me.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SeCzegZZm
Nao: “Nice, no line.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK9C6hVAZX2
I go straight up to the librarian or at least the part-timer working for the librarian. She does seem like a reader at least but maybe she shouldn’t do this on the job.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡStR9egMtSS
Nao: “Excuse me?”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj72qkbKEzS
….
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2gR8o2UCi
Nao: “Excuse Me!?”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeNNS0YrJ27
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXgpATWPTH
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you down there. What can I do for you.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqLv0QAkPn
Nao: “…Can I check out this book.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFr9xu0vvh
“Sure.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGn1zCiZtns
I hand over the book and fidget in anticipation.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJkaPflbzB
“Hmmm, I don’t see anywhere to scan. Is this really from here?”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5vB5RnCET
Nao: “Yeah, I found it in the fiction section on the farthest shelf.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡixHKmyWdld
“I see, I can’t-”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9taRPorUy7
My heart begins to sink at the thought of no book to escape to but that quickly fades. She’s….staring at me, as if frozen in time. Time resumes and her bored expression quickly turns into one of horror.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOHOjQ1RYZ5
She screams and throws the book back at me.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC8QowikFEO
“What the hell…was that?! Did you see that!?”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXRpJ7v3uL
The few people turn towards us in confusion.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqPsUzfP0me
Nao: “See what?”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ghsQgLAKj
“I-I….don’t know. I think I…need a break. You can keep the book, I don’t think our library can afford a book that extravagant anyway.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡavrGKS2k4h
She slips further back into the library employee section leaving me holding whatever this book is.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsNZZSpI7jN
Nao: “Cool.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVWXYyepwU
I rush out of the library, placing the book in my book bag along the way. It might be raining heavier but I don’t care, something interesting is finally happening to me.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsbP7dTZYvn
I run as fast as I can back home with feverish excitement to open this book.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwn57L9aCq
???: “Hey Napoleon!”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkSaEeZmj92
My legs instantly freeze at that name before my brain could process what just happened.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCMledcWC7
???: “Where are you going in such a hurry. We didn’t get say to goodbye today.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJrV527dME
My legs tremble from the sound of their footsteps coming closer from the other side. I force myself to turn toward my oppressors.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFyHa0AHaFU
???: “Wow, you’re shaking more than usual. Must be the cold wind.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDpFDQFN4DW
Nao: “Yeah, it’s cold out today. I…need to go home so…”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMUuiuLkpc
???: “Sure, just need to relieve some stress first. You don’t mind, right? Help a friend out.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNRHJi9E9BS
Nao: “Anton I-”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxltBJgd7n1
Anton: “Don’t worry, we won’t throw you around like last time. You may be Napoleon but you still weigh a solid chunk. I don’t need that kind of workout now.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIa03NYMS6u
They stand tall like skyscrapers around me, pushing gravity-like pressure on my body to comply. And I do, that is my station at school and…here.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVIQcTqTBE8
Anton: “Good, we need to improve my aim. My parents wouldn’t like it if I graduate without being able to hit a target perfectly.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7IglkFp3cy
Anton and his 3 goons drag me to a nearby ally and set me up against the wall.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hSnCUV9Mb
Anton: “We got only 8 chances, we don’t want to be late.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMOYO6GoaMY
They loaded their BB guns and fired. I closed my eyes and tensed up at every successful hit.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDB1oxtSLbq
Thankfully, the other 2 weren’t good shots. They missed half their shots much to their disappointment. Anton on the other hand, only missed twice and always aims for the head.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bSqUNSDXS
Tears flowed out of my eyes as I rub my swollen head.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgSc2lnF5A
“The hell you crying for? My old man is going to fuck me up for missing half these shots.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanZ2ukMMQC
“I prefer the beating, the eyes of disappointment is what gets me.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡawOmXq1GHN
Anton: “We just need to practice more, right Napoleon.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpWORB1txKQ
I force myself to nod.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3JZvHQc4MW
Anton: “Good boy. Let’s go guys, pizza is on Napoleon.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qCeZPupHt
Without even turning around Anton holds out his hand. I take out the little money I have and give it to him.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7qbfsDS4F
Not wasting any more time on the background character, Anton leaves to better things. Leaving me behind in the rain.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfeFpwNiAI5
But maybe there’s hope for me. As rain begins to pound heavier into me, my smile slips back.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdCpc7Q4JuI
I ran as fast as I could with my stumps legs back home. It didn’t take long for me burst through the door and slam into my older sister.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSKiIkNS4FI
???: “Watch where you’re going! You know no one can see you coming from down there.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7h9hpQr3M7
???: “Alyson, stop making fun of Nao’s height. He can’t change that.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfc5OIfLaDE
Alyson: “But he can plan around it, like not running like a manic.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5LWh6v6mKf
Nao: “I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6rPykq8K2c
You’re not even that much taller than me.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbRw7jXAWN
Alyson: “You say that, prove it.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBg9O29vmvU
I move past Alyson with no more words spoken. She deserves none of it.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZwudsDrWTs
Nao: “I’ll skip lunch mom, I have a new book to read.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgJy5IXlC4I
Mom: “Really? I thought we could have a movie night.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2XfFgbpnBg
Nao & Alyson: “No thanks.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmZ6xw6yMUt
Mom: “Awww, I miss when you two were
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1pF5O0tpAm
Those days are gone.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOlJ4iffm5c
Alyson: “Time moves on and speaking of moving I have to meet up with my study group.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTkiHSQEzb
Mom: “You’ve been working hard, maybe it’s time to take a break.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqeov7w4C11
Alyson: “Nah, I’m good Nell.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnCfoYOnO5t
Nell: “Even after all this time you still won’t call me mom?”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjepwbTIpx
Alyson: “….I’ll get there. Now, if you excuse me.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWd9aKpGlL
And she’s gone, I should be getting going too.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡA7PDWtfDA8
Nell: “Nao, what’s that bump on your head?”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl9zyJXZSbI
Nao: “Huh, I slipped in the rain. Sorry.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxN0sLkTLzR
Nell: “Oh, be careful. I know you love your books but don’t risk your health over it.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF46EI2FK7H
It’s worth that risk mom and telling the truth will risk the 2nd thing that can make me smile.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pQWXinKh7
Nao: “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll…see you later.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYVjh2KGy2
Nell: “Alright, I’ll be here watching the news.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrpTYxjxECv
I go upstairs, through my plain door, and lock the door. The excitement returns in force as I rip tear my book bag off and take the book out.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡny16cNXeIc
I flop on the bed still in school clothes ready to gorge myself on this new world. The silver engravings, purple gem, and generally ornate design of the book is striking.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQLrd7y6AtM
Nao: “A book that makes people scream….hehehehe.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡumlV1fJQI6
Nothing interesting happens to me, I’m less than important to everyone but maybe this will…
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkfLV6MXV5
I swallow air and grip the cover. My head begins to throb but I ignore it, this is my last chance!
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8phypjB5p9
I force open the book and my eyes start to burn. I see….!
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEncRgQz2B
I throw the book down and stifle the scream trying to escape my throat. I’m sweating as if I ran 2 marathons and barely can breath. But….
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCkg3l1qOf
Nao: “No, I won’t back away from this.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbgeaHCX5g
I take the book back and stare into the depths of its indescribable pages. The headaches, bloody eyes and breaking body is nothing. This is what I’ve been waiting for!
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnvvtxSoxN
The pain escalates to unreasonable degrees but then just stops. It’s quiet, eerily quiet.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQ6VxfY4mG
Nao: “Wait a minute where am I.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkARgQJO6n6
All around is a black void but I can hear it. From within the void emerges a giant red eye that stares through me. I steel myself and I stare back into the maelstrom before me.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4o8synXluR
All at once, I can see it all rushing through me that’s reflected in its eye.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODPHbFHJkE
My life, no, lives beyond my own flash before my eyes. Worlds only found in my dreams and nightmares flow into my mind. But I can’t comprehend any of it. Their shadows only graze and scrape my mind. Otherwise I would go mad from the horrors whispering into my soul.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxnquyhWUEw
Then all of sudden it’s over, the visions stop and a voice echoes in my mind.
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQj3tVltYev
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzE638HEN20
“ArchMage system activated, 97th user registered. Hello, Nao.”
650Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiWDbO1FtAi
