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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj4gmK4wViI
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc9JmuVmOwW
Nao: “There are only 2 things that could put a smile like that on my face.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmmmsq27uaQ
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV78h6ZPgQj
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoVNiXTCGVt
Nao: “The few that are.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPQ8zfxoGDQ
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
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnMZE9L1gto
Nao: “I need something strong today, come on. Anything, please.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnv8O8Ji7nG
I search the fiction section up and down but came up empty-handed.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxqpyK4g2k
Nao: “Can today get any worse? Who am I kidding? Of course it can.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitWvaabO83
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqjTbvV0RNc
Regardless, the cover is amazingly crafted, and the gem…
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWWM0wSVMpT
Nao: “I need to know what kind of story deserves such a treatment.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNBFlcNZEa
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBI9Fl0VA0
Nao: “Nice, no line.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH0SG610Udi
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvoABBKw3o
Nao: “Excuse me?”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3dhwOmnUe
….
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBeMjG889x0
Nao: “Excuse Me!?”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Hc55kGaGh
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNEbI3LJRWI
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you down there. What can I do for you.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLnCTz3yZY
Nao: “…Can I check out this book.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFYEX5BhZVN
“Sure.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡptY01JEsVC
I hand over the book and fidget in anticipation.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB0Q0lQPmJ5
“Hmmm, I don’t see anywhere to scan. Is this really from here?”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeeaHTx1Qd8
Nao: “Yeah, I found it in the fiction section on the farthest shelf.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC5aclaNl0d
“I see, I can’t-”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsowUFTAaWE
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6q28O8LM5v
She screams and throws the book back at me.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0NjreXcbc
“What the hell…was that?! Did you see that!?”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjp1RJpURX
The few people turn towards us in confusion.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy8pb9Z0Pir
Nao: “See what?”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDwPqAo5OkG
“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.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQRMgcPO9Z
She slips further back into the library employee section leaving me holding whatever this book is.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5e47GxyzN
Nao: “Cool.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfgp3GiiSI
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKdyxfMBrl
I run as fast as I can back home with feverish excitement to open this book.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWkrMxQemiL
???: “Hey Napoleon!”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrBr8r8wFdt
My legs instantly freeze at that name before my brain could process what just happened.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX2CoHJKTTP
???: “Where are you going in such a hurry. We didn’t get say to goodbye today.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQmElzSh91
My legs tremble from the sound of their footsteps coming closer from the other side. I force myself to turn toward my oppressors.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡROa12p2nft
???: “Wow, you’re shaking more than usual. Must be the cold wind.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN0Z50H31CH
Nao: “Yeah, it’s cold out today. I…need to go home so…”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcfgYrkmxE1
???: “Sure, just need to relieve some stress first. You don’t mind, right? Help a friend out.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRK1vXhwg2
Nao: “Anton I-”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVCmvGkZSvF
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.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡodfR7RREoY
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqpyHXmoH4t
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.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTPcFIjn4X9
Anton and his 3 goons drag me to a nearby ally and set me up against the wall.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoGpqhkd30B
Anton: “We got only 8 chances, we don’t want to be late.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlwg2Olbths
They loaded their BB guns and fired. I closed my eyes and tensed up at every successful hit.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucdWm3lhW5
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUPPhepxAJz
Tears flowed out of my eyes as I rub my swollen head.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6YlyRSodW
“The hell you crying for? My old man is going to fuck me up for missing half these shots.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDhfWeMfI7A
“I prefer the beating, the eyes of disappointment is what gets me.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMRHdks7l8f
Anton: “We just need to practice more, right Napoleon.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlRO78rVxZY
I force myself to nod.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVePFsSGMgx
Anton: “Good boy. Let’s go guys, pizza is on Napoleon.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoFBcjxi3ny
Without even turning around Anton holds out his hand. I take out the little money I have and give it to him.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMo82qK4y9
Not wasting any more time on the background character, Anton leaves to better things. Leaving me behind in the rain.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmLRzgRqiC1
But maybe there’s hope for me. As rain begins to pound heavier into me, my smile slips back.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHxjUTMU3Sw
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QWCEU7Pwv
???: “Watch where you’re going! You know no one can see you coming from down there.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ09eERp8cl
???: “Alyson, stop making fun of Nao’s height. He can’t change that.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQALBtXjkZ6
Alyson: “But he can plan around it, like not running like a manic.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrAjdZb5wTv
Nao: “I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpErsI0TCu3
You’re not even that much taller than me.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFTYmxhgUJ3
Alyson: “You say that, prove it.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXK2v0DitD
I move past Alyson with no more words spoken. She deserves none of it.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHKEKvmg0xu
Nao: “I’ll skip lunch mom, I have a new book to read.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgRSoyry6A5
Mom: “Really? I thought we could have a movie night.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dDTjgnVLh
Nao & Alyson: “No thanks.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRNMkMoEYe
Mom: “Awww, I miss when you two were
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZUpzSoJz1r
Those days are gone.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtoZvSwbJJ
Alyson: “Time moves on and speaking of moving I have to meet up with my study group.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvgzmYDFLgr
Mom: “You’ve been working hard, maybe it’s time to take a break.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVIlWH0HhI
Alyson: “Nah, I’m good Nell.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmj8y2SJUe
Nell: “Even after all this time you still won’t call me mom?”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1PWnOzMsAW
Alyson: “….I’ll get there. Now, if you excuse me.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdCvkq2vi1
And she’s gone, I should be getting going too.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCbaOI3OawX
Nell: “Nao, what’s that bump on your head?”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHODa5lKN5i
Nao: “Huh, I slipped in the rain. Sorry.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJgozUUTWcA
Nell: “Oh, be careful. I know you love your books but don’t risk your health over it.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTss7Zu3vrT
It’s worth that risk mom and telling the truth will risk the 2nd thing that can make me smile.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc6hNEEJOjM
Nao: “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll…see you later.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡleb3Kofkbg
Nell: “Alright, I’ll be here watching the news.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSiyaVJhsqX
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡca5M7Rs1JI
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPhw6mpRn21
Nao: “A book that makes people scream….hehehehe.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMqLxVb4KH
Nothing interesting happens to me, I’m less than important to everyone but maybe this will…
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTBoeSXfqr6
I swallow air and grip the cover. My head begins to throb but I ignore it, this is my last chance!
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlYmyeIWW1e
I force open the book and my eyes start to burn. I see….!
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEDioX66IG
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….
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtSX7MV5a0
Nao: “No, I won’t back away from this.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJLrJcIRLpt
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!
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj0UfXOyiZa
The pain escalates to unreasonable degrees but then just stops. It’s quiet, eerily quiet.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpYjD6ZWIOx
Nao: “Wait a minute where am I.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAYOYPwR3SX
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyzvnO1Ihjk
All at once, I can see it all rushing through me that’s reflected in its eye.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmcR5NniIt
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.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDU7MvXoLpU
Then all of sudden it’s over, the visions stop and a voice echoes in my mind.
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVefv6YSWHa
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGoJV4rhlGF
“ArchMage system activated, 97th user registered. Hello, Nao.”
531Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡinGrh3FmTZ
