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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAnymmvx7uYw
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAxsKM5PfFkO
Nao: “There are only 2 things that could put a smile like that on my face.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAjv6hqwvmug
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAWlCkM9GNb4
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANADkHfaZPN32
Nao: “The few that are.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANARoCjIWq53l
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
558Please respect copyright.PENANA1PgNHGiC6X
Nao: “I need something strong today, come on. Anything, please.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAyUgFKCiXyv
I search the fiction section up and down but came up empty-handed.
558Please respect copyright.PENANA9fRLrTYydQ
Nao: “Can today get any worse? Who am I kidding? Of course it can.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANA9FNGBVOxon
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANA9gk1X2YICI
Regardless, the cover is amazingly crafted, and the gem…
558Please respect copyright.PENANAEaNY1m8tdR
Nao: “I need to know what kind of story deserves such a treatment.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANA22kjnFRvMO
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAyvFPwuem9h
Nao: “Nice, no line.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANASlqZxuQRkY
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAWXXoXsGJES
Nao: “Excuse me?”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAU1faIJqbbG
….
558Please respect copyright.PENANAd8QG9gRFjI
Nao: “Excuse Me!?”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAYTV8H97fBR
558Please respect copyright.PENANAeVXsrb9rv3
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you down there. What can I do for you.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAKE9VIwtK0g
Nao: “…Can I check out this book.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANA3zBHazLSlX
“Sure.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAYHdF3Glp4Q
I hand over the book and fidget in anticipation.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAdwwzVzFzmp
“Hmmm, I don’t see anywhere to scan. Is this really from here?”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAOAEGywn6r2
Nao: “Yeah, I found it in the fiction section on the farthest shelf.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAiKBmZASztE
“I see, I can’t-”
558Please respect copyright.PENANATOfcUU2hWh
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAyzOy1i0E6k
She screams and throws the book back at me.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAcxMrEqqsaw
“What the hell…was that?! Did you see that!?”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAKbqoVC2NIQ
The few people turn towards us in confusion.
558Please respect copyright.PENANA8axgfsMQaF
Nao: “See what?”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAcYSp6MLXax
“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.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAt1mv08zlMt
She slips further back into the library employee section leaving me holding whatever this book is.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAEv9wX3vzgG
Nao: “Cool.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAl7cyXgectQ
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANA4k7yDMnG9q
I run as fast as I can back home with feverish excitement to open this book.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAgOgXErcfTG
???: “Hey Napoleon!”
558Please respect copyright.PENANADrysr3EJrq
My legs instantly freeze at that name before my brain could process what just happened.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAaRS69hc8ly
???: “Where are you going in such a hurry. We didn’t get say to goodbye today.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAUjHpjvleTR
My legs tremble from the sound of their footsteps coming closer from the other side. I force myself to turn toward my oppressors.
558Please respect copyright.PENANADBAtdBVVYb
???: “Wow, you’re shaking more than usual. Must be the cold wind.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAh7kszwtXeX
Nao: “Yeah, it’s cold out today. I…need to go home so…”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAKks9gjmr0L
???: “Sure, just need to relieve some stress first. You don’t mind, right? Help a friend out.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANA021ZXDJK4j
Nao: “Anton I-”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAICAX1YaPzr
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.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAJBOXKAqRof
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAFpKeJzLWHV
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.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAoeQwKjWNww
Anton and his 3 goons drag me to a nearby ally and set me up against the wall.
558Please respect copyright.PENANANsCiaZJX9e
Anton: “We got only 8 chances, we don’t want to be late.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANADrv3OUDloU
They loaded their BB guns and fired. I closed my eyes and tensed up at every successful hit.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAP0Db0QNT5P
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANANqzMNO2nzX
Tears flowed out of my eyes as I rub my swollen head.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAc7PA8grQkM
“The hell you crying for? My old man is going to fuck me up for missing half these shots.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAicRyChdcXd
“I prefer the beating, the eyes of disappointment is what gets me.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANA7BmtBxPaoR
Anton: “We just need to practice more, right Napoleon.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAUyCCbCEbwR
I force myself to nod.
558Please respect copyright.PENANARUiOhhT65k
Anton: “Good boy. Let’s go guys, pizza is on Napoleon.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAlXEvlcMTQv
Without even turning around Anton holds out his hand. I take out the little money I have and give it to him.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAKNlTYFWwxp
Not wasting any more time on the background character, Anton leaves to better things. Leaving me behind in the rain.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAvtqA6FsILs
But maybe there’s hope for me. As rain begins to pound heavier into me, my smile slips back.
558Please respect copyright.PENANA36JG4R99ee
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAj2IgxSEoXX
???: “Watch where you’re going! You know no one can see you coming from down there.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANA4dNs2WBbAm
???: “Alyson, stop making fun of Nao’s height. He can’t change that.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAVttYDn9FsE
Alyson: “But he can plan around it, like not running like a manic.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANA2nkffyXU4Q
Nao: “I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAPkAMhvAKC1
You’re not even that much taller than me.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAEHEUmaZXQF
Alyson: “You say that, prove it.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAb6OLqOmXcc
I move past Alyson with no more words spoken. She deserves none of it.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAXkr50LN1LY
Nao: “I’ll skip lunch mom, I have a new book to read.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAU3gE8VZjUF
Mom: “Really? I thought we could have a movie night.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAU9kCmUdWmq
Nao & Alyson: “No thanks.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANArWcHRyJjpf
Mom: “Awww, I miss when you two were
558Please respect copyright.PENANAhpkPyMAPE9
Those days are gone.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAlpwzmQRbde
Alyson: “Time moves on and speaking of moving I have to meet up with my study group.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAEMTBb5gC6S
Mom: “You’ve been working hard, maybe it’s time to take a break.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAMNM9Vbg5Pr
Alyson: “Nah, I’m good Nell.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAMmwod1HaR9
Nell: “Even after all this time you still won’t call me mom?”
558Please respect copyright.PENANANggCEFjFM1
Alyson: “….I’ll get there. Now, if you excuse me.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAE1iuMGxbrO
And she’s gone, I should be getting going too.
558Please respect copyright.PENANA5eNISg9kTb
Nell: “Nao, what’s that bump on your head?”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAqChR0dPr1e
Nao: “Huh, I slipped in the rain. Sorry.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAnS7vkr5tZp
Nell: “Oh, be careful. I know you love your books but don’t risk your health over it.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANATZyChr18wo
It’s worth that risk mom and telling the truth will risk the 2nd thing that can make me smile.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAEkFgKInsZU
Nao: “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll…see you later.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANACgdcmtrnpL
Nell: “Alright, I’ll be here watching the news.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAy5qmvS6mcL
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANA8oTaVBLXLz
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAhbT4V2eOop
Nao: “A book that makes people scream….hehehehe.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAmt8eJERjhQ
Nothing interesting happens to me, I’m less than important to everyone but maybe this will…
558Please respect copyright.PENANAatyXGs4KrM
I swallow air and grip the cover. My head begins to throb but I ignore it, this is my last chance!
558Please respect copyright.PENANAm5yIgYjUTC
I force open the book and my eyes start to burn. I see….!
558Please respect copyright.PENANAiLXiwQAhE6
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….
558Please respect copyright.PENANA6b6w4zM6XR
Nao: “No, I won’t back away from this.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANA3mpeQeWZTy
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!
558Please respect copyright.PENANAa2poPSdduQ
The pain escalates to unreasonable degrees but then just stops. It’s quiet, eerily quiet.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAcFxxlwGYmW
Nao: “Wait a minute where am I.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANAuvJCIOOqbx
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAWRjwYU7E4G
All at once, I can see it all rushing through me that’s reflected in its eye.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAwIrrHqcBe2
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.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAJRoTJaVj0w
Then all of sudden it’s over, the visions stop and a voice echoes in my mind.
558Please respect copyright.PENANAA4IMnvg339
558Please respect copyright.PENANArx0RNwFsGw
“ArchMage system activated, 97th user registered. Hello, Nao.”
558Please respect copyright.PENANA543H2OoZhm