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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCOicGsSVTJ
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpP8znbAsKp
Nao: “There are only 2 things that could put a smile like that on my face.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYg3Z7sQV9w
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSkARE70XRB
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTj2zEw5bBR
Nao: “The few that are.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrug6R6SpTo
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
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5wRedZJ7I7
Nao: “I need something strong today, come on. Anything, please.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8kLXBkhOb
I search the fiction section up and down but came up empty-handed.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvd5ZWNI18
Nao: “Can today get any worse? Who am I kidding? Of course it can.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkY4mV6EF7T
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz5m5ocFXPh
Regardless, the cover is amazingly crafted, and the gem…
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4rg2d6UmL
Nao: “I need to know what kind of story deserves such a treatment.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Alqj37BcH
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa5r2I1uogQ
Nao: “Nice, no line.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RyCJLhPRg
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Npu1MZAov
Nao: “Excuse me?”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUumTAwHkb
….
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4vlqxsoOO
Nao: “Excuse Me!?”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzKJcWrMNgX
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnm5qTYIhoh
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you down there. What can I do for you.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuT40Et02t
Nao: “…Can I check out this book.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIb1tvAWE2M
“Sure.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTSWKEwcv3D
I hand over the book and fidget in anticipation.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa4P01MCStb
“Hmmm, I don’t see anywhere to scan. Is this really from here?”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIrHgTXJlzW
Nao: “Yeah, I found it in the fiction section on the farthest shelf.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSvNd3htzCX
“I see, I can’t-”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpz4QvxFpLi
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡucH5a4hLVE
She screams and throws the book back at me.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpq66PpzqJe
“What the hell…was that?! Did you see that!?”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXAv8NwpN4
The few people turn towards us in confusion.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhpM3nriGaw
Nao: “See what?”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeswY9Klnxj
“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.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOYYdODnGd
She slips further back into the library employee section leaving me holding whatever this book is.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU1RJTzuwz6
Nao: “Cool.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW0WWs4fymS
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP7Ot8g5aq8
I run as fast as I can back home with feverish excitement to open this book.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE5Qg5Aq5vr
???: “Hey Napoleon!”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDFhwITRpl6
My legs instantly freeze at that name before my brain could process what just happened.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2bPfjy9eH
???: “Where are you going in such a hurry. We didn’t get say to goodbye today.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMEWkBzohO
My legs tremble from the sound of their footsteps coming closer from the other side. I force myself to turn toward my oppressors.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpwOJ9hpMJ
???: “Wow, you’re shaking more than usual. Must be the cold wind.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxa5NOF4Mh
Nao: “Yeah, it’s cold out today. I…need to go home so…”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw7JTjaf9ta
???: “Sure, just need to relieve some stress first. You don’t mind, right? Help a friend out.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk1rrIkdAmG
Nao: “Anton I-”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbk61cCJJwH
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.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXyoXc4ChP
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUIqwhBE6X
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.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO4DYPKLTft
Anton and his 3 goons drag me to a nearby ally and set me up against the wall.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGohvvZbVXH
Anton: “We got only 8 chances, we don’t want to be late.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1HqRY3Bo2v
They loaded their BB guns and fired. I closed my eyes and tensed up at every successful hit.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFSEQAJITWv
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoPWP9cScu5
Tears flowed out of my eyes as I rub my swollen head.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOiKDYAcc2V
“The hell you crying for? My old man is going to fuck me up for missing half these shots.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRBHlJobMJ
“I prefer the beating, the eyes of disappointment is what gets me.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlZKpAv7aM0
Anton: “We just need to practice more, right Napoleon.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhNE3C7QzKF
I force myself to nod.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhsCBDx2oyN
Anton: “Good boy. Let’s go guys, pizza is on Napoleon.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqHfyRR2ZyN
Without even turning around Anton holds out his hand. I take out the little money I have and give it to him.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXCZz0ypJAC
Not wasting any more time on the background character, Anton leaves to better things. Leaving me behind in the rain.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiBaAQU9uNU
But maybe there’s hope for me. As rain begins to pound heavier into me, my smile slips back.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqmh8C3kpOm
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiXdYJ1Gor
???: “Watch where you’re going! You know no one can see you coming from down there.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtDZtYrHC7E
???: “Alyson, stop making fun of Nao’s height. He can’t change that.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwG413Ir7Nb
Alyson: “But he can plan around it, like not running like a manic.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyKS7de9OLt
Nao: “I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡExPHvvIH9E
You’re not even that much taller than me.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHEpJrPJrbk
Alyson: “You say that, prove it.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQw85eJQ9xE
I move past Alyson with no more words spoken. She deserves none of it.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHFRK1D0hVi
Nao: “I’ll skip lunch mom, I have a new book to read.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGta0KPVkFx
Mom: “Really? I thought we could have a movie night.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHHcJv6yOo
Nao & Alyson: “No thanks.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoYvF5DaQ4X
Mom: “Awww, I miss when you two were
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyFNFlu61ZP
Those days are gone.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQqvU1lYJJz
Alyson: “Time moves on and speaking of moving I have to meet up with my study group.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOMXgeOtqJq
Mom: “You’ve been working hard, maybe it’s time to take a break.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjx2dH2I6Wa
Alyson: “Nah, I’m good Nell.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWIukP7HWlG
Nell: “Even after all this time you still won’t call me mom?”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwvKuKCXg3h
Alyson: “….I’ll get there. Now, if you excuse me.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXMV5ZODioN
And she’s gone, I should be getting going too.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dMVO6k0ED
Nell: “Nao, what’s that bump on your head?”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxLDiVCatc
Nao: “Huh, I slipped in the rain. Sorry.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP2LDk4Bhx1
Nell: “Oh, be careful. I know you love your books but don’t risk your health over it.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZOVCZHgMC
It’s worth that risk mom and telling the truth will risk the 2nd thing that can make me smile.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxNfdu0FztV
Nao: “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll…see you later.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIyg4AAQcH6
Nell: “Alright, I’ll be here watching the news.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8NdkidrVE
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhveSDVYAMm
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡATiKiWiQx0
Nao: “A book that makes people scream….hehehehe.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3s2ffH751J
Nothing interesting happens to me, I’m less than important to everyone but maybe this will…
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgimO2RptSJ
I swallow air and grip the cover. My head begins to throb but I ignore it, this is my last chance!
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxhqiuKEEeg
I force open the book and my eyes start to burn. I see….!
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBUG9NOjJSh
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….
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzoC8nYi7Kn
Nao: “No, I won’t back away from this.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtQjax8NIvF
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!
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmwYJGaEMI
The pain escalates to unreasonable degrees but then just stops. It’s quiet, eerily quiet.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmK1NibkCB2
Nao: “Wait a minute where am I.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEbWlRrckdt
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCbvcasiEq
All at once, I can see it all rushing through me that’s reflected in its eye.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqxDXs5Zyk
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.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwgsSw56AeB
Then all of sudden it’s over, the visions stop and a voice echoes in my mind.
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdLFLsinUV2
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0gLan6PvCi
“ArchMage system activated, 97th user registered. Hello, Nao.”
490Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eml3yDgRj
