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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAXTGUlmvcq
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsJOEdgntw
Nao: “There are only 2 things that could put a smile like that on my face.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHtJSimJs6
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCTh95W5wKO
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡla7f6Cme5l
Nao: “The few that are.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTl49UUGwtD
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
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIk5WkwXnwj
Nao: “I need something strong today, come on. Anything, please.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5nOSGccEF
I search the fiction section up and down but came up empty-handed.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJo69h7WS9v
Nao: “Can today get any worse? Who am I kidding? Of course it can.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj54jmlcvoC
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNDUX1BZJo
Regardless, the cover is amazingly crafted, and the gem…
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFrV2WHmW6q
Nao: “I need to know what kind of story deserves such a treatment.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFIJ0xn1w5F
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsBGu9UROuS
Nao: “Nice, no line.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9PaCzPZIj
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHtXlb7yA7
Nao: “Excuse me?”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSGupOwRLs6
….
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqwXiKlADd
Nao: “Excuse Me!?”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdYLWi5U2Bm
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQMEpFWBnfA
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you down there. What can I do for you.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtSiKMGLedG
Nao: “…Can I check out this book.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLqWZbriK3
“Sure.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxR2TulSR8
I hand over the book and fidget in anticipation.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMUDG5TsmFL
“Hmmm, I don’t see anywhere to scan. Is this really from here?”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoJ4IgIvnId
Nao: “Yeah, I found it in the fiction section on the farthest shelf.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqGBpFHmU8M
“I see, I can’t-”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmIVk5AQ1P
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN9PxvV2bh0
She screams and throws the book back at me.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5gCX8NSdQ
“What the hell…was that?! Did you see that!?”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw4pfTCzUnR
The few people turn towards us in confusion.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWl43OByOJ3
Nao: “See what?”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIhfaSGHNg
“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.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIFDBicoR1f
She slips further back into the library employee section leaving me holding whatever this book is.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc4OoCx1pb4
Nao: “Cool.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL4AHWMUUZA
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJ2zGWDnZj
I run as fast as I can back home with feverish excitement to open this book.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgSti5yNxvu
???: “Hey Napoleon!”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb4CzDRayBt
My legs instantly freeze at that name before my brain could process what just happened.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡe0AUbQZKJF
???: “Where are you going in such a hurry. We didn’t get say to goodbye today.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2IKifyHD1
My legs tremble from the sound of their footsteps coming closer from the other side. I force myself to turn toward my oppressors.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWpNJXBjQ9y
???: “Wow, you’re shaking more than usual. Must be the cold wind.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJjzU1AqNMG
Nao: “Yeah, it’s cold out today. I…need to go home so…”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7k5OR8uNxw
???: “Sure, just need to relieve some stress first. You don’t mind, right? Help a friend out.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfSo2QBb6yt
Nao: “Anton I-”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz7CK6cGG1y
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.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YQ8mH7AmX
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAnJjyc8ZaW
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.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT41nKG0k0j
Anton and his 3 goons drag me to a nearby ally and set me up against the wall.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Pjl8uOu7M
Anton: “We got only 8 chances, we don’t want to be late.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTtd1YOd6N
They loaded their BB guns and fired. I closed my eyes and tensed up at every successful hit.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEJqVtZn1c2
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl6jytxd74O
Tears flowed out of my eyes as I rub my swollen head.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxWIGAMnDLk
“The hell you crying for? My old man is going to fuck me up for missing half these shots.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡls56cdvlQz
“I prefer the beating, the eyes of disappointment is what gets me.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrCCf59eps
Anton: “We just need to practice more, right Napoleon.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoajuB1OMAs
I force myself to nod.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYNo8GrUHLT
Anton: “Good boy. Let’s go guys, pizza is on Napoleon.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIySFtcfIOw
Without even turning around Anton holds out his hand. I take out the little money I have and give it to him.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzu1k9eyE6S
Not wasting any more time on the background character, Anton leaves to better things. Leaving me behind in the rain.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeQXoeW9j0F
But maybe there’s hope for me. As rain begins to pound heavier into me, my smile slips back.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2P0ddpJWkX
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTrLEGYz7Xy
???: “Watch where you’re going! You know no one can see you coming from down there.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1XNShPtUcu
???: “Alyson, stop making fun of Nao’s height. He can’t change that.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8zkHaCE8Q
Alyson: “But he can plan around it, like not running like a manic.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ2VToMJ6kE
Nao: “I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJljxb3vrbD
You’re not even that much taller than me.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTiKXXVW5WK
Alyson: “You say that, prove it.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyi78SrW88x
I move past Alyson with no more words spoken. She deserves none of it.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoRjLxG9NZ
Nao: “I’ll skip lunch mom, I have a new book to read.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorsTxAwL3U
Mom: “Really? I thought we could have a movie night.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsXSTKQ37UI
Nao & Alyson: “No thanks.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ84OG8pQfMg
Mom: “Awww, I miss when you two were
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1xT5RLP4Mm
Those days are gone.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnQdpmJOIE9
Alyson: “Time moves on and speaking of moving I have to meet up with my study group.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzZ19yOvBKf
Mom: “You’ve been working hard, maybe it’s time to take a break.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4bRLNc5mo1
Alyson: “Nah, I’m good Nell.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzMBg8ezpAT
Nell: “Even after all this time you still won’t call me mom?”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3se6I6IIZn
Alyson: “….I’ll get there. Now, if you excuse me.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWq6ZYUoepX
And she’s gone, I should be getting going too.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7SwmXT0yZ
Nell: “Nao, what’s that bump on your head?”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDYX5W6bcc5
Nao: “Huh, I slipped in the rain. Sorry.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOp9wflIcKX
Nell: “Oh, be careful. I know you love your books but don’t risk your health over it.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQ8jeYowV3
It’s worth that risk mom and telling the truth will risk the 2nd thing that can make me smile.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEMRsTrYIjc
Nao: “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll…see you later.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiECMnSh5Dy
Nell: “Alright, I’ll be here watching the news.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0LXwCozkX
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPDFvG4kUvd
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnfmiWf7n3F
Nao: “A book that makes people scream….hehehehe.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyb0H77wSq0
Nothing interesting happens to me, I’m less than important to everyone but maybe this will…
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHpCZiqYe4
I swallow air and grip the cover. My head begins to throb but I ignore it, this is my last chance!
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYTiTILugt
I force open the book and my eyes start to burn. I see….!
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Zwv81QyVq
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….
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSwYqmnX2Gx
Nao: “No, I won’t back away from this.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuQFsDUg78U
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!
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMQTDEkCyHK
The pain escalates to unreasonable degrees but then just stops. It’s quiet, eerily quiet.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXZTVqhzzdZ
Nao: “Wait a minute where am I.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AcLKUy8ND
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUtU65JNHq2
All at once, I can see it all rushing through me that’s reflected in its eye.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUs8bIved38
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.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LOlNeaEWe
Then all of sudden it’s over, the visions stop and a voice echoes in my mind.
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZchMggdsRd
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMkSHg94MvQ
“ArchMage system activated, 97th user registered. Hello, Nao.”
901Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniA1pcolKr
and then Add to home screen.