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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6u7NTw2Znn
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8U7Rp3mcHA
Nao: “There are only 2 things that could put a smile like that on my face.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMm8q2XSgfU
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5nOq8PtME
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9bJCiv7kIs
Nao: “The few that are.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ592KKwsZAC
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
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw63zAVB2h2
Nao: “I need something strong today, come on. Anything, please.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8NHb18o3dT
I search the fiction section up and down but came up empty-handed.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMfb10OQl96
Nao: “Can today get any worse? Who am I kidding? Of course it can.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqOOBTSJNML
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8TvimRPeO
Regardless, the cover is amazingly crafted, and the gem…
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRsW2PVJPqr
Nao: “I need to know what kind of story deserves such a treatment.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTZzmuW3Vqr
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7WLl2AvEnO
Nao: “Nice, no line.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdIDGzFVxqD
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzGlrqKrVM1
Nao: “Excuse me?”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVUxQUDqtJa
….
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Ed26HaQDV
Nao: “Excuse Me!?”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKJofY1G94z
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPdwghMo7s8
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you down there. What can I do for you.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2LyVspGeOM
Nao: “…Can I check out this book.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡARhmpmuCQg
“Sure.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ377q6cJdau
I hand over the book and fidget in anticipation.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlevq9aOfUD
“Hmmm, I don’t see anywhere to scan. Is this really from here?”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3tiR8uZ8AD
Nao: “Yeah, I found it in the fiction section on the farthest shelf.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTRghHhYeRa
“I see, I can’t-”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1dFVkn3xOw
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTqcA2n9jfT
She screams and throws the book back at me.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7vlY8Q6ND
“What the hell…was that?! Did you see that!?”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfVCqJZd00I
The few people turn towards us in confusion.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tbqLWfWCT
Nao: “See what?”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mAa9W9Zpe
“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.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4HAXoTnavF
She slips further back into the library employee section leaving me holding whatever this book is.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ML2Q3M2Rf
Nao: “Cool.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwACI3dNdy
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKpNJFDzc8
I run as fast as I can back home with feverish excitement to open this book.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVfibkzbzeq
???: “Hey Napoleon!”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4WZBXK6LT
My legs instantly freeze at that name before my brain could process what just happened.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9iHNtZP0U
???: “Where are you going in such a hurry. We didn’t get say to goodbye today.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Zfl2owFut
My legs tremble from the sound of their footsteps coming closer from the other side. I force myself to turn toward my oppressors.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjlu74XnUra
???: “Wow, you’re shaking more than usual. Must be the cold wind.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD7SUAIVdb
Nao: “Yeah, it’s cold out today. I…need to go home so…”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhcPUYUTkUN
???: “Sure, just need to relieve some stress first. You don’t mind, right? Help a friend out.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5y4Z6Y2A6
Nao: “Anton I-”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs6xanUHINC
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.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzzuhDSfNMe
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBAbAKSxaqg
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.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZwA7C7CME
Anton and his 3 goons drag me to a nearby ally and set me up against the wall.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6yn04eCoO
Anton: “We got only 8 chances, we don’t want to be late.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7EeAq6azPC
They loaded their BB guns and fired. I closed my eyes and tensed up at every successful hit.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR1Di3Jfjjy
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuxtgDxAIP
Tears flowed out of my eyes as I rub my swollen head.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXouz6Ki1E
“The hell you crying for? My old man is going to fuck me up for missing half these shots.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCY6hqv0Xbn
“I prefer the beating, the eyes of disappointment is what gets me.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWijgZsYAr
Anton: “We just need to practice more, right Napoleon.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGTldSD6AHY
I force myself to nod.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyQcvqPhuu
Anton: “Good boy. Let’s go guys, pizza is on Napoleon.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5IW8pxBFk
Without even turning around Anton holds out his hand. I take out the little money I have and give it to him.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIVCAP4tqO
Not wasting any more time on the background character, Anton leaves to better things. Leaving me behind in the rain.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0sWOF2CxKe
But maybe there’s hope for me. As rain begins to pound heavier into me, my smile slips back.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3acl2oqF63
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0NL2P25Dt
???: “Watch where you’re going! You know no one can see you coming from down there.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE36HNlSqf
???: “Alyson, stop making fun of Nao’s height. He can’t change that.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEEB4R05UQ
Alyson: “But he can plan around it, like not running like a manic.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPUFNJ53yru
Nao: “I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rb2QK3Y3r
You’re not even that much taller than me.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqAFG2CNFv9
Alyson: “You say that, prove it.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB24DbD3TyA
I move past Alyson with no more words spoken. She deserves none of it.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGfXdcFsD48
Nao: “I’ll skip lunch mom, I have a new book to read.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrUsctLtyH9
Mom: “Really? I thought we could have a movie night.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbGFAGdpGb
Nao & Alyson: “No thanks.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw5h0HKEm0B
Mom: “Awww, I miss when you two were
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTgvAIF3Koc
Those days are gone.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwENnDtD9Jb
Alyson: “Time moves on and speaking of moving I have to meet up with my study group.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡasgmDiLoHU
Mom: “You’ve been working hard, maybe it’s time to take a break.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4lrW0WfX5
Alyson: “Nah, I’m good Nell.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeE6cfPrMBL
Nell: “Even after all this time you still won’t call me mom?”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUOVfCbPfbX
Alyson: “….I’ll get there. Now, if you excuse me.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYq7O1jseq
And she’s gone, I should be getting going too.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcJijNMMzgB
Nell: “Nao, what’s that bump on your head?”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7w501rMb3
Nao: “Huh, I slipped in the rain. Sorry.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvLmCS7wa2Z
Nell: “Oh, be careful. I know you love your books but don’t risk your health over it.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ4VquszibC
It’s worth that risk mom and telling the truth will risk the 2nd thing that can make me smile.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoETsXwN4wd
Nao: “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll…see you later.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEho4QoKJIC
Nell: “Alright, I’ll be here watching the news.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwLFrbrH5mR
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoAMTWBlUwe
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mhpwMDSPj
Nao: “A book that makes people scream….hehehehe.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjFz6CkC3Di
Nothing interesting happens to me, I’m less than important to everyone but maybe this will…
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQN1ID186u
I swallow air and grip the cover. My head begins to throb but I ignore it, this is my last chance!
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8EPovN84Gz
I force open the book and my eyes start to burn. I see….!
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yxKaCyaGf
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….
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8xBQKOZ5BP
Nao: “No, I won’t back away from this.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3oiIwKZ4ij
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!
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡviGCdcD7vk
The pain escalates to unreasonable degrees but then just stops. It’s quiet, eerily quiet.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUNn2sdj4n
Nao: “Wait a minute where am I.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJMJr94GeUe
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxTVMOApocs
All at once, I can see it all rushing through me that’s reflected in its eye.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9hJ866wOA0
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.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLeSbQZHqSR
Then all of sudden it’s over, the visions stop and a voice echoes in my mind.
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdjnl3KKEEb
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wfPzs5k9Y
“ArchMage system activated, 97th user registered. Hello, Nao.”
692Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiW3tIDsWvr
然後按「加至主畫面」