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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0N9XzbD07A
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLCGnkQa10
Nao: “There are only 2 things that could put a smile like that on my face.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8tVu3gm8E
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIzDItVoODv
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKNwME3BAV
Nao: “The few that are.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqfv0yV21sZ
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
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1z1Hrc5Wp9
Nao: “I need something strong today, come on. Anything, please.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC4dXjuam7l
I search the fiction section up and down but came up empty-handed.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfcxu9F2XNo
Nao: “Can today get any worse? Who am I kidding? Of course it can.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ9cXO7ACX
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡevDb2CZ14a
Regardless, the cover is amazingly crafted, and the gem…
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaqk7XGaGV4
Nao: “I need to know what kind of story deserves such a treatment.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwjBm189TWg
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMYvsSXTlBe
Nao: “Nice, no line.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnVmds478lX
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBx0uAzrCyr
Nao: “Excuse me?”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnHpQ7VSwPD
….
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFm4LxnTADa
Nao: “Excuse Me!?”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd0rri2dZZR
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6qnry8kHzl
“Oh, sorry. Didn’t see you down there. What can I do for you.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlj1DKqmbb4
Nao: “…Can I check out this book.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMLrBF3tahk
“Sure.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiIqFavFGA7
I hand over the book and fidget in anticipation.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuulXmbUQGn
“Hmmm, I don’t see anywhere to scan. Is this really from here?”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz0u1vUakYe
Nao: “Yeah, I found it in the fiction section on the farthest shelf.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFYzCQv6OW
“I see, I can’t-”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdBFGiAzRTr
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMrRY5CQZA
She screams and throws the book back at me.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXDkKwG7QR
“What the hell…was that?! Did you see that!?”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjyHbXWZzSE
The few people turn towards us in confusion.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWarIvMwzRu
Nao: “See what?”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUmIT7KGpNz
“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.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡndnMi8TBwy
She slips further back into the library employee section leaving me holding whatever this book is.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUIbQMs1eFC
Nao: “Cool.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTiVRSBsEO
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQFqbK2MRs
I run as fast as I can back home with feverish excitement to open this book.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFchEhLImW
???: “Hey Napoleon!”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwElr4cipkZ
My legs instantly freeze at that name before my brain could process what just happened.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKoNoQEFnLE
???: “Where are you going in such a hurry. We didn’t get say to goodbye today.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXIA2zrw5Mt
My legs tremble from the sound of their footsteps coming closer from the other side. I force myself to turn toward my oppressors.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZmpSyVGXbE
???: “Wow, you’re shaking more than usual. Must be the cold wind.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp9wZ7kW2Ah
Nao: “Yeah, it’s cold out today. I…need to go home so…”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWze8jr5d8s
???: “Sure, just need to relieve some stress first. You don’t mind, right? Help a friend out.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡio1JEgOYkL
Nao: “Anton I-”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnFYOFJQggO
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.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsTazIsCYld
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yEr00JbWl
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.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRqA9CDgQJE
Anton and his 3 goons drag me to a nearby ally and set me up against the wall.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiAemLXALZ7
Anton: “We got only 8 chances, we don’t want to be late.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcaANYTGIT
They loaded their BB guns and fired. I closed my eyes and tensed up at every successful hit.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVF8i7OAp7e
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuuTSaB0pEs
Tears flowed out of my eyes as I rub my swollen head.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBrXiBQiiHt
“The hell you crying for? My old man is going to fuck me up for missing half these shots.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDpmNuCW6l
“I prefer the beating, the eyes of disappointment is what gets me.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpXv2lMnDJl
Anton: “We just need to practice more, right Napoleon.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF23Qgw8qQj
I force myself to nod.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagc3D0RO6F
Anton: “Good boy. Let’s go guys, pizza is on Napoleon.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBNaykVFaUX
Without even turning around Anton holds out his hand. I take out the little money I have and give it to him.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXDjhX6gHhc
Not wasting any more time on the background character, Anton leaves to better things. Leaving me behind in the rain.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUMDjjVY6St
But maybe there’s hope for me. As rain begins to pound heavier into me, my smile slips back.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkZxmrAbID
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzfNcpS51B
???: “Watch where you’re going! You know no one can see you coming from down there.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdrBD2qg2LT
???: “Alyson, stop making fun of Nao’s height. He can’t change that.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡug0N5oD759
Alyson: “But he can plan around it, like not running like a manic.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7T00SwoEED
Nao: “I’m sorry, I’ll be more careful.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4vfBsUFLA4
You’re not even that much taller than me.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhS8VAyTSK
Alyson: “You say that, prove it.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YwG6Xu72t
I move past Alyson with no more words spoken. She deserves none of it.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLqBpPUEW7H
Nao: “I’ll skip lunch mom, I have a new book to read.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOvXGrVPYB
Mom: “Really? I thought we could have a movie night.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRr2VrnbyJW
Nao & Alyson: “No thanks.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOap2F93j09
Mom: “Awww, I miss when you two were
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXCshJqexq
Those days are gone.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXn2Wl6QE9r
Alyson: “Time moves on and speaking of moving I have to meet up with my study group.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4AYQOnQNMu
Mom: “You’ve been working hard, maybe it’s time to take a break.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfZiprlY3j
Alyson: “Nah, I’m good Nell.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYV9xytZsfZ
Nell: “Even after all this time you still won’t call me mom?”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiJkR7Mzw3B
Alyson: “….I’ll get there. Now, if you excuse me.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4pa5CsISsW
And she’s gone, I should be getting going too.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyvxHjPcd5u
Nell: “Nao, what’s that bump on your head?”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7TAXX83TP
Nao: “Huh, I slipped in the rain. Sorry.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0V7GXGPekl
Nell: “Oh, be careful. I know you love your books but don’t risk your health over it.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZexOu71pzj
It’s worth that risk mom and telling the truth will risk the 2nd thing that can make me smile.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHRgu0sx4vn
Nao: “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll…see you later.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsR6ox84MVM
Nell: “Alright, I’ll be here watching the news.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLmHXbArbo
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwrWL3bViN
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7TW3jC5oys
Nao: “A book that makes people scream….hehehehe.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLoQmefVAT
Nothing interesting happens to me, I’m less than important to everyone but maybe this will…
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUgkKAHXTsD
I swallow air and grip the cover. My head begins to throb but I ignore it, this is my last chance!
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBZ4petUedq
I force open the book and my eyes start to burn. I see….!
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Y9uQXsPS4
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….
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PD9Yz8tDw
Nao: “No, I won’t back away from this.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNbvHsOum96
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!
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpk35WQBiWt
The pain escalates to unreasonable degrees but then just stops. It’s quiet, eerily quiet.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpsgDTkxGo
Nao: “Wait a minute where am I.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6ERLmTqIY3
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwW7OyWeQG5
All at once, I can see it all rushing through me that’s reflected in its eye.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLJQqOof3K8
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.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPg2CjVYqwz
Then all of sudden it’s over, the visions stop and a voice echoes in my mind.
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ345bEKyMZ8
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxxe7ZsLRq
“ArchMage system activated, 97th user registered. Hello, Nao.”
698Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡScpkypZFky
然後按「加至主畫面」