ACT VI.I: MAIL OF THE PAST

"Life is just a dream."

"The brain is one of the most complex organs of our body. It is the one that controls the voluntary and involuntary movements of our body. It is the brain that is responsible for many functions such as storing memories, emotions, regulating body heat, heart, lungs, and is depended upon by many more organs in the body so that they can operate. Even when we do not think of doing something or maybe we feel not using it for some time, it does not stop working but continuous on and on, 24/7 without even stopping a single second until the end of our existence or in medical term, death, were many of our cells die off due to lack of oxygen and nutrients delivered by the blood because it stops circulating as the heart stops beating."

"Good report, Mr. Cumber, well done! You get an A+ for that. You see children if you work hard on your homework activities like Mr. Cumber here you may also deserve an A+, but if you don't study hard and do your homework properly, then, even D- you don't even deserve." said Ms. Lorna Amber with her sweet and calming voice, "You may sit down now, Edgar."

"Riiiiiiiiiiiing!"

The bell rang loudly that easily catched the attention of each student who are eager to have their break, and got outside after eating to play with their friends and classmates.

"Before you go children, please remember that tomorrow will be our costume contest. Everyone needs to attend! And be ready with your costumes and also a little introduction on your costume." the teacher reminded.

Edgar with the other children went to the canteen to eat his lunch his mother, Martha, that she prepared for him. His lunch box contains two hotdogs and an omelet rice designed with a smiley face. Edgar was eating happily alone and enjoying his lunch when the sunlight coming from the window beside him was blocked by someone, the school bully, Richard, with his two other friends, Martin and Caesar. They approached young Edgar who is alone, "Look who's here? Aren't this the little Cucumber wuss?! You're in our table punk!"

Edgar whispered in reply, packing his lunchbox, "Okay, I'll leave. I'm sorry. I didn't know."

"Hey, Cucumber, do you think we're done with you? Because of you, we got an F in our report card and for that you will pay." Martin said while cracking his hands and making a menacing face.

As Richard grabbed Edgar's polo and as he is about to make his first hit to Edgar a few groups surrounded them and started instigating the four of them. Among the crowd, a boy wearing glasses stepped up and tried to stop the bully. "Hey, Richard! Leave him alone, he did not do anything to any of you! It's not his fault you are lazy and you did not even deserve that F. You deserve worse!"

"WHY YOU LITTLE FOUR-EYED NERD?!!!" Richard became more flustered and angrily looked at the girl besides Edgar.

The crowd began splitting in half by a woman in her fourties with her plump body and highly maked-up face. "What is this all about? Richard! Why are you shouting?!" the school principal angrily asked as he approached Richard, still gripping tightly to Edgar's uniform.

"Nothing mom, I'm just having a little chit-chat with my friend here. Right, Edgar?" the bully replied with a grinning smile hinting him to agree.

Before Edgar could answer, the boy denied the claim of the bully, "No ma'am, he's lying. He wants revenge on something that Edgar didn't even do. Ma'am, Richard got an F on his homework."

Angry, she started to grab her son's hand and started to bark orders, "How many times do I tell you to stop bullying? Do you want me to suspend you three? In my office now, including you two! And next time don't call me mom if we are in school!"

"It's good to see them get the one thing that they deserve. I'm sorry, I didn't even introduce myself yet." He stretched his hand towards Edgar while the blonde kid started to tell his name. Hi! My name is Michael Curt. And I assume you are the grandson of the great Henry Cumber, Edgar Z. Cumber."

The innocent looking young Edgar reached the hand of his newfound friend. Their hands interlocked signifying friendship. Edgar having met a newfound friend continued to chat with Michael, the two eventually warmed up during the two hours that they are chatting below the narra tree. The two returned at their respective rooms. Edgar, in the first section of the first year and Michael in the third section.

The day ended but nothing especial happened though it seems that Richard together with two of his friend is absent. Edgar learned the basics of his lessons and the teachers gave tons of homework to do. The bell rang and everyone started to get out of their rooms. Outside the main school building where the first and second year classrooms are located, Edgar was walking alone amongst the others. Michael who was a minute behind Edgar approched his friend and put his hand over Edgar's shoulder erasing the silence and space between the two.

Edgar and Michael decided to go and visit the provincial library near their school to finish their homework since its a bit hot in Michael's room because unlike the luxurious A/C cooled room that Edgar has, Michael's room was only cooled by an overhead electric fan that only circulated the hot air around that feels like a hot oven. The two finished everything in the library after an hour.

"Wow! This cold air really made me focus and thanks to you I did everything easily.", Michael complimented.

"Do you this everyday?"

Michael faced Edgar and started to walk in reverse. "Hmmm... Not everyday! The library is cold but it gets lonely when I am alone there. Even the cold air doesn't satisfy me anymore."

"Don't you have any other friends?" Edgar inquired.

"I have friends from my class but most of them are lazy in studying and just want to go to karaoke and arcades. Me, even if I want to my current situation prevents me from having those kind of vices. Reading and helping in chores are just the only vice I can afford to do because my family is poor.", he sighed.

"Well if you'd like I can help."

"Nah! I don't like charity and please don't pity me. I hate people when they do that."

"Oh! Sorry." Edgar said lowering his head.

"Hey! Don't fret, its ok. Besides your my friend now!" Michael replied smiling.

A black car stopped at the front of the library just as the two exited the facility bearing some kind of badge in front designed with four pointed. An old man got out of the car and approached Edgar and his companion.

"Master Edgar, Master Henry needs you at the mansion urgently", The man said as he was bowing.

"Can we drive my friend home, Alfred?", Edgar asked.

"I'm sorry master but we must hurry back to the mansion."

"I'm okay, Edgar. I can walk alone, just go to your old man. It must be important."

"Okay! Thank you for today Michael, I enjoyed it."

The two waved goodbye as Edgar left Michael to walk to his home. Inside the car there was silence the entire trip until Edgar broke the silence, "What do you think grandfather want to talk about?"

"I was not informed on any specifics. But I think it's about you father, master. It seems that he will be going out of the rehabilitation next week."