Chapter 1 - Rise and shine

It's has been months since I've come to my school as a first-year high school. Since I'm a guy who always gets in trouble, of course my suspension had been also into a whole new level. not that I'm obsessed to get into a fight. I didn't have to, it will always found me. At my seizures of headaches not to mention; occurs on really bad timings for sure those bullies will poke me until I'm pissed for their nasty pranks. For them, I'm vulnerable as a disabled kid can be, although I fight back, it's not enough to make them stop. Damn bullies. I'm used to this kind of life, but not the people who cared about me...particularly my worrywart mom.

"6:00"

It was exact six of the morning and the sound of the phone alarm was a disturbing intrusion into the prosperous haze of slumber that wrapped its arms around me. I raise my hand out from beneath the warm cocoon of sheets to hit the snooze button. I kept my eyes closed; trying to let the haze reclaim me, but the damage had already been done, was awake now, Barely.

Shortly, I was about to prepare myself when a memories bubbled my head —for the past three days I was suspended for starting a fight to the second time this month. Because of it I had argued with mom. Neither good nor bad, there are limits of my temper taking those pranks, which is nasty as you can imagine. But I hate it the most when these assholes gang up on someone weaker and make them helpless (such people like me). Even I'm really twice smaller or even having a cluster headache at the moment, I'd jump on them if they've crossed the line, though it's definitely not a good idea in the first place.

So basically I was laying down from my bed for days due to suspension, for commencing a fight, beating an upperclassmen from my school three days ago and for the second time this month and whatsoever. I know it's really confusing right now, but don't worry, we're on the same boat.

Mark: "Okay, What happened was done, fuzzing over it is pointless and time to wake up." Fretting myself.

But after all my prattle. I sneak over my dingy bed, scoth under the drab covers, and close my eyes, like nothing happened.

Mark: "I just need five more minutes."

A few moments later until I hear my mom's voice that echoes around my bedroom.

Celia: "Hey Mark. Time to wake up! You don't want to be late for school, do you, sweetie?"

I heard her clearly. [*Mondays, sucks.*] I thought.

Mark: Raising my head, I open my mouth just to say something. "Of course I don't want to be late." I bite my lip, snatch the pillow over my head and tried to nap again. "I'll be coming, later…" Chasing over the fog of slumber.

Celia: "Then get your ass out there and take a bath. You're trying to sleep again aren't you?"

Her footstep echoes around the kitchen and pauses until she reached my room.

Celia: "You'll be suspended again at this rate. What do you think about that?"

I peep under my pillow. She lurks in my doorway, her fist is set on her hip while giving me her strange smile. So, she resembles a curvey figure, white-skin, dark-brown eyes, and straight hair stretching halfway down her back. Long story short, she's my mom, and her name is Celia Ashe. In her mid-thirties mom still look young and gorgeous...long enough to be sexy, but short enough to remind you that she was probably smarter than you.

I fluff the pillow under my noggin.

[*Being suspended means no school, no school means no trouble.*] I thought.

Mark: I wag my eyebrows and said. "And suspension would be bad for me because?

Celia: "I would make it that way."

Mark: I pushed off my covers, "Fine. This is me, getting up."

Celia: "Good." Mom stomps away.

I showered, pull on some uniforms and sleepwalk into the kitchen, seeing the familiar appliances. Everything looks so peaceful and quiet. Another typical Monday morning before another average day at school. But because I'm lucky, my average day is going home with a diminutive scratch. If not; a detention class.

I sat quietly beside mom, was on her magazine she bought yesterday, reading silently about one of the greatest scientific discoveries on earth —The Espers. Mutants created by a government corporation, they look human at least. The only difference is that, they manifest psychic abilities.

Espers were just recently discovered a month ago, but it was said that, this experiment started many years ago. It became trending in news, magazines, and social media just in a flash. At first, I was shocked about it, everyone did. Many people don't believe unless they see it actually in footage of news coverage. Hundreds of conspiracies about it emerged. Few people are uploading their videos about how their abilities occurred, but I'm not sure if legitimate nor true. But then for some reason, it was deleted and banned days ago, and it was said—posting similar motive would get you in trouble.

Presently, most foreign governments treated these alarming events as an act of terrorism involving some kind of biological weapon—despise and see them as an anomaly, mutants, and a threat to our society. There are even protestants around, so, it's far from being peaceful lately. There were currently known fifty Espers that are being detained at the foreign government army, more or less doesn't matter which, since it's capably said dangerous creatures.

It was said that a few has escaped, and refused to be captivated by the known facilities. The Espers have escaped are now forcefully to be surrendered, making that known all over the nation—Exiles. If I remember right that's what people call them.

At the time being, these so-called Exiles are being hunted by the law, and the order is simple—Fire at Will. This is not surprising to us because they can pose a large threat to a normal human. Besides, we fear those who are different and powerful, especially when they are at large.

Later on, Mom dropped the science magazine in the table and took a sip of coffee before glancing over me.

Celia: "So, how are things in school?" Her eyes studied me closely.

Mark: I swallowed "It was probably doing fine." [*I guess.*] I thought.

Celia: "Guess being suspended for three days is fine?" Mom pouted, making a great effort to hide her anger.

Mark: "Wait… Haven't we had this conversation?"

Flashes of memories surged through the surface, as we remember the recent discord didn't go well.

[*I wish it's going to be smooth this time.*] I thought.

We both fell silent knowing the conversation is pointless. Mom exhaled, trying to keep her cool.

Celia: "Fine, We'll talk something else." She took a sip of coffee to change her mood and asked again.

Celia: "Have you made any new friends?"

I started pouring my milk and cereal as I replied.

Mark: "Are we really talking about this?"

Celia: Mom noddingly agreed. "Of course, I want to know if my son is hitting a beautiful girl lately."

Mark: I shrugged disappointingly. "Sorry mom. I only have a best friend since first grade." There's only one person old enough to be remembered as a friend- Claire Howland.

Mark: I touched my chin and joked. "Your good-looking son has no one to introduce for you today."

Celia: Mom looked partially comforted and gulp down her steaming coffee until it's empty, "If that how it is, what can I say."

Celia: "Do you feel well?"

Mark: I nodded. "Healthy as a horse."

Celia: "Did you sleep well?"

Mark: "Not even a bug bite..."

Celia: "How's your headache?"

Mark: "Getting better..."

Celia: "Did you study last night?"

Mark: I nodded my head. "Yup, just a bit..."

Celia: "Is that so? You'll have troubles

catching up on your studies."

Mark: "I'll hit the books later..."

Celia: "hmm… Really?, I highly doubt that." She asked again. "Any troubles?"

Mark: "Nah... I'm good, I'll tell you when I have one..."

Mom set down her empty cup, she can't hide the discomfort in her face, she knew the rest of my answers was a lie, but she can't do anything about it. The truth was, I can't sleep last night. I tried. But my cluster kept ticking that made me awake for the night. Though I'm used to it… I can't just tell, or she'll just become more worried about me.

Mom started cleaning the dishes. After a few moments, I finished my breakfast which consists of milk, cereal, and waffles.

Celia: "Hurry, you'll be late for school, drink your medicated medicines, make sure you don't forget anything before you leave, and by the way..." This time, mom can't hide the fret in her face.

Celia: "Right now, everyone is on the edge… after that recent news about those Exiles," This time Mom really looked troubled. "Then I heard rumors —around four of them are hiding in the city."

I hurriedly finished my breakfast, drink my medicines on the table, and stood to kiss my mom.

Mark: "I'll be safe, don't worry too much mom."

Celia: Mom kissed back, "Bye, sweetie. You should get home before six or I'll get worried, and please no troubles okay?"

I began collecting my things and headed to the door

Celia: "Oh. And by the way, the school bus won't come to pick you up today."

[*Whaaat?!…. A good way to start a day, huh?*] I thought.

Mark: I sighed exhaustedly. "Thanks for telling me. Bye, mom." I waved and left.

Celia: "Take care, okay."

Mrs. Ashe was smiling as she watches her son exit the house.

Archive: Esper

Supernatural abilities that naturally awaken in selected humans, the most common abilities are psychic and telekinesis. They involuntary emits an invisible energy field from their body known as GAMMA ENERGY FIELD (G.E.F), it's the source of their power and can be detected through the use of machines or specialized espers.