Waking

Sleep is a naturally occurring state where the body requires neither food nor drink and experiences a significantly reduced level of consciousness. Typically, an average person should drink water every 30 minutes, depending on how much they consume at once, and meals are ideally spaced 4-6 hours apart. However, the deciding factor here is the person, heh. As for urination and defecation... well, why am I even thinking about this? The point is that while asleep, the body doesn't demand any of these needs, yet it still moves. It moves even though you're not consciously aware of it. Speaking of moving, I have to sit perfectly still right now, or the teacher will get mad at me... I really want to escape this endless boredom.

"Hello?! Knock knock? Anybody there?"

I finally snapped back to reality and saw Mrs. Grace looking at me in frustration. Seems like I've been monologuing in my head and disconnected from the outside world, huh?

"Yes," I muttered, still staring blankly at her. I think it made her a little uncomfortable.

"Then get your ass up here and solve this equation!"

Well, well… when did she become so mad? What a language, in a school where we aren't even allowed to take our phones out of our backpacks. Standing up, I thought to myself, it's certainly understandable knowing how her husband has been cheating on her, or at least how she's suspicious of it. I honestly find it hard to believe that no one has noticed such a revelation; maybe they hide it too, keeping it a taboo subject. I don't think that's the case though, as rumors like these spread around here like a highly contagious disease… no, even faster.

I looked outside the window, contemplating the world's beauty. It surely looks beautiful out there. The trees, the grass, the flowers, all these and other factors make for a miraculous landscape.

"Hello? Asleep again?" Mrs. Grace yelled, her face red and full of frustration.

But now, I'm inside this building. If only I could be outside… outside...

"Outside…" I whispered to myself, so low it was almost inaudible.

"Lucas?? What the hell is wrong with you today!"

I have the same question about you, I thought.

"Right… apologies."

I walked to the board and solved the equation right away since it was just basic algebra. Then I returned to my seat.

I know Mrs. Grace is going through things, but this isn't really the place for her to let out her anger, a school where children are present. I looked over the class, perceiving their true personalities and the sins they have committed, like beatings, bullying, everything. Children…

The bell rang, and the lessons were over. I went to my locker, opened it, and saw an invitation slip fall out. I picked it up and read it to myself: "439 193 4567." A phone number, huh? Well, I'm not really into some pathetic mysteries like this. It's probably some party… I'm not into partying.

I walked home through the snow since I lived nearby, avoiding eye contact with everyone I passed. It's not like I have social anxiety, but I don't want to make others feel awkward about it for the rest of their days. People tend to do that… I don't know why.

I just kept on walking until I stumbled upon a group of people. A group of mindless teenagers. They shouted at me, not that I even cared what they were trying to articulate anyway. As I was passing through them, their supposed "leader" grabbed me by the jacket and yelled.

He was tall, with a lean but muscular build, the kind that suggests he's spent too much time in the gym trying to prove something. His dark hair was slicked back, and a few strands fell messily over his forehead, giving him a look that tried too hard to be intimidating. His eyes were cold, almost lifeless, but there was a flicker of insecurity behind them, as if he was constantly looking for validation from the crowd behind him. His jacket was worn, with patches that looked like they'd seen better days, and he wore a sneer that twisted his otherwise ordinary features into something more menacing.

"Hmm? You think you're made of steel, huh? I'd love to test that theory out!"

The group of people, now standing behind him, cheered. They were excited that they had found a new victim, someone like me in particular, who would be taught some humility.

"I may not be made of steel, but I certainly know how pathetic your life must look. Going out like this, beating up people for supposed power…what did you have to go through in life, little one?"

Giving him a death stare, I continued speaking.

"You must be pretty empty inside to get your kicks from bullying others. What's next? Gonna prove your strength to your followers by picking on someone who won't fight back?"

The leader's grip tightened on my jacket, his face contorting with anger. "You got a smart mouth, huh? Let's see how smart it is after I'm done with you."

One of his followers, a girl with bright red hair, stepped forward, looking a bit unsure. "Hey, maybe we should just leave him alone. We don't need any trouble."

"Shut up!" the leader snapped at her, then turned back to me. "You think you can psychoanalyze me and get away with it?"

I shrugged, assuring him I'm indifferent to what's about to happen right now. "I'm just calling it as I see it. But hey, if you need to hit me to feel better about your miserable existence, go ahead. It won't change a thing about who you are."

The leader hesitated for a moment, and I saw a flicker of doubt in his eyes. His grip on my jacket loosened slightly.

"What are you waiting for?" I taunted softly. "Show them how strong you really are."

The leader glanced back at his group, and I could see the uncertainty spreading among them. His moment of decision stretched out, and then, with a frustrated grunt, he shoved me away.

"Get out of here," he spat. "Next time you won't be so lucky. You're one hell of a weirdo."

I straightened my jacket, feeling a mix of relief and residual tension. "Next time, maybe you'll figure out that strength isn't about hurting others." I spoke low enough that it's not audible.

I turned and continued my walk home, the cold air biting at my skin. The encounter replayed in my mind, and I couldn't help but wonder how many others had faced the same group and what it would take to stop their cycle of bullying.

As I walked, I noticed the shadows growing longer, the evening settling in. The snow crunched under my feet, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

Sometimes, standing up to bullies doesn't end with a dramatic fight. Sometimes, it ends with planting a seed of doubt.

I walked with my hands in my pockets. I walked staring blankly at what was in front of me. Hmm... I've told myself that I keep on walking for the sixth time now. My inner monologue is surely getting repetitive…

"Mooom! I'm home!" I shouted as I went inside the house through the front door, navigating forward while making progress in putting my clothes in their right places. The shoes, the gloves, the jacket, the hat... I shed each one as I moved forward. My mother didn't respond.

I looked around and noticed that the doorknob to my sister's room didn't have its usual shiny look, which meant she wasn't back home yet. She always used a certain hand cream that made the doorknob appear wet.

"Laura home yet?" I shouted again.

"Nope!" my mom responded, her voice indicating that she was working on something physical and was breathing heavily.

Hmm… that's unusual for her not to be home yet. I guess she's hanging out with her friends.

I went to the bathroom to urinate and then washed my face along with my hands. After coming out, I heard the front door unlock. My sister had come back.

"I'm hoome!" she shouted.

"Welcome," I said in a calm tone.

"Hello, sweetie," my mother said, coming from the kitchen to greet Laura while sweating.

Now that I looked at them, it struck me how similar they really were, despite the difference in their ages. My mother had the same dark brown hair as Laura, though hers was streaked with a few strands of gray that she wore with an effortless grace. Both had the same warm, hazel eyes that sparkled with a natural kindness, though my mother's had a certain depth to them, a hint of wisdom that came from years of experience. Laura's face was youthful and full of energy, with a mischievous smile that often played on her lips, while my mother's features were softer, touched by time but still remarkably youthful. They both shared a slender build, but where Laura moved with the carefree ease of a teenager, my mother's movements were more measured, with a quiet strength that came from years of managing a household.

"So... where have you been?" I asked Laura.

"Ah, I was just hanging out with my friends," she responded.

That's a lie. I could tell in an instant. Well, perhaps it's not my business what she's been doing. Maybe she's finally got a boyfriend she's shy to admit for some reason. She's hot, so I wouldn't be surprised.

"Well, glad you're having fun," I said, patting her on the shoulder before heading into my room and leaning my back against the door after closing it.

I looked around, my eyes following a certain pattern of "up, right, down, left, up, etc." Well, well... it sure is dark in here. Everyone out there is having fun while I sit in darkness, without anyone bothering to do something interesting with me. Well, maybe that's not the best way to put it. They always make me lose my whole engagement because they end up doing something I heavily dislike.

As I stared into the pitch-black darkness that overflew my room, I decided to take a look outside. Well, I sure am surrounded by darkness. It's just my little square that seems to be heavily isolated from the outside "norms" of this world. Even outside, when it's supposed to be pitch-black already because it's late, the snow is sparkling, giving it purpose, a sense of fulfillment.

I ran my fingers through my hair before deciding to turn on the light and go to my PC, sitting down on my gaming chair in front of it. I glanced toward the windows, thinking about shutting the blinds, but I deemed it pointless. It's not like anyone would be spying on me anyway. These truly bad things can't possibly happen to me; I'm not the only person in the world. But…to someone, they eventually have to happen.

"Now, let's see where my sister has actually been…" I mumbled to myself.

Though it may sound obsessive and overprotective of me, I've actually planted a tracking app on her phone, just to ensure she was safe and so I could find out if something fishy was going on before any worst-case scenario struck.

After school, she went to some alley… "193 Shadowbrook Lane." I stared at the ceiling, leaning back in my chair and placing my index finger on my lower lip. I tried to recall the mental map of my city, searching for that address. Oh wow, it hit me—it was some dark alley whose existence I hadn't really kept in my active memory. What could she be doing there?

Then it struck me again, and I froze. 193… 193… where do I know that set of digits from? Oh yes… that's right… it's the phone number that was given to me! After I opened my locker, a slip flew out, and that number included those digits…

Well, that can't be a coincidence; someone has to be messing with me. I made a little psychopathic smile to myself from the excitement. Does that mean… someone out there could be trying to challenge me? Did someone out there create a mystery specially for me?!

My mind raced with thoughts and limitless possibilities, and I actually began to sweat. I stood up and went toward the windows, shutting the blinds.