What comes before judgement. (1)

Uneventful. Ironically, that was the only way to describe my days.

I wake up in the morning, eat breakfast, go to the train station, meet with the others, go to school, go home.

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. It's tiring.

I'm tired.

But—

"How did you react? It was way too fast for a human."

The remains splattered on the walls, her cloth and skin stained with blood.

The adrenaline. 

Why did I feel this way? Yet—

Pierce. Crack. Splatter.

"You shouldn't take your friend's advice for granted~"

It hurts.

"How do you keep filtering me from your...mind?"

Huh? 

It took me a while to realize I was dreaming. Was this what lucid dreaming felt like? Knowing your dreaming and being conscious? 

"You're not exactly dreaming."

Huh. I don't recognize this voice, yet I hear it so clearly.

"Please stop narrating your thoughts and use your fucking brain."

...?

"Open your eyes."

----

Shelly opened his eyes finding himself in a terrifyingly empty void instead of his room. He couldn't tell if this was a dream anymore, 

"Right here, can you finally see me?"

He lowered his head, staring down at a feminine figure.

"Yeah, I can...Do- Do I know you? I feel like I should, but I really don't remember."

"I know. That was the case for me as well up until now."

Before Shelly could talk again, the girl lifted her arm, each movement she made would be replicated by him against his will. She'd angle her hand and slap herself, causing Shelly to also hit himself.

"Ow-- What the fuck? I didn't even move my hand. The hell's happening?"

"Worse than I imagined. At least we're both alive."

"I'd hope so?"

"Sarcasm isn't necessary."

"Sorry. Felt too good not to say."

The girl began walking around, seemingly in deep thought. Shelly felt like he had to say something, but what should he say? This was such a weird situation, even for a world where devil attacks happen on the daily.

"So..."

"You don't even need to ask, we share minds."

"Ah. Really- Uh."

"No. Don't think about NOT thinking about something. Please. For the love of god. Focus."

"I can't help it! It's like...You don't want to think of something, so your brain-"

"Makes you think of it, yes, I know! Fuck. Just. Calm."

The girl sighed, crouching down a little to wind down what she had just seen.

"To answer your original question, I'm Ego. And yes, this is real."

"No... You're not just Ego."

"What?"

"You-- You said you could read my mind. It's weird but, I can...hear your thoughts?"

"It shouldn't go both ways-- At least I think?"

"Ego death. That's what...you're called?"

"Yes and no. I wouldn't consider that a name, but rather what I am."

Ego got back up, resuming her pace as she began thinking, Shelly of course could hear what she was thinking—But couldn't understand most of it. His memories were just as fuzzy as hers, but he knew for sure this was real, it had to be. It felt too real not to be.

"Yo Ego. I have a question, are you—"

"Yes, I'm exactly what you think I am. A devil. Surprised we can speak?"

"Not exactly, but why would I be able to speak to you so casually?"

"Normally, the only contact humans and devils directly have is through borrowing power, but here it feels like...We're the same? Like, what you're thinking is what I'm thinking. Does that make sense?"

"Not...Exactly?"

"This place is supposed to be your consciousness, usually its where humans give up on their lives before transforming. Yet, you don't seem like the type to be this desperate."

"Should I be happy you said this?"

"Take this a little more seriously, Shelly."

Shelly placed his hands in his pockets, and accordingly, Ego stuck her hands to her side, having no pockets, it ended up just looking awkward.

"If i'm not schizo, you're a devil, and that means I have no reason to be serious or friendly to you."

"Tsk. Stubborn prick. I'll have to try and figure this out, the fact we both have memory loss is strange. Just, go on about your day."

"...Gotcha."

-----

*ring*

Shelly went on ab out his day, he woke up, ate breakfast, went to school, attended class, ate lunch...Yet all throughout, his mind couldn't stop shifting to his dreams, to the thoughts he had. Tiring? A peaceful life, tiring? These didn't feel like his own thoughts. 

Now, came the whole devil thing, was he about to transform into a sin? No. Evertyhing was fine, it probably was just a dream. Now, was time for physical education. The students would dress up in their locker room and gather outside.

"—after that, the boss managed to kill me whilst he was at one HP! It was crazy bro."

"I don't understand why you don't use your mimic tears; they're in the game for a reason."

"Mimic tears? Thats for sore losers!"

"You're the loser here man..."

Yura and Bolin argued over a video game they played from time to time; Noel was busy helping the PE teacher set things up and Shelly was stuck observing the two bickering around.

"Shelly!"

The two turned to Shelly, shouting for his name.

"Huh?"

"Say, what do you think. Mimic tears are for losers, yeah?"

"Fuuuuck no! They're part of the game."

"Tell him/her!" (simultaneously)

"I don't know. I only played the one where you parry."

"Nevermind, you're boring."

"Knew you were a fake fan the moment I laid my eyes on you."

Shelly sighed, never being able to properly compete in these nerd offs the two always had. It didn't matter much to Shelly as long as it was fun, but for Bolin and Yura, so many other factors came into account. 

How could they even enjoy games if they focused on so many pointless things?

"Alright class. Listen up, I know it's annoying but for our first lesson we'll do some cardio. You know the drill."

The class collectively groaned, some even already placing their hand on their stomach, preparing to lie being sick not to run. 

"I'm glad you chipmunks are eager to be here! Ugh."

The PE teacher sighed, grabbing onto his whistle, gesturing for them to prepare.

"When I whistle, you run. No walking, no stopping. If I whistle once, you walk. If I whistle twice, you jog. If I do one long whistle, that means you start running again."

Noel joined the trio as he prepared to run, looking over to Bolin.

"Wanna see who holds the longest?"

"Ha. You betcha. No stopping, no matter what."

"I want in on this!"

Yura added stretching her legs.

"Shelly, wanna join in?"

Noel asked, smirking at him. Shelly looked back and nodded. The four positioned at the very front, classmates who knew the four of them already knew what was about to go down.

"LADDDIEEES AND GENTLEMEN. PREEEPARE! FOR THE 8TH EDITION OF THE NEW BUSAN SUPER ULTRA MEGA MARATHON!"

One of the students raised an eyebrow.

"What's that? 8th edition?"

Ivan looked over to the student, chuckling at their question. To anyone who wasn't up to date with their antics, this seemed absolutely insane. But some students seemed to play along, gathering near the four, some cheered, some even wanted to participate.

"Every year since elementary, they would interrupt one lesson and start this marathon. 50 laps, 20 kilometers. One sitting."

"That sounds impossible..."

"I wish it was."

The PE teacher, who realized this was one of these lessons walked by.

"I'm surprised they decided to do it so soon, well, maybe they're trying to lighten the mood? Or they're just stupid."

"T-teach? You're on it too?"

The PE teacher turned over and chuckled.

"Unfortunately, been stuck with these idiots since they were little kids. The first year they got expelled, then after repetition it became an event. Whoever's aware of this dumb event just plays along, it's so chaotic I can't do anything but accept it...Good thing they only do it once a year though."

The student listened intently then turned over and looked over to the gathering students preparing for the marathon.

"Does that mean I can sk-"

"Get your ass up and get ready to participate in the super mega ultra marathon."

"Figured..."

The student sighed and walked over to the start line alongside Ivan. The PE teacher blew on his whistle.

"Alright alright. Tell you what! Run 10 laps minimum to get passing grade. 20 for highest grade...And anything above that is bonus. I'm kind, aren't I? 4 kilometers to pass."

The students were relieved—

Others not. The sheer thought of having to run more than 10 seconds was like hell.

"How long are you guys gonna last? I'm thinkin' until the end personally."

Yura asked.

"Psh. Y'know me, 50, always!"

"Sure Bolin, keep dreaming. Me on the other hand, I'm thinkin' 35. I did do 30 last year."

"I'm confident I can do 40."

"Nevermind. I'm doing 45 this year."

"So competitive~"

Yura chuckled, waiting for the signal from the teacher. Tension was palpable, some students dreaded it, others were hyped, some were ready to run. And then....

*WHISTLE!*

Begin.

All the students rushed forwards, running as fast as they could to finish those laps as quick as possible...Except one person.

"I don't know what I expected of you Bolin."

Bolin walked over to the teacher and sat on one of the benches.

"I do this every year, why are you expectin' me to change professor!"

"Maturity?"

"Maturiwhat?"

"Nevermind."

----

Back to the race, the lead had already formed a group of six students that had made a significant distance from the rest of the students. In order, those were these students

Ivan (17) — Before transferring to New Busan, Ivan was an athlete in a private academy in New Moscow, he would have had a bright future as a basketball player if it wasn't for his shoulder injury that couldn't allow him back on the field.

Minho (17) — Similarly to Bolin, Minho was someone who didn't take things very seriously. Skipping school, never making assignments, out all night, he's the typical teenager older people would call a delinquent...Yet he was gifted. He had stamina for days, his body-built muscle easier, he had no trouble loosing or gaining weight and always aced his exams. If he took life a smidge more serious, he might be successful. 

Yura (17) — Yura was the total opposite of Minho and Bolin. Her family took studies and athletes very seriously, her mother was a doctor, and her father a track runner for Korea's national team. So, the pressure was high. She always had to study and attend training, to become a 'model' student. Very little sleep, way too much stress. It's probably why she had gotten so close to the others, they help keep her grounded.

Noel (18) — The oldest, and most mature person in the group. He grew up in a large household as the eldest and often had to take care of his little siblings while his parents were at work. Even in his friend's group, he often acted as the big brother, scolding his friends whenever they did something dumb. Sometimes, Noel acts childish.

Jihoon (17) — Used to be a part of the recently disbanded swim club, Jihoon built great stamina from all that swimming and training. Despite not hanging with much of the group, Jihoon has always been friendly to everyone.

Shelly (17) — Used to be overweight. After something happened in the past, he dedicated all of his free time on weight loss. He'd often hang out around Ivan and Yura, following their routine he built a decent amount of stamina, still not to their level. Despite his large stature, he wasn't very athletic.

"Tired yet?"

Ivan, first in place turned around and asked the others, waving at them as he resumed his run.

"There are 49 more laps to run!~"

"Ugh. Hate his confidence, I'm gonna break his other shoulder."

What comes before judgement (1) | :ABEL