That in mind, my day slowly faded. The hours passed with me watching YouTube and doing some homework, but other than that? I was thinking. As I finished my homework at six, I found myself pondering who could have done this to me. Who would commit such an unjustified action? My mind raced with ideas, cycling through a list of potential suspects. I’ve done so many things that the, as I’ll call them now, 'avenger' could be one of hundreds of people. Actually, who says it's even one person? What if previous people teamed up against me? The thought was chilling, but I forced myself to stay focused. For now, the one who reported me for bullying is the one I should concentrate on. I won't muddy myself with anxiety. I can't afford to. With that, I settled into bed, my mind still whirling with theories and suspicions. Sleep didn't come easily. The sense of unease hovered over me, but exhaustion eventually pulled me under. Tomorrow, it will all change.
Three hours ago..
Bushes ruffled around me, and some branches poked at my skin as I carefully maneuvered through the underbrush, my every step measured to avoid making noise. I crouched low, adjusting my position to get a clear view through my binoculars. There he was, the runt, just sitting there. He seemed lost in his own thoughts, completely unaware of his surroundings. Perfect. I slowly snuck around the closest car, conscious of the ever-watchful CCTV cameras. These things have undergone extreme development recently, boasting crystal-clear 1080p resolution. Most cities, like Santa Fe, have these advanced surveillance systems in place. I had to be cautious; any slip-up could get me caught. Keeping low, I made my way to the motel's window, pressing my back against the wall to remain hidden. The vent to my left was gushing out hot air, a minor inconvenience. I reached into my pocket and retrieved my wiretap device. The heat from the vent was intense, making it tricky to handle the delicate equipment. I cut a piece of clear tape and carefully secured the wiretap under the vent, ensuring it was positioned perfectly to pick up any conversations inside.
Just to be safe, I pulled out a gray cover I had prepared earlier. It was designed to blend seamlessly with the vent. I taped it over the wiretap, concealing it effectively. The cover was thin and fragile, easily breakable if necessary, but its purpose was to remain undetected. The clear tape I used ensured there were no visible signs of tampering. With everything in place, I stashed my tools back into my pockets and silently rolled back to my original position in the underbrush. The cover blended perfectly with the vent, making the wiretap virtually invisible.
I glanced back over my shoulder, checking for any signs that he might have spotted me. Nothing. The coast was clear. I retraced my steps, moving silently through the shadows and returning to the cover of the bushes. Once back in my hidden position, I set up the receiver on the ground near the roots of the bush. The wiretap I bought boasted a range of four hundred meters, and I was much closer than that. The audio should come through crystal clear. I could only spy on him when I was physically here, though. This device played audio constantly unless I turned it off with the switch I held in my hand. I pressed the red button on the switch, and the receiver immediately crackled to life with static. Within moments, I heard Jordan's voice coming through, clear as day. "What was that formula again?" he mumbled, clearly working on his math homework. Perfect. The signal was strong, just as I had hoped. I settled down, preparing myself for a long night of surveillance. The cool night air settled around me, but I barely noticed. My focus was entirely on the receiver, on the mission. This wasn't just about gathering information. It was personal. After he killed her, I had nothing but time on my hands. All the time in the world to plot, to plan, to make him pay.
The next day..
The alarm blared its piercing tone, jolting me awake. I blinked a few times, adjusting to the dim light filtering into the room. It's time for school. I dragged myself out of bed, my body protesting against the early hour, and headed to the bathroom for a shower. I stripped off my clothes and stepped into the shower, turning the knob to cold. The icy water splashed over me, sending a shock through my system. I've always liked cold showers; they help wake me up and keep me sharp. The water felt unwelcoming, biting at my skin, but I believed it made me stronger. I quickly applied soap and conditioner, rushing through my routine.
Once finished, I grabbed the towel from the rack and dried off. I then moved on to brushing my teeth, ensuring they were as clean and squeaky as ever. My reflection stared back at me from the mirror, eyes tired but determined. Walking out of the bathroom, I instinctively called out, "Mom-" but caught myself mid-sentence. A wave of realization crashed over me. Mom abandoned me. The emptiness of the motel room seemed to close in around me, amplifying the silence. Frustration boiled over, and I lashed out, punching the wall. My fist went through the drywall, leaving a jagged hole. "Damn it!" I yelled, anger and despair mixing in my voice. "Right near graduation, and this happens!" I slumped against the wall, the pain in my hand a dull ache compared to the turmoil in my mind.
Ugh... This was not how things were supposed to go. I had plans, a future to look forward to. Now, everything felt uncertain.
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My walk to school would be significantly longer now, so I set my alarm an hour ahead. Can't believe I wake up at five now... Ah, damn it! I realized I didn't have my backpack with me. Alright, we'll make do with my pockets. Crouching to reach the minibar, I opened the fridge and grabbed a water bottle and some bread. My pockets were nearly full, but it was better than nothing. I looked around in the hotel's drawers and found a folder. This would have to do for storing my homework. The school is so old-school, who uses paper for homework anymore?
Disregarding this train of thought, I left the motel, closing the door behind me. Today is a new day, and hopefully one of positivity. I stepped out into the early morning light, the cold air hit my face, waking me up more than the shower had. The streets were quiet, with only a few cars passing by and the occasional jogger. I adjusted my stride to a steady pace, knowing it would be a long walk. The city slowly came to life as I walked, the sky lightening and the sounds of morning routines filling the air. I passed by shops opening for the day, the smell of fresh bread wafting from a bakery, and the sight of people starting their daily commutes. It was oddly calming.
"You're a cultist piece of shit, aren't you, Jordan?" he sneered, backed by his goons who circled my desk, making escape impossible. The veins in my temples twitched, my muscles spasmed with the effort to keep my composure. I clenched my fists under the desk, my knuckles turning red. "Everyone, Jordan here joined a cult at the age of seventeen," he announced loudly, his voice dripping with mockery. "a cult that had its leader arrested for murder! It isn't even a peaceful cult." I felt the eyes of my classmates boring into me, their judgment and curiosity malicious. They didn't know the full story. They didn't understand what ECLIPSE truly was, or what Arnold actually did. But how could they? The rumors and misinformation were too powerful.
He spread his arms wide, spinning slowly to ensure everyone in the room was paying attention. "I have no idea how it hasn't been shut down, but Jordan here was shut down by his mom! Yeah! One of my homies saw this guy rent a motel room!" Panic and humiliation surged through me. My classmates were already starting to murmur, their whispers forming a chorus of suspicion and disdain. He stepped closer, pointing a finger at me, his voice dripping with venom. "My point being, this guy is a piece of human garbage! A cultist who got kicked out and still has the audacity to attend this school!" The room erupted in a mixture of laughter, gasps, and incredulous whispers. I felt the walls closing in, the air growing thicker and harder to breathe.
I kicked up, leaning forward and grasping the man's arm tightly. With a swift motion, I kicked under the desk at his feet, causing him to drop to his ass. His elbow laid precariously locked over the desk's corner, his face contorting with fear. "Wait, don't!" he yelled, his voice trembling with worry. I jumped into the air, bending back in a fluid motion, and the sound of bone snapping echoed in the room as his arm was twisted in an unnatural angle. But that wasn't enough. He started crying on the ground, the pain evident on his face. The room fell into a shocked silence as I moved, every person in their desks frozen with terror. Standing over him, I towered above, looking down at him with a mixture of rage and triumph. "You like that, huh, you piece of shit?!" I spat, my voice filled with venom. "It's not so funny when I break your arm, huh, bitch?!"