My mother left everything up to fate and chances. It was great, the seven years I spent with her, I mean. And one day, she suddenly left.

I remember she always kept a die in her pocket, and when I would ask her some things like, "When are you going to stop smoking?" and "What's our food today?", she would get that die, throw it up in the air and catch it, telling me "If this lands on two... I'll stop" or "We'll order food today".

She was cool, I always saw her brighter than everyone. When everyone was adhering to the strict rules of the system, she was like a wild animal, free and full of energy. I always thought, "Hey, people should be like her!" Or "I want to be like her!"

When something bad or unexpected happens, she'd always say something that goes along the line 'Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be.', it's like she gave up trying, like everybody FUCKING hates you and they think you're weird and what are you going to do? Prove them wrong? Hell no! Because whatever happens, happens for a reason and we should just accept our fate as it is!

I don't want to be like her, I don't want to suffer the same consequences, I, I, I... I don't want to die.

*******

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"You guys saw that, right?", Gordon asked his three guards.

[Oh by the way, I'm going to name them Clint, Eli, and Lee. The three guards, I mean. Backstory soon.]

As he gazes upon the gentle flow of the river, his mind replays the conversation he had with Axel an hour ago at the hospital. Beside him, his three guards standing in silent contemplation, mirroring his thoughts.

Everybody FUCKING hates you and they think you're weird and what are you going to do?

A hushed stillness settled among them for a moment, punctuated only by the gentle flow of the river's current. Eli could no longer bare the silence and decided to speak up.

"If I may ask, what is your connection to that hypnosomian kid? All neuroquilin survivors and their children are under the care of Hill Crest, except him."

Gordon looked him in the eye and then replied, "Believe it or not, I was acquainted with that kid in the future. I, a rising political figure, and him, a loner who is much more than meets the eye. This time 'round, I managed to meet him earlier to help him deal with his problem. And he took my hands..."

Once more, silence settled among them. The three guards could only give a sidelong glance to each other, exactly who the fuck that is right in the head would believe what Gordon said? Moreover, they were lead to believe that time travelers should not openly reveal their secret since it would create obstructions.

His eyes once more reflected upon the river water and for a short moment, it seemed as though Gordon's eyes changed. It somehow appeared to be expressing many repressed emotions and feelings, everything all at once.

Next business - planning for the future.