Tired as he was after the exam, Alan walked home with a slow, lazy gait, caring little for his surroundings. He felt that the exam went reasonably well and he found himself happy, and hopeful about the future - he may be accepted into the prestigious medical academy that he wanted to go to.

Finally, he made the last turn and could see his house in the distance. He picked up a bit, looking forward to plopping down on his bed, and as he lost himself in the softness he so perfectly envisioned, he stumbled on something and was sent falling forward, arms spread out to cushion his fall. His palms were hurt quite a bit, and started bleeding, in places, from the small abrasions caused by the impact.

-You failed the exam.

Feeling somewhat disoriented, Alan didn't quite get where the sound came from, and looking back he saw a hooded figure leaning against the the red brick fence running next to the sidewalk, leg conveniently put forward, right where careless passerby would be sure to catch on it.

- I don't know if you had any hopes or anything, but apparently it just wasn't meant to be.

- What are you talking about, I just took the test today. And who are you, anyway?

Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

- I am just a guy who thinks you were dealt an unfair blow. So much effort, wasted.

The man sounded genuine, but his tone and demeanor betrayed complete lack of care, for anything or anyone. He sounded almost sarcastic when he said "effort".

- Alright, I'll be going then.

- Wait! Tell me more. You telling me this doesn't make it any better. In fact, it only makes it worse, if I chose to believe you. Mind you, I was looking forward to rewarding myself with an amazing evening wrapped up with a book, so I don't choose to believe you. Do you even have proof?

Despite himself, Al sounded desperate. The guy was obviously suspicious, but he knew a lot. For instance, where Alan lived, the route he used to walk home, how he looked, and that he was one of the applicants. No random guy off the streets, that he never met before, could hold that kind of information without being involved in some way.

Although he did not want to believe, in his heart of hearts he had always had the fear of failing, ever present, almost like an uncomfortable presence, or an itch that won't go away, if you prefer; so he felt the need to know more. He reached out to grab the man's shoulder, and as he did so, the man grabbed his own cape, which flowed down from his back, and, in one swift motion, pulled it. At the same time, he broke away from the wall and turned in the direction Alan came from. In a moment, he flickered out of existence, his boots vanishing last.

- I doubt you have the backbone to bear the truth. You don't strike me as the strong type with unwavering resolve, so this information is of no use to you. Find it out on your own if you think I'm wrong about that.

The words hung in the air, weighing down on the boy crouched on the ground.