The first signs came when I was only nine years old. Many have said, doctors included, that mental illness effects everyone differently to some degree. For me it began with seeing my hand move and other hands seemed to follow.
Like a slow field of time that created after-images. I would be hard pressed to describe just what went through the mind of a nine year old by during such an even. But we shall move on. I woke up that day just as if it was any other. "Mom? Can I ask you anything about the slowness of my hand? It seems to be making brothers follow him around when I wave." Mother looked down at me and made a face of nonsense. "Luke stop playing. This is much too early for your make believe. I have a busy day today and do not bother your father. Do you hear me?"
She was in her adult voice mode. This usually meant it was best not to argue. With a sigh I nod and moved to be out of the way. Why was it parents never would believe their kids in matters such as these. Doing as all children did at the time, i decided to ignore it for the time being. The next few weeks was much the same. I would play with my friends when I would notice something new or strange. A box would appear to tell me something in me had changed.
> Level up!
>
> You have gained one point in Strength and Dexterity.
I must say it was a bit of an odd thing to see. Off handedly I would mention to a friend how i had leveled and they would tell me it was crazy. Like a video game. I have never been allowed to play any games or watch television. My mother always told me they would rot my mind.
I had never thought about it at the time but I was sure if they were like this, I would rather enjoy them. My next level up happened when I was in a fight with a bully that was picking on a kid who was often alone. It made me angry. I had never felt that way before. That anger. The red anger of someone who just did not care.
I moved without thinking and struck blindly. Pain exploded in my hand and I though I might have broken something. It stumbled the bully.
> Target Stunned for 1 second
>
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The bully shook his head and his eyes looked unfocused. I rushed in again and continued the fight. New windows would pop up at times.
> 2hp damage given
> 3hp damage sustained
> Critical hit 5hp sustained.
> Stunned.
Just before it could continue a teacher stepped in and stopped us. We were given detention but I leveled up again and now I was level 3. But this time I was given stat points.
> Character sheet unlocked
>
> Think Character Sheet to open and gain access to skill and ability points.
I did not hesitate to open my character sheet. I was very curious as to what would happen.
> Name: Luke
>
> Age: 9 Gender: Male
>
> Stats
>
> Str: 11. Dex: 11 Con: 10.
>
> Int: 10 Wis: 10. Cha: 10
>
> Abilities
>
> Traits
>
> Schizophrenia
This was a little underwhelming. "Hey I am smarter than average!" I let this outburst occur in the middle of class, much to the amusement of the other students.
The teacher was not amused. Some made a few snide comments that I was not as smart as I thought. From then on whispers would follow me around.
People talking about how weird I was. Many would be warned off from talking to me or being my friend. It was lonely. Every day I would move through school like a leper. An outcast.
But it wouldn't always be that way. People were just afraid of things they didnt understand. This was what my mother always said.
Nobody understood me was all. So i kept my head down. I studied hard. My wisdom and intelligence slowly grew each day. Once in a while my strength and dex did as well. Once or twice was my con when I got into a fight.
But charisma, well it would bounce. Up one day. Down another. It seemed the downs came with the fighting. It made me stronger but people liked me less.
What was a boy to do? Maybe I should focus on what increased. That sounded like a good and safe plan. But plans never stayed safe for long. Human nature was to always ruin plans. In this case it may not have been the worse thing ever.