The Prophecy pills I’ve been producing have been getting more potent over time. But that also reveals a dark truth about their nature. Would they not allow me to glimpse after my own death?

-From Professor Shokolov’s Journal, 21st Entry

AxEl packed up his belongings from the lodge and took them outside. It had been a good few days that they’d spent there, but it couldn’t last forever. Anagen had her own methods for leaving the lodge, so he bid her farewell and took the bus with the rest of the students.

The time passed quickly. Not only for the trip, but for the rest of the school year as well. It was depressingly uneventful for AxEl. He’d have assumed that something would interfere in his life, someone would ask him out or that he’d get into adventures, but it was just how it had always been in Barksight, quiet.

When the end of the year arrived, AxEl hadn’t even noticed. He’d grown more restless as the time approached for him to resume his work. To continue leading the trade that he’d set up for himself. He felt a bit awkward taking over Anagen’s duties, but she’d kept him up to date on what had been happening.

Then he gave the exams and celebrated, because he was finally free.

****

The venue the students had chosen for the graduation party was still the same gymnasium they always went to, now decorated with ribbons, tables, disco lights and other oddities. AxEl tugged at the suit that his mother had prepared for him, feeling it was a bit big.

‘you’ll grow into it!’ she said. Sure doesn’t look it, he thought to himself as he stood in the bathroom. There were groups of other students, bickering and complimenting each other as they sprayed on cologne and adjusted their outfits.

Someone bumped into AxEl and he looked over to see a guy who looked awfully clumsy. AxEl ignored him and set to work on his own preparations.

“Want a spritz, AxEl?” asked Nook beside him.

“Sure,” he replied, and Nook pulled a whole bottle of perfume out of the pocket of his coat.

“That’s what you’ve been hiding in there this entire time?” AxEl asked.

“Well, no. LeAn was keeping it in his backpack. I’m just borrowing it,” Nook replied, then puffed himself more than AxEl thought necessary. The whole room was beginning to smell of different perfumes, so he took his leave from the place after a few spritzes himself.

After all, it was the last night he would be spending at the academy. Might as well enjoy himself.

****

AxEl sat next to the drinks, sipping on some fruit juice they’d brought to the party. It tasted like pineapples, and he looked over to find one of his professors enjoying a cup as well. Professor EnnA looked a bit too happy, in fact.

What’s she up to? He thought to himself, then saw her sneak a small vial into her cup when she thought no one was looking. Oh…real professional, he chuckled to himself, before being dragged onto the dance floor by a girl.

She was someone he’d talked with a bit, but didn’t think she’d even consider him. They danced to a catchy tune playing on the speakers, and laughed all the while. When she grew tired and left him to get something to eat, AxEl looked around and tried to find someone he recognized. Nook was off again with his little group, and the only person AxEl saw on the floor that he recognized was Finn.

Wait, Finn? With who? AxEl leaned over to get a better glimpse and found, astonishingly, that it was HinEn giving him the time of day. Far as he knew, those two hated each other. So, it hurt at his pride to see the scene. Finn, of all people? Am I doing something wrong?

AxEl despondently made his way over to the punch bowl again. This time he found VexIk taking a glass for himself, and slipping something amber in colour into the drink. He spotted AxEl and held up his cup.

“Want a taste? This one packs a kick,” he said, chuckling to himself. AxEl grimaced.

“Just keep it away from me and Nook and I won’t tell anyone,” he replied, then turned to leave. He felt a hand on his shoulder, however, and stopped. He was prepared to take on the man again, despite how it had gone last time.

“Come on, AxEl. Live a little. A bit of drink never hurt anyone,” VexIk said.

“You have, though, and that’s something I won’t let happen again.”

VexIk appeared outraged for a moment, then just sighed and composed himself. He put his cup down on the table and spoke.

“You don’t have to like me, but why the antagonism?”

“You don’t paint the prettiest picture of yourself,” AxEl replied.

“Fair. But I don’t want any problems going forward. I won’t do anything to you or to your little friend, either. We’re graduating, so why not just move on?” VexIk said. He held out a hand for AxEl to shake. He kept it there while AxEl stared, then hesitantly shook it and walked away.

And he kept his promise too. AxEl didn’t see him go near Nook, try to pull a prank or anything else. He felt happy for his friend, that he could enjoy his last night. Another girl, EskA approached him later on and he danced once more, and they got into a long conversation with Finn and HinEn.

AxEl had to admit, by the end of the night he was ready to head on home. Thankfully, his phone rung at the moment and he answered to the sounds of Anagen. His heart began racing as she spoke.

“There’s some transportation issues I want to talk about. That and the placement of your office if you’re going to expand. Are you free right now?”

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

AxEl looked around at the dazed crowd of the party. “Yeah, I am. Can you meet me outside of the academy grounds?” he asked.

“I’ll be there in a moment,” she replied before hanging up.

AxEl ran outside of the premises of the school, his heart beating ever faster as he approached the car that was sitting there. There were loads of them gathered on the streets, but he could recognize the one that Anagen used by now.

She stepped out and looked as beautiful as ever. Her white hair contrasted with that dark suit she wore, giving her an aura that AxEl couldn’t resist. He walked, half chuckling to himself as they met.

“How’s your evening going, AxEl?”

“Great! And yours?” AxEl asked.

“Hmm? Just fine, I suppose,” Anagen replied. She was flipping through reports before she stumbled onto the one she was going to show her boss, then flipped the pad in her hand to him.

“Those are the ones for this month. We’re doing well, but I think we should keep production low still,” Anagen replied.

“Uh, yeah, I agree,” AxEl said half-heartedly.

“Okay, so y-“ Anagen began to say before AxEl cut her off.

“I was wondering, Ana,” he started.

“Wondering what?”

“When we’re done with these… reports, would you want to… go somewhere?” AxEl asked.

“Somewhere as in?” Anagen said.

“Just the two of us. It could be anywhere. Restaurant, park. Anything!” AxEl said happily. Though when he looked at her, he found a look that he found regrettable.

“I’m sorry, AxEl. I wouldn’t be opposed to that, but if it’s what I think you’re implying, I can’t.”

He couldn’t quite absorb it, so he just continued. “Oh, yeah, that’s okay. Sorry,” he replied.

Weirdly, he heard a giggle from her. “It’s sweet of you to ask that. But I think of you more as a… a little brother of sorts.”

“A brother?”

She sat down on the curb and AxEl joined her in stargazing.

“You’re embroiled in something that’s too deep to escape from. A dangerous game here. I feel like… like if you’re going to keep continuing, I should at least teach you the rules.”

“But why would you need to?”

Anagen shrugged. “Perhaps I pity you. Perhaps I admire your drive. No matter what it is, I want to help you the best I can.”

AxEl’s shoulders felt weirdly heavy, so he set them down. “Thanks for that, Anagen. I don’t know how me or Nook would have even done any of this without you.”

“You’re welcome, AxEl.”

The night passed like that in silence, with AxEl and Anagen admiring the stars. By the time she had left, AxEl was still staring at the stars and trying to make sense of them. There was a bitter feeling beginning to bloom in his heart, but he distracted himself from it.

****

AxEl packed boxes in his room. He packed clothes, hygiene products and his most prized possessions each in their own box. His mother looked on from the doorway, and he gave her a smirk every now and then.

The expression on her face wasn’t one of joy, however. She looked pensive and every so often AxEl saw a shining tear fall from her face.

“Don’t forget that,” FenEl said, pointing to the scrubber AxEl had left on the ground.

“That goes in that box,” AxEl replied.

“I know…” FenEl said sadly.

“Actually,” AxEl began. He examined the scrubber top to bottom. “You’re right, mom. Best for it to be in this box instead,” he said and gave her a smile. She chuckled as he tried to fit the handle inside the confines of the cardboard.

Before long, she joined in and they packed all of his belongings into the boxes and were taking them outside. He glanced back at his room as he carried the bulk of his belongings out, noting how empty it looked without his stuff in it.

“You could turn that into your art room,” he said idly.

“Art? I don’t know how to draw,” FenEl replied.

“You could learn. You’ve got so much space for it! Or turn it into a hobby room. A theater. You could do whatever you want with it,” AxEl suggested.

She opened the door to the house, letting him carry the boxes outside.

“I think it’s perfect as it is right now. Wouldn’t want to change a thing,” FenEl said. They walked in silence all the way to the bus station. AxEl could hear whispers of prayers from his mother, but let her continue it in silence.

It was a beautiful bright day and the sun was blaring down on them strongly. Sweat beaded on his forehead and AxEl walked with strength in every step down the street. He looked around the boxes blocking his view and saw no one else there.

AxEl let go of the boxes in his hand and hugged his mother tightly. In fear of hurting her, he let go of the hold and she gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Are you absolutely sure you’re ready for this?” FenEl asked AxEl.

“The job opportunity is out of the town. The pay is too good to ignore,” AxEl replied.

“I could find you a decent job around Barksight. There’s a few connections I still have,” FenEl said.

“You know I don’t want that. I’ll be safe, I promise.”

She sniffed, turning her head away for a moment. “You always were an independent kid.”

She placed a hand on the side of his head as the wind ruffled his dreadlocks. “Always so confident and strong. Call often, okay, and if you get sick tell me. I’ll be there if you need it,” she pleaded.

AxEl felt his heart twisting, but nodded nonetheless.

“I will.” He looked around but no cars stopped by their location.

“You should probably go home. They’ll take a while to get here,” he asked his mother. She simply crossed her arms and stood looking out over the roads.

“A few minutes won’t cost me much. I can handle it,” she replied. AxEl chuckled.

“Seriously, somebody needs to be watching the house. Please, for me?” he asked, and his mother sighed. She gave him one last embrace before leaving the stop and walking back to the house, waving all the way and looking back every other second.

AxEl himself felt exhausted. It wasn’t due to the heat of the season, nor was it the boxes that he had had to carry. Before he could think any further on it, he saw his actual transport appearing.

FenEl would never have understood how a limosine could have carried AxEl to his new job. No new employee was given that kind of luxury. When the windows rolled down, AxEl recognized the face of Lex.

“G’day, boss,” he said, before unlocking the back doors and letting AxEl place his belongings inside.

“These need to go into my new house. Be careful with them,” he said to Lex, before sitting inside and greeting Nook.

“Say goodbye to your mom?” he asked from where he was sat. There was a stack of comic books beside him, one of which he was reading.

“Yeah, I did… You brought all of your comics with you?” AxEl asked, amazed.

“It’s going to be a long ride, isn’t it?” Nook replied. He was sat with his back against the door, flipping through the book.

“Not in this car, Nook. This is just the closest one we had that wasn’t for transport,” AxEl replied.

“Aw, but I’ve gotten so comfortable!” Nook whined and AxEl snatched the book out of his hand. He continued reading it while the car set into motion, taking them across the town to something more sturdy.

At one point, AxEl thought he felt an unnerving presence and looked outside to find the ash grey eyes of a Questor passing them by.

“He’s still here?” Nook asked, fear in his voice.

“Ana says it’s hard to hide this much money without some suspicion. I guess he never found a reason to leave,” AxEl replied.

“I guess not…”

They continued on until they reached an SUV parked in a space outside of the town. AxEl bid Lex farewell and stepped outside of the vehicle, taking only his essentials with him. Nook sat at the passenger side, stretching before adjusting into place.

“Are you confident you can drive that?” Nook asked. AxEl felt at the wheel, adjusted the mirrors, and then turned the keys in the ignition. The car lurched to life and AxEl was reminded of how little training he had had in driving.

Anagen had taught him some tricks, and he had a license at this point because of that, but it was another experience driving it himself.

“Y-yeah, sure I am. Just pull up a map so we know where we’re driving,” AxEl replied. He shifted the car into drive and it jumped forward. He turned it towards the road before Nook finally took a map out of the glove compartment.

“Oh, this is… going to be a long ride,” Nook said.