January 3rd, 2008

“Hey, Ralph.” I felt my back almost snap like a twig as the boy in front of me slammed my body into the lockers before addressing me calmly. “...hey Georgie.” I mumbled. “Whatchya got on ya buddy?” Georgie flashes a cocky grin. “I have a PBJ. That's all.” Georgie makes a show of stroking his chin. “Would be a nice haul, but, sad to say, I'm allergic to peanuts. You tryin’ to kill me or something, punk?” Oh, the irony. “What do ya say, boy's? Swirlies or the Lock Up?” I felt my stomach fill with butterflies. “I'm thinking swirlies, sir.” One of his goons say, giggling. “Ooh, good choice.” Georgie giddly pulls he away from the lockers, dragging me across the floor to the boy's restroom. Then, my savior arrived. “Hey!” I give a small smile when I hear her voice from nearby. Georgie and his group turn to look at the source of the voice. There, standing at the end of the hall, arms crossed, was my only friend, Sarah Tet. She wore a red winter jacket, her brown hair hanging above her shoulders. “Oh, look, it's Sarah guys! Come back for that book of yours? Tell you what, I'll give it back if you turn around now.” She grins, saying the only words that could send shivers down any student at that school's back. “I'll tell Mr. Terrier.” All of their faces went pale as they dropped me and Terry reached into his bag, throwing a book to the ground and running away. Once they turn the corner, I pick myself up, making a show of dusting off my pants. “Geez, glad you're not the one trying to keep me safe!” Sarah laughed, wrapping a friendly arm around my neck. “Yeah, guess so.” She leans down, picking up the book the group left behind. It was a simple green notebook, her name written on the cover. She waves a few strands of hair away from her eyes while placing the notebook in her bag. “Anyways, glad I could find some time with ya. Walk with me?” “Like I can say no.” I respond as she pulls me along. “So, I got this great story idea-” she went on about what she'd been writing, and I just listened, like always.

Like always…

P.P.F Re:

Chapter 9: I'll Carry on your Legacy

Her face was pale. Like, horror movie shades of pale, and I had no idea what I could do to help her. I looked back down at the combination of numbers and letters on my paper. At least some of it made sense, but the rest was purely a mystery to me. I bit into my pencil as my head began pouring smoke like a tea kettle. I looked back at her. She hadn't even picked up her pencil, seeming content to just stare at her paper until it solved itself. “Hey, your supposed to be the smart one.” I joked, patting her shoulder. She stayed in her trance. “Hey, what's wrong?” She seemed to snap out of it, looking directly at me. Her eyes looked pained, but she blinked to try and hide it. “Um, what's up? You need something?” I repeated my question, and she put on a fake grin. “Fine.” Her voice was cold, not inviting any further questioning. “Oh, okay.” I turned back to my paper, just waiting for the bell to ring. As the time passed by, I couldn't help but feel someone staring at me.

The bell did eventually ring, and Sarah was the first to get up, grabbing her bag and leaving with a fast walk. I glared as she left the room, which she seemed to sense as for a second she faltered before walking out. As I packed I felt the stare grow stronger. When I looked up, I was face to face with my teacher. He was wearing a black beanie and a blue jacket with his last name, “Terrier”, sewn onto it. “What's up, Ralph?” I shook my head. “I'll just ask again, you know.” He grinned after he said it. “Sarah's mad at me.” His smile fell for a second. “Is she? Why do you think?” I shrugged my shoulders. “I don't know.” He placed his hand on his chin, thinking. “Have you considered she's just upset, but not with you?” I shook my head honestly. “Well, if that's the case, I say just give her some time. She'll come around.” I processed that for a second before smiling along with him. “Okay.” He made a shooing motion with his hand. “Now get out of here, I wanna go home.” I nodded my head, walking to the doorway. I took one last look behind me and saw him standing there, clenching his fists tightly.

…

Walking the way home alone was a strange experience for me. Granted, I'd only met her two months ago, but It had almost felt like two years to me. I walked past the park, hoping maybe I'd see her standing there and maybe I could ask if we could hang out. Unfortunately, no dice. I sigh, continuing my walk. Hardly anyone was outside, and those who were had themselves bundled under multiple layers of clothes, their faces obscured by scarves. The normally beautifully lit market street was basically dead, the stores closed and employees absent. I arrived at the path leading onto my street, and I reluctantly turned onto it. As I walked down the street, the wind slowed, and the only noise to accompany me was the sound of my boots crunching against the snow. I could see my house coming up. It was painted a pretty sky blue, with a small porch that held a grill and lawn chairs, covered with frozen snow. I walked down the sidewalk, jumped up the front steps, and grabbed the doorknob. I opened the door, wiping my boots on the mat before entering. I took off my outside attire and walked to the kitchen.

There she sat. With her detached look, she tapped on the keys of her keyboard, refusing to acknowledge my existence. I plopped my bag on the chair before looking at the list on the fridge.

Sweep, dust, and pick up the first floor,

Clean the bathroom,

Vacuum the first and second floors.

I read through the list multiple times before turning to the woman and giving her an empty, “Okay.” No response. I began with the dusting. We didn't own enough stuff to make it impossible, but I nonetheless found it annoying. Next the sweeping. Even more annoying with all the furniture I had to move, turn, twist, etc. It was a challenge, but I can proudly say I gave up and ignored sweeping the stairs, not like she'd care. Anyways, I cleaned the bathroom, almost prodding my eye out with the toilet wand, and when mopping, I was lucky enough to avoid major disaster...until I slipped and slammed my head into the mop bucket, making chemical water fly everywhere. I groaned, taking a quick shower to wash off all the chemicals and sadness. Once out and clean as a baby, I get dressed and finally begin vacuuming. The first floor is finished quickly, and once I began moving the vacuum upstairs, I noticed her bedroom door was open. I think to myself, 'How long since I'd last been in there?’ Well, she probably wouldn't notice eif I take a peek, would she?’ I gripped the vacuum handle tightly. 'Rrgh, I want to?’ I tiptoe to the door, cracking it open…

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Inside, the room is neatly put together. Two giant bookshelves filled with books stand next to each other to my left. Each book is organized by publisher, then by hardcover or paperback. I walked up to them, running my fingers across the many spines, not protected by the plastic covers like at the library. I stopped, tapping the spine of a rather large book. I pulled it off the shelf. The words were written in bold red, and the picture was of a boy in a land of pure white. “Time Change Infinite: Omnibus 1.” I read out to myself. I was surprised I'd never seen these at the school library. ‘I-Is it...an adult book?’ The feeling sends a chill through me. Then, there was only one thought, and it was the only one I put voice to it. “I want it.” I looked over at the staircase, knowing she wouldn't come, but it still made me feel better. I gracefully hop out of her room, slowly closing the door behind me. I run down the hall, to my rather small room. The only things it had were a bed and small shelf, on which were multiple folders, filled with stories that Sarah had written.

“Everyone deserves the right to have books they can call their own.”

The thought of her made the giddy feeling In my stomach disappear. I held the book in my hands right in front of my eyes, and that giddy feeling returned. I cracked it open to the first page, and was met with another illustration. One of a snowy patch of woods, in the middle of a park. Inside the woods were multiple sets of eyes, and I could almost feel their gaze on me. I continued on. As soon as I started the first chapter, I was gone. By the time I looked up from the book I'd already arrived to the 25 percent mark and two hours had passed. That 25 percent of reading was filled with relatable people, tense action, twists turns, and...a strange connection to the main character. An odd, lonely introvert with black hair who wore a black trench coat and walked about his hometown alone. I felt touched by every price of dialogue he spoke, the feeling was almost intoxicating. I reluctantly placed the book under my bed, making my way to and down the stairs, and into the kitchen. The woman still sat where she had been before, and I started cooking us dinner.

I pulled out a box of spaghetti, throwing it into a pot of water after it begins to boil. The process passes quickly, and soon I'm putting together her plate, and placing it next to her, before making my own and walking upstairs with it, closing my door behind me. I placed my food to the side, cracking open the book I'd stolen and getting back to reading. I didn't eat that night. In fact, I ended up sleeping on the floor, face planted on the book's cover. It was, perhaps, my worst night of sleep in a long time. I dreamt of a figure cloaked in black, mumbling something to itself. When I walked up to it, it stopped whispering, speaking up. “1,956,271.” It said like a declaration. “How many times...too many times…” I couldn’t make anything out, it's face obscured by shadow. “Will we bump that number up one?” I couldn't talk, so he simply answered the question himself. “Why, we'll just have to see.” It pulled down it's hood, revealing a person with dark red eyes and jet black hair. Holding out his hand, a dark scythe formed in it before he raised it up and brought it down.

I jolted awake, slamming my head into the bedframe. I cry out, holding my head in pain. My neck was cramped and my shoulder hurt, but I was more worried about the time. I looked over to my clock, sighing with relief that it was only 6. With that, I began my daily prep.

My feet crunched against the snow, my face still buried in that book. I'd managed to get through the first two volumes already, and was reaching the halfway point of the last one in the omnibus. The thought had finally crossed my mind; 'You need more,’ and it couldn't be more right. But the nearest library was still pretty far, so I'd have to buy the next one. I decided I'd visit the bookstore nearby after school. I felt warm in the stomach at the thought, though I was immediately brought back to earth by a fist slamming into my nose. The book flew out of my hands and into the snow. “Hey, buddy.” Georgie stood above me, my blood covering his knuckles. He grabs my shirt collar and pulls me up and into the air. “Ooh, what do we have here?” One of his lackies picks up the book I'd been holding, championing it like it was a prize for a job well done. “N-no, give it back!” I yelled, trying to get Georgie's hand off me. “I don't see your little girlfriend around. What should we do, Zeke?” One of his partners grinned. “How about we take his bag?” Georgie shook his head. “That's all fine and well, but…” his smile turned to a frown. “I have a better one. Take his bag AND jacket.” Zeke nodded his head, ripping the two straps from my arms before forcefully unzipping and removing my coat. “Grab your belt, Jeffery. Now!” His other partner nodded, taking off the black leather strap holding his jeans up. The three shared a knowing look as they back me up onto the fence. One of them jumped it and I could feel my hands being tied to one of the black bars tightly. “N-no, please, I'm sorry if I did anything to make you mad, just let me go!” Georgie grinned, whacking me across the face with my bag. “Alright, boy's, job well done. Let's get to class, we don't wanna be late!” The three laughed, walking off and turning the corner. “No, please, Georgie! GEORGIE!” the laughs echoed back at me as they slowly disappeared. I felt tears choking me up as I hung my head. Even though I hated school, I knew getting in trouble for skipping was hell. It wasn't like they'd believe me anyway. That's what happens when the principal's kid is the biggest ass of the class. I tried to get my hands free, but sadly didn't get anywhere. I gave up quickly, reverting to yelling out for help. The only ones who'd be up this early in this area, though, were all at home, work, or school, so chances were I'd be here for another half hour. Thankfully I'd worn a long sleeve shirt and pants, so I could last. I began thinking about what I could possibly have done to deserve all this. Was my face just that punchable? Was it my weak willed just-take-it attitude? Was I really just a douche? It's probably a mix. “Snap out of it, you brat.” I insulted, hoping to erase the thoughts haunting my mind. “I wonder what she's doing?” My mind went to Sarah. Probably studying her notes for the Math test today. Oh, right, the test's today. Well, hopefully Terrier doesn't rip my head off when I fail again. I chuckle, slamming my head against the bar. “Ow.” I'm already sick of this crap. Somebody wake up and help me please! “H-hey!” I turned to my right and saw a woman wearing a green winter jacket and yellow beanie bolting over to me. “Oh god, what happened to you?!” Blood was still trickling down my face from my nose, but the pain was dulled from the excitement of being saved. “Erm, hang on.” She climbed and jumped over the park fence, untying the belt. I fell on my face into the cold snow. “Ahh, I'm so sorry!” She helps me up. “Um, here, come with me, I’ll patch you up, okay?” I mumbled a sure as she leads me away from the fence.