1 Black Out
Year: 2018
It was a cold windy night.
At the northern part of Falwind, Continent of Pentalon.
A large mountain sits afar, covered in the silhouettes of pine trees in the dark.
There was a boy who laid unconscious at the bottom of the mountain.
His name is James Valerde.
*******************************
Year: 2007
James grew up without a father.
He doesn't know anything about his father. Not even his name nor his face. The only thing his mother, Annabeth Valerde, had told him was that his father left them for another woman.
James didn't understand but he knew he wasn't upset about not having a father, as long as he had his mother he will be happy.
During his days in elementary school, he is being bullied. They bullied him for not having a father. He could not take the pain and his anger rose.
Every time he came home after school, he vented.
He was angry. He raged and screamed in his house like a wild animal.
His mother could not even look at her son in this state.
James was overflowing with mixed emotions.
The next day arrived.
It was still the same.
He was bullied again.
It was always the same, getting bullied everyday.
But there was a girl that cared for James, she was always worried about him. In fact, she has a crush on him.
She really wanted to help James but she couldn't even get close to him.
One day
Three boys cornered James at the back of their school.
They kicked and punched him until James could not handle the pain. He cried out loud for help.
The three boys ignored his pleas and continued to beat him, until a teacher finally came.
At his house.
James never told what happened to his mother. He kept quiet.
James was full of anger, he threw all of the things that were near him.
James lost his balance and knocked over a gas can. It spilled all over.
"Ugh! Stupid gas!" He exclaimed.
Suddenly an earthquake shook their place.
James was scared, so he ran outside for safety.
His mother was still asleep on their room, the tremor shook her awake. She smelled an odd scent.
It smells like something is burning.
Her sleepiness faded and she jumped in surprise.
She frantically started shouting "JAMES! JAMES! JAMES!"
Annabeth went to her son's room but James wasn't there,
Suddenly the ceiling collapsed and the debris blocked the door.
*BANG*
Annabeth was trying to push it away but she couldn't.
She doesn't have enough strength.
The fire approached the room.
Annabeth couldn't handle the heat so she opened the window.
She tried to jump but she couldn't.
It's worthless.
James' room was on the 3rd floor of their house. If she jumped,
She would be severely injured or even die.
James stares wide-eyed at the blazing house.
When suddenly.
*BOOOM*
The house exploded.
James was in shock and terror.
He was standing 25 meters away from their house. He was paralyzed. He couldn't move his body.
Tears were forming in his eyes. His body trembled. It was the worst experience of his life.
People witnessed the horrifying scene.
They called for the fire department but they were already too late.
He.. lost.. His.. Mother..
*******************************
The policemen took James after what happened.
James' mind became like a void.
He doesn't talk.
He doesn't show any kind of emotion.
He doesn't eat.
He doesn't do anything.
Few days passed.
A man called Zayne arrived at the police station to take care of a child. He was called in by the police to take James into his residence.
Zayne had an average face but he had the bearing and appearance of a professor. He was polite and gentle when he spoke.
He was also rich, yes, a wealthy fellow.
All of the staff of the police station knew him.
Even though he could have lived a lavish and carefree life, he chose to help children who lost or were abandoned by their families.
Zayne approached James.
Zayne looked at James and asked:
"Hey kid, what's your name?"
James didn't respond.
Zayne decided to introduce himself, " My name is Zayne and I run an orphanage. I was sent here to take care of you."
James stayed silent.
"Sigh, I know your depressed because of what happened. But if you won't eat your parents will get mad at you."
James suddenly burst into tears.
"UUUUUUUUUWAAAAAAAAAAA!!" James cried out loud.
"I MISS MY MOMMY!! IT'S MY FAULT THAT SHE'S GONE. UUUUWAHHHH!! IF I HADN'T GOT MAD, THAT INCIDENT WOULDN'T HAPPEN. I REGRET EVERYTHING. I SHOULD BE THE ONE THAT DIED INSTEAD OF HER!"
James shouted while crying.
Zayne indicated "Don't say things like that!. Besides, Your mom is in a better place now. She will always be in your heart. She'll protect you, She'll guide you. It's not your fault that the incident had happened. It's nobodies fault."
James suddenly stopped crying upon hearing the Profes... err rich guy's words.
Zayne asked James if he wanted to come and live in his mansion
After a long conversation.
James agreed to come with Zayne.
Upon reaching Zayne's mansion, James was amazed by the vast landscape. They soon arrived at the gardens of the mansion. James caught the attention of the three children playing around.
Two boys and one girl.
Zayne called the attention of the children and they all gathered near James.
Zayne spoke " James, Here are your new brothers and sisters... err, or friends hehe."
James turned to face Zayne as he asked "Who are they?"
James curiously gazed at the three children. The oldest boy was fat, and the younger boy seemed weird and crazy looking. The only girl there was very pretty but she seemed cranky.
Zayne introduced the three children "His name is Ian Jhannel He likes to eat. err you can tell by his body... He's fat. By the way he's 10 years old"
James chuckled. then his expression got serious again.
Zayne continued "err. This guy's name is Jarheid Elijah. He's an active kid. He's 8 years old"
Zayne suddenly murmured "By the way, he's crazy."
"What did you say?" Jarheid exclaimed.
Zayne avoided Jarheid's glare and then he said "Okay! Let's continue. Uhm, this girl's name is Yrika Lance. She's quiet and.. strict.. she likes reading and she's 6, same age as you."
Yrika looked at James and said "Hmmph!"
'What kind of reaction is that?' James said in his mind.
Zayne introduced James to everyone "Everyone you have a new friend! His name is James Valerde!"
James said shyly "Hi."
Ian said "Welcome to your new home brother!"
Jarheid excitedly said "Yay! we have a new friend!!! yay !!" He was jumping and hopping around when he accidentally tripped and landed on his face.
"Owwwww" Jarheid exclaimed.
All of them laughed.
"James. You are more than welcome to stay here. Consider this place your second home" Zayne said as he smiled.
Tears fell from James' eyes as happily responded "Yes!"
*******************************
Year 2018:
11 years passed and it was James' 16th birthday.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!" His three friends and Zayne shouted.
James was shocked. He couldn't speak.
"Take a pick little bro. We can go anywhere for your birthday today!" Ian told James.
"Let's go camping!" said Jarheid
"Shush Jarheid, James has to be the one to pick. It's his special day today." Zayne scolded.
"Okay" Jarheid quietly grumbled.
"Sure, let's go camping." James agreed.
A few hours flew by.
They already reached the mountain of Klamor, Northern part of Falwind.
"James you go and look for burning wood, Yrika help me set up the tents, Jarheid and Ian look for something to eat. "
Zayne instructed.
Ian suddenly said "Is a stone considered food?"
Zayne said "What?! Of course not! Stop fooling around and help out."
Ian groaned "Ugghh. I'm so hungry. I want to eat everything I see"
Zayne said angrily "Just go and find something edible!. Jarheid! Make sure that the food he picks up are edible!"
Jarheid excitedly said " YES SIR!"
*******************************
James went to look for wood to burn. After minutes of searching. He gathered a small bundle of wood.
He was going to return to the camp but...
He forgot the way. (Da Wei)
"Damn." He was so focused that he didn't even pay attention to where he was going. He was nervous, he reached for his phone to call for help but there was no signal.
He tried to retrace his steps, but he couldn't remember.
It was already 7 P.M when suddenly he saw a light.
He ran straight for the source of the light. His hope surging.
He reached the edge of the mountain and he stopped a few steps away from the cliff.
But suddenly he heard a strange noise.
*CRACK*
The platform that he was standing on fell.
He was falling on the large pine trees by the side of the mountain, his leg injured during the fall.
"AAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" James shouted as his energy was depleting.
His sight was hazing. He kept moving his body trying to grab at something until he fell onto the branches of nearby trees.
His vision faced the sky as his sight was dimming, he saw a beautiful girl. She was the light that James was looking for.
Suddenly, the girl snapped her fingers and his world darkened. It seemed like the earth had a black out, he can see nothing. All his human senses felt numb, he couldn't touch, see, smell or hear. It felt like he was in a void. The pain that he was feeling a while ago was also gone. His mind descended into a deep sleep.
