1 Chapter 1:Light Elkin

PART 1

Back in the nostalgic time when I was just in a state of being a little and insignificant kid, I was taught that to become happy, I must get rid of all the negative thoughts in my life, or to think about rainbows, sunshine, my favorite things or a certain person that can make me happy-

But to me, it was an ideal people hopelessly held on to for such a long period of time that was continuously passed from generations to generations-

It was an ideal that blinded people and deprived them to be realistic. Life isnt as simple as that. To be honest, it is more diverse, scary, terrifying… and that is the truth that not everyone knows.

Too pessimistic- one might say that about me and I get that a lot, [trust me]- but I do not blame the one who thinks like that because there is a huge possibility that that person was deprived of truth- I am not saying that I am right but I am also not implying that that person is [right].

I pity the person who cannot see the truth and I loathe the person who refuse to look at it [truth] even though it is already in front of him-

"What a very sad story, but your wordings aren't precise and I failed to resonate with it, It was such a drag listening to it. You are too.... How do I say this ugly word- you are too sad that you no longer see the beauty of the world, sorry but I don't think that this story cannot go onto the school paper. It is like you are romanticizing something."

"No, I am not...."

"Just stick to being a sports writer okay? Feature isn't your thing. Just let our Editor-in-chief do that. It's lunch time. I have to go! Bye!"

You see, even my school paper adviser doesn't believe in me...

Part 2

Autumn is coming again. The season may be new, but the deep, torrential pain is still the same. Even describing it as deep and torrential cannot even come close to the extent of pain everyone felt. Only one thing is certain- there is no word on human definition that can describe the intensity of something so terrible.

The wind blew hard as the wind of the morning calm rushed to everyone's pale cheeks, as if caressing the walking people in its majestic touch. The comforting breeze of the wind has made everyone so happy and cheerful despite the passing weather, which everyone enjoyed [that is what they say]. And in an instant, every happy moment of the last season has ended, all of which became distant memories capable of being forgotten by time.

The people walked side by side in a line as they passed the bridge on their way to the only school in the prefecture. Among those people is one person who is in deep thought, while drowning in countless agonies and weight this world has brought people. She let her long black hair gently sway as the wind blew against her back while her black uniform hugged her tight as she walked in a grassy pavement on her way to her school which was just near her house. The school she is currently enrolled in caters all the teenagers in her town because it is the only academy standing on the mountainous area. The road to get there is not sloppy, but grassy. When one looks on the left side, he will see green meadows on the underdeveloped town while at the opposite side, one will see the lake with the crisp sparkles and the fishermen happily chatting and setting their fish nets.

Their town was too peaceful- and one would actually think that nothing terrifyingly tragic happened there, however, if one would look at the images in the history books of the great wars of 2045, one would realize how the world woe because it has been badly damaged by the aftermath of the man-made disaster. Half of Earth's population was wiped out. People lost their families and human rights were deemed unimportant. That is why the people resulted to suicide due to the trauma and stress that they have experienced. And of course, this peaceful town was not exempted with the phenomena.

And now, it is year 2050, 5 years after the great wars.

As the people walked into the cold road, the freezing wind hit the person in deep thought because she noticed the big paradox in every person she is walking with. Their smiles were beautiful and wide- impeccable actually, but their eyes were sad and lifeless. The person even saw some cuts in their wrists and sighed because of dismay because of the tedious unpleasant sight.

She tightened her fist and stopped walking while the people just barged beside her as if she wasn't there. She was hurt because the people were hurt, and she woe for the people who cannot do so for themselves.

"I want to help people... I can't stand the mass suicide anymore... I need to do something... But how can I do that? I need to do-" she thought to herself- trying to mask a feeling inside her that has already became a chasm that can never be repelled but while she was thinking, but she was interrupted by the person she saw waving at her. It was the very fine-looking girl whose name was Mari, and she stood there perfectly smiling wide and waving her hands on the school gate.

"Joy!" she exclaimed merrily as she approached her enthusiastically.

"I missed you so much Mari!", Joy hugged her best friend and they strolled together to get to their room while chatting endlessly.

Her name was Hope Joy, the storyteller and the center of this story.

Joy grabbed her wrist so they can walk hand in hand like how they used to before- but to her surprise, Mari removed them while showing a pained expression. Joy saw pain in her eyes that she has never seen before and when she looked at her wrist, she noticed the cuts her best friend was hiding through the long sleeve of their uniform- and this intensified her urge to help people- or her best friend at least.

5:00 pm

The day just went by without any happening worthy to be emphasized- the lecture was boring as usual, the weather was cold as the morning, circle of friends stayed the same, nothing else. As soon as the last period ended, Joy went straight to go home. Mari also waved goodbye saying that she needs to do something for her grandma. As Joy walked past the gate, she thought of ways to possibly prevent people within her reach to give up on life.

It was her habit to look at the sky every time she is stressed or is she needs to calm down. " It is still beautiful as usual... But it seems different to people's sufferings. Why must this sky be so beautiful when 5 years ago, it looked blood-stained red." then a faint rain started to fall down, making her close her eyes, but as she did, she saw a glimpse man at the rooftop of the Humanities building who seemed to be trying to jump off.

Without a second thought, she ran as fast as she could, enduring all the trips and the stumbles she got while running on the stairs. As she arrived on the rooftop, she looked around but saw no one. The breeze she felt on the rooftop gave her chills down her spine but she ignored them because of the urgency of the situation.

"I would never forgive myself if anything happens to that man... Please..... Please..."

She rushed forward to the railing and looked below but she did not see any body on the ground. When she thought of it, she also did not hear any falling or crashing sound.

Did the guy decide not to jump?

She stepped back from the railing but It was like her head was spinning that she subconsciously held her head while invisible freezing ice seemed to have enveloped her as the silver, beautiful moon became illuminated.

Neglecting the feels, she sighed in relief. If here is no body below, then the person did not end his life, no?

That was what she hoped.

But as she turned around, she saw the man who was trying to jump a while ago standing still, looking above, as if waiting for an answer to something he had been asking. He stood before her and then, his hazel - no- golden eyes looked directly at her which instantly made her feel like an open door, as if he is looking directly at the broken soul inside of her, easing it, and at the same time sent it wondering to the entire universe, like he is some landmark she have always known so she will never be lost again.

He looked very familiar to the eyes of Joy, but she can't exactly remember who he is. He has silvery grey hair which was like the moon- it was so shiny that she can't take her eyes off from them. He looked so perfect and ethereal, despite his silver hair being messy because of the wind of autumn. He was taller than her, and maybe he at her age.

This smell....

Her clouded thoughts were interuppted as he walked closer to her until they are only inches apart. She felt her cheeks burn as he walked forward, closing their gap.

"Hope Joy Montefalco also known as Joy. 17 years old from class 11-3. I am Light Elkin and I was tasked to deliver you a message from above."