Chapter One

The brilliant rays of the sun's light seeped through my window blinds, signalling a new day. I heard my door creak open and my mom came in carrying a tray containing my breakfast.

"Good morning sweetheart. You woke up quite early today." My mom grinned, dropping the tray on the table. My eyes fell to where the alarm clock was on my bedside drawer, it was 7:16 Am. "Finish up and meet me downstairs. Today is your first day at Acorn High School, so don't be late."

The words 'Acorn High School ' rang in my ears as a big joke, I had to blurt out.

"Acorn what??"

"High School." My mom completed it, while carefully dropping the tray of food on a side-stool.

I groaned, covering my face with my palms in frustration. This is the 9th school I am going to within a year.

"Mooooom, come-on. We talked about this. "

"And what did I said? I still insisted you move to a new school. This school is one of the best ever, you will love it. "She said, beaming.

"You always say that every time. The very same word." I mumbled, rolling my eyes.

"Hunny. I understand how you feel. But you have to get out there and leave a normal life like other kids do." My mom coaxed me and cupped my face affectionately.

"But Mom, it is always the same outcome. They will eventually say I'm crazy."

I wanted to play hard-to-break but her sweet coaxing broke my defence. I couldn't say no when she shows me 'that' face.

'Mom, this isn't fair!' I yelled inwardly.

"Alright, play time is over. Freshen up, eat and come downstairs in 25 minutes." My mom said before turning to the door. As if she remembered something, she turned swiftly.

"Matt, I promise you one thing, you won't regret it." She then turned and exited the room.

I strode to bathroom, took my bath, and brushed my teeth. In few minutes, I was done eating and then joined my mom downstairs. Soon, we hit the road towards my new school.

To be honest, I was eager to see how this new school was like physically, if it really looked the same as the photos I saw online.

In all the schools I had been to, people always thought I was some crazy kid or psycho because I see what others couldn't see.

At some point, I finally gave up and stayed at home, only sleeping, eating junk foods and playing video games, when the next day comes, I go through the same routine.

I had dreams or call it nightmares, I don't know, where I was in an endless battle field, charred corpses surrounding me, taking my eyes to my body, it wasn't mine, it was more bigger and heavier, to cut it short, I was a man in that dream. Golden flames shrouded my entire body, surprisingly, I didn't get burned.

In some dreams, I will see myself fighting with a large number of enemies without breaking a sweat. Then when I wake up, I'll be sweating profusely, soaking my bed sheets com or my body temperature had spiked to almost 250 degrees or more.

In another dream, I would see a large red phoenix, soaring high among dark skies, shining brilliantly like the sun, and a man sitting majestically on its back, staring at me.

Looking closely to the phoenix's rider's face, I could almost swear that I was staring back at myself, the bigger self in quote.

This dreams occur frequently with random scenes, every single night.

I didn't keep this dreams to myself, I always told it who wanted to hear it. People even advised my mother to take me to mental health facility because I kept saying nonsense. My mother calmly declined, always saying I was perfectly fine.

In less than 30 minutes, we arrived at the gate of Acorn High School. Damn! The school was hugeeeeeeeeee, I couldn't describe nor put it into words, and I could plainly say it was so magnificent and beautiful. We stepped down from the car and walked into the school compound with my mom walking closely beside me.

"Welcome, Mrs McCarthy." A bald man approached my mom and warmly shook her hand. I immediately guessed he was the principal of the school.

I hated the way he looked at my mother.

'Have they met before? I am wondering why she was so serious about me coming here.' I grumbled inwardly.

"Thank you. This is my son, Matthew. Please do take care of him." My mom pulled me to the front.

I rolled in my eyes in slight irritation.

My mom made me face her.

"Act like you know nothing. Play your cards well. You should know what I mean." She gave me a very wide smile.

I watched her walk to her car, just before she entered her car, she waved goodbye to me, and I did same, smiling subconsciously.

"Please, this way." I heard the principal speak from behind me.

I turned and then followed the man to his office. Along the way, stares threatened to bore holes in my body.

Speaking of me, well... I wasn't that cute but personally being accompanied by the principal did the trick. Then I suddenly felt awkward, it felt like I was watched by a sharp, evil eyes. Although a lot of people stared at me, I couldn't tell who had that peculiar evil stare.

**************

In the principal's office.

"Please sit." The principal gestured me to sit before he went round his desk then sat on his seat. I looked around, that usual 'the principal's office' look met my eyes. Quality, expensive smooth and polished wooden shelves with books neatly sitting in them, Trophies from different competitions displayed in a see-through glass shelf.

Medals hung on the walls, mainly gold ones, this meant the school was obviously good in every aspect at least.

I moved my eyes away from there, back to the principal's table, I saw his name on the table, Mr Bruce Fender.

Mr Bruce instead.

"You are welcome to Acorn High. Here you will trained to be the best out of the best." The normal words I have always hearing, 8 f*cking times. Forgive me.

Instead of bringing out the best, they will rather bring out the worst and slam in your face.

I yawned continuously throughout his starter speech.

"Your mom explained everything to me. You're safe here, meanwhile I'll do my best to give you the best training I can muster. But until then, say nothing to anyone." This words caught my attention instantly. Wait... What?

"She told you?" I struggled to ask, wondering if his words was a coincidence, as in, maybe he was talking about my past grades and weird tales.

"Yes, she did." He answered indifferently.

I was literally lost for words, but I had no plans to explain or narrate anything to anybody. I have to be anonymous throughout my stay in this school, lest I get another name attached to me.

I was about to ask for the directions to the hall, but before I could air it out, he already gave it to me.

"As you leave my office, go left down the hallway, go left once you reach the end. Walk a little further, you will then see a large door with an inscription, that's the hall. Now go."

I stood up and did a slight bow before exiting the room.