Chapter 1: A Fateful Encounter

It was a scorching summer morning in Texas. Sixteen-year-old Samuel or Sam found himself at the local library alongside his siblings, Mike a 6 year old boy with short black hair and Sarah an 8 year old girl also with black hair tied in a ponytail.

As the three walked into the building Sam looked further down the aisles until finally he saw the last aisle filled with graphic novels such as Superman and a certain book about a young demigod "Sarah, Mike I'll be in the graphic novel section. Let me know where you're going and share your location with me on maps. Mom will have her belt on me if anything happens to you two" Sam cautioned.

Mike nodded, opening the maps app on their black shared phone, complying with his older brother's request. Sarah, however, couldn't resist a teasing remark, "You're 16 and you still read those cartoons? You know they're not real, right? You're such a child, big brother."

Ignoring Sarah's comment, Sam delved into the shelves filled with stories of fictional worlds. Amidst the colorful covers and fantastical worlds, he stumbled upon an old manga. Its cover depicted a green dragon coiled around four star ball, with a young boy riding it, wielding a red staff.

A smile crossed Sam's face as memories of watching Dragon Ball and Goku's adventures flooded his mind. 'It's funny to think I started by watching Dragon Ball Evolution. When I was younger I used to think that movie was a masterpiece. Now I know just how garbage a movie that was after watching dragon ball, dragon ball Z, and GT. Even Super with its subpar writing and lack of contingency is better than that dumpster fire if a movie.'

Sarah seeing as her brother didn't pay any mind to her teasing remarks and instead opted to immerse himself in the fictional world puffed her cheeks in annoyance. "We'll be in the movie room to the left of the exit doors watching Jumanji. Stay here, Emo." She brought their youngest brother away, leaving Sam to his manga.

Sam immersed himself in two volumes of Dragon Ball before closing the book at the end of the Red Ribbon arc. As he rose from his seat and started heading towards the movie room, he glanced at his reflection on his phone's camera. 'I guess I do look a bit emo. I'll get a haircut before school starts back up.'

Sam's unruly black hair grew faster than most, earning him the occasional nickname of "emo." He'd often use scissors to maintain a presentable appearance when a proper haircut wasn't an option.

"Why isn't anything on the movie projector?" Sam muttered, puzzled. He quickly scanned every corner of the library, looking for his siblings, his heart racing with concern.

Having checked every seat and realizing they weren't there, Sam rushed to the checkout station. "Have you seen a girl around my age with black hair wearing a yellow hat? And a little boy who's a little younger with a blue one?"

The librarian nodded, "Yes, we just saw them leaving with a lady about five minutes ago. Do you know them?"

Without further explanation, Sam bolted out of the library. His thoughts raced, "Please tell me I'm not too late. This is expected of Mike since he's seven, but Sarah? She's 14; she should know better than to follow strangers. I wish I had some way to track them like a location..."

Mid-sentence, Sam remembered that he had shared his location with Mike and Sarah. He pulled out his phone and began running in their direction.

Across the street, Mike and Sarah were leaving an ice cream shop, thanking their Aunt for the treat.

"Where's your brother? I thought he was supposed to meet us here," Amber asked with a worried tone.

Sarah couldn't resist a teasing reply, "He will once he finds out we're not at the library."

Amber scolded Sarah for not getting ice cream for her brother and leading him on, prompting the three to continue walking. Suddenly, they spotted a man wearing a black hat and a face mask, clutching a knife, sprinting towards them.

Amber instinctively stepped forward to protect her niece and nephew. Just as the butcher knife was about to strike her, Sam pushed her out of harm's way, taking the blow himself and collapsing to the ground.

Sarah cried out, "Brother! Brother! This isn't funny! Get up! We're sorry for leaving with Auntie without telling you! Stop joking!"

As Sam lay there, he chuckled to himself, reminiscing about all he'd done to find his siblings. 'Still, I'm glad I found them. Who knows what could have happened otherwise?'

Sarah's tears welled up, and she pleaded, "I don't care! I'll stop teasing your hobbies! I'll even start watching those anime with you, so just get up, brother! We can't lose you like Dad!"

With all the strength he could muster, Sam spoke his final words, "You two, listen to me. This is my final wish. Become successful. You're still young, so you have time. But don't forget that time waits for no one. Eventually, you'll wish you were more serious in school, and more importantly, be happy and make friends. Don't be like me, an antisocial loner, burying your head in manga and anime. And don't forget... I love you."