???

I want to run away. I'm sick of the so-called norms, the toxic culture of people, and even the people themselves, and I… hate how this world works… I want to run away.

But in a world where I am nothing and have barely anything, where could I even run away to?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Darkness.

"With feeling as if I'm sinking deep within a cold dark sea, I struggle to open my eyes. And from a far distance above, I see a tiny glimpse of light, giving me a warm and nostalgic feeling of… comfort,"

Swinging arms with struggle, the surrounding area began to fracture.

"But as I try to make my way towards the out-of-reach light, memories come flashing before my eyes… Heavy and cruel unwanted memories,"

Flashes of memories began to play as he struggles to move forward.

"Ryoko, did you finish your vegetables yet?" a mature female voice said in a gentle tone.

"Mom…" he said within his thoughts.

"Yes, mom. Is Dad going to give me something good when he returns now?"

"Of course, I'll report to him right away,"

"Oh! If I can pick, I want one of his science tech stone thingies!"

"You're really attracted to them, huh?" She let out a sigh, "I'll try and convince your father. But only if you behave!"

"YES!!"

Swimming towards the light, he felt as if his body became heavier.

"Those were the times… but feeling nostalgic about that now would only make things worse… here it comes…"

The world further fractured and began to emit a darker mood as a flash of memory started to play.

"Huh?" the child version of him said with an extremely confused expression and shivering knees.

The mother kneeled in front of the Television with a shocked expression as tears continuously came out of her eyes.

The television news broadcasted what seems to be a car accident. The screen displayed multiple images within the area and the name of the owner of the car who was announced dead.

"Mom… Isn't that dad's…"

The mother quickly hugged the child version of him as she wept on his shoulders.

"Everything is going to be all right dear!" the mother said in a teary voice as tried not to cry, "I… I will never forsake you… I will always be there for you and I will always continue to support you… that's why… Please stay strong!"

The child version of him kept his shocked expression in silence as the mother continued to weep on his shoulders.

Swimming towards the light, he scowled and stopped moving as he felt like giving up.

He let out a sigh, "Those rich words always get me… you never seemed to be a bad mother, you were kind and caring as far as I remember…. But why…"

Suddenly, within the dark ocean-like space, a picture was displayed in his head.

A dark kitchen with cold food on the table, and in the middle was the child version of him, sitting on a chair with a rumbling stomach.

"This one… this memory is something I'd remember even without this shitty nightmare to bring it up,"

"Mom said she'd talk with our neighbors about something important, and that I didn't need to be involved. I remember I wanted to make her happy once she comes back, so I decided to cook us dinner using the eggs in the fridge and what I learned on the internet recently,"

"Mom is going to be so shocked to know that I could cook now!" smiling brightly.

"I was so innocent back then… I waited, and waited, and waited, and waited,"

"Mom sure is late…"

"She never came back… I remembered being picked up by my uncle and aunt on the floor as I was about to pass out due to hunger. Seeing the cold food and me lying on the floor beside it, I remember one of them even shed a tear,"

"After that, they took me to their home and fed me there. they said while my mom is gone, they'll be the ones to take care of me. And when I asked when she'll be coming back, they don't respond, I never asked again,"

"That was two years ago… and things just got worse during those times. My dad was a great and famous scientist and researcher in the area and a lot of people respected him, at least that's what it seemed to be… Audacious rumors about my parents began while I was still in Junior high, saying that my mom had an affair and my dad was actually involved with dangerous and illegal things for the reason he died. Of course, those got to me, and the people who I thought were my friends turned their backs on me, while some still played friends for the sake of me possibly giving them money. I gave up on people then,"

Suddenly the world completely shattered.

Slowly opening his eyes, he lifted his head from the table.

"I fell asleep in school again…"

"Hey!" a high-pitched female voice said, knocking on the open door in the corner of the empty classroom.

The afternoon hue of the setting sun covers the whole area as a warm and soft breeze enters the room, brushing past their skin and blowing the girl's long hair.

Looking to his side, he sees a beautiful woman resting her shoulders beside the open door as if she was waiting for him, "ugh, you look like a mess, looks like your sleep wasn't that good,"

"Thanks for the comment, anyway what brings you here?"

"Isn't that obvious? I came to pick you up. Come on, everyone is waiting outside,"

He let out a small smile, "I see, then I wouldn't want to keep them waiting now, wouldn't I?"

"You already have, why did you think I was here?"

"Oh…"

The woman let out a small giggle, "Let's hurry, we won't know what kind of out-of-this-world event we could miss out on if we get delayed too much,"

"You're exaggerating things,"

The girl smiled, "am I now?"

He looked forward as he gets deep into thought, "Looking back at my first day in high school, I never would have imagined the situation I'll be in a few months later… How could I? After all, it's such an out-of-this-world experience,"