Surviving The Novel

(Sound of rain)

Mark sat in his cramped apartment, surrounded by his collection of video games and stacks of light novels. The glow of his computer screen illuminated his face as he delved into the virtual worlds that provided him with comfort and escape. He was a loner, preferring the company of pixels and pages over people. Mark had always been introverted, finding solace in fictional worlds rather than facing the challenges of the real one.

Mark stared at the screen, his heart heavy with sadness. His fingers hovered over the keyboard as he tried to find the right words to express the pain he was feeling. It had been a long day, and the rain outside seemed to mirror his mood, adding to the somber atmosphere.

He had just broken up with his girlfriend, the one person he had trusted and loved deeply. But now, everything had crumbled, and he felt lost and alone. He had poured his heart and soul into the relationship, and the betrayal had cut him to the core. The wound was still fresh, and the pain seemed unbearable.

Mark wiped away the tears that blurred his vision and took a deep breath. He needed an outlet, something to distract him from the overwhelming emotions that threatened to consume him. He opened his laptop and logged into the webnovel site, seeking solace in the fictional worlds that had always been a source of comfort for him.

As he started reading the latest chapter of a fantasy novel, Mark was immediately transported to a breathtaking world filled with enchanted forests, towering mountains, and mythical creatures. The author's vivid descriptions painted a picture of a world that seemed too beautiful to be true, and Mark found himself captivated by the story.

He immersed himself in the tale, losing track of time as he followed the protagonist's adventures. The lush forests, the majestic mountains, and the fantastical creatures became his refuge, a temporary escape from the harsh reality of his own life. He found solace in the fictional world, where everything seemed perfect and magical.

But as he reached the end of the chapter, Mark's heart ached with a bittersweet feeling. He longed to experience the real world, to venture beyond the confines of his virtual haven and explore the unknown. The fictional world had given him a temporary reprieve, but he knew deep down that it couldn't replace the complexities and nuances of real life.

However, the fear of the unknown gnawed at his resolve. He had read enough news articles and heard enough stories to be aware of the risks and uncertainties that lurked outside his comfort zone. Doubt crept in, and he found himself hesitating. What if he wasn't cut out for the real world? What if he couldn't handle the challenges and dangers that awaited him?

Mark closed his laptop and stared blankly at the raindrops sliding down the windowpane. He felt overwhelmed by the weight of his emotions and the uncertainty of his future. The rain seemed to echo his sadness, and he found himself drowning in a sea of sorrow.

Just then, his phone rang, interrupting the sound of rain. Mark looked at the screen and saw that it was his mother calling. He hesitated for a moment before picking up, unsure if he could articulate the turmoil he was going through.

"Hello?" Mark's voice was barely a whisper, choked with tears.

"Mark, sweetheart, is everything okay? You sound upset," his mother's concerned voice came through the phone.

Mark couldn't hold back the flood of emotions in front of his mother any longer. He poured his heart out to his mother, telling her about the painful breakup, the betrayal, and the overwhelming sadness that had enveloped him. His mother listened patiently, offering words of comfort and understanding.

{A/N: she is a mother after all...all mothers are like that. So the conclusion_ respect and love ur mothers bitches!!}

"Oh, my poor dear. I'm so sorry you're going through this," his mother's voice was filled with empathy. "Breakups can be incredibly painful, and it's normal to feel overwhelmed."

Mark couldn't help but cry harder, feeling the weight of his emotions being acknowledged and validated by his mother. He didn't have to pretend to be strong anymore; he could let himself feel the pain and grief.

Mother: It's okay to be sad, Mark. Breakups are tough, and it's normal to feel down. Have you been taking care of yourself?

Mark: Yeah, I'm trying my best. I've been going to work and keeping myself busy, but sometimes it's hard to escape reality.

Mother: It's okay to take time to grieve and process your feelings, Mark. Don't bottle it up. And remember, you can always talk to me, no matter how far away you are.

Mark: Thanks, Mom. I appreciate your support. I'll try to take better care of myself and talk to you more often.

Mother: That's good to hear, Mark. Remember, I love you and I'm here for you, no matter what. Take your time to heal and don't hesitate to reach out to me whenever you need to talk.

Mark: Thanks, Mom. I love you too. I'll talk to you soon.

Mother: Alright, take care, go eat something...I know you must have not eaten anything, Mark. Call me anytime. Love you.

Mark: Love you too, Mom. Bye.

Mark walked out of his apartment, his mind still reeling from the emotional phone call with his mother. He had been so caught up in his emotional state that he hadn't even realized he hadn't eaten anything all day. His stomach grumbled loudly, reminding him of his hunger.

{A/N: must be because of that bitch bro...take care of yourself. Fighting!!}

As he made his way to the nearest store, Mark tried to push aside the thoughts of his girlfriend's betrayal. He had been in a committed relationship with her for over two years, and he couldn't believe that she had cheated on him. The hurt and confusion were still fresh, and Mark found himself struggling to make sense of it all.

Mark entered the store and grabbed a shopping cart. He wandered aimlessly through the aisles, his mind preoccupied with thoughts of his failed relationship. He absentmindedly tossed some items into his cart, but his heart wasn't in it.

As Mark is browsing the aisles of the store, he sees a couple holding hands and laughing, and it reminds him of the happy times he used to have with his ex-girlfriend. But the memory quickly turns sour as he remembers how she had cheated on him, and anger wells up inside him.

He clenches his jaw and grips the shopping basket tightly, feeling a surge of frustration and betrayal. He can't understand how someone he trusted so deeply could betray him like that. The hurt and anger mix together, creating a tumultuous storm of emotions inside him.

Mark takes a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He knows that getting angry in public won't help him in any way. He reminds himself that he's in the store to buy groceries and not to dwell on the past. He continues to pick up items from the shelves, but his mind keeps going back to the painful memories of his breakup.

Mark wandered the aisles of the store, picking up some groceries and trying to muster up an appetite. He absentmindedly tossed items into his cart, his mind racing with questions and doubts. He couldn't understand how Sarah could have done this to him after everything they had been through together. Was it something he did wrong? Did he miss any signs of her infidelity?

As he reached for a box of cereal, his hand trembled slightly, a physical manifestation of the emotional turmoil he was experiencing. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. He reminded himself to stay focused on the task at hand - getting the groceries he needed and getting out of the store as quickly as possible.

But as he continued to move through the aisles, Mark found it difficult to shake off the feelings of hurt, anger, and confusion. Memories of their happy times together flashed in his mind, only to be followed by images of Sarah with someone else. He felt a knot forming in his stomach, and his eyes stung with unshed tears.

Mark tried to keep his composure, not wanting to draw attention to himself in the crowded store. He put on a brave face, going through the motions of grocery shopping, but his heart felt heavy, and his steps felt weighed down. He couldn't shake off the feeling of betrayal, the feeling of being deceived by someone he had trusted so deeply.

As he reaches the checkout, Mark finds himself impatient and irritable. He tries to avoid looking at the couple at the adjacent checkout lane, feeling a pang of envy and bitterness. He quickly pays for his groceries and leaves the store, feeling the raindrops falling on his face as he steps outside.

Mark walks out of the store, his mind still hazy with emotions from the memories of his past relationship. He stands at the edge of the sidewalk, waiting for the traffic light to turn green so he can cross the road. He looks up at the dark sky, raindrops falling on his face, and takes a deep breath, trying to clear his mind.

But then... he spotted her coming towards him.

Mark's fists clenched as he spotted Sarah walking with her new boyfriend, Zack, as he walked out of the store. Rage boiled inside him, fueled by the betrayal and hurt he felt. Sarah and Zack saw him too and approached him, smirking with arrogance.

"Well, well, if it isn't Mark. Didn't think you had the guts to show your face," Sarah sneered.

"Yeah, Mark, looks like Sarah upgraded to a real man. You were never enough for her," Zack added, smirking.

Mark's vision blurred with anger as he glared at them both. He had intended to walk away and leave the situation, but their taunts pushed him over the edge.

"You're both despicable!" Mark fumed.

"Despicable? Says the guy who couldn't satisfy me," Sarah taunted.

"Yeah, you were a joke, Mark. Sarah needed a real man like me," Zack laughed.

Mark couldn't take it anymore. He lunged at Zack, unleashing his fury with every blow. He used underhanded tricks, fighting ruthlessly without realizing that Zack had already passed out from the relentless assault. Sarah tried to intervene, pulling at Mark, but he was lost in his rage.

"Mark, stop! You're out of control!" Sarah cried, trying to pull Mark away. But Mark was blinded by his rage, not hearing Sarah's desperate pleas. He raised a brick, ready to deliver a final, crushing blow to Zack.

"Mark, stop! You're going to kill him!". And suddenly before he could strike, Sarah pushed him onto the road...