One piece: Uncage ( Dropped)

The water was flowing furiously and the winds blast. Today, the weather is not good favour in human life. The rain is pouring down on the earth. Almost nobody expects homeless people and some busy man walking on the street. Some sought shelter, some were walking to their respective destination.

To some humans, heavy rain is cursed made by wicked gods. To others, it was a blessing.

But to a certain someone, it was a perfect cover for suicide. Yeah, suicide, is a perfect word for someone. Not a great idea in human language.

A person who can't face a problem in their life.

A boy in seventh was standing on the bridge. Under the bridge, the water is streaming. No one can see the depth of this river.

Because of the rain, even they can't see a few meters ahead of them. It is like a mist. So no one can see the boy, and no one can help the boy.

The boy wondered himself.

How do you live in this world? Ever since I was young, I was told to be strong and do as I please.

They said I was free and designed to become important to someone. I believe those words. I don't have parents, I was an orphan. So those words are treasures in my innocent age.

But this world is harsh. Or maybe I just don't have the strength to struggle or fight back. I don't have any dreams like other people. I just want to do things that I like.

Enjoy life.

In my early teenage age, I was crushed by this invisible pressure known as reality. Maybe because of my origin as an orphan, people don't see me as normal. They say I don't have a good life.

The orphanage is nice to me. They are supportive.

But the school is a different story. Bad things always happen in school. Stealing your shoes and cutting your clothes with pocket knives.

They are the tip of the ice bar.

Beating you in the school bathroom because the other person's crush loves you. Dealing with a crazy amount of homework.

I should not be surprised about that since this is the world we live in.

I fight through my problems. Or rather I just ignore it and keep it behind my back.

I study hard, and one of my goals is to make an orphanage happy. I want to make a lot of money since money is the main problem in my life.

I never feel attached to someone. They're just a person to me. There are no friends. My life is hollow.

But Since I started high school, everything changed. For bad to worse. They pick me. Make my life a living hell.

Of course, I  fight back, I tell my teacher. But nothing changed. The same old routine, go to school get bullied, physically and mentally.

But I held on to my life. Since I have no friends, I enjoy a lot of TV shows. I enjoy anime and manga. They are the source of my life. They all have a dream and have the power to pursue

They have the power that I don't have.

Hope. That is a dangerous thing to me. I hope that one-day bullying will end. I hope that I get superpowers and fight back.

I hope I meet the love of my life.

Every time I face the reality, these hopes just crashed me. They weigh me down.

Now, I am on the bridge.

I am a weak man.

I am pathetic.

I tried everything to stop. Nothing work. I think about killing them most brutally. But if I do, nothing good will come. I will lose myself.

So before I lose myself, I have to end this.

" No, this is not right," I murmured as my legs are shaking. The rain poured down my face, the tear and rain combined.

I don't have a dream anymore nor a goal.

My academic grade has dropped since the bullying started. I can't find a future where I am happy.

So maybe this is the best solution.

No. No.

Not the best but the more suitable for me.

I am proud to be me. And I am proud to live this life but this is the end for me. I am done.

I jumped. The moment I jumped, gravity pull me.

I know the news will tell a story of a kid's suicide.

I don't how they will feel if they hear about my death of me. The bullies, will they feel guilt over my dead.

Maybe they will able to change a better people. I don't know.

I don't want to know because I regret doing this. Despite that, I accept my foolishness.

I died.

Age-17

Alone.

People would laugh at me, I am sure they would.

My feet hit the water, and the wave of water hug me. The sea is terrifying, it hurt.

I see the light, playing in the gardens with my cat.

I see nice people giving me food.

I see a sweet teacher praising me for doing great in exams.

I see old people thanking me for doing hard labour. I see good things.

There is darkness followed by light.

So this is what you call, life flashing before your eyes? Sweet memories and the sudden crushing anxiety and memories and dreams of all that you could be and wanted to be now but you fucked it all up.

" Oh, this is me... this person who hasn't accomplished anything."

This is really peaceful and yet scary.

***

Salty.

My lips are dried. I don't have any strength in my body. It feels like my body is drifting. Sometimes the water flows over my face. My eyes hurt.

I hear the waves dancing beside me. I'm just in the ocean. I hear birds flying above me. Their howl makes me think that they are looking at the food. My mind is slipping. My conscious is fainting. I can't focus any more.

Someone is dragging me.

Suddenly the bucket of water dumped into my face. I wake up forcefully. Because of water entering my lungs, I can't breathe.

A hand gently grabbed my arms and pulled me up. With a soft stroke on my back, I puke water. After I was done puking, I wipe out the remaining with my hand and said with a force of habit, " Thanks."

Now that my eyes are fully open, I noticed that I am on a clear beautiful beach. Because of the peaceful nature of this place, I almost forgot all my struggles.

There is a boy and a girl beside me. They are looking at me with interest.

The boy's face is tough and you can see his muscle under the wet shirt. He seems the same age as me. His hair is not too long or short, with medium brown hair. His eyes were like a predator making sure I don't move.

But I can't feel any hostility in his eyes, well being bullied almost every day has some great effect. Although the boy seems like a harsh man, I can tell that he is protecting the girl beside him by putting on a tough look.

The girl is pretty not that attractive but has a certain charm, especially in her blue eyes. She has brown hair like the boys.

Their clothes are simple, just a plain shirt and pants.

' Where am I? '

I don't die in my suicide looks like I drifted into an unknown own island.

" Who are you? "the boy began.

I looked at him and said," My name is Ike. Can you please tell me where is this place? "

The boy frowned, " This island's name is Toroa. We have mafia in our back and can contact marine so if you want to signal pirates you should give up."

Hearing the boy's words, I was speechless. Mafia, marine.

What is he talking about?

" Which part of the ocean is this?"

Hearing my question, the boy looked at me as a crazy person and sighed," West blue."

The girl touch the boy's arms and whispered," He must be those merchant ships that were attacked near last night. I heard father talking about with elders."

I was digesting a piece of word.

West blue. Marine.

I clinked. This place is in one piece world. I am sure that our town doesn't have any islands nearby and this place is beautiful so there would be trash everywhere.

The boy said," Hey, how about you come to our village?"

Village?

I slowly get up, I need information. I need to live in this world.

I sighed. ' This is my new life. Yeah.  I can do whatever I want. The sea is free for everyone.'

I said politely to the boy, " Can you guide me to the village, please?"

The boy nodded, " follow me."

The sand on the beach is smooth. I can tell even if my feet don't touch the sand directly.

The boy turned around," I haven't even introduced myself. Sorry about my rudeness. My name is Ulric and this is my sister Ursa."

Ursa smiled at me. I smiled back. Ulric looked at my body, "How did you end up here?"

I shake my head," I was on the ship and suddenly the ship broke, because of the sudden force I panicked and forget to hold my breath."

Ulric nodded. We entered the forest.

The forest was like a normal one. I sometimes hear wild animals roar which makes me flinch I hear the giggles in front of me. Those two are laughing at my horror.

The path was clear. Indicating that a lot of people use this path, which makes my heart in place because if a lot of people use means this path is safe.

After following them for a hot minute, we arrived at the entrance more like a wooden gate. The stone wall covered the entire village. Two people were guarding with a spear in front of the gate.