“A…friend.” Leah muttered softly.Was it a new word for her?For me, I never really understood the concept of friendship or relationships as a whole.But I knew that a person had to mean something special to me to be regarded as a friend.If I forgot everyone else, I’d never be able to forget them.Leah, Reginald and Lincoln.More so, Leah since she was the first person to leave an impression on me.I was happy about the relationship we shared and I was proud to know that we had such a relationship.Her bubbly attitude despite her cold appearance.Her lovely smile despite her usually chill demeanor.That was the Leah I knew.The one I was talking with now .. she was empty.I couldn’t even draw a comparison between the Leah of then and the one with me right now.My mind would immediately reject the present Leah because she was nothing like how I remembered.No, she was too different for me to acknowledge.Leah seemed to have understood this as she muttered. “…it’s Hamilton. He is the c
I guess the reason they gave such pathetic meals was because they didn’t want to waste food on a potential monster.Only if you completed the trial would you be able to eat good food… so survive.It was that simple.I’m sure everyone else had already figured it out.Sighing helplessly, I finally finished the musty bread and drank the last drop of water before placing the glass back on the table and shoving the tray aside.Resting my back against the wall, I began to meditate to recover my mental state.Just then, a soft voice came across. “Jerry, are you there?”I opened my eyes and glanced at the place I considered Leah was seated.I moved over and once I was around the estimated area, I replied.“Yeah… what about you?”A moment later and she replied. “Yeah.”Just like that, I and Leah spent 2 months in the isolation center, enduring the torture of the Call of Chaos while forging our relationship.During the time period, I wondered… what were the others up to anyways?***(Reginald’s
The Headmaster glanced back at us and muttered. “Be careful. This floor has a chill that is not just bad on the body.”I was left unsure of the meaning behind his words as he began to move forward.Following closely behind, I nudged Lincoln as I asked. “Do you understand what he means?”“No.” Lincoln shook his head. “I have no idea but from the way he said it… it doesn’t sound good.”Gulping nervously, I nodded in agreement before glancing at Veronica.After the others had left, with us three remaining, you’d think that we would grow closer but that was the opposite.She was even more distant than ever even though we had spent the most time together.The only person she acknowledged was Jerry and it was for good measure but it felt weird that someone we had stayed with for so long would be more than a stranger to us.But then again, there was no reason to judge her.Just as I had my principles, she must have hers.In any case, the walk from the elevator was a silent one.Most of the f
Born on the 286th floor to a whore mother and a drug addict as a father, I couldn’t say my life was easy by any chance.I was forced to stay away from home because my dad kept beating me at every opportunity and my mother didn’t care to do anything about it.Instead, she busied herself with fucking around the neighborhood to get by.Of course, it didn’t take long for their lifestyles to catch up to them.In a tower were medical services was akin to gold, it was best to try and avoid most actions that would be readily inviting sickness.Unfortunately, my so called mother and father didn’t understand that.My father died when I was six.He forgot to pay his debt and with no money to do so, the local gang he normally got his stuff from, took him away and mutilated him.Even though he was allowed to return home alive, he soon succumbed to his injuries and died in pains.Same for mom who died when I was 9.She ended up fucking the wrong man and died with a broken bottle stuck in her head.
The Headmaster remained silent as he met Lincoln’s bold gaze.Even I was moved at that moment.Who would have thought that Lincoln would be so bold?Was this the influence of spending so much time with Jerry?It was good though.At least I wouldn’t need to always be worried about him.Silence reigned as we waited for the Headmaster to speak but strangely enough, he didn’t say anything for quite sometime.There was a strange emotion in his eyes as he kept staring.Just as I grew uneasy, worried that Lincoln’s boldness might have rubbed him the wrong way, he spoke up.“I hope you are able to keep to those words after you see what is to come.”The Headmaster’s voice was half worrisome, half threatening.But then again, he seemed to be genuinely warning Lincoln.Maybe Lincoln’s words had also touched him.With a stern expression, he continued. “Before we go further, you must understand something.”Glancing down at the four men in suits carrying the mass of flesh, the Headmaster remained u
“I didn’t bring up the statistics for you both to brood about your pathetic existence.” The Headmaster suddenly said, pulling myself and Lincoln out of our self deprecating state.Glancing back to note our expression, he continued. “When the tower first starts running, the population was roughly 10 million. Within a hundred years, humanity has increased that number by 10 times.“Taking into consideration that children can’t do it, how many people do you think out of that 100 million are Explorers?”Lincoln pursed his lips. “Not many?”“Indeed. Out of a hundred million people, only 100 thousand are Explorers, including those that have retired, those injured in the line of duty, those serving the Great families and those born into the Great families. That is less than ten percent of the overall population of the tower. Of course, the population of Otherworldly in the Fog are greater than our measly numbers. Unfortunately, there’s nothing we can do about it because becoming an Explorer i
“I see… Well to do that, you will have to become an Explorer and join him on the battlefield, no?”Lincoln remained silent for a moment, he surveyed the hall, his eyes resting on each white room before moving to the next.Taking all of that in, he nodded. “When do we begin?”I was left speechless.When did Lincoln get so brave?It seemed like he was trying to pass across a message and as far as the Headmaster was concerned, he heard it loud and clear.Nodding silently, the Headmaster’s lips curled as he replied. “Come with me.”With that, he turned and led us to a certain white room.Pushing it open, he announced his presence to those within.Two men and one woman.Just as the Headmaster had said, they looked soulless with their almost emotionless expressions, the bags under their eyes and even their posture… completely hopeless.The biggest man amongst the trio glanced at our group before remarking. “You are here… again.”His voice was quite bland, carrying no hint of emotions therei
“Good, as long as you are aware of that. I wish you good luck.” Kenny muttered, almost disappointedly as he turned and prepped the capsule like machine.“Get in.” he said after ensuring it was ready.Lincoln was about to step forward but I grabbed his shoulder.“Let me go first.”He stared at me and I stared back.We remained like that for quite some time before he took a step back while nodding.Heaving a sigh of relief, I took the first step forward.If anything happened to me, it should serve as a lesson to Lincoln.Either I survive or die, it determines Lincoln’s next choice.So… I’ll try to survive.I stepped into the machine and laid down straight with my back on the cold steel.I watched as Kenny pushed a button and a glass like structure came up and covered the glass pod.Gulping nervously, I closed my eyes and prepared myself for what was to come.Then I heard Kenny’s voice. “Are you ready?”Clenching my fist and jaw, I replied. “Yes!”“Good.”A beep and then a bop and immedi