The Wind of My Life

16:30 PM

- (?) Hii~~. We came here to visit a certain someone who misbehaved and was excused from today's classes. We came to deliver the assignments that were given today.

- (My mother) You know you don't need an invitation for this. He's in his room. Do you want me to call him?

- No need. I've heard Stella's voice clearly with that tone of hers.

- (My mother) Excuse me. You know, rebellious kids don't know how to have manners.

- (Stella) I understand that perfectly. That's why we want to help. Excuse me.

After a few hours of tidying the house, organizing my room and stalling enough to see if time would pass faster, I ended up hearing someone knocking on the door and I realized it was Ian and Stella, who, by the time, had finished classes for today and came here. Honestly, them coming here already improved my mood a little because I would have spent a lot of time thinking about what I did in relation to Claire.

- (Ian approaching and picking up a plastic bag) Strawberry cookies. They didn't have any lemon ones.

- (taking the bag) What a terrible friend you are. But I'll accept.

- (Stella entering the room and throwing herself on my bed) Kiss already. Ian got all nervous when he found out that after you were called to the principal's office, the staff is thinking that you should have been expelled.

- First, don't be jealous because he didn't buy you anything.

- (Stella) And why would I be?

- (Ian entering the room) Wow. You're breaking my heart, Stella.

- (closing the door to my room) Second, spare me the feelings of the young man here. What happened after I left?

- (Ian sitting on a chair and looking at me crookedly) Not even you feel sorry for me, apparently...

- (Stella sitting down) In short... You've become the talk of many people who don't know how to mind their own business. Some were like, "Did he really do that? It was time for Kiara to learn to stop being such a pain in the a**" or "I expected more from him. He doesn't hurt anyone and out of nowhere he started wanting to hit women", things like that.

- (Ian pointing to Stella) Don't be surprised if the dear one here thought of the first sentence.

- I don't doubt it. It's not like I expected anything different from the people at school.

- (Stella) I'm not going to lie, she deserved more. But the teachers started to put a damper on it by asking no one to spread this outside the school walls. You know, what if in one of these cases, you get screwed even more for having done what you did. Pass the cookie.

- (passing the cookie packet to Stella) I think it's an exaggeration that they want to hush this up. Kiara's parents won't like it at all to know that I didn't receive any punishment and that she was the one who made the whole mess seem worse than imagined.

- (Ian) If karma exists, this is the best way to show it. I was even more shocked when Naomi said that Siena appeared there and "defended" you so that you wouldn't be completely blamed for the situation.

- I don't blame her for that. She can be whatever friend she is, but when things get tough, I highly doubt she'd want to get into that together with Kiara.

- (Stella looking at me sideways) Now we know what you're going to do if we mess up at school, right?

- (gesturing with a heart) Never. You guys take up a space in my heart. A small one, but a space.

- (Ian) A small one... It hurts, you know?

- (Stella) If it were Naomi in my place, it would be different. I wouldn't even try to do what you did.

- L-Let's leave this more emotional side of me aside and get back to the subject... And speaking of her. Did Naomi do anything after I left?

- (Ian) She helped the teachers stop the students from gossiping about you. And it's a good thing I kept an eye on her because at some point, I swore she was going to go after that crazy guy who yelled at you in front of the school.

- (Stella) Seriously, if Ian was nervous, Naomi seemed to be really angry with everyone. It's no wonder, after all, she's defending her boyfriend, so it's only fair that she did that.

- (looking at Stella) Talking seriously isn't your style of speaking, is it?

- (Ian taking a cookie) Whether it's true or not, she looked like a soldier protecting her dignity. It was funny to see that, but like Stella said. She was really trying hard not to let her image look bad with the students.

- I understand. I'll talk to her later.

- (Stella looking at her cell phone) Actually, there's no need.

- Why?

In a moment of total coincidence, I hear voices coming from the hallway, as if someone else had arrived. I head towards the door and when I start to open it, I start to hear what it's about.

- (Naomi entering) Good afternoon, Mrs. Rodrigues. I came to talk to Sebastian.

- (My mother) I knew you would come here after that scene. He really needs your company.

- (Naomi blushing) A-ah, really? Well, s-sorry for coming like this. I didn't mean to seem...

- (My mother) Girl, stop being so formal and feeling guilty about things like that. You know you're welcome here and I always enjoy your presence here in my house. The atmosphere is even lighter with you here. So, don't feel like a stranger here, okay?

- (Naomi) Thank you, Mrs. Rodrigues~~

- (My mother looking at me) Speaking of him...

- (Naomi coming towards me) I brought lemon cookies. I don't know if you like them, but I brought them just in case.

- Oh, well. Thanks... Hey, Ian and Stella are in my room. Shall we go?

- (Naomi) Okay ~~

After Naomi started walking towards my room, I only saw my mother smiling all silly and I just try to ignore it. Besides, it would be the worst time to try something.

…

17:20 PM

After a while talking about what had happened, how the students at school were talking about it and random things that made Ian and Stella get a little closer to Naomi, the four of us ended up going to the front of my house with the intention of saying goodbye and seeing each other tomorrow.

- (Stella) So now you know. You wait for us to get here tomorrow and we'll go to school together, okay?

- I don't want to put you down, but I don't need an escort. I'm not a dangerous criminal who needs the police around me.

- (Naomi) But I'm not someone who will be looked upon favorably when I get to the front gate. Especially since most people will side with Kiara rather than with you.

- (Ian) And not to mention that her parents won't let this one go since you hurt their daughter, so... And why are you refusing the company of two pretty girls? Accept it already.

- (looking at Naomi and Stella's reactions) Good to know you're not the type to refuse this, right Ian?

- (Stella blushing slightly) Great. I'll write that down so when you ask, you'll regret it, Ian.

- (Ian) Wait, why me? He said it.

- (Naomi) Anyway... We'll go with you tomorrow. That way you'll avoid, I don't know... Someone wanting to do something with you before you get to school.

- At 6 in the morning? Who wakes up just to point a finger in your face and tell you that you're trash or that you shouldn't even exist at the beginning of the day?

- (Naomi smiling slightly) Are you going to deny the company of a beautiful girl who cares about you and who is insisting on going with you?

- (blushing slightly) N-No.

- (Naomi) Then don't even question it. Just accept it.

I don't even need to turn around to see Ian and Stella's laughing expressions piercing my body after that.

- (Ian) Done. Anyway, I'll go for it. See you tomorrow and we pray that nothing bad happens.

- (Stella) I wish the same. See you tomorrow, lovebirds~~

- (Naomi and I) Stella!

And with a machiavellian laugh, Stella and Ian start to walk together down the street to their houses, while Naomi and I stay here in front of the house.

- (Naomi looking at Ian and Stella) You were right. You don't even have to go far to make those two get together.

- It's nice to tease them and make them understand each other. One day, they're together, married and having a son named Proteus.

- (Naomi looking at me confused) What ?

- Oh, just a delusion that Ian had a little before the start of the school year. He was reading some fantasy stories that made him a little more emotional than usual. You don't even need to pay attention to that.

- (Naomi) So? When are we going to start planning this kind of thing?

- Like, me and you?

- (Naomi laughing slightly) NO! I mean... Each of us, alone, without each other's presence, we're going to have plans for the future, right?

- Geez, did you reject me that easily?

- (Naomi blushing) I didn't mean it like that.

- So will you accept my proposal to plan a future just for the two of us?

*silence

- (blushing) S-Sorry, sometimes I exaggerate when I joke.

- (Naomi blushing) At least you know that this way I'm going to reject you for sure.

- Seriously?

- (Naomi) Don't start, please.

- Sorry~~

- (Naomi) But since we're on the subject... Can you answer me something?

- If it's the son's name...

- (Naomi looking to me) Sebastian...

- Okay, I'll stop. Uh... yeah, what's wrong?

- (Naomi sighing heavily) I won't say I did it, but I won't say I tried to avoid it either. But has something happened to you in the last few days?

- No, why?

- (Naomi) I don't know if it's just me, but you've been more "active" if we can call it that.

- Active in the way that you make those embarrassing comments?

- (Naomi) Not only that, but also in relation to your behavior. Stella told me about the dodgeball game you had with the Gallstone's class, the teachers quickly commented that you were helping your classmates more before the problem with Kiara, and most importantly, you wouldn't be the type of person who would confront Kiara knowing what we know about the "protection" she has to defend a person I don't want to accept, but who does nothing but receive some kind of humiliation like Claire. Do you want me to add anything else to this list?

- I don't know. I think I'm at that point where I need to break boundaries, you know? There are times when it's good to do something different from the norm. Staying in the same routine gets tiring sometimes, you know that.

- (Naomi looking at me strangely) Hmph. I see.

- It doesn't seem like the kind of answer you believe in, does it?

- (Naomi) I'm glad you noticed that. You're not the type of person who suddenly decides to do certain things that go beyond the limits of the "easygoing guy" you try to be. I agree that being the way we are all the time gets tiring, but still. Just you?

- It would be a lie to say that I never thought about being a bad boy in life. I was already in the school principal's office with a chance of being expelled, so I've gained a reputation for that at school from now on~~

- (Naomi laughing and pushing me lightly) Only in your dreams, kid. And I wouldn't let you get lost like that in life. In reality, none of us would.

- It's good to know that I have such professional guardian angels.

- (Naomi) Good. But please, if you're going to listen to the advice of one of your angels... Don't get into trouble for others unless it involves you. It will be less harmful for you if you just watch.

- So, I think it's better to hold back when these things happen. I would just let it go.

- (Naomi laughing lightly) I think hearing it like this without being serious is something I have to get used to. But I'll do my best, Sebastian Rodrigues~~

*5 seconds of silence

- (Naomi) I'm going now. My mother must be nervous since she's called me about 3 times already.

- Go on. I don't want to get you in trouble because of me.

- (Naomi starting to leave) How considerate of you. But I have to say that I can handle this. Anyway, see you tomorrow~~

- (giving a wave) See you tomorrow, Naomi~~

- (Naomi speaking from afar and smiling) And by the way... If it's a boy, I'll let you choose. But if it's a girl, it'll be Kimberly!

After saying that, I just watched Naomi leave before going into the house. Kimberly... I'll write it down and wait for it to happen...

…

8:00 PM

After a few hours, nothing strange happened. My mother just made things seem normal to my father and sister, which made me feel slightly guilty for her coming to school early to try to get me out of a huge mess, but after a quiet dinner, I realized that it's best to do what she says and what Ian, Stella, and Naomi decide to do to keep me out of trouble for now. To say that even though this was a more stressful day than it should have been, I won't lie that it was a strangely peaceful day.

- (Television News) As you know, in the last few days, some events involving cases of unknown deaths by fires or pyromaniac attacks in Madison have started to alarm other nearby cities. The police are still trying to investigate more about these cases, but by all indications, it is possible that some kind of serial killer or a group of criminals are causing disorderly chaos throughout the city and making people afraid to walk the streets. If you live in Madison or nearby cities, be careful about strangers and if you see any suspicious activity, report it to the local police in order to stop these attacks from happening.

- (My mother sitting next to my father) Honey, is your boss going to ask you to work from home because of these attacks?

- (My father) He told his secretary that it might be necessary, but that he will wait this week for a statement from the police to see if it will be necessary. For me, we should already be working from home, not only because of these attacks, but because of the panic that the city is in.

- (Cassandra, my sister) The school staff is considering closing down for a while. Since it is on the main route from Madison to here, the students are getting anxious if this crazy person or people with fire escape here in Creast Fall.

- (My mother) I hope this doesn't spread here. And all of you, be careful when you leave the house from now on. Don't accept rides from strangers, don't stay too long with your friends, just don't make me worry, do you understand?

- (Me and Cassandra) Yes, mom.

- (My dad) Okay, honey. But I say the same to you, even if you don't go out much.

- (My mom) I know how to get by, my dear.

After hearing that, I just went to my room. When I closed the door, I just decided to finish the activities they gave me to do at home, which isn't that complicated for me. But every now and then, I get lost in my train of thought when I remember what Naomi told me about none of them getting me into trouble. This is common, but sometimes, it seems like the decisions I make just make me look like a child who always gets caught in the middle of trouble.

*looking at my hand

Stopping to think about it for a while, I've been like this for a while now. It's like after I met Ellyn... No. I was already having these changes in behavior before I met her, but for some reason, I feel like I'm more energetic about things, like before a situation like what happened with Claire would leave me without action only made me confront Kiara as if it had been an impulse, but a well-given impulse... I don't know... Maybe I'm just testing new sensations or looking to change things up a bit, and if this continues, being apprehensive is not something out of the ordinary, but even so, I feel like... something is off.

*sighs heavily

Anyway... I think it's better to leave this alone. It's not like... It's something... Why am I getting... sleepy?

- W... what... is this?

*slowly fading away

No! Hold on… What is this? What the hell is this? Why is everything… purple… This smell… Is this a gas? What's happening? It's like my body… is falling asleep. This isn't… cooking gas… Wait…

*getting up from the chair with all the effort possible to get to the door.

No, no, no… Let it be just me…

*opening the bedroom door and…

POW!

*trying to get up from the floor

Damn! The whole house is…

- (?) What was that?

I don't recognize that voice! Who… is…

- (?) Hey, there's a kid here holding on!

- (?) Erase him before he does something!

NO… MY PARENTS… I CAN'T FADE YET…

POW

*completely fading himself due to a kick…

…

- (?) …him. If it is… just let him…

- (?) … I didn't expect that…

…

- (?) … the lights… would draw attention… in a more discreet way…

…

- (?) I'm going to… I hope that…

…

- (?) Hold on for a few more minutes. Let's go…

…

*opening his eyes slowly

…

What's… happening… Am I… Trapped? Come on, Sebastian. Start waking up, you bastard! Wait… My hands are tied, I feel something covering my face and it looks like I'm sitting on something.

- (?) The princess is awake.

- (?) Did you sleep too long for someone who endured more than he should have?

The voice of a man and a woman I've never heard. Nice.

- I don't know what it means but should I be happy about it?

- (Female voice) He's one of those who doesn't take things seriously.

- (Male voice) No problem. Then he comes to his senses.

- Look, I wish they'd get that asshole off my face so I could give this situation 5 stars. I don't think so…

- (Female voice) Shut up!

- Don't get nervous, you'll get pimples on your face!

POW!

Out of nowhere, I just feel a hard slap on my face. Damn, that hurt, but if it weren't for that a******, it would have been worse.

- (Male voice) There's more of this if you don't stop talking.

- Oh, so it was you? What a girly punch, huh. With all due respect to you who got angry.

- (Female voice) My God... When is he going to come? I'm going to beat him with the bat if he doesn't stop.

- Don't do that. I don't like that kind of thing.

- (Male voice) You know what? I told you the tape would fit better on his mouth.

After a few seconds, I feel my mouth being pressed tightly by some tape that this person just said. At least they made a hole near my nose so I could breathe because I was sure I was going to pass out in a matter of seconds.

- (Female voice) Let this be a lesson to you, you f****** brat.

Listening to the voices better, this woman's tone of voice seems too high-pitched to be an adult and this man's voice is also in the same tone, but there's no way to know for sure. After a few seconds, I start to hear their footsteps moving away, so I guess I won't hear more than I should.

*trying to move

Mom… I hope nothing happened to you. I don't know what I'll do if they did something to you…

…

I don't know how much time has passed, but honestly, my concern is something else. I can hear some whispers from these two people, but I can't hear anything else. Where is my family? Why am I here like this? What is happening? Why am I trapped? All of this is going through my head and I can't focus on anything because of this agony!

- (Female voice) Finally! It took a long time.

- (?) Sorry. I had a little setback.

- (Male voice) You better fulfill what you promised us.

- (?) Your payment is outside. You can go.

After I heard this, I realized that it was a deeper male voice of an adult man while I heard footsteps moving away from where I was.

- (?) You can take the bag off his head.

Hmm? What's up?

*tape being removed and bag coming off my head

- (?) ... I expected it to be someone younger.

Looking closer, I see an adult man wearing a black outfit with a coat covering his entire body, wearing gloves and a black cap, but in addition, he has a mask covering his face. In addition, I notice that there are 2 other people with the same clothes and different masks, but what surprises me is the fact that I am in a slightly small room with some closed windows. It looks like a warehouse, but I don't know if there is anything similar in my city.

- (? checking my face) That injury wasn't fair to you. Are you feeling okay, kid?

- … Seriously, you want to talk about me feeling okay? Let me go, leave the door open and ask those weird guys to do nothing while I leave and I'll be fine.

- (?) It won't happen. At least, not for now.

- Not for now? Apparently, I'm locked up like I'm going to be killed by a mafia, so I think that's out of the question.

- (?) I think it's better to understand that the situation isn't very good for you. So, I suggest you stay quiet and listen to me without losing that serious face you're trying to maintain, understand? Your family won't like seeing you like this or in a worse way.

When he said that, I wanted to respond, but I held back. I need to know where I am and why I'm here.

- (? taking a chair) Very well. Let's begin.

Looking at him, he doesn't seem like a normal person by the way he talks and acts. For some reason, I feel like his manner gives me a feeling of... anxiety.

- (?) You're lucky that all this is only happening this way because you have something that interests me, because otherwise, I wouldn't have asked the two who were here before to put up with you until I got here. Just tell me what I need to know and we'll let you go. It's that simple, kid.

- As if I know something valuable. I'm just a normal student living my life.

- (?) If that were the case, why are you lying to me?

- … What do you mean? Do I look like a liar?

- (?) Not a frequent liar, but started to be like that. Am I right?

- … As if.

What do you mean "not a frequent liar"? There's no way this guy is deducing just from the way I'm talking.

- (?) … Prolonging this isn't helping me. I know he's holding back interesting information about something... that isn't from here.

What? He… No, calm down. It must be a coincidence.

- (trying to change the subject) Well, I don't live here where you brought me, so do you want to keep trying to be mysterious and tell me right away that I have no idea what you mean, half-baked mobster?

When I said that, I felt a slight chill down my spine. His gaze appears through his mask and… that gaze… doesn't seem normal to me. It's like I'm seeing…

- (?) The cosmos, right?

… It's not possible.

- (?) Yes, it is possible, kid. You're not the only one who has had the luck or misfortune of being faced with something you don't understand or trying to understand because something gave you a simple and absurd idea to swallow.

- ...

- (?) I can see you much better than you can, kid. Or should I say, Sebastian?

Okay… Now this is getting weird and it's hard to keep the calm I have left.

- (?) So just answer me what I want and I'll leave you and your family alone. I don't ask for more than that, Sebastian.

- … What do you want to know?

- (? showing a smile) Tell me… about the stars that fell from the sky on August 17th.

Oh my…