I'm Kri B. Shang, an introverted teenager lost in the shadows of my own life. Every day feels like a never-ending downward spiral, with disappointment and frustration blurring into a haze.
Academics? Forget it. I'm lucky if I scrape by with passing grades, my mind numb from the endless stream of lectures and assignments that seem to suffocate me. The teacher's words drone on, a monotone hum that I'd rather tune out.
Sports? Don't even get me started. I'm the kid who trips over his own feet just walking down the hallway. The gym teacher's whistle pierces the air, and I'm the one who's always picked last.
My face burns with embarrassment as my classmates snicker and point. I try to hide, to blend into the background, but it's hard when you're the one who's always struggling.
But the worst part? The constant barrage of bullying. Tatsuki, the school's resident tormentor, takes great pleasure in making my life a living hell.
He's always lurking, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. His sneers and snickers are like a rusty dagger, piercing my armor and leaving me feeling vulnerable. His eyes gleam with sadistic pleasure as he taunts me, his words cutting deep into my fragile ego.
I've grown accustomed to the feeling of being invisible, a ghost drifting through the crowded hallways unnoticed and unimportant. I sit alone at lunch, my eyes fixed on the floor as the world buzzes around me. I'm the kid who's always overlooked, always ignored. It's a lonely existence, one that feels like a weight is crushing me.
But sometimes, in the quiet moments when the world slows down, I wonder: is this really the best I can hope for? A spark of defiance ignites within me, a flame that flickers with every passing moment. Maybe, just maybe, I can find a way to break free from this prison, to rise above the torment and find my own path. The thought gives me a glimmer of hope, a sense of determination that I've never felt before. Maybe I can be more than just a shadow, maybe I can be someone who stands in the light.
*PRESENT*
I stand on the terrace, the sunset's warm glow casting a tranquil ambiance over the landscape. The gentle breeze rustles my hair, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers, as I breathe in deeply, feeling the calmness of the moment.
"What a view," I whisper, my eyes drinking in the vibrant hues of orange, pink, and purple that paint the sky. The serenity is almost palpable, a fleeting sense of peace before the storm.
But my serenity is short-lived. The sound of footsteps echoes through the stillness, and I turn to see three boys approaching, their faces shrouded in shadows.
My heart sinks, and my palms grow sweaty as I recognize the familiar swagger in their steps. "Oh, hello there Shang, our friend," Tatsuki sneers, their eyes glinting with malice, like cold, calculating steel. Fear creeps in, icy tendrils wrapping around my heart, as I try to step back, but my feet feel rooted to the spot.
The boys close in, their faces twisted in cruel grins, their laughter echoing through the air like a sinister melody. I raise my hands, palms up, in a futile attempt to ward them off, but it's like trying to stop a tidal wave.
The first blow hits me like a thunderbolt, sending me crashing to the ground, the world spinning around me in a blur. Pain explodes through my body, a cacophony of agony as I curl up, trying to protect myself. The kicks and punches keep coming, each one a fresh wave of torment, my body screaming in protest.
Tears stream down my face, hot and bitter, as I beg for mercy. "Please leave me alone, Tatsuki! Sorry for whatever I did to you!" My voice cracks, barely above a whisper, and I'm consumed by a wave of despair, like drowning in a dark ocean. "No, no, you didn't do anything, Shang," Tatsuki exclaims, his voice dripping with sarcasm, the words cutting deeper than any punch.
As I lie there, battered and broken, my mind spirals into a vortex of self-loathing. "If only I had... If only I was stronger... More talented, better at sports and studies... Things would have been different... I... I'm pathetic, I'm the worst."
The words echo in my mind, a cruel mantra, as I try to summon every last ounce of courage. I attempt to fight back against the boy who had been tormenting me, but my bravery is short-lived, as one of his friends jumps into the fray, eager to teach me a lesson.
The two of them pinned me against the railing of the 15th floor terrace, the wind whipping my hair into a frenzy as I struggled to break free.
My heart racing with fear, my mind screaming for help that never came. I thrashed about, my arms flailing wildly as I tried to push them away, but they were too strong.
In the chaos of the moment, my attacker's hand slipped, and he accidentally pushed me harder than he intended. I stumbled backwards, my feet scrambling for traction on the smooth floor, my eyes wide with terror.
Time seemed to slow as I felt myself losing balance, my body tilting backwards, and then I was falling. The railing rushed past me, a blur of metal and concrete, and I felt weightless, suspended in mid-air for a terrifying instant.
The wind rushed past me in a deafening roar, whipping my face and hair into a frenzy. My thoughts were a jumbled mix of fear, regret, and sorrow, my mind racing with the realization that this was the end.
My body plummeted towards the ground, the world a blur of color and sound. I felt a sense of detachment, as if I was watching myself fall, powerless to stop it.
The ground rushed up to meet me, and I felt a sickening crunch as my body hit the concrete. The sound echoed through the air, a dull thud that seemed to shake the very foundations of the world.
As I lay there, unable to feel anything, my bones cracked and splintered, the sharp pain muted by the shock of the fall.
Blood began to pool around my battered form, slowly spreading across the concrete like a dark ominous stain. I felt a sense of numbness wash over me, as if I was floating above my body, watching the scene unfold below.
People gathered around me, their faces pale and frightened as they took in the scene. Some of them cried out in horror, while others stood frozen in shock, unsure of how to react.
I was the center of attention, my broken body a grim focal point that drew their eyes like magnets. I felt a sense of shame, of embarrassment, as I lay there, helpless and broken.
"I guess that's it for me," I thought, my voice barely audible over the sound of my own screams. "My whole life has been a living hell - the constant bullying, torture, the feeling of being completely alone."
Tears streamed down my face as I thought of my mother, who had passed away a few years ago. "Wait for me there, mom," I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion. "I'll be joining you shortly." The thought brought a sense of peace, a sense of release, and I closed my eyes, letting the darkness wash over me.
My eyes closed, surrendering to the darkness that consumed my life. I was done with the world, done with the pain and sufferings that seemed to suffocate me.
Everything around me began to fade, shrouded in an inky blackness that seemed to swallow all in its path. I guessed I was going to hell, that the afterlife had a special place reserved just for me. The thought brought a sense of resignation, a feeling of acceptance that this was the end.
But as the darkness seemed absolute, a brilliant light burst forth, illuminating the desolate landscape of my mind. The light was warm, inviting, and seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy.
Amidst the radiance, I could hear a small, distant voice - a woman's voice, shrill with urgency, shouting something I couldn't quite make out. The sound was like a lifeline, pulling me back from the edge of oblivion.
As I gazed up at the two strangers, my mind foggy and disoriented, I felt a sense of confusion wash over me. "Who are these people?" I thought to myself. The man's face was rugged, with sharp angles and a strong jawline, while the woman's features were softer, with a warm smile that seemed to radiate kindness.
The man turned to the woman and said something that sounded like "asjel@gsj#be", their words incomprehensible to me. "What language are they speaking?" I wondered.
Before I could ponder further, the man lifted me effortlessly into his arms. I felt a jolt of surprise - "What? He lifted me casually, as if I weighed nothing! I am 63 kilograms."
The man's voice was deep and gentle as he cooed, "Our baby boy is quite handsome, honey." The woman's smile grew wider, her eyes shining with adoration.
"Indeed, he is," she agreed, her voice husky with emotion. I listened, bewildered, as they murmured sweet nothings to each other. "What a minute... What's going on here??" I paused, then realized,
"I... I've become a baby? How's that possible?" I racked my brain, trying to make sense of the situation. I realized that I had been reincarnated into another world. I, a 17-year-old boy from a world I once knew, my memories of my old world remained.
The man and the woman exchanged a warm glance, their faces aglow with joy. "We are going to name you Aries," they chimed in unison, their voices filled with affection.
"Aries Valemont," they added, as if savoring the sound of the name.
Though I didn't understand the language they spoke, somehow, I grasped the essence of their conversation. I gazed up at them, my heart swelling with emotion. In this strange new world, these two people were my family. The realization hit me like a wave. They were my mom and dad.
"Is he my cute little brother, Dad?" a young girl asked, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.
My father's face lit up with a bright, warm smile. "Yes, dear," he replied, his voice choked with emotion, as he gazed lovingly at me, his newborn son, cradled in his arms.
I felt a sense of wonder, a sense of belonging, as I looked up at my new family. Maybe, just maybe, this new life would be different. Maybe I could find happiness, love, and acceptance in this strange new world.
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