Prologue

  ?Mark, wake up.“A melodious voice sounded as the birds chirped outside signaling the early m.?Hmm … 5 more minutes.“?No, now get up before breakfast gets cold“Yawning as he zily got up, Mark looked out the window. Blinded by the m sunhe resisted the urge crawl bato bed and headed downstairs.Reag the st step off the stairs Mark was jolted awake by smell wafting out off the kit.After taking a sed to appreciate the delicious smell, he walked into the kit and saw the woman cooking produg the appealing smell.?M, mom“?Oh, how nice off you to join me.“ She said with a teasing smile.?Well, had you told me it would smell like this, i would have e running.“Seeing the empty chairs around the table Mark asked ?Dad didn’t e home yet?“?The flight was celed st minute because off a maintenance error“?I guess he won’t make it, huh.“?But he asked me to record it, so he watch it ter.“?Stop it, I’m not a grade-schooler anymore“?Then what are you getting embarrassed for?“?You’re not gonna drop it, are you?“?Nope.“?Haa…“ Mark sighed as he sat down.Looking at the food in front off him he suddenly thought to himself and smiled ~So that’s why~?Thanks, mom“?For what?“?Nothing.“?You’re so weird sometimes“?I learned from the best“ he said earning a chuckle as a response.A few mier as Mark finished eating, he heard his mother yell from across the hallway.?You might wanna hurry or you’ll be te, you know?“?I wouldn’t take my time if it weren’t so delicious.“?pliments won’t be enough to save you if you’re te, so get ready now.“?What about you?“?I still have something I gotta do first, but I’ll be there on time I promise“?You better be.“?Haha, as if I would miss my son’s graduation.“After quickly putting on fresh clothes and brushing his teeth, Mark stood in front of the door about to leave, before turning around and saying ?ter then.“As he always did, Mark took the bus to school sihe bus stop was just around the er.On the bus he saw several familiar faces of his cssmates, who were visibly excited.After some quick pleasantries, mark tio the back of the bus, where he promptly sunk deep into though.~Why do I feel like this? Today of all days. After graduation I’ll be doh school. Something I’ve looked forward to for so long, so why? Why does it feel so empty? I ruggled in school but I put a det amount of effort into it, so why? Am I ed for this graduation si’s just a midoint for college? Is this The reason I ’t be happy like the others? But there are plenty others in css who’ll go on to college like me...I don’t uand.~While looking outside the window and seeing his school approag in the distance, Mark finally noticed his refle, seeing the downcast expression on his face.~That won’t do. I don’t want t down mood, especially sin is so happy about it. Maybe things will bee a little clearer afterwards, until then I should stop thinking about it~Ohe bus reached the sark step out and took a deep breath before making his way i stopped a few seds ter as he heard a familiar voice.?Wait for me“?Good m, Thomas“?M, Mark. You ... look kinda bored. You realize today ends our suffering, right?“?Hahaha, you seriously hated studying that much?“?Ugh, you had good grades to begin with so you ’t even imagihe pain I went through.?Maybe I could if you weren’t so overly dramatic.“?You know, while I appreciate your hoy, you should sider being less of an ass about it.“?I’ll think about it.“ Mark said with a smileAs they heir ark noticed Thomas tensing up. Standing in front of the door Mark gave his friend a pat on the bad entered.After everyohered, their teacher gave a small speech which boiled down to wishing them good luck for the future. The entire css then headed into the gymnasium where they would receive a certificate and knowing his mom would be waiting there along with the other parents, Mark tried to put up a smile but quickly gave up after Thomas ented on how stupid he looked.The group ehe gym with some audible gasps from some of them. Others simply gawked at the differeween the gym they knew and the one in front of their eyes.At the back there was stage where the principal and other teachers stood, to the sides stood the parents and other family members, leaving ay spa the middle for the students to line up.?e forward dear students, today your diligent effort through the st years shall be rewarded.“Their teacher led them to the empty spa the middle and said ?Line up here and e up the stage once you’re called“ befoing up the stage herself.While the spectators watched mark and his cssmates were called to the stage oer the other.As Marks turn came around, he walked up the stage and received his degree with the mandatory gratutions from the teachers.On the way back, he saw his mom standing at the side. Seeiear up in happiness, Mark felt a sense of fulfillment.~ That’s how it should be I suppose~Once all the students had their degrees the principal, who handed out them out gave his long winded speech, ending in sonorous appuse from the crowd.Soon the ceremony ended and the students hang around happily chatting with each other.Mark himself was talking with Thomas, while their parents stood a few meters to the side, seemingly trying to give them some space to say their goodbyes.?Seriously, I’m gd that’s over. I ’t believe you’ll do this again in college.“?It’s not that bad, you know. It’s just a matter of getting used to it.“Thomas gave Mark a look of disbelieve, making the tter sigh.?Yonna join the work force, right?“?Yeah, I’ll finally be able to do something that fits me better.“?So you got something lined up.“?Not really, but I’ll work it out.“?I know you will.“ Mark said while extending his closed fist.Thomas looked at the fist and with a small smile, he bumped Marks fist.?You better not go radio silent after this.“?That’s my line.“Both smiled at each other o time befoing their own way.On the way home in the car, Mark looked out the window in sileil his mom spoke out.?What’s got you looking so down? You know you’ll stay friends a again.“?I know. I’m just w how things will ge.“?Did you just age 50 years? Being so philosophical all of a sudden.“?Shut up“ Mark uttered while blushing.?Don’t overthink it. As long as you stay friends you’ll be fine“?I guess you’re right. Thanks, mom“?No problem, that’s what moms are for. So you don’t bee an edgelord“ she said with a smirk.?How do you even know that word?“ Mark held the ridge of his nose, dreading the answer.?I made a twitter at“?That’s gonna be a problem isn’t it?“?Only if you make it one“?Fine, I won’t annoy you about the app if you stop using that word“?Deal. Now if you’ve got that out of your system, let’s go and celebrate yraduation“After a phone call from Mark and his mom, they made pns to meet up with Thomas and his parents for diogether. They met up at Mark’s home and his Mom prepared a feast for everyone. While the parents enjoyed a couple beers together, the boys eo each other about how their emotional goodbye now seemed kind of stupid.But as Mark pined about it, he suddenly realized his mom did it deliberately because of how he was ag throughout the day.Seeing his mom joking around with Thomas’s parents while downing her 3rd beer, made him smile.After a while the others left, leaving Mark with his mom, who being the lightweight she is, was already drunk.Mark sighed looking at his mother, saying a quiet ?thanks‘ before bringio her room.?Ah, crap. It’s already this te?“Having put his mom to bed, he realized how te it was, looking at the moon through the windoaused at that moment and squinted his eyes to get a better look at what he was seeie it being the middle of the night, the sky seemed to be illuminated by a bright light.BADUMP!As Mark felt the sensation of a pulse the sky ged colors and then he saw it.BADUMP!BADUMP!BADUM!Like a falling star leaving a trail which split the sky, Mark observed that thing as eaew pulse paihe heavens in a new color. He couldn't make out a proper shape as ?it‘ was moving to fast and soon was no longer visible.? What the hell was that?“ Mark excimed as everythi dark.As the rays of sunshine fell on his face, Mark woke up.?Augh, my head hurts. I didn’t drink anything st night, did I?“Looking around he realized he was in his mom’s room but she wasn’t around .?Did I pass out?‘ Mark questioned as he stood up but his thoughts were interrupted as he heard screaming from the outside.?What happened?“ Mark ran to the window and looked at the street outside.He froze as he saw people running and screaming, as others were swinging wildly aiming at everyone around them. Several bodies littered the streets as everything tio be painted in red.Witnessing this se, Mark’s brain short-circuited until he heard a noise from the kit.Not wasting any time Mark barged into the kit and saw his mom as she seemed to be throwing up leaning over the kit sink.?Aurgh“?Mom, something strange is happening outside.“As Mark looked at his mom, she showed ion.?MOM, are you listening?“ He asked grabbing his mother’s shoulder.Before he could react, he suddenly felt an immense force push him. His mom swung her arm and he flew against the kit wall.Marks body hit the wall and fell weakly to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Gasping for air, he felt a warm wet sensation at the back of his head followed by stinging pain.Gathering the little bit of strength he could muster, Mark slowly stood up from the floor.?What…?“ Once he stood, Mark realized something was wrong. As if somebody had yered a ive filter over the world, all Mark could see was bd white.?Aaaurgh“Hearing a low growl, he looked ahead seeing a white humanoid figure slowly ing towards him as all of a sudden a trail which looked like white smoke headed towards his head.Mark dodged the smoke, as the figure swung its arm following the trail of white smoke swiping at the pce where Marks head used to be.Hearing his owbeat in his ears and wearing a panicked expression on his face, he took a deep breath.?What is happening? What is this creature? Where is mom?‘Mark tried his best to uand the situation, but as the creature turned around all his other thoughts disappeared as Mark’s instincts told him ohing in particur.?This thing is trying to kill me‘?Aaaaurgh“The creature took a step forward while Mark took a step baly to brush against the kit ter with his arm. Seeing a kit knife ying there, Mark immediately grabbed it and held it in front of him with shaking hands.The white humanoid creature stood there for a moment simply looking at him. But seeing the smoke trail again, Mark uood.? This thing is about to lu me.‘Mark moved aside as the creature jumped forward missing him, giving him the ove behind it.Seeing Mark move, the creature turned around as Mark pluhe ko the its head with all of his strength. Putting all his weight into the attack Mark mao pierce the knife deep into the creatures head as it fell on the floor.On the ground Mark rolled of the creatures body and y motionless beside its corpse as he gasped for air.?Huh?“ Mark held his blood soaked hands in front of his fad realized he could see cain.With this realization came crity. Now he could finally see what that creature was.He really didn't want to look, feeling like the creature might attack him again but he o know and so he turned his head to look into the creatures eyes.A few seds passed as Mark tio stare at it until finally a hoarse voice left his throat?M-mom?“