Enigma

CHAPTER 1

Might you wonder, ever, what would life as a protagonist be? It turns out, those whose virtues outweigh their sins, are always the protagonists and are always the heroes. Loved, celebrated, glorified and respected.

     And surely, there will always be antagonists to help shape the hero of the story, and the hero would be those free from sins. But what if, the concept contradicts from most fairy tales? What if, your antagonist is considered 'Robin Hood' of outcasted minorities? An 'anti-hero' as they call it. That, surely, differs from the original narrative.

"Ezekiel Sharife?"

I stood up from the plastic chair that was once cold.

"Are you Ezekiel Sharife?", the clerk asked me again.

"Yes".

"Are your parents present? I will need to speak to them regarding your registration", her eyes sought for another figure .

"No... I am an orphan, my guardian left me with the necessary information regarding my registrations", I responded.

"But we will need your guardian to sign official documents and to provide a reasonable-"

"I am capable of handling myself, thank you very much. As my aunt has stated in the letter, her presence will not be made. She's too busy tending to work. Therein, she's given me her trust and the necessary resources. I, too, am confident I can handle my own school registrations."

"I see", her face contorts uncomfortably. Come with me, then. I shall help you complete your registration thoroughly".

     We walked down a narrow staircase made of old rosewood where the sunlight could not reach. A small oil lamp was placed to evade the darkness of it. The thumps of our footsteps sung along with creaking of old wood. It was noisy.

   The school's clerk constantly looked over her shoulders, checking on me is what I'd like to believe. Her poker face shows no emotions or any semblance of hate. But the hatred swirling is those ocean blue eyes, they spoke. They spoke loudly than that soft voice she has.

    I trailed behind the clerk like dog on a leash, never wavering from her side. After all, I do not have any means to navigate my way around this school.

   Human beings often pride themselves on how resourceful they can be. And that was a pride used to hone their skills to survive. As my ancestors, I began to observe my surroundings, in hopes I could map my way around the school. Or to find any means of an escape to the outside world. After all, school is but a prison of the mind, soul and body.

  "This is the office, Ezekiel. If you ever need anyone to help you in terms of registration or you're feeling under the weather, do come here. My office is also stationed here", the clerk pointed to a freshly painted brown door, no seats nor people to be seen. She must mean the office is behind whatever that door keeps out.

"I see, how lovely an office you have. The door must be a great office to begin with" I sarcastically commented. Now I knew which place to avoid.

  She clicked her tongue out of annoyance and twisted the knob of the brown door, pushing it. The smell of strongly fresh paint and wood invaded my nose violently.