Homework and Monsters

Chapter 1

Iron coast city. A bustling, modern city full of affordable high-rise apartments and glass skyscrapers that surrounds the picturesque Koi mountain. It was once a mining town that excavated the mountain. Its rich metal ore and diamond filled interior made companies foam at the mouth causing them to flock to the town. Vast amounts of money was made due to the abundant resources, making the town progress rapidly in a short space of time. Now the city is a hi-tech green zone, using renewable energy in perfect balance with nature. Great leaps in technology and medicine helped place the city front and center of the world's economy. Tourists come from all over the world to view the spectacular mountain and enjoy the modern advancements the city has to offer, whilst business owners use the city as a hub to spread internationally due to its location. Filled with the neon glow of holographic advertisements and teeming with people being aided by robotic helpers, the city has earned a reputation of being the dystopian future warned about in countless sci-fi novels of the past. From the outside the city is a haven for tech enthusiasts and businessmen aiming to create the next megacorporation, priding itself on being the safest and most welcoming city of the entire globe. However, this city, like most, hides a dark side, rarely ever seen by the outside world.

Within this city lives Leon Redford. A 17-year-old boy who is in his final year of high school.

He's a typical boy of this modern era. Scruffy, short black hair that looks like he just rolled out of bed. Very handsome according to his peers. Tall with a natural athletic build that he hardly has to maintain. Constantly wearing dark blue jeans with a hole in the left knee, his favourite black sports jacket with a white stripe down one sleeve, covering whatever t-shirt he picks up off his bedroom floor in the morning, and his black and white high-top shoes. He doesn't stand out, choosing instead to blend in with the crowd. He has a kind nature, always willing to help those who ask. To his friends, he is the most genuine and level-headed person they know.

As a bell rings signaling the end of the school day, hordes of children and young adults flood the city streets. At the main entrance and exit of Iron coast city high school, Leon stands at a bike rack spinning the dials on his padlock to release the chain wrapped around his red and white bicycle.

"Yo Leon, we're heading over to Barry's burger shack you wanna come?" calls out a voice from behind him. He turns around to see his best friend Oliver 'Ollie' Reynolds.

His blonde, medium length curly hair bounces as he walks towards the exit of the school. His chubby cheeks filled with barbeque flavored potato chips puff as he yells, sending crumbs tumbling down his plain green collared top. His brown rimmed glasses covered in greasy finger marks sit on the end of his button nose like a college professor. He carries a black rucksack covered in patches he'd sown on himself with a red jacket tucked into his left strap. Baggy black jeans that are held up by a brown, leather, snakeskin effect belt, cover his pristine white trainers.

"I would but my parents worked a double shift yesterday so I promised I'd cook dinner" Leon replies.

"Oh ok, well I'll call you later" Ollie says as he crunches on another chip.

Ollie and Leon had been friends since they were 6 years old along with their friend Taylor Green. A young girl with a caring heart and a thirst for adventure. The three of them had been inseparable until recently. During their summer vacation Taylor had confessed her feelings towards Leon. This had caused her to shy away from the boys slightly as Leon didn't return the gesture, seeing her as one of his best friends and not wanting to ruin their friendship.

As his friends make their way to the burger shack, which is directly opposite the school, Leon grabs his bike and rides off down the street towards his home.