Thinking Outside the Box

Because I'm not popular, I'll be alone

Finally, this is the perfect chance! In fact, it might be my only chance. I saw three people standing near the gate. They were laughing about something. Maybe, just maybe if I could joke with them, I'll have more than one friend. They look pretty friendly, I think I can do this.

"Bwahahahahaha! That's a good one." One of them said, "Yeah! T-that was pretty funny." I stuttered. Shoot. That didn't come out right.

Wait, I've seen these people before. They're some of my classmates. And they've always made fun of me. "Pfft, I'm going to break the gate 'cause I'm soooo sad and alone, and I don't have any friends, WA, WA. So that's a good excuse to join literal murderers! " Dorper said in a sarcastic tone. "Yeah haha, you should listen to the voices! I should poke holes in the gate with toothpicks and order food from the corrupted people, Uhhh can I get a number 15?" I said, also in a sarcastic tone. "Ok, that's a good one Valais," Merino said. "That wasn't me," Valais said. Merino looked at me and laughed. "Wow, Lucy actually made a decent joke? I'm in utter shock right now." He said sarcastically. The sheep trio chuckled a bit.

I don't know what I was expecting. Of course, he would just make fun of me. They poked at the wall a bit, pretending to break it. Maybe I could still save myself. I punched the wall with all my might. It made a small hole in the wall, and there were wood chips everywhere. I laughed it off, but they didn't find that very funny. Why weren't they laughing? They were staring at me with wide eyes. Even Valais looked shocked, although she was usually expressionless. "Hey! We were just joking, not cool." Dorper said, shaking his head. Merino looked furiously at me. He clenched his fists. Valais was looking at the hole, she was scared. Merino looked like he was about to yell at me. A dark, shadowy vine creeped out of the hole slowly. Valais jumped away from the hole. Dorper was shocked and tried to cover it up. Merino glared at me, waiting for my response.

I should apologize since it's the right thing to do. But I couldn't, the words wouldn't come out. I was standing there like an idiot. I looked away nervously, then ran off. It was the only thing I could think of at the moment. I went deep into the thick leafy forest. Away from the sheep trio. Somewhere where they'll never find me.

My secret hideout. It's near my house, it's a lake hidden in the forest. I usually go there with my friend Axel. I reached the lake and sat at the dock, dipping my hooves into the cold misty water. I should've apologized back there, I really should've. I can't believe I did something like that, the darkness is pretty dangerous. Why can't I just fit in with the other kids? It's not fair. I always end up making a fool of myself. Every. Single. Time. Honestly, I don't blame them for insulting me all the time. Maybe I deserve it. I got up from the lake and walked around for a bit. "Hello?" an anonymous voice called out. "Is anyone there?" it echoed. It sounded familiar. Like someone, I've known but have forgotten. "Who are you!" I yelled. "Now, this may seem a bit... scary but...I'm stuck on the other side of the gate!" it said. "Huh..? Are you alright? I'm not helping you if you're corrupted. This isn't a trick is it?" I asked. "Dang, it... this is hard," it complained. "What? What is?" I wondered. "FINE. I am corrupted, okay! I said it." the voice said, distraught. "I knew it, I'm getting outta here," I said. "But wait, please! Please please please please, please! We're not who you think we are." It begged. "Why should I? You know what corrupted people do." I asked while walking away. "I do, but we're not all that bad. You see, I'm just like you."

"I was always bullied by people, always being treated like a pile of dirt." It said, "Okay..? But how do you know that? You-"

"Let me continue. You deserve to know the truth. They never accepted me for who I was. And one day, the darkness was spreading on me. A lot of darkness. So, I went to my friend, or at least I thought he was my friend until he turned me in. He betrayed me! That dumb dog. They're all dumb!" A dog? I have a friend who is a dog too. But there's no way Axel would betray anyone. He wouldn't hurt a fly. Turning someone in with corruption is the right thing to do anyways.