The Ink Infection

Chapter 1

The year 5073, another year where the results for the applications for the Top Elites Association arrive, I thought to myself.

Outside my window, leaves were turning bright orange and red, with the autumn breeze blowing through the trees. I started looking down at the neighborhood in front of me. All the houses and roads were covered in dead leaves. Kids were playing in the pile of leaves under a tree, and they all stopped as the wind ruffled their hairs, placing leaves in them. 

Suddenly, a scream filled the air. Nearly falling from my chair, I opened my window, and peered outside. The scream diminished, but was soon replaced with a high pitched scream. All around the neighborhood, choruses of screams filled the air. I blocked out the sound by covering my ears. Already?? I rushed down the stairs and opened my door. A cold breeze greeted me and looked down. I could see piles of mail along with brown leaves. I picked one up and read, "Plumer Chipmunk, we clear your drainpipe for free! Email us..." I sighed, throwing the mail inside the house. 

Might be useful in the future, although dad works as a mechanic, I thought. I went through the mail, looking for one in particular.

"Looking for something?" the voice came from behind. I turned around and saw my empty living room.

"W-who?" I stuttered, looking frantically around my surroundings, my eyes came to a figure behind a tree. "Come out! And what business do you have around here?" I demanded.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't for Neil." said the voice. The figure stepped out from the tree. He was tall and fit, his wet dark brown hair from what. A shower? covering his tanned face. He had black jeans and had a white sweater on top. His sunglasses covered his eyes, but his smirk gave him away. 

"Derek!" I called back, surprised to see him in my front lawn. "What are you doing here?"

"Well, forgive me, but I went through your pile of mails, and fetched this." He took out a letter with a green stamp in the middle. He put it up high and gave it to me in a dramatic bow. "For Prince Neil. Your majesty."

Laughing and rolling my eyes, I took the mail and opened it.

Dear Neil Brown and his guardians,

This letter is addressing you that Neil Brown has been accepted to the Top Elites Association (TEA). TEA is where students from the top high schools come to express their skills and what they are capable of. Neil Brown has shown great academic work, and has shown his wits and skills. The TEA is proud to accept him as a student. The boat to TEA leaves at 8 AM on Friday, November the 21st at the Mechanics Harbor. The student won't be able to come back home during the holidays, as the TEA is far away from Nexoria. The student may pack what the individual wants, with no limit to capacity.

With best regards,

Professor Mack Laurison

"Well?" prodded Derek, eyeing me over his sunglasses.

"Oh m-my g-gosh," I exhaled and took a deep breath, "This can't be happening! I got accepted into the school?! Wait, Derek, did you get into TEA?" I asked hopefully. After all, we were best friends, and I wanted to go to school together. Derek nodded excitedly. 

"Do you know where Odir is?" I asked hopefully.

Derek shook his head. Odir was a close friend. At school, people called us the trio. We did everything together, from talking to eating. We were like brothers, but Odir wasn't here today. He's always off doing something in this city. 

"What are you guys doing?" a voice interrupted us. I froze and Derek tensed beside me. I rolled up the mail, and looked behind. You don't want to show off in the neighborhood that you made it into the TEA. They would just start hating you with their guts.