Portal of shadows

Chapter 3: Rebirth

Note: this might be a long chapter, idk :P Also this chapter says it has 12 views when it's a draft, why is that? pls if someone knows why, pls tell m3. 

A few months after I inadvertently contributed to Felix's breakup, Mom and Dad returned home, and it was evident that he was still grappling with the aftermath. He seemed engulfed in heartache, frustration, and confusion. Despite my efforts, I couldn't find a way to lift his spirits. He remained secluded in his room, shutting himself off from the world and fabricating excuses to our parents about his well-being.

My earliest memories are a haze of babbling and wobbling, unable to articulate more than basic sounds like "pa," "ma," or "da." What good were those sounds if I couldn't express complete thoughts? Meanwhile, Felix sank deeper into depression, neglecting basic needs and retreating into solitude, his room becoming a stagnant sanctuary of despair.

As I reached my first birthday, Felix reluctantly resumed school, and Mom went back to work, leaving me in the care of babysitters or childcare centers. But neither environment held much allure for me; they were dull realms filled with coloring books and mundane activities like playing with sand. I couldn't fathom how other children found enjoyment in such trivial pursuits.

One day, amidst the monotony of the childcare center, I stumbled upon a book that piqued my interest. It was an imposing volume titled "Criminal Law for Police Officers" by Elmar Erhardt. Intrigued, I delved into its pages, finding amusement in the absurdities of certain laws.

Laws like the prohibition of possessing a 50kg potato seemed utterly nonsensical, as did the idea of making it illegal to be drunk in a pub. Surely, the purpose of a pub was to indulge in intoxication. I chuckled at regulations such as the ban on fishing whales on Sundays or getting fish intoxicated, surmising that they must have been conceived by someone under the influence themselves—perhaps even by an inebriated fish!

Lost in my amusement, I was interrupted by Mom's arrival to collect me. Clutching the book tightly, I hesitated to relinquish it, much to her bemusement. As she inquired about the book's owner, a lady from the main desk stepped forward, revealing that it belonged to her, as she was studying law for a career in policing.

Despite my inability to verbalize my thoughts, I couldn't help but feel a sense of embarrassment for clutching onto her book. Yet, I found solace in the fact that I found amusement in the absurdities of the legal system.

The next day, I approached the lady and remarked, "Hello, pretty lady! Your book is quite funky and hilarious. These laws aren't actually real, are they? Because they're quite stupid." She chuckled and responded, "Indeed, they are absurd, but everything has its reasons. Even bad moments are there for a reason or caused by that reason." I could sense her wisdom and intelligence. Reflecting on her words, I took a moment to jot down her quote, feeling a newfound appreciation for the peculiarities of the world around me.

•☽────✧˖°˖☆˖°˖✧────☾•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•∙∘☽༓☾∘∙•⋅⋅•⋅⊰⋅•⋅⋅•⋅⋅•☽────✧˖°˖

11 YEARS LATER

The park lay silent under the shroud of a winter night, distant streetlights casting eerie shadows on the snow-covered ground. The air was frigid, every rustle amplified in the stillness. As I walked, unease crept in. Tall trees formed jagged silhouettes, their branches like skeletal fingers against the dark sky.

Then, I saw it—a flicker of movement in the shadows. My heart raced as I froze, straining to see. A shadow detached itself, moving with unnatural grace, fluid and formless, blending into the darkness. Its eyes glanced at me, bright red and piercing through the gloom.