Adventures Beyond The Void (Season 1)

Chapter 1: Summer Break Begins

POV: NICHOLAS

The ringing of the bell can be heard echoing throughout each classroom, indicating the last break before the final hour of the school year. Excitement is painted across every student's face, except mine. Laughter and relief flow like a river through the halls, the anticipation evident on everyone's joyful expressions.

Everybody craves summer. People go on vacation, families finally have time to for fun, parents relax and most importantly, there is no studying. You might be thinking, "Nicholas, why aren't you excited about summer holidays?"

Well, the answer is simple. My parents, no matter what time of the year it is, will either be working abroad or if by any miracle stay at home for a while, will completely ignore my existence.

Why, you ask? My birth was never part of their plan. Both of them cared only about dedicating their time and energy to pushing their company forward. Raising a child was an unwanted burden, one they never bothered to hide from me. In those early years, they were forced to be present only until I was old enough to be left alone, or at least in the care of a nanny.

I can't decide whether to feel proud or crushed by the fact that I was far more mature than my peers from a very young age, but it's probably the latter. Growing up, I saw clearly that the rift between my parents and me ran deeper than the Mariana Trench, and that chasm became the greatest force behind my premature maturity.

At least they were considerate enough to have their secretary, Mrs. Connors, deposit money into my account so I could buy necessities and pay the bills while they were away. I suspect they believed they were doing me a favor, since they never viewed me as family, only as an obstacle to their ambitions. As for my dog Marcus...

      ???: - Hey there freak, still lost in your big head?!

I mentally sighed.

Hunter Johnson.

Hunter was a big guy, on of the tallest in the class to be exact. He had dark brown eyes and long dirty blond hair tied up to a ponytail. He was relatively fit, which is to be expected from the leader of the school's soccer team. His skin was clear and unblemished, his jawline sharp, and his looks were more than enough to make him desirable among girls.

Well, no matter how rich or handsome Hunter is, no one, and I mean no one, not even the teachers, can deny the fact that he's a bully, especially when it comes to loners like myself. But nobody lifts a finger about it. No one cares enough to do the right thing, whether it's because they are afraid, or because they don't care enough to help me.

And now here I am, having him literally tower over me with a sneer. It wasn't really convenient that I was one of the shortest kids in the class. From time to time, he'd sometimes pick me up and throw me, or make fun of me with his friends.

But today, I wasn't having it. The nightmare had taken its tool on me, leaving me restless and rolling in bed for hours. I looked back at him, bored, yet underneath the apathetic surface, irritation and anger boiled.

      Nicholas: - I'm not in the mood today for your little games Hunter, so beat it.

The moment the words left my mouth, silence fell over the class. Hunter looked shocked, not expecting me to speak to him like this. Usually, I'd beg and plead. Nope, I was far too mentally drained to put up with his egoistic nonsense.