Hello Neighbor: Forgotten Memories: An Unofficial AFK Book

CHAPTER 1

   I didn't go to school the next day. My parents just think I'm taking a mental health week off right now, but now I feel worse than I have in a long time. I haven't spoken a single word since Maritza and I saw that thing in the woods. It's for the best of me and everyone else.

   I've felt so paranoid at night from that birdman I saw. I had been hiding when those thoughts take over my mind, making me do things I may regret. It's died down a bit though, but that feeling of being scared all of the time still sits.

   I don't understand.

   Why do things like this keep happening to me? How come everyone else gets to live like nothing has occurred to them, while I just sit here, suffering, and letting my life slowly rot away? I can't. I can't do this anymore.

   Was I supposed to be here in the first place?

   Was I supposed to move here without a choice?

   Was I supposed to exist?

   As these thoughts circulate my head, I stare out into the colorless grass of the middle of November. I've only been back for a month and a half, and even before then, I've felt like giving up since I found Aaron.

   I already heard that he left Raven Brooks right after the funeral.

   Why did he have to leave so early? Why couldn't he stay and talk for longer? How could he just-

   "Nicky?" female voice calls. I heavily flinch, then turning back to see a girl I recognize not to far behind me. She sits next to me.

   "You haven't been at school all week. You okay?" Trinity asks. I don't know if she really wants to know, but can't she seen that I'm not in the mood to talk to anyone right now? I don't answer as usual, as she observes the dark circles under the eyes and soulless look of a boy, who ruined his life trying to safe his best friend.

   "And sorry for scaring you like that, I know you're a little jumpy," she says. I for some reason fell offended from that. She supposedly knew from the start, and proceeded to to it anyway. I look down and notice a clump of dirt in my hand. I turn it over, letting it dissolve back onto the unknown place called Earth. Or at least to me, it is.

   "Are you coming back next week?" Trinity continues. I give her and irritated look, really telling her that I want to be left alone with my damaged brain right now. But then I turn back to me legs, and I shrug my shoulders in response. She sits there for a little longer, then she finally gives up.

    "I'll see you later then," she concludes, walking off and leaving me with my thoughts. I kind of didn't want her to leave, but I knew she couldn't help either. My emptiness.

   That's the perfect word for it. I feel like I shouldn't be here anymore. I start heading back in the direction of my house. As I open the door, I notice that no one is there. At least, I don't think so. I head up to my room, and I collapse onto my bed carelessly.

   This is the life.

   My parents are out somewhere right now, but I really don't care. I could probably at least, try to sleep until they get back. I haven't done it in six days, so I might as well try to make use of my time. But every time I close my eyes, I'm reminded of the past. My cold, lonely, cruel past. I'm starting to remember if I've ever felt like this before I moved here. Maybe?

   I'm not sure, but I probably did.

   If I can remember. Maybe I should get back to attempting to sleep for the first time in a week. Maybe that's why I feel like this. Or maybe it's because of Mya. I thought Maritza would be happy again if she could see her again.

   Alive.

   I know she lied when she said that she was okay. Maybe when she was angry at me, it meant something else. But I can't think about it too much right now. I have to try to rest.

   Maybe that will help.