H.I.C.C.

Prologue: L

Heterochromia Iridum. Congenital. Complete. That was what the doctor had told my mother after she asked why my eyes were so different at birth. After some tests it was clear that no disease would arise from it, so the doctor smiled and assured my mother that it wouldn't affect my life. That it would simply be a character trait of mine. What a terrible lie that was. Not that I blame him. He couldn't have known he lied. No one could. And the way I led my first 4 years of life it would've seemed that way. But then it was clear that I'd enter school with five. Because I apparently was a little genius. Looking back, I sometimes wish I hadn't been. It had only made everything worse. From the first class onward, I had perfect grades. TOO perfect. And in addition, my right eye was ocean blue, and my left eye was emerald green. At first no one really seemed to care. Neither my classmates, nor my teachers. But as my grades were constantly perfect, it started to creep them out. And then they started to pick on me for it. And until I was thirteen that never changed. I was always left out. And outcast. A FREAK. A freak that everyone avoided as much as possible. Either that, or they sought me out. Hunted me down. To ridicule me, hit me, spit on me and torment me. And it kept happening and happening. Until one fateful day that is.

"Alright class, it's time to wrap up today's lesson. For your homework, go to page 173 and do the Number 4., part a), c) and d), and number 7. parts a)-f)." The teacher closed his own textbook, and as the bell rang the classroom filled with sound. Chairs clattering, students muttering, yawning and laughing. A few were already starting homework. The next lesson had been cancelled, as the teacher called in sick, but since they weren't allowed to leave anyway, most students either wasted their time talking or doing their homework. "UUUGGH! Mr. Demens always gives us so much! We won't be able to complete this before 5th period. And I wanted to have the afternoon free!" Marissa complained. Sophie added sourly: "WE won't. But I know someone who will." She ripped out a paper from her notebook and pressed it into a ball. Then she threw it across the room. The girl that got hit flinched at the sudden impact, but focused on the exercise again. "HEEEY, Jennifer! Help us!" Peter straightened the tie of his uniform. "Don't bother Sophie. She won't help you." Sophie pouted. "And why?" Peter laughed. "Because a freak wants to help freaks. Are you a freak?" Sophie cringed. "EEWWW! NO! FUCK OFF!" Again Peter let out a laugh. It was always the same. Day after day. Just as she felt like she had a purpose, some guy ruined it. But a few girls were no different. In the class she always endured it. Remained strong, held back her emotion. She didn't want to show them that they got to her. She didn't want to give them the satisfaction. She wondered if they even understood what they were doing. It was so weird, being the only one left out and understanding the situation better than them. Why was it all so easy? She didn't know. She didn't want to know. She feared that if she knew, she could destroy it with her doubts. Right now, this was all she had to distract her from the torment. From the horrors that always haunted her day after day. And honestly, was she safe at night? No. Nightmare after nightmare arose from the depths of her brain. She studied the concept of nightmares to get rid of them, but it just never worked. It was painful. So painful. When the school day was over, she quickly packed all her things and walked out of the room before anyone could stop her. She hurried down the corridor, down the stairs to the ground floor and to the exit. At the lockers she quickly grabbed her runners and left the building. The less time she spent here, the better.

But she was too late. Three guys she knew from the D-Class were already at the gate. "Cup'o'Blast!" she hissed. It was something she had picked up from her dad. It was some sort of family curse. She never asked him about the origin. She noted that somewhere in her brain on a 'to-do' list. She quickened her steps towards the exit, hoping today they'd ignore her. Of course they wouldn't... Who was she kidding? The three of them took slow, menacing steps towards her. "Afternoon Jen, looking tooooo go somewhere?" The other two laughed at his comment. Jen looked straight ahead. "Home." He now walked around her, like an asteroid caught in orbit. "Why are you in such a hurry?" He asked, putting an emphasis on the word "hurry". Afraid you could miss your favourite Barbie advert?" All three laughed loudly. "I don't watch TV." Jen plainly answered. The second boy now said: "Oooh no, of course not. That's bad for the EYES!" They laughed again. Jen sighed. She didn't show it, but she was at the brink of shivering. She had to control herself really hard to not sprint away. Terrified. Boys. She was afraid of them. Horrified. She had a weird unnatural fear of the opposite gender. Suddenly one of the guys stepped forward and stood right in front of her, looking down on her. "We might let you off the hook today if you do something for us." Jen couldn't control it anymore. The proximity to him made her anxious. She really shivered now. If he'd do more she'd scream and dust off. She knew it. Even though she wanted to prevent it. "Hey, look at her twitch! What the hell?? HAHAHA!" one of the other two suddenly yelled. The guy in front of her grabbed her upper arm tightly. She squeaked. "Scared?" He whispered in a threatening tone. Jen closed her eyes. Strength escaped her legs. She wanted to flee, but was frozen. "You have to do us but one favour." He repeated. "You'll escort us home and treat us to our dinner." Jen couldn't speak. Her eyes flashed open again, focusing on the ground, mouth widely opened. She couldn't breath. Her whole body was paralysed. "Well, suit YOURSELF!" When his voice raised as he said it, he suddenly punched her stomach. She gasped at the pain and collapsed into the school grounds. As she curled up the sand of the courtyard rubbed against her cheek, making it dirty. One of the guys spit on her face. "Just die, freak." He said as they walked away. Jen still couldn't breathe. She coughed twice. Thrice. But her lungs just wouldn't resume their function. Then, suddenly she could breathe again. And she started crying soon after. She carefully sat up and pulled her legs to her chest, burying her head between her knees. She sat there like that, tears just flowing. She didn't know how long. A few minutes at least. Not a single one of the kids that walked past her to leave paid attention to her. She was known around the school. No one would ask her what was wrong, or comfort her. No one. The flow of students was dying down, as almost everyone had left already. Then no one walked past her anymore.

The teachers would stay for a while longer. She wanted to have left before then. She didn't want to cause her parents any trouble. She wanted to leave. But she couldn't. Her legs didn't do as she want. Suddenly she heard footsteps. 'Oh no! A teacher?? Already?!' She was about to panic, but suddenly the person stood before her. "Hey, what're you sitting here for? School ended half an hour ago!" Jen looked up at her. "Oh my! Your face is all red! Is that spit??" The girl squatted down before Jen and got out a tissue to wipe off the spit. Jen stared at the girl. Confused. Why was she helping her? Her of all people? The freak? She gulped. "W-" Her throat was sore, talking heard, and it felt pathetic. Probably sounded pathetic too. "Why a-are you h-helping me?" She finally managed to ask. The other looked at her with wide eyes and raised both eyebrows. "Why wouldn't I?" "Jen looked to the ground. "Because no one ever helps the freak. If you do you're a freak too." Suddenly the other girl got up quickly. And took half a step back. 'I knew it...' Jen thought. Suddenly the hand of the other girl flashed forward. Jen stared at the hand held out to her. Then she stared at the girl's face. She was smiling. "My name's Elisabeth. But I prefer just being called L." Jen hesitated. "I-I'm Jennifer. Jen in short."

"Well Jen!" L said cheerfully as she grabbed Jen's arm. As she pulled Jen to her feet she happily exclaimed:

"Let's be freaks together!"