One Percent

Chapter 1

A hint is not shown but rather it is paved…

I stretch out my hands as I try to reach my clock. I hit with a bit of force than usual since I stayed up all night working on my plans. What plans? Well... since today is the first day of college, I will need to have a bit of excitement. The sun covered my face with the face of a new morning, while I heard the faint sound of wood.
“Hmm…. 6 A.M… ” I yawned quite loudly as I heard my roommate at my door, knocking.
“Fenuir! I need to go soon so I am coming in!” He said as he opened the door, catching me in my… underwear…
“…”
“…”
“GET OUT LUCSUS!!!” I threw my pillow at him as I covered myself with my blanket
“OKAY! OKAY!” He ran outside as he slammed the door, making me sigh
“Don’t you know how to wait for an answer!?” I quickly put on my clothes from last night as I go to the door, I see him still holding my pillow. “Mine” I grabbed the pillow and threw it on my bed
“Stop being chase Fenuir, I’ve seen more” I can hear him giggling “besides, aren’t you too old for briefs?”
“Idiot…” I walked by him as I went to the kitchen and prepare a bit of food such as toast, coffee and leftover muffins “Anyway, it’s a new job right?” I sipped my coffee as I turn and look at him.
“Well yeah. And it’s just another sideline” he walked over to my side, tugging my arm as he leaned over
“Well, why don’t you just join me in college? You’re one year left until you graduate high school… and-”
“Fen. You know why that happened…” he looked me in the eye with his blue ones. My back eyes feel sad but my mouth curved into a smile
“Sorry Luc. Forgot.”
“Yet you’re the one who reminded us” he teased
“Oh shut it. Also, what is your new job again?”
“Here.” he handed me a card with a fountain image with a beer and cup next to it. It reads Frisky Fountain. After reading that, I stared at him, with my worried face
“Isn’t this…”
“Don’t worry.” He pecked my cheek with a kiss “I know it’s a bar but I am yours”
“S-Shut up”
He just laughed making me look away. His smell gets stronger as I felt him hugging me tightly. I hugged him back as we stayed there for a few minutes.
“Also, It’s morning so I will be doing a lot of things and no time for fun.” He assured “Which reminds me, I need to go.”
He then grabbed my toast as he ran to the door, making me pout but all I can hear him is “Love ya”
Sigh…
I need to prepare another set of toast and … he took my muffin!?

I continue to walk down the road, morning breeze of the city. Not really clean but everyone is just so busy. Viva Leira University is just a short walk from my apartment. Many men and women are walking about for their daily routine. It seems like it’s much busier today. I wouldn’t be surprised. After all, it’s the start of the school year.
As I enter the gate, I can see a lot of students walking about. It’s much more like a depressing atmosphere. Now that I think about it, its also the end of summer break. Not really surprising but some people just don’t like to study. I can tell from their faces.
“Did you hear…?”
“You mean that disappearance?”
I heard from the sides a bunch of girls gossiping. I wouldn’t really gossip but that one word… disappear. I can’t help but feel intrigued. I walked near them without letting them notice me as their voices get louder.
“You mean that new kid? The one with the red hair?”
“Yeah. They said he disappeared on this campus”
“Really!? But isn’t just a myth?“
“But his family is starting to report VLU”
“Well, this campus is safe said the headmaster.”
“Are you sure? I also heard howling at night near the dorm”
“Seriously?”
“I know right!!”
While the talk was getting intense, the bell rang, meaning that the morning assembly is starting in 15 minutes. I looked at my map and continue to the said venue.
“…”
A disappearance? I’ve never heard of that here before. I researched it here. Viva Leira University or the students call it VLU. Its famous for its science and technology courses. In fact, one of the best in the country. I did get computer studies so it’s best for this course. VLU is one of the top universities with a solid reputation and no bad reports. No fraternities, no drugs, no alcohol and no kidnapping on campus. Hearing a disappearance like this seems surreal.
As I continue to walk, I find myself entering the auditorium. Its covered in red curtains and so advanced. The stage is in velvet color. There is no white screen but a huge television screen for ease of access. It continuously plays a video of welcoming students. It plays a series of events every year, students working on machines and games. It even shows the latest project: I.C.E.L.O.N. or Intelligent Computer Enigma in Limiting Online Nanobots. Its pretty much like a type of antivirus that works like a virus, without harming your computer, or something like that.
“Mr. Grimgar. Welcome!”
I turn my head around and I see Rino with his arms crossed. Well, at least a familiar face appears.
“Hey Rino”
“I told you to call me Mr. Daltio” He snarled at me.
“maybe in class” I walk to him as he beckoned me to take a seat near him.
“You’re so… whatever…” he sighed deeply “Well, how are you enjoying so far”
“So much drama for the first day” I joked “but nothing much happened anyway.”
“I see” He then got close to me while he whispered “Meet me on the roof at 3 PM”
“The roof?”
“Yeah. I need to show you something”
“Cant you just tell me” I said to him while he removed his glasses and stared at me
“If I can, I would have”
“… Well whatever you say Rino”
He sighed but he still smiled. He rubbed m shoulder reassuring me to relax
“If you need anything Fen, just call” He smiled
“That’s alright”
“Well, I need to go” He stood up petting me on the head as he left towards the stage.

The program then started with welcoming us to the campus. A man clad in a black suit and a smile on his face. Something about him is familiar to me.
“Welcome dear students” His deep voice pierce us
"My name is -"
"AAAAAGH!!!" the voice was thwn cut off by a loud scream.. as if coming from up above us. Terrie screams can be heard as others ran, terrified by the scream. The people are running about as I look around for something to do.
"What do I..." i whisper to myself as I walk about. The lights came crashing for some reason. I can hear faint soinds of grunts and gusts above. Curious would you call it? Or just stupidity?
The steel rids were on my feet as i climb up to take a glimpse a woman clad in green. Her face is not seen but the long blue hair gave away the gender.
"Hmm?"
The woman ran towards me, making me flinch as I lose my balance. I cant see anything. Its dark now. As if the light has been sucked out, i am clad in nothing but black.
"What..."
I fell into a sleep as i fall.
I feel a sharp pain on my neck and left cheek. I graze it with my hands to only feel nothing. Its burning. The  cool breeze around me doesnt help. I look around, its much lighter but ro only find myself in the all too fimiliar science lab. I look to the corner to see Rino.
"Welcome back"
His legs were crossed and arms were holding a book. Too old to be considered to be used today.
"What... the... hell...?"
"Dont worry" he reasured "Its just an earthquake"
...
......
But from what I saw... it is not