CHAPTER I
Sometimes, you don't know why you feel like something is wrong until later.
Ok, allow me to back up. My name is Jacob Alexander Opian, (See inset for details), but the average person doesn't have the time or energy necessary to say that mouthful. I realized this, so I settled for Jayke. Anyway, back to the story.
I was walking home from a long, monotonous (thanks to Mrs. Papazian and English class for teaching me that one) day at my middle school. I reached a Starbucks and, given the fact that I live in New England and this is the prime time winter, (for you slow thinkers: it was snowing) I decided to do myself a solid. By solid, I specifically meant a medium, decaffeinated latte with extra foam. (People call me a, "White Girl" for going to Starbucks regularly. I have no idea why.) If there is one thing you should know about me, I LOVE foam.
Just kidding.
In all seriousness though, I've taken a liking towards all things soft/smooth/squishy/fluffy. This liking contributes entirely to the reason why I use shampoo AND conditioner in the shower, and THAT in turn contributes entirely to the reason why if you see me, it is more likely than not that you would find a person or two running their hands through it. SO MANY people do that; apparently I have realllllyyy soft hair. Mission accomplished.
Back to the story. No, wait. This is important. I'm ADHD, so if I forget to mention something, don't freak out. I'll get to it. (The 'H' is inactive; I just get distracted easi-oh look, a squirrel..) Ok, NOW back to the story.
So I was sitting in the warmth and safety of the coffeehouse and saw a man walking across the street, accompanied by three comrades. I think the warmth and steam in the air of the café made me drowsy or something, but at the time, I couldn't figure out what was wrong.
Silly Jayke. People don't wear shorts and tank tops in 20º weather and smile like it was the middle of summer.
"Hay, you still with me?"
"Yeayuh!"
"Sorry about the abrupt change of plan, but I need to go. I'll text you."
"Okay! Bye!"
I clicked the oblong 'end' button on the screen of my iPhone (5c, for the colorful! Details are important, okay?). I had been talking to my best friend, Hayleigh, since I started narrating. One of the many advantages of ADD is that my brain is always working, thinking of something else to say. Even as I talk now, my thought machine is at full speed. Sometimes, and I might sound strange saying this, I even feel as if it gives me power.
Think, Jayke, think. That's one thing you're good at. What should I do? I concluded the only way to investigate this curiosity was to tail them. Trying to stay within earshot but out of sight, I crept along the (ooh, how cliché!) alleyway they were creeping down.
"...get it for him?" I heard a voice say. The speaker sounded extremely worried, as if he had just heard that his flight was leaving in a minute and he couldn't find the gate.
"Patience, insolent one."
I nearly soiled my jeans.
Imagine what Death personified would sound like if given a few vocal chords and an adams apple.
Just squatting at the edge of the brick wall, I felt hopeless. Maybe I'll just lie down, right where I am and give in to the darkness. Life really isn't that special anyway, so what was I doing, wasting my time?
Snap out of it, dumbass!
"Holy.." I whimpered, terrified.
In that moment, for a second there, I had been tempted to just plain DIE. The voice of whoever-or whatever-was speaking had almost put me to sleep.
Damn.
