How far would you go for money?
Would you tell a lie?
Would you steal?
Would you kill?
Only time can reveal your true intentions.
And you cannot run from the truth.
As if on cue, the resident birds in the tree next to my window begin chirping just as my clock hits 7:00 am. For a few minutes, I lay still in bed, my eyelids fighting furiously with an indomitable foe - the sunlight that floods in through my open window. As always, I'm forced to reluctantly open my eyes and finally wake up. I slowly open my eyes before swearing under my breath and immediately recoiling back into the bedsheets.
Why does the sun have to be so bright in the morning?
I cover my head with my blanket and take a look at my phone. 7:05 am. I was gonna have to get out of bed sooner or later. Wrapped in my warm blankets, I rolled off of the bed and onto the wooden floor. Intentionally, of course. It helps me wake up.
I dragged myself to my feet - still wrapped in blankets - and went to the bathroom to get washed up and change. As I walked to the bathroom I heard the unmistakable sound of my roommate's thunderous snoring.
"Wake up sleepy head!!" I yelled just as loud through the closed door.
Once my roommate and I were both fully dressed and ready to go, we grabbed our bags and headed out. Outside, there was already a large influx of people heading in. We followed the large mass through big cast-iron gates and onto a gorgeous courtyard.
All around us were students meeting up, talking and greeting each other enthusiastically. Short hedges only around two feet tall encompassed the entire courtyard, occasionally outlining smaller paths here and there or guiding the way to popular meet-up areas.
In the center of it all was the largest and most extravagant fountain I've ever seen. Into it was carved a mighty jaguar that looked as though it was leaping up and out of the water. Water flowed at its feet and poured down 3 intricate tiers before pooling into a small stone basin.
Outlining the entire scene of this courtyard were several weeping cherry trees swaying and dancing in the slight breeze of an early morning. Students gathered under them to chat, leaning against their sturdy trunks and tugging at their droopy branches. Pink flowers from the trees lay scattered across the courtyard, creating an ideal scene of serenity.
I walked into the crowded school where many more students lingered at the entrance in large groups, talking amongst themselves. Pushing past these groups, I clutched my bag tighter and hurried down the hall and up the stairs to my classroom. Good. I'm the first one here. Now I'll have some peace and quiet.
I put my bag on my desk and unzipped it. I looked around to see if I was truly alone before cautiously pulling out a syringe and a small glass bottle with a clear liquid inside. I carefully filled the syringe with this liquid and quickly put the materials back in my bag so no one could see.
Now, why would a normal high school student have this kind of thing in their backpack? Well, let's just say I needed some money and was looking to take a sort of...shortcut.
I turned around just as people started filing into the classroom. Giving a cheerful smile I waved happily at my familiar classmates. As I greeted them I felt my stomach rumble and remembered I hadn't eaten breakfast yet. I think I have enough time, I thought, looking at the time. I waved goodbye to my fellow classmates and left the classroom, heading downstairs and eventually off-campus.
Across from the school was a cafe run by two identical twin sisters who almost always dressed in the same clothing. This cafe was another favorite spot chosen by students to hang out. As usual, the place was packed. This didn't stop the two sisters from getting orders out on time, however.
I sat down at an empty table as far away from the big crowd as I could get and looked at the menu. As I pretended to immerse myself in the endless selections, I reminded myself of what I was getting myself into today.
Recently, my money troubles have been seemingly getting worse and worse. My mother was a famous novel writer, her works known all over the world. My father, a world-renowned brain surgeon. His innovations would impact the world for generations to come. So my family was definitely bringing in a lot of money. That is, however, until my mother was overcome with a horrible disease that my father couldn't cure. Brain cancer.
She fought as hard as she could for an entire year before the disease vanquished her.
My father was devastated. A horrible depression overcame him as well. And he fought his hardest not to let it get the better of him. But just like my mom, out of sadness over the death of his beloved wife and hatred for himself for not being able to cure her, he committed suicide.
Both of their deaths were mourned worldwide. As for me, I was forced to stay on this godforsaken planet. With nothing but the money they'd left behind and this private school that they'd enrolled me in ever since I was 5 years old. But with no income, both of those things were bound to leave me as well.
I still struggle with their deaths and having no parents, which is why my grades have been falling so much lately. On top of that, I still have to pay yearly to stay in this school. Which I haven't. Both of those things are a surefire way to get kicked out immediately. The administrators probably pity an orphaned child like me. But their patience is wearing thin.
I'm on my last leg of excuses and I'm sure they're done putting up with me and my bad grades. I'm just a big black smudge on their perfect reputation. They'll probably find the first opportunity this year to get rid of me.
So I had to do whatever it took to stay here. This school offers dorms where you can live for free as long as you're enrolled. Without any more money, I won't be able to find a place to stay if I do get kicked out.
Whether or not I stay here depends entirely on that little syringe in my backpack, and if I can fight off the great evil that lingers inside of it.
Suddenly I didn't feel hungry anymore. Must be the anxiety, I thought. Although I hadn't ordered anything, I left what I could on the table because I'd feel bad for just walking in and sitting at a table. I thanked the two sisters as they hurried past and left.
