The Mystery Man

The Sudden Appearance

It was a fine Tuesday morning, around 6am. Nicholas, or rather, Nick, had just woken up. It was an ordinary day, and he had an ordinary schedule ahead. Nick was 16, skinny, and pale. He was usually picked on by other kids in his school. He used to always return home sad, or really angry. The only three people that were good to him were his best friend, named Olivia, his mother, Nina, and his uncle, Tim. His father, would often arrive home late, as he was an alcoholic and would go to the bar, everyday after work. When he would arrive home, he would often shout at Nick, or his mother. Nick in fact hated his father, as his father would often beat Nick for even the slightest of mistakes. Nick did have a sister too, named Anna, however she was no less than his father. She was 19, and very rude. She would keep putting Nick in trouble so that she could enjoy watching Nick getting beaten up and screamed at. His mother would have divorced, but she was worried of how they would survive, as she did not have a job, and the main income was from Nicks father, Henry. A few dollars here and there would be earned by Nick as he would often go to work at a zoo after school. Only his mother knew of his job, but it wasn't that great, he was only a cleaner. Thus his salary was less. 

As Nick, slowly got out of bed, he groaned a little, as his back was bruised and had red marks all over. He had broken a glass by mistake, the previous night...And for that, his drunk father beat him with his belt. Nick freshened up, by brushing his teeth, washing his face, and having a shower. He was ready to go to school, but he was afraid, as he was pretty sure, that Dwayne, a bully, would be waiting to pick on him, like every other day. Dwayne was on the football team, he was the captain and had his group follow him all day. They were all bullies, and always would pick on the weak. However...Nick had no choice, as he wanted to study, and grow up to be successful so he could take his mother, and go to a different country, where they could live, happily, and safely. His mother was already in the kitchen, washing the dishes, she had already cooked him a grilled cheese sandwich, which was kept at the dining table. His father fast asleep, snoring loudly. His sister, Anna, was in her room, getting ready for school, with music on. 

He walked over to his mother, and wished her good morning, as he made his way to the table, and started eating his sandwich. Once his mother was done with dishes, she turned around, looking at him in shock. She covered her face with her right hand, and started walking towards the Mop, which was mounted on the wall. He looked at her, confused of why she was hiding her face. "Mom? Are you okay?" He asked as he got up from his chair, and walked towards his mother. He came In front of her, and blocked her path, not letting her go any further. "Show me your face" He said, as he held her hand and took it off her face. As he did so, he saw a huge bruise, near his mothers mouth. "Who did this? Did dad do it?" He asked with a nervous and angry voice. "Forget it dear, and go to school, its almost 7" His mother says as she sighs. Nick was furious, he couldn't stand seeing his mother hurt, but, he was weak, and couldn't do anything about it. He then told her, "Lets leave him, we don't have to be here, we can live with Uncle Tim". Uncle Tim, was Henry's, Nick's father's brother. He was a very kind and caring man, unlike Henry. His wife, had passed away in an accident, around 2 years ago. He had no children, and worked at the same office, as Henry. "No, we cannot bother uncle Tim, and even if we do, we will only spark a fight between him and your father" Nina says with fright. Henry and Tim were brothers, but were never good to each other, in fact, they hated each other for their very different behaviours. Nick sighed, as what his mother said, was the truth. "Okay, but I promise to take you somewhere safe after I finish my studies and get a job" Nick says with a slight smile. His mother nodded with a happy face. Nick then took his 3 years old school bag, and walked towards the bus stop. Nick was always alone, unless he was with his friend Olivia, who was also in his bus. He waited for the bus to arrive, and once it did, his face, had a huge smile, as his best friend, Olivia would wave to him, from the window. Olivia was also bullied, but she could stand up for herself, and often got into trouble for what she did to her bullies. However her bullies, would walk out of it, as they would always play the victim in front of the School Councillors. Both Nick and Olivia, spoke about how their day went and comforted each other. She meant the world to Nick, as she was one of the only people, who would stand alongside him, against the rest of the world.

After around 10 minutes, they reached their school. Nick and Olivia were always worried, and looking around to see if their bullies were around. Nicks bully, Dwayne, and his squad were around the main gates of the school, chatting and sharing laughs. One of the guys in the squad, saw Nick, and Nick, saw them, he slowed his pace of walking, and so did Olivia as she could see Nick was afraid to go from there, as they were right at the main entrance. The boy who saw nick, tilted his head towards Dwayne and pointed at Nick, within a matter of seconds, all of the boys got up, their faces had a sinister smile, they were happy that their prey was finally here. Nick started walking backwards, he didn't want to face them, Olivia slid her hand to Nicks, and held his hand, giving him comfort. "Awww aren't you two adorable" Said Dwayne, laughing. "Go away man, please, its early in the morning, and school hasn't even begun, lets not do this here" Nick said with a squeaky and afraid voice. "Do you think you are in control here?" Dwayne said smiling and chewing on his bubble gum. "N-no..." Nick said, as he put his head down, he knew he was about to cry, he was very afraid of Dwayne". Olivia stood up for him, "Dwayne, why don't you go back and chill with your squad, we don't want you here" She said sternly. "Wo ho ho, and what are you going to do, Mrs.Weak?". Nick stamped on Dwayne's  shoes. "She's not weak okay, now get lost!" He was with anger, tears flowing from his eyes. Dwayne screamed in pain. "Agh you fool!" Dwayne said as he quickly pulled his hand back and punched Nick on his nose, breaking it. Nick fell to the ground crying and holding his bleeding nose, Olivia quickly sat down next to him and holding him. "Your such a bully!" She said to Dwayne. "Well what do I say Luv, Theres just too much enjoyment in watching your friend get hurt" Dwayne said smiling, and chewing on his gum loudly. Olivia looked at Dwayne with an angry look "Get lost!" She said as she helped Nick get up and go to the infirmary. The school bell rang shortly after the fight. After Nick took an ice pack from the nurse, and walked to his class, he had this feeling, that he was going to mentally break down and cry, so he took the permission of his teacher, and went to the bathroom holding the ice pack on his nose.

As he entered, he kept the ice pack on the sink, and put his head down towards the tap, washing his face, and crying. "Why...why do I always have to go through all of this, why can't I have a good life?" He questions himself. Suddenly the door bangs open. "Awww, Mr.Weak crying?" Dwayne says as he looks at Nick. "N-no go a-away, I don't want you here!" Nick says crying and begging, but Dwayne laughs. "This bathroom does not belong to you, I can come here whenever I want" He says as he comes closer to Nick. Suddenly the lights shut off, Nick, looks around, as he begins to panic, he couldn't see anything, but then suddenly he hears the screams of Dwayne. "No stop, leave me alone, go away!" Dwayne screams. Noises of punches and Dwayne's groans and screams fill the bathroom. Nick looks around scared, as he then spots two, bright eyes, looking at him, blue eye balls, with a white background. He couldn't see his face, but his eyes...were menacing, and were launching shivers, down Nicks spine. "W-who a-are you?" Nick mumbles.

To be continued...