Alter Ego (On-Hold)

Chapter 2

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*Shigeru Sakamaki's Pic on the Right

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"Waaahh!!" I gasped as I opened my eyes. I bolted straight up in bed as I tried to catch my breath. My heart hammered against the inside of my ribcage. I noticed that my shirt is soaked with sweat and so are my bed covers. I examined my body to look for wounds and damages but found none.

"A nightmare huh?!" I told myself. Yeah it is just a dream. A bad one. But it felt so real! Like it really happened to me. But it didn't. I ignored the feeling and went down for breakfast.

"Good morning." I said to Annie but she just ignored me and left the kitchen. Annie is my stepmom and our relationship wasn't really as rough as what we have right now. She started hating me when my dad died due to a car accident and she was blaming me since I was with dad when the accident happened.

I quickly finished my meal and prepped myself to go to school.

Just when I was about to leave the house, I saw a guy wearing a brown coat on top of his black turtle neck sweater standing across the street. He has a long, brown wavy hair and a stubble on his chin. He is also wearing clear glasses so I can see that he is looking straight at me.

My chest suddenly tightened and I felt a burning sensation making me fall on my knees. I clutched on my chest and gasped for air. After a few seconds, I felt relieved and stood as I look across the street where the man was standing. But to my surprise, he wasn't there anymore. I didn't even notice that he left his spot.

I must be seeing things. I thought to myself.

I just shook my head and went to school.

Time went by so quickly and I noticed that Shigeru keeps on eyeing me with that weird look in his face. I ignored it as Mr. Swanson comes inside the classroom. He started with his lecture as my mind drifted away and thought of my nightmare and what happened earlier this morning.

"Mythologies are stories about powerful deities which are said to rule the earth long time ago. Each country has their own set of myths that they consider as either part of their history or literature. Whether these deities are real or not, nobody knows." Mr. Swanson explained while rolling his pen between his hands.

What the... Isn't this a part of my dream? Am I having a déjà vu? I hope not.

"Ryuji, could you share us your insight about mythology?" He asks while throwing a smile at me.

Oh God! This can't be happening.

"Uhmmm.. I th...think..." I started to stutter.

Riiiiiiinnnggg!!!!

This can't be real. This is just a coincidence. Right! I fixed my things and went out of the room. 

"Mr. Amada, can I speak with you for a moment?"  Mr. Swanson asked making me froze on my tracks.

I looked at him and held my breath as I anticipated for the words that will come out of his mouth.

"Ryuji, I just want to let you know that you are actually doing well in my class especially when it comes to written assessments. But you have to exert more effort when it comes to recitation. Why don't you try to make some friends? That way, you'll be able to gain more confidence when speaking to an audience. Okay?" He said without even pausing. My eyes went wide as I realize what was happening.

I turned my back and run through the hallway as fast as I could.

"Amada!" Damn! I used all my strength just to get away from Shigeru as far as possible. I don't want my "nightmare" to become real.

As I was running through the school garden, a pair of hands grabbed me by my shoulder and pinned me down the ground.

"Where do you think you are going?" He asked.

"Get off me!" I shouted as I struggled for him to release me. He jabbed me in the stomach which stopped me from struggling.

"Ha! Serves you right! This is what you get for trying to escape from me." He said as he gave me another punch and landed it on my face. 

This is tiresome! I hate this feeling of being weak and unable to fight back! I want to fight back. I want to protect myself!

I felt a sudden heat take over my body. But not that kind of heat that gives me pain. Instead, it gives me vigor and power.

I tried to push him off me but he didn't even budge. I tried to punch him but he just caught my fist and gave me another smack.

I thought I felt power rush through my body. Was that all a bluff? I prepared myself and closed my eyes as Shigeru launched another punch to my face.

Make it quick and just get it over with.

One, two, three.. Come on! Stop messing with me. Seconds have passed yet the contact seems to take forever. I opened my eyes slowly and was shocked to see the reason why the punch was put to a halt.

"Ama..da.. Urrghh.. He..lp me..." Shigeru groaned.

I can't believe what I am seeing. Shigeru's fist and legs are wrapped with leaves and branches making him immobile. He is also being strangled with vines that seemed to stretch from nowhere. I was appalled with what I am witnessing which made me unable to move if it wasn't for Shigeru's plead.

"Ryu..ji.. Ple..ase.. He..lp.. Aahh.." I can sense that Shigeru is having a hard time breathing already and forced myself to move. I thought plants were supposed to give us oxygen and not cut them?

I tried to untangle the vine that is cutting his air supply but had a hard time doing so since the vines are thick. I looked for something sharp so that I can cut these long whips. I saw a stone and took it and started cutting the thick vines. It was difficult but I was able to release him from the vines but he was already knocked out due to lack of oxygen. At least he was still breathing. I don't know how I'll explain to the police that the vines choked him to death. They might send me to the asylum rather than jail.

I was about to leave when I saw a familiar image standing not far from where we are located. The man in the brown coat. I blinked my eyes just to make sure that he is not an imagination. Yet, he didn't disappear like what he did this morning. He walked towards me and looked me in my eyes. As if he was looking straight through my soul.

So he IS real after alI.

His gaze made me froze in my place and gave me a mischievous grin. He has this very strong aura making him look mysterious and dangerous at the same time.

"Ryuji Amada. You need to come with me." He said as he stopped in front of me.

"Why should I come with a stranger like you?" I asked making my voice firm just to hide my uneasiness.

"I am Shuji Ikitsuki. And you need to come with me so that you can control your powers and prevent hurting people just like what you did to your friend here." He pointed to Shigeru who is now lying on the ground unconscious.

"What?  What are you talking about?" I asked curiously. I think this guy is crazed. Do I look like a plant to him? Unless my limbs are vines and my legs are roots then I will take his accusations. And how long has he been standing there? He saw everything?

"Of course. You don't know right now. That is why you must come with me. Because we are the same." He responded making me raise a brow on him.

"You are an Incarnate."

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