2023

The day was chilly and wet. But Ryan didn’t mind; he liked this type of weather. The wind whipped leaves into his face as he crossed the street. His t-shirt was soaked through, giving him goosebumps. He pretended not to notice.

He hated school. It was illegal to ditch - which is why he did it. Since he was only 18, he was supposed to have an Official Adult with him while he traversed the city. This was to ensure he wasn’t truant, which he was. Ryan held no qualms about breaking the law.

The rain began falling harder, adding hail to its frigid mix. Ryan shivered, but continued walking unsheltered. His wandering wasn’t illegal, according to the Old Laws. Killing, raping, stealing, etc. would have put him in jail. However, truancy was added to the rapidly growing list. Jail time and 18 straight hours of tutoring became the future of any minor found meandering during school hours. That alone was enough to scare most would-be law-breakers, but not Ryan. Besides, it was only illegal if you were caught and Ryan was very careful about not getting caught.

Looking at his watch, he realized that his last class would end soon. He quickened his pace and began walking back toward the school. He’d left just as soon as his second class had ended. Now he had to hurry, so he wouldn’t be late picking up his little brother, Derek.

A block from the school, Ryan decided to take a short cut through the alley between two buildings directly next door to the school. Right before he exited the alleyway, a nondescript figure leapt out at him. Ryan instinctively raised his forearm in defense.

The blow came from nowhere, striking him in the cheekbone. Stars danced in Ryan’s vision. Another hit brought a knife with it, onto his forearm. Ryan cried out in pain, and drew his dagger, his most prized possession. The attacker’s face came into what dim light there was, and Ryan’s eyes widened.

"Jason?" he asked incredulously.

The attacker said nothing. Instead, he re-gripped his knife and attempted to stab Ryan. The blow grazed his shoulder, drawing a thin line of blood. Ryan brought up his dagger and plunged it into Jason’s neck. He felt the sinew and tendons tear and he delved deeper. When the hilt was touching Jason’s neck, he wrenched it free.

A gurgle escaped from Jason’s lips, as blood trickled forth from his mouth. He fell face-down to the pavement, and after a few minutes of pained breathing and strangled gasps, he lay silent, a puddle of dark blood pooling around his head. Ryan took his dagger and wiped it on Jason’s shirt. He then replaced it in is sheath and continued walking towards the school, very shaken.

He had never killed before, and Jason had been a neighbour.

As he walked across the school parking lot, he saw two ambulances, lights flashing, siren silent - the signs of a fatal accident. He shrugged indifferently; he’d just nearly been killed. He wasn’t feeling too sympathetic.

He saw a crowd circled around something in the quad. He quickened his pace and found Bob, a shorter guy Ryan’s age with straw-colored hair and emerald eyes.

He slowed his trot to a saunter and tapped Bob on the shoulder, asking, "Hey, man. What happened?"

Bob’s already pale complexion was almost white. He turned to Ryan and stammered, "Dude…it-it’s your brother." Two other people, a tall lanky boy with long blonde hair, and a girl with long red hair, other friends, turned quickly at Ryan’s voice. They all formed their own little circle.

Ryan laughed at Bob’s statement.