Adam Bowleans was in a coma, and that was the news that shook Luke the most today. Seeing him thrown because of Luke almost made his soul fly because he was too surprised. Because no matter how much he hates Bowleans, Luke really has no tendency to hurt people so sadistically.
"He's in a coma," Andrew said, informing him.
"What?"
"He's in a coma. I heard it from Valentina. ”
“What… is he—”
“All I heard, broken ribs, concussion and several internal organs rupture—”
At that moment, Andrew's voice seemed to be muffled and Amy spoke so softly. But somehow, Luke can still hear it.
" Baby, don't say anything anymore. Don't make Luke even more guilty. We have to cheer him up so he feels better. You know Luke couldn't have done that on purpose?"
“Okay, sorry. Hello, Lucas."
"Yes, hello?"
“Your voice sounds weary. What if tonight we—”
"Sorry, I can't."
"Or tomorrow night?"
“ I can't, Andrew . I'm not in the mood to go anywhere."
"Oh okay."
" Well, I'll turn off the call. I need rest."
"Luke, are you angry with what they said?" snapped Amy, startling me again.
“ No. _ I just… I just want to sleep, Amy. I'm tired. I'm sick."
There was a pause before Amy replied, “Okay. Call me when you're feeling better."
"Of course."
"And you should know that-"
" See ya. ”
Luke hung up immediately. Not wanting to prolong their conversation because after hearing Adam's condition, Luke felt very nauseous and as if his body was empty. Oh, my. Never imagined in his life that Luke would lay two brothers in the hospital in just a matter of days.
Adam's image that morning was still clearly recorded in his head and then replayed the memory without Luke wanting to. Sometimes the way memory works is absurd and annoying.
***
The window in the classroom was still the same as yesterday. The classroom door has also been given a police line. It seems this class has been used as a crime scene and should not be used. Sad, but what can I do.
Luke turned around, expecting to meet Amy and Andrew who told Luke where his replacement class was. Instead, what Luke saw were dozens of students' eyes looking at him. They huddled in the aisle, leaving a fair distance.
"So he did it?" someone hissed. The sound was heard, but Luke had no idea where it was coming from. But after that, the hums and whispers grew and continued to fill the corridor.
“Adam is not a monster. He's the monster.”
“ Nerd guys are terrible. Don't come near him.”
“What the hell is that? After making one person on the verge of death, now he goes to school as if he doesn't feel the least bit guilty? Terrifying."
"He should be in prison for life."
"But, wasn't Adam the one who attacked him first?"
"At least Adam didn't crash him in the ER, Dude. That guy should be put in jail until he rots.”
“Sst… Don't whisper in front of him. One-one, we will be thrown out.”
At the same second, somehow, Adam Bowleans walked from the classroom to the door. He glared at Luke in disbelief. And like the previous scene, he pulled Luke's hair really tight. It was so tight that Luke felt the blood running down the back of his neck and a chill in his skull. Luke had been screaming and begging Adam to let Luke go, but Adam was pulling him further back.
“Stop! I said stop, you jerk!”
What was crazy was that everyone crowding in the corridors just kept quiet without taking action. Some hold their phones in the recording position. Some of them suddenly screamed like crazy.
Rise up, Luke. rise ...
Ah, that sound. The muttering inside his head that was before, now became clearer. Simultaneously, Luke's nose and lips were also throbbing very hard as if all the muscles in those two places were twitching.
Are you mad, Luke? Then get angry. Let it all out. Revive existing ones. Quickly get on your feet and let your hair stand up, Luke. You must…
“Oh, my. Look at his eyes. It was so red it looked like it was soaked in blood.”
Hey, what's that? Why is he growing up? Is he going to turn into Godzilla?”
"Wait. It's not Godzilla. It was—”
"Shut up!" Luke couldn't stop himself from screaming. They are all noisy. Their mouths talked so much that Luke wanted to rip their mouths apart one by one. “Shut up all of you! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up…”
“Luke! Luke...! Get up, son. Luke, wake up!”
“Aarggh….!”
Luke opened his eyes and realized the scream just now was indeed as loud as a trumpet on New Year's Eve. Ulfa was on the side of the bed, but she shifted with her hands to her chest and looked at Luke a little worriedly. Not to mention, the blankets and pillows he used were messy. It took him five seconds to realize that what had just been was a dream. More or less grateful Luke. Even so, Luke still sweats a lot. Wet your back and sheets.
Ulfa finally approached Luke and started stroking his hair.
"Nightmare?"
"I guess so," Luke answered.
"Would you like to tell me what the dream was, honey?"
“Erm… nothing special. It's just… yeah, I think it's because of the trauma. There's no need to worry."
Even so, the pain and emotions in the dream still lingered. The feeling of tearing everyone's mouths apart in the corridor arose when Luke saw his reflection in the mirror opposite the bed. Glance, Luke glanced at the clock on the table. It's four in the morning and Luke has missed dinner. But Luke didn't feel hungry at all.
Luke wanted to go back to sleep, but because he wasn't comfortable, Luke decided to change into something more comfortable and dry. Ulfa was there when Luke undressed and afterward, instead of telling him to sleep, Ulfa asked.
“Do you need some fresh air, my dear? Would you mind accompanying Ulfa to go out for a bit?”
“But, it's still dawn, Ulfa. The sun hasn't even come out yet."
Ulfa glanced briefly at the same clock she saw earlier and, still, it was still four in the morning. Then Ulfa looked at Luke again with a gentle look that Luke couldn't refuse.
"Okay. Okay."
Luke relented. Immediately he took thick padding and shoes, then put them on and waited for Ulfa at the end of the stairs. He was seen tiptoeing out of the room wearing a super thick jacket and scarf. Giggled like a child, only she had wrinkles.
“Don't tell your grandfather, okay?” Ulfa said, winking mischievously.
"Of course not. I'm not in the mood for a fight with Ben."
They quietly went out of the house after Ulfa decided to write a memo on the fridge door that read, ' Dear Ben. Luke and I were on our morning walk. Make your own breakfast and don't get mad if your coffee isn't hot. From your love, Ulfa .'
Then the main door opened and the early morning air hit my face. It felt like all the nightmares from earlier vanished with the wind of the early morning. They walked along the street. Ulfa took Luke's hand like she was four or six years old. Around the house there are still rows of sparse trees or people's gardens. The lights flashed in a faint glow, illuminating the wet street below. Lined up along the street at long distances and the two of them were in a dark area where no light shined when they could be seen in the distance, there was a small silhouette standing on one of the lampposts up ahead. At first, Luke thought it was just an object like a trash bag or something until he noticed it was moving.
" Ulfa, what is that?" By reflex, Luke tightened his grip on Ulfa.
Before Ulfa could answer, the object began to move again. This time it seemed to roll forward towards them swiftly and it caused panic.
"ULFA…!"
Luke choked and immediately hid his face on Ulfa's shoulder and tried to step back. But, Luke heard Ulfa say, “Oh, calm down, kid. It’s our friend."
So, Luke opened his eyes and felt stupid himself. It's just a little fox. Ha ha…
***