CHAPTER 1: The Comic
Date: May 07, 2022
Time: Monday, 11:46 AM
Location: Liberty Springs Academy, Washington
The long hallways of Liberty Springs Academy were packed with the usual break-time chaos. Students were hanging out in groups, laughing and gossiping, while a few preferred to plug in their earphones and walk alone. Cutting right through the crowd was a boy in a serious hurry, weaving through the traffic toward a specific classroom.
He was wearing the standard school uniform: a light blue button-down shirt with the school emblem neatly embroidered on the pocket, navy blue trousers, and a matching navy blazer with silver piping along the edges and the school crest on the chest. As he booked it down the hall, he accidentally bumped into a few classmates.
"Hey, watch it!" someone yelled, annoyed.
Gordon didn't even slow down, but he flashed a quick, apologetic smile over his shoulder as he kept up his pace. "Sorry!" He finally reached his destination, his eyes lighting up when he saw the sign on the door: The Library.
Opening the door, Gordon stepped into the quiet room and was greeted by the familiar sight of the school librarian. Mrs. Harrilton was a thin, kind-hearted woman in her late 60s. Her silver hair was neatly pulled back into a bun, and a round monocle rested over her right eye, giving her a sharp but gentle look. She wore a cozy cardigan over a floral dress, and a necklace of tiny, clear blue pearls hung around her neck.
Sitting at her desk, she looked up as the door clicked open. The moment she saw the teenager with his distinct white hair tipped in black, fair skin, and golden eyes practically glowing with curiosity her face lit up.
"Good morning, Gordon."
"Good morning, Mrs. Harrilton!"
Gordon walked up to her desk, practically vibrating with excitement.
Mrs. Harrilton smiled, seeing right through him. "I'm guessing you're here for the new volume of the Light Spear comic?"
Gordon nodded eagerly. "Yes, please!"
The elderly lady chuckled and turned toward a neat stack of books resting on her desk. "Gordon, I do have volume five of Light Spear right here for you... but..." She stopped, pointing significantly at the clock on the wall.
Gordon followed her gaze and groaned internally, realizing time had caught up with him. "I get it, Mrs. Harrilton. I'll come back at lunch then." Though he was bummed, he flashed her a warm smile that totally melted the elderly woman's heart.
"Alright, you had better head back to class. Have a good afternoon."
"You too, Mrs. Harrilton. Bye!" Gordon gave a quick wave and headed out.
Right on cue, the warning bell rang just as he stepped back into the hall. He slipped into his classroom, grabbed his seat, and pulled out his literature textbook, a wave of relief washing over him just in time. A second later, the door swung open and the literature teacher strode in, carrying a thick stack of handouts.
"Alright, students, settle down," she commanded, immediately taking control of the room.
The hour flew by in a blur of note-taking and lecturing until the final bell rang.
"That's all for today," the teacher said, gathering her papers. "We'll pick this up tomorrow. Enjoy your lunch!"
Gordon was up before she even finished her sentence. Eager to get out of there, he bolted for the door, only to crash hard into someone coming the other way.
"Ouch!" they both complained, stumbling back to see who they had hit.
"Hey, Gordon, watch where you're going!" Eddie shouted, visibly irritated.
"My bad, Eddie! I'm just hyped right now," Gordon said, rubbing his shoulder.
"Okay, but where are you rushing off to?" Eddie asked, looking at him skeptically.
"Heading to the library," Gordon said, totally focused.
"Whatever you say, man."
Leaving Eddie behind, Gordon walked confidently back toward the library, his excitement building with every step. He pushed the door open and was warmly greeted yet again by Mrs. Harrilton, whose welcoming smile instantly made him feel at home.
"I knew you'd rush right back here," she said with a knowing smirk.
"Of course! I've been waiting six long months for this drop," he replied eagerly.
Mrs. Harrilton raised an eyebrow. "What about your lunch?"
"I'm not even hungry," he said, his eyes fixed on the prize.
"Fine, take it," Mrs. Harrilton insisted, finally handing over the book.
Gordon eagerly grabbed the comic and made his way over to his favorite spot, a quiet window seat. He sat down, but as he did, a sudden, weird feeling crept over him. Glancing out the window to the courtyard below, he spotted a familiar face lingering down in the shadows.
A chill ran straight down his spine. His golden eyes narrowed, and his jaw set as recognition kicked in. The comic he had been waiting months for slipped from his fingers, completely forgotten, as a sharp tension coiled tightly in his gut. With sudden determination, Gordon pushed back from the table, stood up, and strode outside, ready to confront whatever danger was waiting for him.