《Personal Shift》 Trip Chapter One: Trip The kids of Year Seven in a middle school in London were visiting a museum in France, for which they had to take a metro from Dover to Calais. ¡°All right, kids, time to hand over the fee payment for the trip!¡± the teacher exclaimed. ¡°How much is it again, Mrs O¡¯Donohue?¡± asked Karla, the so-called popular girl in their class. ¡°Oh, according to Mr Simon, it is twenty-five pounds.¡± the teacher, Mrs O¡¯Donohue, replied. ¡°Okay, I believe I have it somewhere¡­¡± she started, rummaging in her backpack, fingering in every pocket, trying to figure out where the wad of notes was that her mother had left her earlier in the morning. At once, every student in the class raced over to the teacher, each with some notes or a pile of coins. Coins ricocheted over the ground as kids lost grip of their beloved currency. ¡°No!¡± one shouted as he sprinted across the classroom, chasing a ten-pence piece. ¡°Here you go, miss!¡± they shouted in unison, dumping the money into a wooden box which lay in the teacher¡¯s hands. ¡°Alright, and I think that¡¯s everyone!¡± the teacher informed the class. ¡°Wait!¡± a student shouted, holding out his left arm. ¡°Oh?¡± she replied, surprised at a student who had not followed every other. ¡°Here¡¯s a five-pound note that I forgot to give you.¡± he said, handing over the blue banknote. ¡°Thank you very much.¡± the teacher replied, as the teacher strode into the line. The class was now at the bus station, crowded around the deputy-headmaster, waiting for his speech. ¡°Class,¡± he spoke in his expected monotone voice. ¡°What we are going to do is this: when the bus comes, we will all get onto it, and drive to the metro station, where we will take The Underground to Calais. Understood?¡± ¡°Yes, Mr Simon!¡± they called in harmony. ¡°Good. Oh, look, there¡¯s the bus now!¡± So off they went, driving twenty miles south to Dover, all the students as rowdy as ever. One student grabbed the fire-plug suspended from the ceiling by mistake. One wrong move would set the fire-alarm off, and contact the fire-station. ¡°Dylan, work your way around the handle!¡± a student instructed Dylan, the boy who had pulled the fire-plug. ¡°But be careful!¡± another called. ¡°I¡¯m trying!¡± he replied, angrily. He worked his hand to the string on which the handle was dangling from. He gingerly pulled the handle upwards, towards the ceiling. He carefully tucked it into the slot. A soft clicking sound emerged from the slot. ¡°Woohoo!¡± the passengers congratulated. Kids ran through the alley between the seats and slapped him hard on the back. ¡°Go, Dylan!¡± they exclaimed, at this point ganging up on him, but not in a menacing way. ¡°Okay, you guys can stop now!¡± he shouted, laughing and coughing up a storm. They ceased at once. The ¡®stop¡¯ light began beeping, a strobe green dot appearing on the small television screen at the front, adjacent to the driver¡¯s seat. ¡°Okay, students, it looks like we¡¯re at the station now! Unclip your seatbelts and get ready to stand up and enter the station!¡± This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. They all unclipped their seatbelts. The class trundled across cat-walks and platforms, all with directors beckoning and assisting customers. ¡°Huh,¡± a student named Xavier said to his friend, Viktor. ¡°I never thought I¡¯d be going on any abroad trips anytime soon.¡± ¡°Same here. I¡¯ve never been outside of the UK, except for one time, when I went to Dublin.¡± Viktor replied, with a thick Russian accent. ¡°And, obviously, as you know, I was born in Belarus.¡± ¡°Yeah, sure. I think this is going to be kind of boring, though. We¡¯re not even going to be exploring France, just stuck in a museum for the day, and going back to England tomorrow.¡± Xavier said, expressing his opinion. ¡°Mm¡­ well, you never know. Something exciting could happen. My routine¡¯s been quite boring lately, I need a little rejuvenation.¡± Viktor replied. ¡°Yeah, I agree¨C¡± Xavier stopped in the middle of his sentence. ¡°Uh¡­¡± Viktor started. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± The light-bulbs flickered and went out. Darkness fell on the platform. Xavier could see it happening on the other platforms, too. ¡°Students!¡± Mr Simon announced. ¡°Get prepared to run on my count!¡± All the students had worried looks upon their faces. ¡°One¡­¡± Some students leant down, getting ready to run from whatever their pursuer would be. ¡°Two¡­¡± ¡°I¡¯m guessing it¡¯s on three.¡± Viktor informed Xavier. The suspense was deadly. ¡°Three!¡± Mr Simon screamed, and a mob of students zoomed through the station, weaving in and out of pillars and crowds of huddled people in fear of what was yet to come. ¡°What are we¡­¡± Viktor wheezed as he was losing his breath. ¡°...running¡­ from?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know! But, whatever it is, it¡¯s coming fast!¡± They could see brilliant orange flickering in the glass panes, with the sound of gas in the distance echoing through the halls and corridors of the station. They could hear footsteps clamping and coming down upon the ground. Bullets flew past the boys¡¯ ears like buzzing bees. They ducked and dodged as holes appeared in the walls and pillars. Glass cracked and shattered around them, raining on their legs and torsos. Just then, a wave of realisation hit them. ¡°Do you see that, Xavier?¡± Viktor questioned. ¡°What are you¡­ oh! I see it!¡± Ahead of them was a large glass case, containing a display vehicle to advertise a car company. ¡°Are you thinking what I¡¯m thinking?¡± Xavier asked cheekily. ¡°I think so¡­¡± Viktor replied hesitantly. ¡°Let¡¯s drive!¡± Xavier instructed. The footsteps were approaching fast. They did not have time to mess around. ¡°How are we going to break the case?¡± Xavier asked, confused. ¡°With this,¡± Viktor stated, holding up a heavy-duty boot. ¡°Where¡¯d you get that?¡± Xavier queried. ¡°From that shoe-shop over there,¡± he replied, pointing at a nearby footwear shop, named ¡®Stanley¡¯s Wears¡¯. He threw the boot at the glass case. It bounced harmlessly off of the container, hitting the floor with a thud. ¡°What do we do now?¡± asked Xavier. They had ten seconds at a maximum until the intruders reached their location. ¡°Follow me,¡± replied Viktor. The intruders had now reached where they previously were, at the glass container. They were now in a tool shop, looking for a weapon of some sort. Lucky for them, there was a wide variety. The boys could now see that the intruders were a group of people dressed in balaclavas and gloves, all with long hoodies, the hoods hiding their faces even more than the balaclavas already were. Xavier gripped a wooden mallet from a shelf. ¡°What¡¯s that going to do to some thick glass?¡± Viktor questioned. ¡°It¡¯s not for the case,¡± Xavier replied. ¡°It¡¯s for those barbaric terrorists standing around it.¡± ¡°Oh, got you.¡± Viktor said. ¡°Right, when I say ¡®go¡¯, run out of the shop and attack the criminals with all of the tools that you¡¯ve gathered.¡± Xavier stated. ¡°Okay.¡± ¡°And¡­ GO!¡± They charged out of the shop, tools spilling out of their arms. And, Xavier, with all of his strength, threw the mallet at one of their heads. It made a soft clonking sound. ¡°HEY!¡± one of the intruders screamed. ¡°WE¡¯RE JUST TRYING TO DO OUR BUSINESS, GET OUT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES!¡± ¡°Nuh uh,¡± Xavier replied. ¡°What did you just say to me, you little twerp?¡± asked one of the criminals in a menacing tone. ¡°I said¡­ nuh uh.¡± With that, Xavier and Viktor threw all of the tools at the glass case behind the intruders. One man was hit in the cranium with a hacksaw. ¡°OW!¡± he bellowed. Cracks were left where the tools hit the container. ¡°We can finish it off by kicking it in!¡± bellowed Viktor. ¡°Good idea!¡± replied Xavier. They sprinted up to the case, raised their legs and brought them into the fracture. Glass rained and pooled around the car. ¡°Hop in!¡± yelled Xavier. Outside of the vehicle, the invaders pounded on the windows. ¡°This isn¡¯t the last time you¡¯ll see us! And when you do¡­¡± he imitated a finger going through his neck. ¡°Whatever, nerd!¡± exclaimed Xavier, but he realised something: he had absolutely no clue on how to operate the car. ¡°Push down on the accelerator!¡± Viktor screamed. Xavier pushed his foot down on what he thought to be the accelerator. The car raced backwards and shattered the remnants of the tank. ¡°The other accelerator!¡± Viktor shouted. ¡°Okay, okay, jeez!¡± strained Xavier as he stretched so that his foot could reach the pedals. ¡°How do you even know how to drive?¡± screamed Viktor with a quizzical look on his face. ¡°I don¡¯t! I¡¯m learning as we speak!¡± The car raced forwards, crashed through the main entrance of the metro station, raced through the town of Dover and set a course for London. City Chapter Two: City ¡°Alright, how long is left until we get to London?¡± question Xavier. ¡°About¡­¡± Viktor stated, pulling up a map application on his phone. ¡°...twenty minutes or so?¡± ¡°Okay, I guess it¡¯s not that bad. At this point, I just want to get as far away from that station as possible.¡± Xavier said, putting his shivering hand on the glove-box handle. ¡°I wonder if there¡¯s anything in here?¡± speculated Xavier, as he pulled the glove-box towards his knee. ¡°Oh, it looks like there¡¯s something in here!¡± Xavier stated. He reached inside of the glove compartment and pulled out a box. He gingerly pulled off the lid and revealed that inside was a one pence coin and a note taped to it. ¡°What does it say?¡± enquired Viktor. ¡°It says: To whomever has purchased this car: here¡¯s some help with the insurance! Be grateful in this day and age!¡¯¡± ¡°Does it say anything else?¡± Viktor interrogated. ¡°No, but it¡¯s signed ¡®Patrick¡¯. Do you know anybody named Patrick?¡± Xavier answered. ¡°No, it¡¯s probably one of the staff from the dealer.¡± replied Viktor. ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re most likely right.¡± ¡°Then, let¡¯s keep on driving!¡± * Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere. The pair arrived in London after their dangerous trek, escaping from some thieves who were looking for mayhem. ¡°Alright, I think we¡¯re here.¡± Viktor analysed. ¡°Yes, I agree. Now, I think it¡¯s time to get us something to eat.¡± Xavier said, while clutching his stomach. ¡°There¡¯s a restaurant over there. I think it¡¯s called ¡®Gary¡¯s Grub¡¯, from what I can see.¡± Viktor replied, looking around, attempting to be inconspicuous. The pair trudged across the street, narrowly avoiding a sixteen-wheeler as the driver shouted: ¡°Hey, get out of the road!¡± They strolled up to a cobblestone step, where the menu was perched on a lectern in front of the restaurant¡¯s enormous glass panes. ¡°Oh, I think this is a fast-food place,¡± Xavier stated hungrily. ¡°And I¡¯m not complaining.¡± They strode up to the counter. ¡°Could I please have a double cheeseburger with no gherkins?¡± Xavier asked. ¡°Alright. And what would you like?¡± the server lady said, glancing at Viktor. ¡°I¡¯ll have what he¡¯s having,¡± said Viktor. ¡°Okay, and that will be seven pounds and ninety-eight pence.¡± the server stated while glancing at the cash register. ¡°Do you have any money, Viktor? ¡®Cause I got nothing.¡± Xavier asked hesitantly. ¡°I¡¯m not sure¡­¡± he answered while rummaging through his jean pockets. ¡°Oh, I do! The twenty-five pound fee money. I forgot to give it to the teacher.¡± Viktor declared joyously. ¡°You didn¡¯t¡­ oh, nevermind.¡± * ¡°These were not a mistake,¡± Viktor announced. ¡°Um¡­ I guess so,¡± Xavier replied. ¡°They¡¯re not bad.¡± ¡°What do you mean?¡± Viktor asked. ¡°It¡­ tastes funny¡­¡± Xavier said, feeling queasy. ¡°Are you alright?¡± Viktor blurted worriedly. ¡°I don¡¯t know-¡± Xavier started to say, but fell backwards and his stool hit the tiled flooring. ¡°Xavier! Are you okay?!¡± Viktor questioned distressingly. There was no response, as Xavier was unconscious. Viktor thumbed his mobile phone and typed in the emergency services keypad: ¡®999¡¯. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, buddy,¡± Viktor reassured him. ¡°You¡¯ll be okay.¡± The last thing Xavier saw before blacking out were the hands of the customers pressing down on his chest and phone dial tones. Saviour Chapter Three: Saviour Xavier opened his eyes to the sound of a heart-rate monitor beeping to his right. A man with spectacles and a face-mask sat on a pouffe in the corner of the ward. ¡°Um¡­ why¡­ who-¡± Xavier stuttered. ¡°Take it easy, little man.¡± the doctor told Xavier. ¡°W- why are you calling me ¡®little man¡¯?¡± ¡°Because I feel like it.¡± ¡°Oh,¡± Xavier continued. ¡°Logical.¡± ¡°Yeah. I know what you¡¯re about to say-¡± the doctor started, but was interrupted by Xavier. ¡°Why am I here?¡± Xavier questioned. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Seen it coming.¡± ¡°Wha-?¡± ¡°Anyways,¡± the doctor continued. ¡°You¡¯re here because you ate a cheeseburger containing staphylococcus.¡± ¡°Staphylo- what?¡± Xavier asked confusedly. ¡°You got food poisoning.¡± ¡°What? Then, how come Viktor didn¡¯t get sick and pass out like I did? He ate a burger from the exact same batch and everything.¡± Xavier interrogated profusely. ¡°The bacteria wasn¡¯t there by mistake, no. I believe that someone is out to get you.¡± the doctor stated. ¡°I- oh no.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°I know who did it.¡± Xavier said, as a wave of realisation hit him like a truck. Xavier told the doctor about the incident at the metro station. ¡°So, let me get this straight. You were chased down by some terrorists in a metro station and this incident has led to this one in which you were poisoned by carcinogenic bacteria?¡± the doctor said, catching his breath afterwards. ¡°Carcino-what¡­ doesn¡¯t matter. Yeah, I think so.¡± Xavier said reassuringly. ¡°Your point?¡± the doctor questioned. ¡°They need to be stopped.¡± ¡°Well, obviously,¡± the doctor agreed. ¡°Viktor¡¯s outside; follow me.¡± Realisation Chapter Four: Realisation ¡°What happened?¡± Viktor asked, worriedly. ¡°Apparently, I got poisoned by those trouble-makers back at the station!¡± Xavier retorted. ¡°Sorry, I- I snapped¡­¡± ¡°I don¡¯t blame you. You have every right to be mad right now.¡± Viktor consoled. ¡°We need to find these people, they could cause problems in the future,¡± the doctor stated. ¡°My name¡¯s Ezra, by the way. Call me Dr. Morris. So that you don¡¯t have to call me ¡®doctor¡¯ all the time.¡± ¡°Yes, I agree, Dr. Morris. These scoundrels need to be caught-¡± A ball of flames erupted in the distance, glowing like a rising second sun, the trio¡¯s shadows elongating and the hospital gleaming gold. A pressure wave followed and sailed across the ground, blasting anything not rooted to the ground away from it. The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. More bright, star-like orbs shimmered upon the horizon, wind roaring in their ears. ¡°Oh, great. More trouble,¡± Xavier pointed out in a way that made his speech sound like he had just pulled three all-nighters. ¡°Get in the truck! Our survival is imperative!¡± instructed Dr. Morris. They raced over to Dr. Morris¡¯ blood-red SUV. ¡°Why red? It stands out!¡± Viktor criticised. ¡°It looks cool, I guess,¡± Dr. Morris said, in a way that made it seem like they were not in an exploding town, but more like they were in a calming meditation practice. Dr. Morris pressed the ¡®unlock¡¯ button on his car keys. Viktor dove through the open window next to the passenger seat. ¡°Show-off,¡± Xavier muttered, under his breath. The engine roared to life and they sped off in the SUV. ¡°So, what¡¯re we actually going to do when we get to the explosions and stuff?¡± Viktor asked hesitantly. ¡°We¡¯ll probably¨C WOAH!¡± The car swerved out of the way of a lamp-post. Xavier¡¯s head was flung out of the window from the force, he felt the cool metal just barely brush past his cheek. ¡°Maybe be a bit more careful! You almost just knocked me out!¡± Xavier shouted angrily. ¡°Sorry¡­ ¡° Dr. Morris apologised half-heartedly. Escape Chapter Five: Escape Viktor could feel sweat beading on his face as the air slowly heated around him. He reached for some water in the inside compartment of the door, but there was none. ¡°Guys, it¡¯s getting pretty hot in here!¡± Viktor exclaimed anxiously. ¡°Wha-? Oh, right! Nothing I can do, unfortunately. Although, it¡¯s a tell-tale sign that we¡¯re close to the site of the explosion!¡± Dr. Morris declared, though in a way as if he was joyous about the event. ¡°Are you happy about this?¡± Xavier asked unsurely. ¡°No, what made you think that?¡± Dr. Morris blurted out nervously. ¡°Just the way you said it,¡± Viktor replied, reassured. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. - The black plume of smoke was approaching, obstructing the sunlight. The smoke slowly consumed them. Closer and closer. ¡°At this rate, we¡¯re going to suffocate!¡± Viktor yelled. ¡°Wait, we can¡¯t breathe smoke? I¡¯m baffled!¡± Xavier joked sarcastically. ¡°Oh, shut up¡­ wait, what¡¯s that on the road¨C¡± It turns out that Dr. Morris was not paying any attention to what was happening outside of the car. He also probably was not paying attention to a speed limit sign right up ahead. Want to know what happened next? Me too. The metal pole that was supporting the sign sliced straight through the van. It zipped so close to Viktor¡¯s face that he felt a gust of wind rush past his head. ¡°That was close!¡± Viktor said, relieved. ¡°At least it cooled me down!¡± ¡°Ha ha, very funny¡­¡± Xavier replied, clearly unimpressed. ¡°Dr. Morris, wasn¡¯t that so funny?¡± Viktor asked rhetorically. ¡°Uh¡­ Doctor? Do you agree or not?¡± ¡°Doctor?! DOCTOR?!¡± But Dr. Morris was no more. Fault Chapter Six: Fault ¡°So, why didn¡¯t he answer me?¡± Viktor worriedly questioned. ¡°Eh¡­ I don¡¯t think Dr. Morris is with us anymore¡­ sorry¡­¡± Xavier answered, depressed. ¡°No, no, don¡¯t worry. It wasn¡¯t your fault. To be honest, it was mostly his fault. He should¡¯ve had his eyes on the road.¡± ¡°Yeah¡­ but he didn¡¯t deserve it! I should¡¯ve warned him! I should¡¯ve noticed! I left it too late! He¡¯d still be alive if I wasn¡¯t such a¡­ failure.¡± he stated grievously. If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. ¡°Hey, no! None of this is your fault! Don¡¯t blame yourself for things that are out of your control¡­ you¡¯re not a failure. Don¡¯t say stuff about yourself that isn¡¯t true.¡± Xavier did this to console him. ¡°Mm¡­ I guess you¡¯re right. The people who are truly at fault are those damn hooligans terrorising kids at a shopping mall!¡± ¡°Yeah, totally! But, let¡¯s maybe talk about this kind of stuff with more privacy. And somewhere safer! We¡¯re in the middle of all of these explosions and toxic smoke and¨C¡± ¡°Yeah, you¡¯re right!¡± Xavier interrupted with a hopeful tone. ¡°Let¡¯s get out of here!¡± ¡°Let¡¯s also maybe try to put the fire out¡­¡± ¡°That too!¡± Quench Chapter Seven: Quench ¡°Hello, 999, what is your emergency?¡± said the phone operator. ¡°We have a¡­ situation¡­ around here¡­ please help¡­¡± Xavier rasped, shaken by fear. ¡°Which service would you like?¡± the operator continued. ¡°Fire brigade¡­¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be there in ten minutes maximum.¡± the phone operator confirmed. ¡°Well, at least that¡¯s sorted out now!¡± said Xavier, allayed by Viktor¡¯s speech. ¡°Do you really think that our local fire brigade can calm this mess?¡± Viktor asked. ¡°No, but they¡¯ll sure as hell try¨C¡± An oil explosion sent a plume of black, thick smoke hurtling into the sky. Heat was launched in every direction for miles around. ¡°Wow, that was kind of¡­ cool¡­ I guess¡­ it¡¯s pretty hot in this¡­ well, what¡¯s left of the van. Can you please turn on the AC?¡± Xavier asked jokingly. ¡°Yeah, like that¡¯ll help. Oh, I think that¡¯s the sirens now!¡± Grand red trucks with blinking lights raced through the rubble, gleaming crimson from the flames. Speech through radio could be heard quietly. ¡°532, you may unspool the hose.¡± ¡°Right you are¡­¡± ¡°Do they have this under control?¡± Xavier questioned. ¡°Maybe¨C¡± BANG! Another explosion cleared some wreckage a few miles away. ¡°I swear, we need to bring ice packs or something on these adventures, Viktor¡­¡± ¡°These adventures aren¡¯t exactly ¡®commonplace¡¯! Please stop joking around, this is serious!¡± Viktor shouted menacingly. ¡°Okay, okay, jeez¡­¡± An arc of high-pressure water spat over the van (or what was left of it) and slammed into the explosion site. Toxic smoke rose up, darkening sunlight. ¡°Quite the catastrophe.¡± More radio voices. ¡°I agree. Call for backup¡­¡± ¡°Do we REALLY need to? I¡¯m positive that we have this under control¡­¡± This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work. ¡°I REPEAT. YOU WILL CALL FOR BACKUP!¡± This person did not seem impressed. ¡°You never listen to me, 983.¡± one of the speakers said sorrowfully. ¡°Pull yourself together. Why did I choose to work with these people, c¡¯mon! Wait, am I still on Channel 3?¡± ¡°Yeah, I think you are¡­ ¡°Oops. Damn¡­ OVER.¡± Xavier spotted something in the distance. ¡°What is that?¡± he thought. It looked like an army of the colour red. Rumbling could be heard in the distance. Quiet, but noticeable. BRRR! ¡°Wait, is that¨C?¡± Viktor started. ¡°WHEN I SAID BACKUP, I DIDN¡¯T MEAN FOR YOU TO CALL WHAT LOOKS TO BE THE ENTIRE COUNTRY!¡± said one of the firefighters. ¡°This is what you get for not listening to me!¡± the other firefighter said, spiteful of the doubtful one. ¡°Quit your job¡­¡± ¡°NO! I¡¯m probably getting fired either way, so it doesn¡¯t really make a difference¡­¡± ¡°What are those two blabbering about?¡± Viktor said jocularly. ¡°Yeah, you guys! Shut up!¡± The sea of trucks rumbled ever closer. ¡°Get behind the van wreckage! NOW!¡± Viktor yelled. They crouched behind the van. The approaching van armada was nearing. Then, it hit. BANG! CRASH! ¡°WHAT THE HELL?!¡± Xavier screamed. Screws ricocheted off the ground. Ripped tyres hissed and banged. Engines rumbled and churned. Clouds of dust sailed upon the ground. ¡°Ay, I can barely breathe!¡± Viktor shouted worryingly. VRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! A truck flipped on a lodged rock and flew over the boys. A large shadow darkened their view. ¡°WOAH! VIOLENCE! This is fun!¡± Xavier shouted joyously. ¡°Are you joking?! We¡¯re about to be flattened!¡± Viktor yelled with fury. ¡°Hey, you only live once!¡± ¡°Yeah! Only if you¡¯re involved in stupid, idiotic crap like this!¡± Viktor hollered vexedly. ¡°Okay, smart a¡ª!¡± FWOOSH! One of the trucks¡¯ fuel tanks exploded, popping like a cork. Flames erupted, sizzling the ground like eggs in a skillet. ¡°Fire and me mix very well!¡± Xavier joked sarcastically. ¡°Now¡¯s not the time for¨C¡± Yet another explosion. ¡°...joking¡­¡± Viktor faltered. As the last trucks passed, the boys stumbled, legs cut and abraded by the vehicles. They could not seem to stand, however. ¡°I think a few of the screws got to me¡­¡± Xavier stated sorrowfully. ¡°You¡¯re very¡­ oscillating¡­¡± Viktor said, unsure. ¡°Stop using all of those fancy words. We¡¯re not in school¡­¡± ¡°See what I mean?! Also, we should be in school, so¡­ think of it as revision¡­¡± ¡°Whatever, smart-arse¡­¡± Xavier threatened. ¡°Oh, just shut up already! All you think about is YOURSELF!¡± Xavier shouted menacingly. ¡°Oh¡­ sorry, I didn¡¯t mean that, everything¡¯s been a bit stressful lately¡­¡± Viktor apologised. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± Xavier replied invitingly. Meanwhile, the crimson mass that was the entire country¡¯s fire service swarmed the burning infrastructure and began to let rip a flood of liquid from the water-hoses, like a broken dam. ¡°Was that fireman¡¯s resignation worth it, Viktor?¡± Xavier queried. ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± Viktor replied. ¡°Well, not our problem! Let¡¯s go!¡± Xavier ordered enthusiastically. Confusion Chapter Eight: Confusion The only thing that could be seen of the ravaging flames was a faint, sizzling glow in the distance. This view was registered by the boys hastily jogging. The flames no longer looked as brisk as they once were, achieved by the entire British fire service. ¡°Well, I don¡¯t know what happened back there, but we definitely didn¡¯t help.¡± Xavier said, with a proud expression all over his face. Stolen novel; please report. ¡°Not in any way, shape or form.¡± Viktor stated logically. ¡°Quit it!¡± Xavier laughed, elbowing Viktor in the ribs playfully. ¡°Anyways¡­ where do we go now?¡± Xavier asked. ¡°Hmm¡­ I¡¯m pretty hungry, do you want to get some food?¡± Viktor replied, in the most matter-of-fact voice you could say that you were hungry, which Xavier noticed. ¡°Um¡­ yeah, I¡¯m absolutely starving after all this craziness lately. Yeah, come on, let¡¯s go.¡± Hunger Chapter Nine: Hunger Here the duo was standing at a fuel station nearby. ¡°So, just these things?¡± the cashier asked. He was a stout middle-aged man, with brown-transforming-into-grey hair. ¡°Yes please!¡± Viktor said politely, holding two packaged egg-and-cress sandwiches. ¡°Okay, that will be¡­¡± The cashier pressed some buttons on the till, and it responded with a beep. ¡°...¡ê2.80. Cash or card?¡± ¡°Uh¡­ excuse us for a moment.¡± Xavier replied abruptly. Xavier and Viktor jogged to the back end of the shop. ¡°What? Why are we going over here?¡± Viktor whispered. ¡°Because¡­¡± The cashier eyed them suspiciously. ¡°I may or may not have any money¡­¡± Xavier pronounced nervously. ¡°What?! How are we going to eat?¡± Viktor exclaimed, shocked. ¡°Because, something called robbery exists!¡± Xavier said with a grin. ¡°What? Are you CRAZY¨C?¡± If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Xavier interrupted him. ¡°Hush now. I¡¯m talking. Anyways, let¡¯s get this bread!¡± Viktor glared at him confusedly. ¡°Literally and figuratively. Do you get the pun¨C?¡± ¡°Yeah, I do. Now shut up, I¡¯ll distract him.¡± Viktor declared conspiringly. ¡°Xavier sauntered off, whispering, ¡°Crime. Yay!¡± Viktor marched up to the counter. ¡°Hey, could you help me find the chewing gum?¡± Viktor questioned, in an innocent tone to not look conspicuous. ¡°Uh¡­ sure. Just follow me, it should be around the back¡­¡± the cashier answered, trundling off to the back of the shop, Viktor in his wake. Meanwhile, it was Xavier¡¯s time to strike. He paced through the middle aisle of the small shop, bumping into trading cards, magazines, posters, novels and the like. ¡°I¡¯ll take one of these for my troubles.¡± Xavier whispered, snickering as he did so. He was now at the front counter, no security in sight. He walked behind it and tapped a few buttons on the till. The high-pitched beeping noises seemed to have alerted the cashier, who glanced back with confusion. ¡°Uh¡­ sir, where is the gum, exactly?¡± Viktor queried, making an attempt to distract him from Xavier¡¯s shenanigans. ¡°It should be over there,¡± the cashier replied, pointing to the back of the shop. ¡°Okay, thanks!¡± Viktor thanked, attempting to masquerade what Xavier was about to do. The cash register opened, revealing stacks of ten and twenty pound notes. ¡°I¡¯ll take some of these while I¡¯m at it,¡± Xavier thought mischievously. However, there was a problem: the cashier was creeping back towards the counter, as though he knew what Xavier was doing. ¡°Viktor!¡± Xavier shouted. ¡°Uh huh?¡± ¡°RUN!!!¡± Xavier yelled. The two boys began to sprint out of the doors, Xavier handling hundreds of pounds in the process. ¡°HEY! Get back here!¡± the cashier angrily exclaimed, his brown beard wobbling as he spoke. ¡°Uh, I¡¯ll think about it¡­ NO!¡± Xavier shouted stubbornly, bolting out of the glass door, the bell pinging wildly. ¡°You¡¯ll go to jail for this! You¡¯ll¡­ you¡¯ll¡­¡± the cashier panted, faltering and falling to his knees (he was not built for running). But the boys had already gotten away with this endeavour Relief Chapter Ten: Relief The boys still sprinted on, even though they were well out of view and earshot of the small delicatessen. ¡°How did we get away with that?!¡± Xavier said, relieved. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°We just¡­ did.¡± Viktor replied unsurely. ¡°We did it as a team!¡± Xavier shouted! ¡°That is the most mawkish and banal thing I¡¯ve ever heard, and I¡¯ve heard a lot of things.¡± Viktor said critically. ¡°Why do you use such fancy words? And why are you being so mean to me?¡± Xavier asked dejectedly. ¡°I¡¯m not being mean, I¡¯m being critical.¡± ¡°WHYYYYYY?!¡± Critical Chapter Eleven: Critical ¡°Do you think that the shopkeeper alerted the police?¡± Xavier asked curiously. ¡°YEAH! OBVIOUSLY! Do you know how much trouble we¡¯re probably in?¡± Viktor replied with angst. ¡°Uh¡­ womp womp. I¡¯m pretty sure we can deal with it, considering what we¡¯ve been through, and the trauma that will be inflicted upon us!¡± Xavier cried vigorously. ¡°Woah. That¡¯s deep. Even for you.¡± Viktor replied, confused. He had a right to be confused. That is not something that a normal human being would say¡­ unless Xavier is secretly possessed or something? But who would believe that, am I right? Okay, now that that is permanently ingrained into your mind, we will get back into the story. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°Sorry, I really don¡¯t know what got into me there.¡± Xavier apologised. ¡°Yeah. But the weirder part is the fact that you said it. I¡¯m meant to be the literary obsessive one.¡± Viktor said knowledgeably. ¡°Okay, ha ha. But seriously, it was like I couldn¡¯t control myself anymore.¡± ¡°Oh, so we¡¯ve been dealing with these terror-reigning burglars and now demons or some crap? What does this world have against us?¡± ¡°I don¡¯t know¨C¡± Silence. It seemed as though Xavier suddenly just stopped talking. ¡°Uhh¡­ hello? Where did you go, Xavier? Is this some sort of joke?¡± Viktor questioned anxiously. Yet, Xavier had mysteriously ¡®vanished into thin air¡¯ as they say. All that remained was a purple cloud of gas and glittering particles, which zoomed capricious and whimsically. Viktor began to yell, ¡°WHAT DOES THIS WORLD HAVE AGAINST ME?!¡± Low Chapter Twelve: Low Viktor used the unlawfully earned money to purchase a hotel room. He was distraught, and not sure what to do or where to go, or how to fix this. ¡°Surely,¡± he thought, ¡°people can¡¯t just vanish into thin air? That¡¯s impossible.¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. He thought it could have simple been a trick of the light. Yet, how did he disappear like that. His head was spinning and racing as he racked his brain, realising he was now on his own. To fix a mess that was not even his fault, and then he really was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. The thinking soon tired out his brain, as he slowly let his eyelids close. He dreamt lonely dreams. Devise Chapter Thirteen: Devise The following morning, Viktor realised that sitting and sulking was not really going to get anywhere. He needed to escape the rut of danger and crime. He had to devise a plan. But how? Realistically, what could he do? Tell the police? No, they wouldn¡¯t believe him. He was on his own for this plan. The plan to save his friend and bring horrible consequences, and the hand of justice, on any who had wronged him. But to do this, he needed to know where Xavier was. He had no way to know. He decided on the idea that he should travel back to where Xavier transformed into the purple gas cloud, as there could be clues or a trace as to where he was. He could not perform this arduous task alone. He needed his accomplice. But he would have to break a few laws. He came to the conclusion that he couldn¡¯t be a sycophant to the law forever. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. ¡°Time for some rule-breaking and some live-saving!¡± Viktor exclaimed excitedly, without apprehension. ¡°Oh, wait. That rhymed.¡± Situation Chapter Fourteen: Situation Viktor paced around the room, trying to brainstorm more ideas for his master plan. Until he noticed a strange noise, with lilac-coloured light casting shadows across the hotel room. Viktor opened the curtains, and saw a sight that horrified him, and sent shocks throughout his body. A purple cloud of gas surrounding the top of a skyscraper, way up high. ¡°I have to get up there,¡± he thought, realising that he might have a lead as to where Viktor was. He left the room and took the elevator down to the ground floor. He stuck his arms in front of his face as he bolted through the double glass doors impetuously. They swung outwards, their long-unmaintenced hinges squeaking as they dragged against the doorframe. He ran over to the modern facade of the building. It seemed to be a lavish community centre. He hurried inside and saw sumptuous marble¡­ everything. Everything was white and pristine, with comfortable armchairs placed symmetrically around the lobby. The receptionist lounged at the front desk, a younger man, looking to be only in his mid-20s. Viktor strode up to the receptionist. ¡°How do I get up to the top of this¡­ lovely building you have here?¡± Viktor questioned obsequiously, hoping that the man had a soft spot for flattery. Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author. ¡°You need a Level 5 clearance pass. Also, I do not own this building. My manager, Mr Owens, does. Thank you for the remark, though.¡± the receptionist replied. ¡°A¡­ a Level 5 what?¡± Viktor asked distraughtly. ¡°You need a Level 5 clearance pass in order to be granted permission to go to the upper levels,¡± said the man. ¡°Uh¡­ hold on just a moment,¡± Viktor said nervously. He walked away and sat down on one of the armchairs. ¡°What am I going to do?¡± he thought. But then he realised: ¡°I¡¯m going to trespass! That¡¯s right, I¡¯ll absolutely book it past the receptionist!¡± With that, he sprinted as fast as his pre-teen legs could carry him. With his momentum, he hurdled the first flight of stairs. ¡°HEY! Get back here!¡± yelled the receptionist. From above, Viktor shouted back, ¡°Uh¡­ I¡¯ll think about it. Nah!¡± Yet, it was not the most judicious move, as the receptionist chased after him. Viktor sprinted up multiple flights of stairs, yelling. ¡°My decisions are no longer in the hands of the law!¡± Epiphany Chapter Fifteen: Epiphany The purple glow coming from the top of the stairs shimmered as Viktor rushed up them, sunspots in his vision from the brightness. He achieved the final step needed to reach the top. What he saw made him gasp in awe. There was a hole in the top-right corner of the building, where purple orbs dashed and left trails upon the air, leaking purple viscous gas, the same he had seen when his friend disappeared. Glitchy substances flashed like lightning, the concrete and bricks around the hole were in chaos as though they were no longer held together by solid matter. The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation. ¡°Oh, no,¡± Viktor thought in shock. ¡°This is bad. Like, really bad.¡± Just as he thought that nothing could get any worse, a crack appeared stagnant in mid-air. Then it began to shake. More cracks appeared in proximity to the one Viktor first saw. Then¡­ everything went white. It was an eerie silence, sort of like a wave washing over everything. In eruptions of antimatter, reality crumbled in on itself. Blast Viktor was thrown into the ground, cracks appearing around the impact. Everything seemed to be white except for flickering black outlines. Viktor¡¯s ears were ringing, but suddenly the world¡¯s colour returned, like rising above the surface of a pool. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. Smoke fizzled around the¡­ glitch-crater? And in the centre of it¡­ was a boy? ¡°Damn, that was crazy!¡± the boy said. ¡°Xavier?!¡±