Daniel woke up with sweat soaking all over with chest pain that was getting worse. It was clear that he felt something was wrong with his heart, it was just that he didn't know why.
The core of the universe that should have been awakened was almost dimmed as the death energy that had been scattered by the twig monster that attacked him last night. Daniel could have died if only someone didn't heal him.
After tidying up his tiny former attic room, cleaning himself up, and stuffing his textbooks and a few notes on the illusionist monster, Daniel hurried down the stairs to enjoy breakfast.
To be honest, that morning Daniel's appetite was completely absent. But just that Uncle Ted wouldn't be able to tolerate such things unless you do pass out if you just look at the food in front of your eyes, then Daniel was forcing himself to eat.
"Already woke up? Hurry over here and finish your breakfast. I have to get out before the sun starts rising!" called Uncle Ted, who by now had all his cooking utensils tidied up, pulled out a wooden chair in the kitchen, and sat down to enjoy a breakfast of sandwiches with chocolate jam. There were also fried eggs available as a complimentary dish with french fries.
"Today you cooked a lot," commented Daniel who was reluctantly eating his sandwich. The smell of milk on the bread made his head dizzy. It rarely happened, but because today Daniel's body condition was not very good, he had become very sensitive to smell and also very picky about food.
"Yeah, I want you to quickly grow up so you can face the day without me."
Daniel knew Uncle Ted had walked away from his face, which was already flushed with laughter. This time he was wearing another plaid shirt with a line that was thinner than usual. The pant was always jeans that look newer this time than before.
Wherever Uncle Ted was going this time, it must have been a very important place, because he even had a chance to shave to emphasize the good looks hidden behind his seemingly neglected appearance.
Daniel stopped the first bite of his jam bread. The corner of his eyes glanced at the fried egg that he wanted to vomit before he even tasted it. And also fresh milk that had been stuck on the tip of his elbow. It was going to be a tough day.
"Why do you always say that? Actually, where are you going?" asked Daniel with a serious face. He was always serious on many occasions.
The small kitchen with the utensils neatly arranged but seemed to be crowded now gave off a variety of aromas. Especially the smell of hair oil and also the scent of Uncle Ted's perfume. If Daniel guessed correctly Uncle Ted was going on a date but in the morning?
Uncle Ted shrugged. Devouring all his jam buns he said, "You will still have to grow without me because I am only a temporary guardian. Who knows if one day I will be called back to duty? "
"Even with that situation?" pointed Daniel at Uncle Ted's amputated leg. There was a skeptical tone that came out of Daniel's tone of voice when he asked him.
"Yes, even with this situation. My body is still functioning properly, and even with one leg that is a sa tump, I can still fight." Uncle Ted hurriedly packed his plates. He walked quickly to the sink to wash the object. Drying his hands and smoothing out his appearance once again, his towering body and now a little skinny had passed forward to hurry out into the garage.
"Wendy is not going to school. Her condition is still unstable. Have a nice day!" waved Uncle Ted, who had disappeared behind the door. Soon the roar of a car engine was heard accompanied by gravel dust that filled the yard.
Squinting far away, Daniel finally found the car Uncle Ted was driving had disappeared on the highway.
After feeling his chest burning and heating up, Daniel rushed to the first aid kit in the house. There was an ointment that Uncle Ted used when he accidentally burned his finger while cooking food. Daniel grabbed the ointment and covered his chest.
The forehead on his face grew more and more concerned when he saw that the skin on his chest had turned bluish in several places with the flesh exposed in the middle, gaping. He was trying to hold it as much as possible, especially after patching it with cotton so as not to get a lot of friction with his clothes. Then he went to Wendy's room.
There Wendy was sleeping on her side with her back to Daniel. Judging from the way she slept, it seemed like Wendy's condition was much better than he thought because Wendy would only sleep on her back if she was sick.
After seeing Wendy, Daniel hurried out to go to school. Musi Crown Lake is the name of Daniel's school, which sounded like a joke to first-timers.
Its located not too far from Daniel's house could be reached by walking for thirty minutes. However, Daniel could reach it in less than twenty minutes if he passes through a pass in the middle of the forest.
Uncle Ted only forbade him to go to Musi Lake, right? That meant passing through the forested area would not be a problem, especially since Daniel's current condition did not allow him to walk too far.
Hah, at that time Daniel chose to take a rest with Wendy at home.
The path looked elongated with many school children dressed freely already filling the road. Both girls and boys, all gathered together and talked with each other, except for Daniel.
He was known for his anti-social attitude. His life that seemed different and filled with mysterious things made many people seem to stay away from him. Not to mention the bullying Daniel got from the naughty students in his school had given him even worse points.
Now the lips of the forest could be seen which was suspected by a large banyan tree with rattan hanging down like hair. With shuffling footsteps, Daniel entered the forest. Every step of his foot felt so heavy, not to mention that his chest was burning and very painful. Tears did not stop flowing down her face, to feel the tearing so terrible.
In a few steps on dead and damp leaves, Daniel fell. Not because of the weakness he suffered but because of encouragement from someone, or many people.
His weight plunged ferociously onto the leaf-lined ground, his knees smacked against the plain hard. When his watery eyes tried to look up, Daniel had found at least four pairs of shoes with an expensive price now lined up in front of him.
"Gavin," growled Daniel in his voice that almost drowned in the woods.
Gavin and his gang burst out laughing, then they kicked Daniel once each, causing him to fall even worse on the ground.
"So this is your very mysterious world, Storm? I thought this place was filled with monsters. But all I see are your leaves and cowardice." Gavin laughed at his position. When he laughed his boys would do the same.
Daniel tried to get up while continuing to hold his chest which was stinging and very hot. His sharp eyes had caught Gavin's stocky figure, wearing a top club baseball jacket, disheveled hair, and a lot of freckles. His teeth were sticking out and untidy, his cheeks were a bit chubby.
Daniel snorted. "I hope you can see just one monster here so you will find out how mysterious my world is."
Daniel's words made Gavin angry, causing him to punch Daniel in the stomach. Daniel fell back down with blood coming out of his mouth. Then several broken branches of charred sticks also sprang from his mouth.
Seeing this, Gavin and his gang withdrew in disgust. Then they kicked Daniel repeatedly until they were satisfied.
Shortly thereafter, when Daniel felt that he was about to faint from the pain that whipped his body, suddenly Gavin's kick and his gang stopped. With a very weak body, Daniel forced his face to raise his face, which was almost level to the ground.
Old shoes were treading the plains with them, making Gavin and his boys' shoes looked awkward and a little scared.
"What are you doing here? Why are you beating up your friends?" An old man's voice crept into Daniel's senses. In a somewhat vague view, Daniel could see that the four pairs of shoes belonging to Gavin's gang had gone away and were on the fly.
Now the old shoes were closer to Daniel's. A very strong hand pulled the boy, making him stand and float a little in the middle of the forest. An old man with a slightly short body and withered gray hair now looked sadly at Daniel's face.
"Daniel? Gosh, this is you? " The old man sat Daniel down and tried to check on the boy's condition.
However, Daniel hurriedly brushed off the old man's hand. "Don't touch me, Monster. I will never be fooled even if you disguise yourself as the friendliest man in town. "
***