"I'm awake!!" Ian yelled as he perked up. He looked around him as his words echoed through the lonely room and sighed. "Stupid me. I still can't get past this bad habit."
He dragged himself out of bed and trudged over to his reading table, still rubbing his sleepy eyes. On the table were a couple of his books and a single framed picture of him and an old woman. She was quite plump with grey hair and a beautiful smile as she hugged him. He also had a big smile on his face, probably the most he had smiled all his life. He picked it up with a small smile which expressed his sadness and kissed it.
"I miss you," he whispered to the picture. "I love you so much."
Even though he never had or knew his parents, he hadn't always been lonely. Growing up, he had his grandmother. She was the loveliest soul he had ever come across all his life. She was the pinnacle of affection for him, as she poured so much love on him than he knew what to do with it. She was the only one who has ever shown him genuine attention all his life.
She never expected much from him knowing his medical condition but also never ruled him out completely as useless. She still believed in him. She told him he was meant for greater things and she would always love him.
Unfortunately, she died when he was twelve ad it's only gone downhill for him since then. All of his grandmother's friends abandoned him and no one checked up on him, leaving him to rot in this small room that they both shared. He loved the fact that he still lived here but he was just surprised that they could abandon him like that after fawning all over him when she was alive. He finally understood when he got older but it didn't take the pain away.
He sighed as he dropped the picture and made his way to the bathroom. His fatigue from yesterday's torture was already gone but his body still felt incredibly weak. It made him wonder how his body can heal injuries and fatigue a little bit faster than a normal human but still be extremely weak at the same time.
"I wish I could exchange this abnormal regeneration for a little strength," he sighed as he dragged his feet to the bathroom.
He almost got into the bathroom when his eyes caught something at the door.
"Who would leave me a letter?" he thought as he picked up the white envelope at the door. "Is this another one of Dylan's pranks?"
He opened the door to check but saw no one there. Looking down, his eyes caught sight of a book.
This book had a peculiar design as it seemed to be made of different components as the cover had patches sewn into it, making it a lot less desirable. He had a good thought to throw it away assuming it was a prank but looking around and finding no one, he decided to pick it up.
"Could this possibly be a prank from Dylan?" he asked himself again, looking at the book. The book had an old-looking lock by the side, preventing anyone from reading it.
"This can't be a prank from Dylan," he shook his head. "This lock seems ancient, surely not anything Dylan would be patient enough to find, and he's definitely preparing for military school today. He was so hyped about it."
The words "military school" flipped a switch in his head as he remembered that they were supposed to be going to military school today.
"Oh, shoot!" he exclaimed as he looked at the electronic clock which said 7:00 am. He threw both the book and envelope on his bed as he hurried into the bathroom. "They'll be here in an hour and I haven't even taken my bath! Worse, I didn't even pack my bags yet!"
Ian hurriedly brushed his teeth and took a quick bath, possibly the fastest he had ever had and poured the rest of his time into packing his bags, hurriedly throwing whatever he could inside the bag and dressing up at the same time.
There's a rumour that the military never arrives even a second later than 8 am. They also do not spend even more than thirty seconds with the potential student and they are dragged out in whatever they have on if they delay. They say every year, people end up with only their underwear on the first day and he doesn't want to be one of them.
Luckily, he didn't have much to pack and only had a few things to pack. He made sure to only pack his necessities and left the rest as he was already feeling light-headed from the hurried movements he was making.
He sighed as he sat on the bed, waiting for the knock on the door. Looking around the room to confirm that he took everything he needed, he caught sight of the picture on his table and hurriedly rushed to take it and place it carefully in his bag, in between a few clothes.
He was in the process of closing the bag when he caught sight of something else. It was the book and letter that he discovered this morning. He looked at it sceptically as he was having second thoughts about it.
"Well," he shrugged. "It shouldn't hurt to bring it along with me. If it turns out to be a prank then so be it. There's nothing to lose anyway."
He picked up the book and tossed it in the bag, opting the read the message in the envelope.
He sat down on the bed and opened the envelope when he heard a knock on the door, the same knock he had been waiting for. He quickly tossed the envelope in his pocket and hurried to the door with his bag.
He opened the door and in front of him was a tall, muscular man with black hair but a gentle face despite his intimidating height. He was dressed in a blue uniform with three stars just above the nametag on his chest.
"Ready?" he smiled when he came out.
"Yes, sir!" Ian said rigidly, unsure of how to act.
The man tapped something on his wrist and a portal opened in front of them. He then stretched his hand out to him.
"Shall we?"
"Of course," Ryan said and took the soldier's hang as he was led through the portal to his new life for the next three years.