"Lucas! You have to get up now else you will be late for school!" A middle-aged, slightly plump woman screamed at the top of her voice to rouse her lazy son.
As a pot of savory soup billowed with aromatic steam on a simmering burner behind her, the middle-aged woman gracefully bustled about the kitchen, orchestrating her efforts to put everything in its proper place.
Taking a brief pause in her bustling around the kitchen, she glanced upwards towards the staircase made of beautiful, polished wood which led to the upper part of the house. Puzzled, she wondered why her son hadn't yet made his way downstairs.
Having already called out to him five times, she couldn't help but feel perplexed. Normally, he would have promptly come down or responded lazily, but this time there was no trace of his presence or an indifferent reply to her calls.
*Sigh*
She dropped the towel in her hand and made her way towards the stairs.
"If I get up there Lucas, I am going to spank you!" The stairs creaked under her weight. As she climbed the stairs her hand holding on to the wooden rail her ex-husband had crafted for them.
Despite her threatening words, she received no response from Lucas. Frustration growing, she briskly marched up the remaining steps, her angry steps echoing through the staircase. Upon reaching the top, she turned right, determined to confront him.
As she walked down the short corridor, the walls adorned with pictures of her and Lucas engaged in joyful and memorable activities, a warmth spread across her face. Despite her frustration, the sight of those cherished moments brought a smile to her lips. Lucas was not only her son but also her life and a source of immense pride.
At the end of the brightly lit corridor, there stood a plain white door. Tacked onto the door was a simple white piece of cardboard, with the words "Lucas asleep" scrawled across it.
"Lucas!" She called out again as she made a stop at his bedroom door, her hands on her hips. Still no reply.
*Knock* *Knock*
Turning the sign on the door to the opposite side that read "Lucas awake" she pushed the door open and made her way in.
__________________________________________________________
Lucas lay in bed, his eyes still closed. He had been awake for some time now, but he didn't want to get up. He knew that if he did, he would have to face the day, and he wasn't ready for that yet.
He sighed and rolled over, trying to go back to sleep. But it was of no use. He was too awake now. He could hear the birds chirping outside, and the sun was starting to steep through his window.
Lucas knew that he couldn't stay in bed all day. Eventually, his mom would come in and get him up. And then he would have to go to school.
He couldn't sleep after seeing a post on Instagram by the prettiest girl in his high school. He had been staring at her photos in revealing clothing for hours.
He had zoomed in on her picture in the blue swimsuit that left little to the imagination.
And he had gone on to the internet and he had been browsing the web and looking at females pictures in skimpy clothes.
His life had always felt rather mundane and lacking in excitement. While he had his group of male friends with whom he spent time during school hours, beyond that, he found himself longing for deeper connections. However, amidst that longing, he took solace in the unwavering presence and unconditional love of his beloved mother, who would go to great lengths to support and care for him.
Despite not having many friends, he found solace in the fact that his mother was always there to talk to him every day. However, he couldn't help but notice a shift in their dynamic in recent times. Ever since his father had left them for another woman, his mother had to start working to support them both. Unfortunately, this change in their circumstances meant that she hardly had any time for herself, let alone for him.
The absence of his father had left a void in their lives, and now the added responsibilities shouldered by his mother took a toll on their once abundant quality time together. The demands of work weighed heavily on her, leaving little opportunity for them to connect and share the same level of closeness they once had.
After browsing through various pictures and websites, and even watching some adult content, he finally decided to take a break from his online activities. As he glanced at the clock, he was taken aback by the realization that it was nearly seven o'clock.
Laying there, he could hear the unmistakable sounds of his mother moving around in her room, which happened to be located right beside his. The gentle rustling and footsteps hinted at the fact that she had just woken up.
'Well, it's not like I can get any sleep now.' Sighing, he let his mind wander as he stared into space.
Just then he heard a voice, more like the voices of two people in a conversation.
He tried to strain his ears thinking the voices came from outside his window but he heard nothing.
[ He looks a bit skinny, don't you think?]
Lucas heard the voice again, but to his shock, it originated from within his head.
[ His will is strong. I would take him.] A soft feminine voice spoke this time.
A wave of panic began to wash over him. Confusion and disbelief gripped him as he struggled to comprehend the situation unfolding before him.
His initial instinct was to rush to his mother and seek solace in her presence, but as he attempted to hop off his bed, he was overcome by a shocking realization.
To his astonishment, he felt no connection with his own body. It was as if his physical form had become detached, leaving him in a state of panic and anxiety.
"What the-" Panic surged through Lucas as he attempted to curse out in shock and frustration. However, he quickly realized that something was fundamentally wrong. With growing fear, he felt a constriction in his throat, preventing any words from escaping his lips.
"____" With mounting desperation, Lucas made another attempt to call out for help, his voice caught in his constricted throat.