I'm a bad guy.
It may sound weird, but I really am. I don't like other people, their presence annoys me.
When I was still a kid, I was supposed to be eight years old and something like that, and my dad bought me a pair of Nike as a Christmas present.
I was really happy. When I came back from the winter holidays, "I say winter vacation, but it never snows here." I was very excited to wear my shoes to go to school. But hardly ever did a guy in my class step on me without doing anything. At the same time he left the mud print of his shoe on mine.
A print on my Nike... White plus. I knew right away that it was never going to go away even if I tried to rub it hard. I thought he was going to apologize, but on the contrary, he didn't even realize he was wrong. I got angry and beat him up. Back home, I had to endure my father's belts and my mother's sermons. As for my Nikes, I put them in a closet in my room and I never carried them again.
First-year middle school kids, third-grade greats took my breakfast. I tried to call back, but this time I got beaten up. In my misfortune, I was able to retrieve a small crumb from my sandwich that littered the ground. Back home, I put it in my closet next to my Nikes.
In the second year of high school, the girls in my class ranked the most beautiful boys in the class. They wrote it on a piece of paper and hung it on the wall of the classroom, right next to the painting. My name wasn't in the top 10. I then tore the list off the wall and stored it at home, in my room, inside my closet.
A lot of that has happened in my life and has made me the man I am now. This has allowed me to harden myself in order to fully exploit the antagonist I am.
In order for me to have the respect I deserve, I had to impose it on others. So I took martial art classes with only one goal in mind, smashing everyone who annoys me. But for that, I needed a mental steel, a source of motivation.
So every morning, before I started my daily activities, I would open my closet to observe the objects in it. The sightings reminded me of bad memories, and that was enough to motivate me.
By the end of college, I had become strong enough to be able to impose respect on others.
When I graduated, I enrolled in Pigier High School. It's a high school for the average student. There I spent a school year punctuated by fights that I always won. Fighting had become for me a means of communication.
If I didn't agree with you, I'd let you know by beating you up. If I didn't like your head, I'd beat you up. It only takes one thing to upset me to let off steam. Everything had become so simple.
People were afraid of me and didn't dare look me in the eye. I finally had the respect I always wanted. Now in the first grade, I became the king of my high school.
My name is Koné Oumar aka the heartless beast.
This Monday morning, before classes started, the principal had summoned me to his office. As usual, he looked serious. A lot of people would have been afraid to stand in front of him, but that wasn't the case for me. I looked pretty casual.
'' Koné Oumar, 1st D student. I heard you beat one of your classmates again on the grounds of this institution. ''
The headmaster addressed me in a stern tone, which went well with the mine he displayed.
'' I can understand your displeasure, Principal, and I'm truly sorry. ''
I was just apologizing for the form. If I had to do it again, I'd do it again.
'' If I brought you here, it's not only to lecture you, but also to warn you. Most of your teachers complain about your behavior. If you continue, I'll be forced to fire you. ''
'' I admit it would be a pity. ''
'' Is that all you have to say? You know, if you're still a student at this high school, it's because I'm struggling behind the scenes to avoid your expulsion. You can admit you're lucky to be related to the principal. ''
The principal, Mr. Koné Jean Joël, is actually my uncle.
'' I thank you for all the actions you have taken in the shadows for me. ''
I bowed slightly to show my gratitude.
'' Okay. But I want you to know that, as principal, I can't keep favoring you. Another mistake like that and you'll be fired. Got it? ''
'' Yes. ''
I answered with calm.
'' Good. If you understand, go back to your class. ''
The discussion with the principal ended. After I got out of his office, I headed for my classroom. Once I arrived at the door, I pushed the sliding door and entered the room.
The students' brurarah faded when they saw me come in. The teacher wasn't there yet. I was moving towards my seat which was at the last benches near the window with heavy footsteps so as to make maximum noise.
They were intrigued. They were afraid of me. Once I was seated, I turned my attention to the window.
A few minutes later, the French teacher went into class. At his sight, everyone in the room stood up except me. My head was still turned toward the window. Mr. Karamoko, a French teacher, did not take this to heart and moved on. He must have been used to it all along.
After he had told the students that they could sit down, he spoke.
'' My dear pupils. Today we will welcome a new student. I'm counting on you to help him integrate into the class. ''
When they heard the news, the students in the class were all excited. Boys mostly.
'' A new student? That means she's a girl! ''
'' You think she's cute? ''
The chatter about the identity of our new classmate was going well, but it was stopped by Mr. Karamoko who asked the students to calm down. He then stared at the front door and spoke.
'' You can come in. ''
Immediately said, the sliding door opened. A girl entered the room and we faced each other. For a moment, time seemed to freeze. I was just watching this girl with her unemotional look.
'' Hello. My name is Traoré Myriam, and I hope we can get along. ''
The room fell into silence to the sound of her voice. That girl seemed very inaccessible. It was evident in his attitude.
One of the girls in the class sitting on the front bench of the first row stood shyly and spoke.
'' Myriam... Welcome to our class. ''
'' Thank you. ''
'' All right. You can go sit now. ''
Mr. Karamoko, pointed out an empty seat to Myriam and she went to sit down. After making sure she was settled in, Mr. Karamoko turned to the blackboard and began writing the title of the lesson.
'' Good. The class can begin. ''
On Mondays, we had French classes until noon, for a total of four hours. So logically, I fell asleep in class during class.
When I woke up, the class was already over. It must have been noon since there was no one in the room except me and the new student.
'' Mr. Karamoko's classes are real sleeping pills. ''
I muttered that for myself, and then I got up from my chair to stretch. When I finished, I looked at the new student. She read a book without worrying about what was around her. Intrigued, I decided to get closer to her to speak to her.
'' Hey, the news! Can I know what kind of book you're reading? ''
My question seemed to have gone into the ear of a deaf person. She didn't even deny looking at me. Frustrated, I would be fists and decide to approach it again.
'' Hey! Do you listen to me when I talk to you?! ''
She had the same reaction as the first time, that is, no response. That girl was new. She didn't really know who I was. I had to show her who she was dealing with.
Without warning, I tore his book out of his hands. Her reaction was suddenly immediate.
'' Give it back to me. ''
She said in a calm tone.
Then she looked at me for the first time. She showed no particular emotion.
'' What? You want it back? You don't want me to look, do you? Confess you read dirty stuff. ''
I said laughingly.
'' Give it back to me. ''
Without considering his complaints, I began to read the title written on the cover of the book.
'' ... The— Basics of... Exorcism... ''
I had trouble reading because the cover of the book was old and poorly maintained. But now that I knew...
'' Don't tell me you believe in this nonsense? ''
'' Give it back to me. ''
She was just telling me to give her back her book, and that made me angry.
'' It's okay, hold your book. ''
I threw his book at the other end of the room. Then I smiled.
'' Oops. I meant, go get it. ''
She could have been happy to have gotten away with it. If she'd been a man, I'd have hit her already.
'' My book, go get it. ''
The girl approached me, but this time, the stoic mine she was displaying had disappeared. Anger had taken over.
'' And if I don't do anything, what are you going to do? ''
When I uttered these words, the atmosphere in the room suddenly changed and the confidence that i was on my missing face.
'' Torques matulu... Torques matulu. ''
She repeated those words without stopping. Those words did not mean anything and I was concerned about that. Then suddenly, she started to get closer to me.
'' Wait... Calm down, I'll... ''
She grabbed my right hand before I could finish what I was about to say. The heavy atmosphere is gone and calm resumes its place.
In that silence, I heard a beeping sound. This one came from my right hand, the one she had just touched. Intrigued, I looked at the palm of my right hand and saw that a circular mark with the percentage 100% was displayed.
'' What the hell?! ''
I was starting to rub my hand, but it wasn't getting away.
'' This brand will not start this way because it is anchored in you. I just cursed you. ''
'' ...What? ''
She just cursed me? What the hell is this?
'' That's a joke, isn't it? ''
At the time, I was half-believing in his story.
'' This percentage displayed on the palm of your hand represents your level of bad luck. ''
'' What? ''
My face suddenly tensed. If what she said was true, I had a 100% bad luck percentage!
'' The good news is that you can break this curse by lowering the meter to zero. But to do that, you'll have to become a good person, you'll have to do good deeds. ''
'' Realized good deeds...? ''
That was contrary to my convictions. I'm a bad guy.
'' But if you decide to go after the others, the percentage will increase and so will your bad luck. ''
She sketched a smile that chilled my blood.
'' You who like to harass others so much, I'd like to see how you're going to break this curse. ''
End of chapter.