Beep...Beep...Beep

Unwillingly I turn over fumbling at the alarm clock, I can’t manage to find the snooze button while still underneath the soft embrace of my blanket. The infuriating machine continues to assault my ears until with great effort I heave off the blanket and recoil as the sun robs me of sight. Being attacked from both sides I have little chance of winning the battle, so I need to act quickly. I decide to sacrifice my vision to the harsh rays of the sun as I hone in on my target, the snooze button. At some point in the night, my alarm must have fallen off of my nightstand because it has now moved to the floor once again holding the advantage over me. It sits there blaring taunts just out of reach of my hand as I feebly try and bring it closer with my outstretched fingers. I shift my body over the edge of the bed a hair too far and tumble onto the floor with a racket. The alarm clock didn’t withstand my impromptu bombing as half my body lay on the snooze button silencing it.

“Honey, are you all right?” A worried voice cuts off the victory celebration.

"Yes, mom fine, I’m just getting up.”I quickly give her an answer to appease the concern she shows.

Getting up off of the carpeted floor I look at the time on my slain foe. 10:06 A.M shows that I was quick in waking up this morning.

“Still not a new record, but I’ll shave off a few minutes when it comes time for college classes to start again.” nodding in a knowing fashion.

That line of thought fills me with remorse, unwilling to come to terms that Summer break has ended and I have to return to University today. I take a look around the room, which is pretty clean by my standards, no sock babies in sight. The desk is even cleaned off save for my laptop which I hastily put into the bag hanging on the back of my well-worn chair. Luckily I busted my ass packing up most of the things I am taking with me into my car last night. Diligent planning leaves just enough room for me to squeeze into the driver's seat If I really try. Slipping my phone on the desk into a pocket I undo the lock and swing the door open, heading down the hall with a spring in my step to start the old morning routine, only to be barred entry from my sacred duty. The white panel door refuses to budge, sounds of the sink running and off-tune singing the only hints as to what lurks within. I am forced to wait out the minutes in awkward silence until the door slowly swings open, a shit-eating grin behind it.

“Hey, bro good to see you finally up, I thought that I would have to drag you out myself.” My sister continues to stand in the doorway a final obstacle to the sacred solace of the bathroom.

“Mia, just let me through,” I say, as she refuses to budge.

“Oh, come on bro you had to have a big night, with all those noises coming from your room. You really do love those videos, Isn't that right Onii-Chan~♪.” She says dropping her voice to a sultry tone.

My face glowing red I move to push past her, only for her to deftly step aside while placing me in a headlock.

“Goddammit, Mia!” I scream, only for my protests and struggles go unnoticed as she continues.

“Quick tip little bro, walls are thin so keep it down, and if you want anything real you won’t find it in your room or on your computer. The world isn’t that scary, It won't kill you to step outside.” She teases as she drops me from the headlock and walks down the hall all too proud of her life advice.

"Love you, little bro! See you at breakfast”, she heads down the stairs while I rub my throat in agitation.

Slowly regaining breath I see that the struggle for the bathroom has concluded. Shutting the door behind me for a few well earned minutes of peace and quiet I sit on the porcelain throne. With my business concluded I wash my hands and brush my teeth regrettably humming the opening of the Goblin Killer anime that refuses to leave my head. I then head down the stairs into the kitchen, where mom is there to greet me.

“Morning Sweetie,” she says with a cheery tone, cup of coffee still held in her hand. “Your father left a note for you.”

“Morning Mom,” I reply already seeing that Dad’s seat is as empty as usual.

Getting cereal and milk I pour myself a bowl before asking mom how work was.

“Oh I’m doing well dear, tired, but that’s the price of being on call,” she responds taking a long sip of coffee.

“Mom, you still look great even if you pulled an all-nighter,” I say pulling her into a hug.

“Thanks, dear” she responds amused, returning it.

Sitting down to eat my cereal mom once again reminds me to look at the letter that dad left before shuffling into the living room where my sister is watching the sports highlights. Sighing, I nod to her before filling my mouth with a spoon full of the cereal. Reaching over with my other hand to grab the letter and look it over unsurprised that he gave me the same speech as always.

“Jaxon, you're heading off to college today, I expect to see that your grades improve and that you work hard to make your family proud.” Is all that is written on the note in immaculate penmanship.

“Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence dad.” I think to myself, “No good luck or stay safe, just do better son, always do better.”

A quick throw later the letter lands in the trash can, as I and continue to munch on cereal, a somber mood settling in. I can hear my sister cheering from the living room, her fantasy team doing well. I’m glad she is having some luck, while I just sit here and shove more food into my mouth to console the ruined mood. It’s useless though, even the cereal tastes bland now. Leave it to dad to kill the joy out of eating sugary bliss in a bowl. Visibly deflating, I finish breakfast, cleaning the rest of the morning dishes that have piled up. The menial task helping to push thoughts of Dad out of my mind as boredom takes over. Drying the last bowl I put the dish towel away and take a seat back at the table to whip out my phone praying for better news. I eagerly check to see if I have any matches on my dating profile, which turns out to be still barren as it was yesterday.

“Maybe Mia is right” I mumble to myself “The only date I’ve been on so far is with righty.”

An awkward chill runs through my brain as I depressingly come to terms that I have started to personify my hand. Inwardly cringing I shake off the feelings of failure and slap my cheeks to psyche myself up for the rest of the day, squishing my face into a shape that must look devilishly handsome.

“New day, new me!” I begin to chant to myself.

With renewed vigor, I turn around to head into the living room only for an old rival to head me off once again. Mia saunters into my path tossing an apple between her hands with another grin plastered onto her face.

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Sooner than she can get out the news that's almost bubbling out of her a shrill, garbled screech rips out into the air, sending both of us to the ground clawing at our ears. It continues to increase grinding on my mind as I realize that it isn’t coming from the outside, the shriek is grinding inside my skull. Seeing Mia in as much pain I try to reach out to my sister. She looks up terrified and starts fading away before my eyes. Panic takes over as I scramble towards her ignoring the throbbing in my brain. I fail to make it in time as I pass right through where she was mere moments ago. I frantically look around unable to process what is going on around me, powerless to do anything as cracks begin to spread out through reality the world fading out like a dream. All that's left is a white void and the searing pain in my head that continues to grow with each passing moment. I try to clutch at my head but nothing moves, only fear and pain exist now everything else drowned out. I swear text rushes through my mind as my awareness slips. The the last to fade as lose myself to terror, reveling in the numbing bliss of insanity before the darkness takes me.

System Failure Detected: Initiating Rapture Protocol