Away from the glow of the neon lights that illuminate the nighttime, in an alleyway that evades the eyes of the people, here I am, laying on the ground, beaten all over. Every inch of my body feels sore, yet I don’t feel like crying. This is nothing, nothing at all. But the people I feel bad for lay on the ground, beaten by one person, a 12-year-old kid.

He wipes the blood off his nose. Three older kids sprawled all over the ground. He beat them despite being younger than them. Goggles obscure his eyes, making him seem like a mysterious hero of the night.

"Hey, are you all right," the child with the goggles asked the boy on the floor.

Why is he this strong? Is he insane? Does he have that much confidence in his own abilities? Or maybe he just…

"Y...you are..."

This person, who fought like an animal, smiles. As if he has nothing to hide as if he’s confident in who and what he is. He lifts the goggles from his face, revealing his eyes.

“You’re…”

Two years later…

6/15 - New Jersey - NewPort Island - St - Merlin boarding school - Principal's office - afternoon

"Proxy!"

His name bounces around the walls within the confined, neatly kept room that can hold three people at a time. The principal’s voice shakes up my heart, sinking me further into my seat.

"Do you realize the gravity of your actions!?"

This is a situation I’ll never get used to. On the other hand, the kid next to me is undisturbed by the principal, instead, letting out a hearty chuckle. "Sorry, sir, but Richard and I just thought the school's outside walls needed a fresh look. An eye-catcher, if you will. As capable young men of tomorrow, we gave it a makeover. So, I must ask you, oh principal, that I highly respect: is that so wrong?"

Brimming with confidence in his words is Proxy. I know, it's a weird name, but it was the name he was always called. We’re 14-year-olds, our current grades are middle school seniors, in the city of NewPort Island, an official part of the United States, a couple of miles beside the state of New Jersey, and right now, we’re being castigated by the principal.

I jump out of my seat and bow, trying to defuse the situation. "Sir, we are very sorry!"

"Sorry will not cut it! This may not be the most luxurious of schools, but I will not allow this behavior to pass!" Of course it didn’t work, but I had to try anyway. "Normally I'd have you suspended for such an act. However, I don't think that'll help. No, I thought of a better punishment."

Proxy crosses his legs, wearing a cocky grin.

"Bring it on! I can take what you can dish!"

Why did you have to say that? Can’t you just keep your mouth shut for a moment?

"Oh, really?" The Principal snaps his fingers, signaling two janitors to come in with a pair of buckets of vanilla paint. "I hope you like washing walls?"

This isn't my first time being dragged into Proxy's antics, nor would it be my last. Then again, I guess I am the one who goes along with him on them, so why am I complaining?

NewPort Island - Diner - evening

Tired, exhausted, and starving, Proxy pulls open the door to the diner. We stumble our way to the receptionist, who has a seat for us since we called ahead of time. Inside are a few people. No students, just some older people past their early 30s. The diner itself is using the motif of the '60s with pictures of famous people from that era, as well as music from that time.

Diving into his seat, Proxy lets out an evaporated groan, loud enough to catch the attention of the other patrons. "God, that was a nightmare!”

I crash onto the hard seat, barely able to move my body anymore. “And whose fault is it? Four hours wasted!”

"Yeah, yeah, I know… Great, I have paint on my clothes! Man, I knew it was a bad idea to bring you along!"

"Me? I'm the one who said we should've left school before we got caught! Hell, you dragged me along!"

"Yeah, but the guard heard you yelling when you were telling me.”

"No, I was quiet when I was warning you!"

"Sure, sure. Whatever, your fault, my fault, that's all in the past. Let's just eat!"

"Don't change topics just because you're losing!"

Honestly, how he’s able to shift from the topic like that…? But he is right. I could argue it’s his fault, but that won’t change anything, so there’s no point.

A moment later, we ordered what we wanted, and after another while, our food arrived. Proxy ordered a plain burger with some fries on the side. I got the same thing. Proxy chugs his drink, barely savoring it as it rushes down his throat. How can he drink like that without choking? Tried it myself once and my shirt got drenched.

“Hey, are you going to eat your fries?" he asks, sneaking his hand to my plate.

"Nah, you can have it."

“Thanks!”

He wolfs down the fries while I dig into my burger. I’d put ketchup but then I’d have to deal with it falling out. But that’s the least of my worries…

"Hey, why did you spray the school wall?"

Proxy leans back into his seat, staring out the window as people pass by. "I don't know? Guess I was bored? But it’s not like I drew anything inappropriate. Besides, that place would look more lively if I did. Shows what I know." So out of a spontaneous want to do it? “Now, let me ask you something. Why did you join me?”

That’s a good question. He didn’t force me to come along, nor did I protest, I just…

“I guess I don’t know either.”

No matter how much I dig deep, there’s no deep meaning behind my actions. I just…wanted to.

“Eh, that’s fine. You do, you don’t, who cares? You and I are always gonna be partners in crime.”

"But I don't want to be!"

Geez, him calling me that is just begging for bad karma. Continuing my meal, I pay a glance at the books in my bag… Hold on! Oh crap!

I jump to my feet. "Crap!"

"What's up, buddy?"

"I need to study for our finals. I wanted to go to the library, but since someone was keeping me busy I couldn’t!"

“Not that bad. Why don’t we flunk together?”

“You really expect me to!?”

"I know, I know, I was just kidding." A sigh leaves my mouth. Honestly, can’t he at least take this somewhat seriously? Even if he fails, he’ll still make it into High School, but failing nonetheless can make a student look bad. “Tell you what, I’ll pay for our train fees.”

“I can do that on my own.”

“Don’t sweat it, I got us covered. Besides, I wanna tag along.”

I lift my bag from under the table. “Alright, then I’ll pay for the food.”

“Sweet, then let’s get the bill. Yo, waitress, can we get the bill, please?”

A minute later, I footed the bill, and we were on our way to the library. I don’t want to owe favors to people, so paying for the food was my way of keeping it even. Perhaps that makes me difficult, but that’s how I’d like to do things.

NewPort Island public library - Evening

When I finally got all the materials I needed for a study session, I went over to where Proxy usually sits in the library; in the back corner, where no one goes, so he can listen to music and draw in peace. I see him sitting in the middle of the aisle, his back facing me.

"Hey, you find something you like?" I ask him.

"Richard…take a look at this."

Wonder what has him transfixed? Peering over his shoulder, he's holding an all-black book with no unique design to it. It’s a thickly layered book, not too big, but not something you'd want to hit your foot. The only thing that is on it is "Grimoire".

"Where did you find it?"

"It was in there."

He points over to the left bookshelf. There's a hidden compartment at the bottom of the shelf. There's dust inside of it, showing that it hasn’t been opened in a while.

"How did you find that?"

"I just noticed it."

“How specific," I end off, sarcastic in tone.

“Yeah, yeah, but that’s how I found it.” He opens the book to the first page. It's blank. "Huh?" He flips through multiple pages. They're also blank. "Okay, this is strange..."

We reach the middle part of the book, and the only thing there is a double-spread of a symbol. Proxy stares at the book with an intense gaze, forgetting to catch his breath. Then, right when he snapped back to reality, he shuts the book.

"We're taking this. I wanna check this out."

“But there’s nothing in it.”

"Maybe, maybe not. Just in case, I don't want anyone else getting it. Besides, this book might be my next sketchbook.”

He throws it into the air. It spins around until Proxy catches it, right before it hit his head.

“Be careful, you can hurt yourself.”

“It’s cool I’m too–”

A moment before disaster occurs, the book falls from his hand. In that span of a moment, hitting his toe, crushing it beneath its sheer weight. He freezes to process the damage, unable to move, let alone think. The moment the pain registered in the nerves in his toe, he let out a roar that rings throughout the library.

“Told you to be careful.”

“You’re…right. I’ll be careful.”

I hope it didn't break his toe or anything.

We approach the librarian, who's texting away on their phone, barely glancing at us. I place all the books I want to check out.

"Proxy," an older, mature voice that exudes a cool, yet casual tone.

The older man has short, black hair. He's wearing grey pants with a fashionable grey suit jacket and a maroon dress shirt.

Proxy smiles upon his approach. "Well, Richard, looks like you’ve been busted. Better raise your hands."

“Yeah, he was calling your name.

"Nice to see you here, Proxy. Though, I'd hope you came to the library by yourself instead of being dragged along," the detective bites back.

"Ouch, that hurts! Hurting innocent civilians isn't your job, Detective Birch…"

William Birch. These two have known each other for years. I've only known them for about 3 years, so puts me behind the 7 years they've known one another. You would think they wouldn't get along, but that isn't the case for them. Though Proxy causes a bit of trouble for Mr. Birch since he covers for him from time to time.

"I heard what you two did. Richard, you're supposed to keep a tight leash on him, not join in!" Mr. Birch scolds me with the intensity of a hot summer morning.

"Sorry, sir. I tried to stop him but he wouldn't listen, and I ended up getting dragged into it."

"Unfair, don't let the captain drown in the ship alone.”

"You got the meaning mixed up there."

Birch brings his attention back onto Proxy. "So other than vandalism, I heard you got into a fight with another gang."

"Hm, can't say I have. I've been keeping my nose clean of starting fights… But I sure as shit end them."

"Sure about that?"

"Sure am, honest."

Mr. Birch takes notice of the book in Proxy's hand. "What's that?"

"I don't know. The book is blank."

He gives it to Birch, who begins flipping through the empty pages of the black book.

"Hm, it really is. Give me a sec." Mr. Birch walks over to the librarian and has him check out the book. After a moment, he returns it to Proxy.

"Turns out that this book isn't registered here, and there aren't any records of this book existing. Where exactly did you find this?"

You would think he's interrogating him

"In the back, over there. Why? Are you trying to find strange stuff like my book here?"

"I was just curious, besides I'm good for now."

Mr. Birch shows off a detective novel. He loves murder mystery novels, though barely has time to read them from what he told me.

"So do I still have to check it out, or…"

"Well, it is on the property of the library, but maybe someone misplaced it. If they haven't come back for it, then I suppose anyone can pick it up."

"Finders-keepers then, awesome!"

Proxy puts the book in his bag. He runs for the exit without me.

"By the way, Birch, you tell Lauren to stop spamming my phone!"

Mr. Birch silently grunts, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, I'll tell her to tone it down."

I group up all my things into my bag to follow him.

"It was nice seeing you, Mr. Birch. Tell Lauren I said hi."

"I'll do that. You boys head straight home now, and don’t get into too much trouble."

"Yes, sir," we both answer, Proxy dismissive to his suggestion while I take it seriously.

Following Proxy out of the library, Proxy jumps off the stairs to the sidewalk, landing without an issue. A yawn erupts from him, distinct between the car horns, people trekking home, and the endless chatter in the crowd… I can’t stand it.

I shield my ears, trying to drown out the noise. “Can we go down somewhere with fewer people?”

“Huh? Oh, that’s right. Alright, you can borrow my earbuds.”

I grab a pair of wired earbuds from his hand, plugging them into my phone. Wearing them helps me tune out the crowd. In a crowd like this, it’s impossible for me not to pick up on their words, especially at this time of day. It feels like someone is cracking open my skull and dipping their fingers into my brain. Music helps cancel it out since all my attention goes into that instead of the crowd, so I don’t even need to wear the other end,

Proxy stretches his arms, groaning aloud. "Man, I'm beat. You wanna go anywhere else, man?”

"Not really… Can I spend the night at your place again?"

"Sure, but you might as well move in at this point." He has a point. I sleep there more than I do at the dorms. But it would feel like I'm freeloading. "...Whatever, let's just get going."

"Are you sure it's fine?"

"Yeah, not like anyone will care. Plus, it'll be super fun!"

"But I'll be studying."

"It's cool. Just having another person there is pretty sweet."

I feel bad for taking advantage of his generosity. He’s always willing to let me sleep at his place, no matter how long it may be, so I always feel a sense of guilt whenever I go just to study in peace…

"Thank you, Proxy."

“You don’t have to be stiff with me, buddy.”

The night brings on the light from the city, be it night lights or neo signs that advertise the stores they belong to, there’s never a moment where darkness captures this city. People, whether it’s in a car or on the sidewalk, are trying to make it home, like us.

If those cars were gone, as well as the crowd that pushes and moves past us, then the city streets would obtain a level of quiet that would be unnatural for a city as big as this. There was a time when I wished for this, but now, I don’t know what to think of it anymore…

"Whatcha thinkin' about?" Proxy, speaking in an accent, asks me.

"...Do you wonder what it would be like if the city was empty, and we were the only people here?"

He whistles, appearing impressed with my thought. "Never thought of something like that before."

"Well, it's only a flight of fancy, so–"

"...But I don't think I'd like it."

"Huh?"

"Being by yourself sucks. Hanging out with people is great. Get it?"

I thought he was going to say he would like that, but his answer isn't far from what I think is right. In the past, I wanted to be alone. Interacting with people was a waste, bringing nothing but inevitable pain. That's until he came into the picture, rather, forced himself into the picture. If he hadn't, though, I doubt I could enjoy a conversation like this with anyone.

"Come on, let's pick up the pace. I wanna hit my pillows already."

Proxy hops along the sidewalk, enthusiastic to reach his apartment. I can't help but feel giddy seeing him like that, even if it's embarrassing.

"Okay, okay, wait for me!"

If someone asked me why I hang out with Proxy, despite him being a delinquent, I guess the only thing I can tell is that I feel comfortable around him. I don't have to put on airs, or act in a way that's not me… I can just be myself.

And if I'm being honest, getting in trouble doesn't bother me all that much, cause we're friends, and friends stick with each other, right? Though, toning down on the trouble-making would be nice.

Proxy comes to a sudden stop, his eyes shifting toward the opera house way down the street from where we are.

If we're here, that means we're in the center of the city. NewPort Island is a large-sized city that takes on a circular shape that is right now, so it's not surprising to come here when leaving a major district of the city.

"Come on Proxy, let's go!"

"Huh? Y-yeah."

"What's wrong?"

"I was lost in space, that's it."

That's definitely not it, but we don't have time to discuss it. If we linger here any longer, we'll miss our train.

"Come, we'll miss the train."

"Oh, yeah! Then we need to book it."

Book it we did. My lungs nearly collapsed when we made it into our train. It goes to show that I am not made for physical activities, cause if I have to run that far ever again, I'll die on the spot.