Chapter 9 - Back to School

*BRIIING* *BRIIING*

The alarm bell rang out, the holographic screen displaying a white glowing 6 am on it.

A small groan sounded out as a hand reached out from beneath the quilt. Banging repetitively on the table, the hand searched around before hitting the alarm, finally turning it off.

The blanket rustled as Marcus rose from his bed, yawning and stretching his arms. He was finally going back to work today. Back to what he enjoyed the most, teaching and being around the children.

Rubbing his eyes, he stumbled out of his room and got ready for the day, brushing his teeth and changing out of his pajamas.

"Back to work today?" His mother asked, walking out her room wearing a pale pink robe, her bed hair sticking up.

"Mhm," Marcus replied, brewing himself a cup of coffee and making a bowl of cereal.

"Mkay," his mother yawned, walking back into her room, closing the door behind her.

The apartment became silent again as the kitchen clock ticked half-past six. Marcus dug through his pockets and double-checked he had everything.

Finally satisfied, he made his way out of the apartment, remembering to lock the door behind him. The cloud had covered the sun as a small drizzle of rain began to fall.

Rummaging through his bag, Marcus took out a small umbrella and began to walk.

The Elementary School was only a few blocks down and within a few minutes, its giant building came to view. Although the building was huge, the actual budget the school had was slowly decreasing over the years. With many parents now preferring to send their children to more prestigious schools with an automatic teaching system, the demand for teachers and the quality of traditional schools were rapidly declining.

Marcus entered the school gates, his eyes looked over at the playground before he took a deep breath and made his way inside.

'Grade 3A' A small sign dangled on top of the sliding door.

He slid open the door and looked around. The small DIYed green painted wooden tables with the funky red painted chairs sat neatly in groups as the walls of the classroom were filled with the children's most treasured works. The work they felt most proud of, or the ones which were put the most effort in were all sat on the wall ready to be admired by any passing parents.

A small smile arose from Marcus's face as he made his way towards the teacher's desk, placing how his bag and items. He sat down on the familiar chair and spun around.

The familiar room, the familiar air. It was all overwhelming him.

The door swung open as a surprised principal peeked in. "Marcus? You're back!"

"Hello, Sir." Marcus greeted him back, stopping his chair from spinning.

"Oh god, we've missed you," He walked over, giving him a pat on the back. "How was your break?"

"Quite boring as usual," Marcus smiled in response.

"Well at least you're back now and seem ready to go, The students are going to be here in a few seconds," The principal chuckled, putting his hand on Marcus' shoulder and walked away, "Oh, and we've told the children nothing as per your request. Just don't be too hard on yourself." He turned around with a weary smile and closed the door behind him.

Marcus took a deep breath and nodded, even though there was no one in the room with him.

Suddenly the door opened up a crack as half a dozen heads peered in.

"Mr. Elori! You're back!" They call shouted out at once, charging into the room like agitated bulls.

"I'm back." Marcus smiled back at them, receiving their hugs. "Calm down. Calm down."

"Where did you go?"

"Why weren't you here for a week?"

The students began bombarding him with questions.

"One at a time please," Marcus laughed, "Everyone to their seats first."

"Okay!" They answered, quickly finding a seat and raised their hands.

"First one, Angela. Your question," He pointed at a student with her hands up.

"Why were you gone for a week?"

"We had a small accident at the school after you all left, It's nothing serious."

"Is Miss Soreath coming back today as well?"

"S-She had to go move back with her mother," Marcus replied with a sad smile.

"Eh? When is she coming back?"

"S-She not. She had to go take care of her mother. But instead, we can all write her letters." Marcus offered, explaining the activity for the day.

"What are we going to write about?" a student called out.

"Anything you want. What your thinking, what you're feeling. Anything at all. You could even do a drawing. I'm not going to read it nor is anyone else."

The class began to work as time ticked on, and quickly the school bell rang for the students to go home.

"Mr. Elori." A small voice called out to him as everyone began leaving the classroom, heading home.

"Yes, Jacob?" Marcus turned around to see the little boy, standing there fidgeting.

"Is Miss Soreath with mother in heaven?" Jacob muttered, tears beginning to well up in his eyes.

"She-"

He didn't know how to respond.

"Is it my fault?" Jacob whimpered,

"No." Marcus kelt down and hugged the boy, "If it's anyone's fault it's mine."

"B-But I'm the reason they both went into the portal."

"It's not your fault, Jacob," Marcus whispered again patting his head.

The door of the classroom slowly slid open as a tall middle-aged man poked his head in.

"Sorry to bother you, I'm Jacob's father," He explained, nodding at Jacob.

Marcus slowly stood up as Jacob shuffled back to his father.

"Thank you," the father bowed, "Ever since his mother passed away, he's been keeping to himself. It's such a relief that he's finally letting it all out." He patted Jacob's head.

After a short conversation, the father and son duo left the classroom as Marcus prepared to leave as well.

Picking up the stacks of envelopes, Marcus grabbed his bag and headed out.

The sun had begun to set as the light pink clouds floated across the horizon. The evening rush hour was in full force as the sounds of hovercars rang out in the streets. the honking of horns and screeching off tires sounded from all directions.

Marcus made his way towards the closes transport stop, and within a few minutes, a hovercar slowly stopped before him, its windows lowered.

"Where to?" The driver called out,

"Laidside Cemetry please," Marcus replied.

"Hop in,"

The back door swung up as Marcus entered.

The door swung close before him as the car zoomed off into the direction of the cemetery.

"Visiting a relative?" The driver attempted small talk.

"A colleague," Marcus replied, scrolling through his phone.

"I see." The rest of the ride remained silent as they shuffled their way along the road.

An hour passed as the car finally left the congested roads, turning right and into the cemetery.

"That'll be 21 Ezos." The driver held out his hand as Marcus dug through his pocket, taking out his wallet. He took out 30 Ezos and handed it to the driver,

"Keep the change," He smiled as he walked away.

"Take care," The driver took the money and drove off.

Marcus entered the large cemetery, the ground around him littered with gravestones. The grass was well kept and flowers laid near recently visited graves while quiet music was played over the stereo.

He walked over to a newly made grave. He gently placed down the pile of envelopes and a single flower on top.

"I don't know if you can hear me beyond the grave but just know this. I will find a way to bring you back. One where no more lives will be lost." He muttered, clapping his hands together and bowing his head one more time before leaving.

The sun had set by the time Marcus arrived in front of his apartment. He quickly paid the driver the required amount and walked up to his apartment floor.

However, standing there was a man in a black suit about to knock on the door.

"Who are you may I ask?" Marcus called out to him.

"Are you Marcus Elori?" The man looked over and asked.

He nods.

"I'm from the Hunters Bureau. Ledensire branch. We'll like to talk to you about the recent gate incidents you were involved with."