The Voice In The Dark

√ TWO YEARS LATER

On a scale of one to ten, how corny does that line sound to you?...

I root ten.

But yeah. My name is Raul, and this is my story.

I do have to say, for a main character, my build is nothing that extravagant.

I have this normal face that many would not think to glance at twice. It is a face that does not stay true to my age. Rather, it distance away from it.

It is so serious that one would mistake me as a twenty-year-old passing through the very horrors of life.

That is how one of the customers described my face.

An appropriate body size for someone my age is 12. A very slim body with fatigue accumulated around my eyes, turning them heavy and what some would describe as scary.

Black eyeducts with a low bowl cut. A face shaped like a distorted egg, my jaws and cheekbones shifted to the sides.

If there is anything special about me, it would be my ability to always stay enthusiastic and look forward to a better tomorrow.

I brushed my teeth and attended to my monkey business which if I might add, was not that much since I eat less than an average person does.

I took my bath and wore my blue jeans that had turned grey due to overwearing and barely washing, along with my black round neck that looks too baggy for someone my size.

I hurried out the door and locked it shut with my key.

I turned my head to the sky and saw that the sun was still not out. It was hazy at dawn.

"Good, I am early".

The house I live in is a cottage surrounded by modernized tall buildings. The one on the left is a four storey and the other on the right is a seven-storey building.

It's like a game of picking the odd one out, and my old-looking cottage standing there waiting to be picked.

I passed by the cottage's fence and locked up the gate before throwing both keys inside my cross bag.

As far and fast as my two legs could take me, I ran nonstop until I got to my destination and I was finally able to breathe out the discomfort that had gathered in my chest.

It was a journey that would have taken me thirty minutes to cover if I was walking normally. But I did that in half the time.

What made it so time-consuming is due to the geographical terrain. When I was going, I had to go at an upward slope, thereby causing a decrease in my speed level.

When I am coming as in going back home, however, it is faster as the downward slope easily accelerates my walking speed.

"Hmm... I have set a new record".

It was a daily routine for me, and I took the liberty of checking the time I got to the store to know how fast and adaptive my body was getting.

I pulled the door open and made my way into the convenience store packed full of necessary varieties from boxed cooked food to medicines and of course every customer's crucial needs.

It should be noted that the store is located in an open area on a paved roadside with cars frequenting left and right on the road.

I walked to the counter where I saw the bulky middle-aged man standing behind the counter with a green t-shirt and a logo that said; RIPPER'S CONVEINEINCE STORE.

"Morning Mister Ripper".

My voice woke up the man who was sneakily dozing off. He abruptly raised his head and saw me.

"Raul, you are here". He says, getting himself together.

"You have worked hard mister Ripper. I will take things from here".

I assured, walking to the back of the counter as I picked up my green uniform on the hanger behind the counter.

"I did nothing. You are the one working twenty-hour shifts a day". He complimented, making his way out of the counter.

"I will be going now. See to the store well and make sure nothing happens. What am I even saying? I trust you enough to know that nothing will happen".

"Don't worry mister ripper. The store is in good hands". I assured.

Ripper stopped midway through the store's entrance.

"I have helped you pack the boxed lunch that is set to expire tomorrow. I kept it under the counter table at the right corner".

With a bright smile on my face, I enthusiastically bowed my head moderately as I said the thank you words heartfeltly.

Before long, Ripper stayed away from sight, leaving only me to mend the affairs of the store.

Lo and behold I searched where he told me to and came to find my breakfast, lunch and dinner sitting on the corner of the table.

I took one packaged box and opened up the cover to start feasting. What was in was baked beans with bread by the side.

A delicacy for me. Though I have no favourite whatsoever. I munch on pretty much whatever comes my way.

The clock ticked and toked. Customers came in empty-handed and out with their goods.

Time rolled continually and I was stuck attending to the needs of the many that walked past that door. Before I knew it, it was three at midnight.

Mister Ripper was back to take over the store and I was free to go back home and rest for four hours before resuming work.

It isn't always like this.

I am only able to work twenty hours a day because the school has yet to resume.

About months ago I graduated from primary school. Now, I am looking forward to enrolling as a junior in my community school.

The only reason I am going to school is not because I believe in all that; study and you will become someone great in the future crap.

No damn way. I got my work cut out for me and bills to pay. I would rather take on more work than bother myself with trifle fantasy dreams.

I go to school because it was my mother's will to see me as a college graduate bagging a law degree.

Yeah... I know that ain't going to happen in my condition.

Still... I want to do the best I can so that in the future when I face her, I will be able to tell her how hard I tried to make her dreams for me a reality.

That is that.

I got home, intending to go directly to my bedroom and land my body flat on the bed.

I opened the door and made my first step past the entrance. With a yelp let out from my mouth, I hurriedly raised my right foot in shock.

Something poked my pinky toe.

The lights were off most of the time so I could save on prepaid bills. I only put it on when I need to.

"This house is getting worn out". I complained.

The floor was made of wood, the sturdy kind that gets worn out with time. A part of it must have shed on the floor and I was the unfortunate soul that happened to be in its way.

If only I had the money to refurbish.

I took my hand to the wall by my left and in the dark, I traced it down to find the light switch.

Before I could get the lights to turn back on, I heard a dominating voice devoid of life ring in my head saying;