Laravel Delamore

Honestly speaking, my life is a mess. 

If there was one thing to talk about in this messy life, then that would be my father. 

Everyone told me that there was a time when my father used to be a bright man who was hailed as one of the most talented programmers in the country. He dedicated everything to my mother whom he had loved ever since their childhood.

But everything fell apart when my mother died while giving birth to me. 

Devastated, my father let my grandma take care of me while he went to work abroad. 

There was a time when he went back to our home without even looking at me. And when he does, I can see that the way he looks was filled with complicated emotions. 

"How was your grade at school?" He coldly asked. 

"It's on the passing marks."  

My father narrowed his brows. 

His expression is incredibly serious. 

"Do you already have plans in your college?" 

"I wanted to take a course related to psychology and laws." 

"Drop it, you're going to become a programmer." 

I gnashed my teeth. 

I was mad, I mean how can he just decide for my life when he doesn't even appear in my birthdays, care for me when I was little nor guide me in my life like how a true parent should be?

"My decision is final, I wanted to choose a course and a job that I'm only interested in."

Seemingly nonchalant, he said. 

"I don't care whether you like it or not. I'll give you two choices, follow my words and become a programmer, or I will have all your financial support cut-off."

Despite the atmosphere around us and the weight of those words which seem to be an ultimatum, my face instinctively relaxed as if a heavy burden has been lifted on my shoulder. 

Noticing the sudden changes, his uninterested face that looks like everything that's happening wasn't connected to him suddenly contorted into an ugly expression.

I stood up, raised my head, and unknowingly a smile broke out in my face. 

And then I confidently said. "I Laravel Delamore, from now on am willing to cut all of the financial support that I could receive from you and that I am going to sever our nonexistent relationship ties."

Anger could be seen in his face for a split second before turning back to a nonchalant expression and then he said "Very well, quickly pack your luggage and I don't want to see your face ever again!"

Everyone might think I was a fool, a fool who let my pride takes over my mind. In fact, I can't blame them, with such an opportunity in front of anyone, who in their right mind would refuse? 

But for me, that wasn't the case because for the first time in my life my heart and brain agreed for the same thing. 'I am finally free!'

And that's how my relationship with my father broke.

◆

"Urghh." I groaned while patting my back.

I'm currently riding on a bus on my way to school. Albeit satisfied, my life's not been so easy after severing my ties with dad. My grandmother tried to support me but unfortunately, she passed away a few years ago.

Since then I had to work hard in order to live a decent life and to attend a university. Working in my free time allowed me to earn enough money for bare necessities while my scholarship covered my tuition fees.

"Back pain again young man?" Asked by a middle-aged guy beside me.

He is a senior of mine who I always met on the bus.

"Yes, although this time it's a little bearable" 

"It seems you've been pushing yourself too hard again" 

I smiled wryly and said.

"It's not like I have a choice, Mr. Peter and besides my boss promised me an increase if I work overtime." 

"Well, that too is another spice of youth, working hard and giving your best to achieve your dream." He paused, his eyes seem like reminiscing the past, and then he continued. 

"Cherish it as you wouldn't know when the time will come that the only thing in your mind is feeding your family instead of chasing your dream. In fact when I was at your age..."

He started talking about his 'youthful adventures' again like when all of his five girlfriends met each other and all of them came to beat him up until his face cannot be recognized anymore.

I don't really mind listening since my day's currently a bad one, besides having back pain from work, now I even had to be on the same bus with the guy I disliked the most in school so listening to his crazy stories feels like a luxury.

◆

Iverson Lopez, besides being the only son of a wealthy businessman, he was the scum of the earth and trash through and through. I still haven't forgotten our first meeting, when he suddenly called me out and forced to clean the pee on the floor of the guy he was bullying at that time.

Of course, I didn't let him go that easily. I'm that kind of person who pays back both humility and generosity a hundredfold.

I secretly gathered information about him and made preparations.

Iverson, besides persecuting students who have been admitted through scholarship programs I learned that he had some nasty hobby of shaming a woman as well. 

One such unlucky woman was Mary Jane Lovar. During her first few days in the university, Iverson approached her like someone looking for a friend. 

And then eventually after gaining her trust, he was somehow able to lead her in the abandoned building near the school. Fortunately for her, some patrolling cops arrived nearby and she was able to run away safely.

Although she could report it on the school or to the cops, she knew the power behind Iverson and all she could do is remain quiet.

Light footsteps could be heard as I approached her.

My eyes look at the sky as if looking beyond the horizon while both arms were at the back.

"If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die?" 

"Uh-huh, excuse me?" Seemingly confused, she asked.

I lowered my head and raised my right arm while forming a fist and then I directly gazed at her eyes.

"And if you wrong us shall we not seek revenge?" I continued with a deep voice.

Her tense body suddenly relaxed and a smile formed on her face. 

"What do you want me to do?"

Straightforward, and a question directly to the point!

"It seems that I have underestimated you Ms. Lovar." 

"Quit the flattery, don't tell me that you've done all of those embarrassing things just to praise me?."

"...." Seemingly embarrassed, I scratched my head. And then proceed to tell her the plan.

Mary Jane Lovar was a student in the computer science department. She's been making a name for herself in her department lately and is likely to become one of the tops in her batch.

These past few days I've been secretly putting up a small listening device in areas where Iverson and his henchmen frequently hangout. And after a great deal of effort, I've finally managed to obtain useful information that would make him lower his head in his last few years in the university.

You could say that she was an important part of my plan as I need someone with great skills to relay the voice record to the whole campus by hacking the speaker scattered around.

On the next day during the flag ceremony.

<Please line up based on yo—> The professor speaking on the microphone was cut off.

The voice on the speaker was replaced by two teenagers having a conversation. 

<"Yo what's up?"

"I was finally able to skip the class while the professor is talking with somebody."

"Have you seen Chris and Louis?"

"Nah, you know those two maybe they are off somewhere hitting on some random chick.">

"What's going on?" All of the students were confused except for two people.

The two teenagers having conversation continued.

<"Jeez what am I going to do with those two? By the way, have you heard about the new transferee?" He sighs and then changes the topic.

"There are three transferees this semester, who are you talking about?"

"Who else of course that one hot chick who seems to be even hotter than Medical technology department's Shanelle." He chuckled and said.

"Oh that girl, no wonder your smile today seems a little more rotten huhuhu." Figuring out who the other guy was trying to say, he broke out into a maniacal laugher.>

The conversation that is continuing on as they talk about their vicious plans was being heard by the whole campus. And there is one person who really had an ugly expression. 

"Are those people talking really Iverson and his friends?"

"It seems so huhu." 

"I don't think the rumors going around about them were true."

"Indeed, this time they really got themselves into trouble."

"S-such evil deeds were being covered up inside our school? I want them to get punished!"

The students also regained their senses as they broke out into discussion.

"Damn it, who the hell had the guts to do this to me!?" 

Iverson can't seem to take it anymore as he goes outside the campus with his henchmen.

"Tsk tsk tsk" Clicking my tongue as if I've just learned about the truth, I tried to stop my wicked smile.

Mary rolled her eyes when she saw Laravel's action and then lowered her head as tears fell in her face.

◆

Mr. Peter has been talking about his youth when he suddenly changed the topic.

"Don't you think the sky is a little darker today?" 

"Yes but the weather forecast said that today is a sunny and bright day with no rainfall." I tried to remember the weather forecast this morning.

Confused, Mr. Peter scratched his head.

"That's weird... Well, it's not like the weath—"

*buzz buzz* Humming sound followed by a buzzing sound was heard.

The lights of the bus flickered.

"W-what's going on?" Said by a schoolgirl while stuttering.

"Hey Mr. driver what's happening on the bus!?" 

"Can you please tell us what's going on!?

The people sitting behind at the driver's seat tried to ask the driver.

"...."

But their questions were to no avail as the driver sitting at the front seat has already been gone after the light flickered.

"What happened to the driver? Why's no one sitting at the driver's seat!?

"Can anyone please explain what's happening on the bus!?

"W-we don't know! He was just sitting there a moment ago and when the lights blinked he was already gone!"

Noticing that the bus driver's already gone, everyone began to panic. 

"Hey, is it just my illusion that the guy beside me is nowhere to be seen?"

"Now that you've said it, my classmate behind me is suddenly gone!"

"Yeah! I noticed the others around me are vanishing one after another!"

People began to vanish one by one on their spot as the shaking of the bus intensified

"Is this a prank!? If so please stop this! it's not even funny anymore!"

"Are you using your brain? Do you really think a prank could be something as dangerous as this!?

"Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb..."

"Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and..."

In front of such danger, people also began to pray as they hoped for salvation.

"Mommy I'm scared!" 

"It's fine sweetie, just hold my hand tightly and neve—"

Baaaaam!!!

A resounding loud sound could be heard as the bus shook!