Chapter 1 ~ Lorenz (99 Chapters Left)

To J.

I hope you are reading this, wherever you are

LORENZ

…

« Is your life really that boring? ».

« I mean, I wouldn't say that it's boring. It's just…normal. I wake up, I go to lesson, I get back home to study, I read some web novels or watch some episodes of a series, and then I go to sleep. And the next day it starts again » the boy answered, looking up while reflecting on his monotonous life.

« Everyday? » the man seemed slightly surprised. Was I really that strange? Was that not the life of all university students his age?

« Well, from time to time I go to the gym, or hang out with friends or try some new restaurant that opened nearby. But that's pretty much all the novelty I get in my routine, yes… » the boy started to get a feeling that he was saying something wrong. To begin with, why was he sharing so much with a complete stranger? That was definitely not like him. Was it the alcohol talking?

« But you said you are twenty-one, right? Aren't you going to graduate soon? I guess your real life will only begin then ».

« I doubt that there will be much of a difference. I already accepted a job at the consulting firm where I interned, which is in this same city. And the working hours will also be pretty similar to my current class schedule. I guess there will be some difference, but nothing remarkable. » the boy sank into the armchair he was seated on, with a sudden feeling of melancholy. Did his prospects of life really sound that boring as to suggest a stranger to "motivate" him?

« Just to be clear, I am not complaining or anything. My situation is pretty much standard. In fact, it's probably desirable. Getting a safe job and living a peaceful life, with enough money to satisfy one or two whims from time to time. I am sure that there are millions of people that would kill to have what I have. » he kept on going.

« So why do you sound so disappointed? ».

« I just said it, I am not disappointed » Lorenz responded quickly, trying to convey his point. But his words were unconvincing, as he was not sure what the point of his rambling was anyway. « It's just that…you know how I told you that I like reading web novels and watching series right? Like pretty much everyone else…well sometimes I wonder how would it be like to live an adventurous life, like the characters of those novels…to really have an extraordinary life… ».

« And what is preventing you from having one? ».

For the first time, Lorenz was surprised by the answer of the man. He had been just asking one-liners questions, but this was the first one that didn't seem so obvious. The boy sat back up on his armchair, in a more dignified position as he looked at his interlocutor for the first time in a while. His piercing blue eyes and well-groomed skin seemed those of a young man, but his black hair showed signs of greying so he couldn't be that young. Furthermore, he was dressed with a very elegant suit, though a very peculiar one, which was definitely a little bit excessive for the setting. It was just a cocktail bar after all.

« It's because… I am not special. » answered the boy, after taking a minute to think about it. « I am pretty standard in all senses. Sure, I am smarter than some, but also dumber than many others. I am pretty good-looking, but definitely not model material. It's just that there is not a single thing about me that really, and I mean really, stands out from everyone else. So, I can't see how I could ever have a special life since I am just someone relatively ordinary. ».

It sounded harsh, but it was the truth. His truth, at least. He was a smart guy, no doubt about that, but he was a hundred percent not a genius. His university was fine but not one of the greats. Same thing with his career prospects. And the very reasons why he was seated there, talking to a stranger about life, was that he gave up on trying to talk to girls after his friend abandoned him in the middle of the night. Right on point: how could his friend be so much more successful than him with girls when Lorenz was the more handsome one? Sure, Daniel was more extrovert and perhaps a tad funnier than him, but was that really enough? Did nobody care about just plain looks anymore? He sank again in the chair, grumbling about the fact that maybe he was just unlucky…

« What would you need to make your life special? » the man seemed not to care about the rapid mood shifts of his young interlocutor. His was starting to sound weirdly persistent.

« I don't know…it depends how much special we are talking about ahahah » the student laughed, perhaps trying to diffuse some of the tension that had been creating.

« Something worth writing a story about ».

« Oh, that much special…then since we are in the realm of wishes, I guess a superpower would be neat. That would definitely make me special right? » the blond boy smirked, once again in opposition to the relaxed but serious attitude of the man.

« A superpower? Interesting…what superpower would you choose? ».

« Is anything in the menu? Also something like omnipotence or some shit like that? ». The alcohol was chipping away at his good manners.

« Let's not make this boring » the man smiled in response.

Lorenz thought thoroughly for a while.

« I guess I'd go with mind reading…is that interesting enough for you? ».

« Mmh…not particularly original, but interesting, nonetheless. Why would you choose that? » the man, lifted gently the glasses he was wearing, as he sat upright and reached for his hand into one of the internal pockets of his jacket.

« It's something I have always wanted to do…we live in a world of humans, a society based on mutual understanding and cooperation. Don't you think that being able to perfectly understand the others would be an invaluable asset? Plus, it can be used in so many ways and--» as the boy was about to start an out loud reflection on all the interesting applications of mind reading, the man pulled something out of his jacket. A gun.

The only thing that Lorenz could say, as the mysterious figure smiled and pointed the gun at his head, was « What the f*ck… ».

Then the sound of a gunshot. An excruciating pain in his head, as his vision turned blurry, and his body collapsed on the armchair.

The sound of screams. The taste of blood. Then, darkness.

…

« AAAAAAAH! » the student screamed, as he woke up drenched in sweat. Where was he? What the hell was going on? Did that guy just shoot him? No wait a second…this was his room…

« I will murder your dogs! » Daniel violently broke into the room swinging a knife left and right. As he realized that there was no violent intruder, he took a breath of relief and then turned to his friend. « Dude what the hell are you doing screaming like that. I thought you were getting stabbed or something… »

"More like getting shot" thought Lorenz, as he got out of the bad.

« Yeah, I am sorry about it, I just had a really bad nightmare…must have been the alcohol…» he commented, as he gave a look at the mirror on the side of the bed. He was still the same twenty-one years old student: slightly taller than the average, fit but not muscular, neat face but a little rough around the hedges. He passed his hand through his blond hair, as he stared the green eyes in his reflection. Was that really just a dream?

« Whatever, just don't scare me like that…next time I'll stab you… » his friend answered, too tired to say anything else, before getting out of the room to get some breakfast. It was definitely too early in the morning for shit like that. And he still had a girl in his room to send home with some excuse.

"Now what the hell am I gonna say to this girl…I really need to study this morning, but I don't wanna sound too rude…maybe I should just tell her that my parents are coming over? That would definitely freak her out… "

« Dude, watch out, she may be awake…» Lorenz try to warn his friend. He knew he was that kind of guy, the one who can't stick around with a girl for too long, but he was usually very nice in "letting them go". His philosophy was surprisingly chivalrous: let them have the best night of their lives but let them know that the magic can only work for the one night. A little bit pretentious (doubtfully the best night of their lives), but charming in his own way. And speaking out loud like that was a little bit out of character.

« What? I didn't say anything… » Daniel answered from the kitchen.

« What are you talking about, you have been plotting your "let her go" excuse out loud…Yaaahwn…also the parents excuse is not that original to begin with…» Lorenz said, as he yawned tired and joined his friend in the kitchen to have breakfast. Daniel, an inch taller than him and not as pretty, but with wild brown hair and strong brown eyes, looked at him as if he was saying something absurd.

« Dude…I was thinking that…but I didn't say anything… » he said with an expression that reflected his uncertainty in whether he should be worried for himself or for his friend.

"Did he take some weird drug last night?...maybe I shouldn't have left him alone after all"

« Yeah you shouldn't have, and… » Lorenz realized that his friend was eating bread. He didn't talk. His lips were not moving. The shocked gaze that Daniel gave him confirmed his hypothesis. Were they both on drugs or…?

« Holy Shit…did you just… » his friend was the first to came to the realization, but he couldn't believe it nonetheless.

…

« Holy Shit…I can read minds! »