Light rays penetrated the room while its inhabitants focused on the speaker. The window was slightly cracked; enough to hear the birds chirping. Falco stared out incredulously as he noticed the roaming cars. Rain clouds brewed in the sky.
He was bored, tired, and irritable.
The day was full of tests and work. Why couldn't he just laze around like last year?
Many similar thoughts flew through his head. The teacher kept on "yapping". He could barely stand it.
From the happy birds and hovering cars, he drew his attention to the holographic clock.
1:56! Only 4 more minutes!
From four minutes, it ticked to three, and then to two. His friends, like him, began to slowly wake up. The teacher's annoying voice forced them back to attention, but not Falco. He had long exhausted his mind.
Right before the bell rang, however, the intercom lit up.
Attention! Attention! Falco to the front office, I repeat, Falco to the front office.
His friends turned and gave him wry smiles. Saved by the bell! That's what they wanted to say...
He was no longer drowsy. Falco was much more invigorated than before.
"I shouldn't have forgotten something... Right?"
His stomach twisted. What could it be? Bad grades? Mia in trouble?
His books were already packed. He left his class in the dust while he nervously walked to the office.
The door seemed impenetrable. The plaque at the entrance radiated nothing but authority.
"Marks..."
Raising his hand, he got ready to knock.
His wrist flicked forward yet hit nothing. Principal Marks was already standing there... Luckily, Falco hadn't hit him.
He was taken by surprise, but that didn't deter him from being formal.
Back straight, eyes forward—he greeted the principal.
"Uh... Sir, I got called to your office?"
The usual stone-cold principal stood there; eyes wandering around the room. Was he nervous?
"Hello Falco... Please come in, we have much to discuss."
Much to discuss! What did I do?
Led by Marks, Falco had no other choice but to comply. He sat down comfortably in front of the desk while the principal took out a printed letter.
People still use printed paper? How backwards...
Everything in the room was futuristic. Holographic screens, flying projectors, one-way windows, cameras, the whole works! But paper is where we cross the line?
He was slightly at a loss, but when he saw how serious he seemed, Falco didn't dare to ask.
Upside down, Marks put the letter on his desk and slid it to Falco. Looking dead in the youth's eyes, he tried being "friendly".
"Falco, you're dismissed for the rest of the day. Please take your time and come back to us fully recuperated. You have a full week."
Words couldn't describe the worry he now had. Is my sister safe? Mom? Dad?
He took the letter and flipped it.
The letter read:
At the age of 34, Andrew Hatov sadly perished during Zone 6's raid. Other hunters have sadly lost their lives; the total loss count, for now, is situated near the dozens. An accident has occurred on site, Andrew Hatov tried mediating the damage and died trying.
—Zonal Expanse Federation.
His hands trembled. Tears began to form, dripping down on the letter.
Impo... Impossible!
He raised his burning head to the principal. He was no longer a model student; he was just a child, a miserable child.
"Tell me! Is this true!"
Falco slammed the desk as he demanded answers. Marks gave it no mind. Instead, he tried consoling the child.
"ZEF is rarely wrong..."
With those words he knelt besides the table. He wept and sobbed. He took the letter and ripped it to shreds. If he ignored the pain, maybe it wouldn't be true.
Marks got up and knelt as well; he was at eye level with the young Falco. He patted him on the back as he silently stood there, watching.
"Where is—" Taking a breath, Falco continued, "—my mom...".
Marks' frown grew wider as he chose his words.
"I heard she was in an accident as well..."
He was in disbelief, both? At the same time! How could this have happened? His strong and ever-present father die? His mother hospitalized? He denied it; he forbade his mind to think of such. He got up into a sprint. The door was promptly opened as the teachers let him pass. Falco left his school behind. The once cloudy atmosphere, from the wait in the office, turned into a rainy, grey, and melancholic evening.
The sidewalk was desolate; the rain helped, but most were at work. Tears streamed down as he kept running faster and farther.
I have to get to Mia!