...Rejected again..
Lumian stared at his laptop, the blue glow illuminating his face.
"We regret to inform you that your novel has not been selected for publication."
It was the same words he had seen like four times in his last 5 years as a writer.
He leaned back on his chair slightly,a scoff escaping his mouth until he muttered.
"Tsk. Maybe I should start writing about a guy who is overpowered,has a harem and talks to dragons...that one always make it big."
He then rested his head on the table until his phone buzzed.
"Jamie:Lumian it's already 8:30! And your still not here."
Lumian then looked at the time on his phone which was now '9:00'.
"Crap"
He rushed out from his parents apartment still buttoning his black jacket,as the streets of Leeds was already in it's usual blur of people going to work on a normal "Monday."
By the time Lumian arrived at the metromat it was already 10:00...and the only thing Lumian could think of was:
"Shit! Louis is going to kill me,this is my third time clocking in late."
As Lumian then opened the door to the supermarket he was greeted with a casual wave from someone behind the counter.
"Morning sunshine! The person in question was a guy maybe in his middle 20s,light skinned with long curly black hair wearing a white long coat."
"Don't start with your nonsense this morning Jamie!
"Ahh..Lumian what's wrong you got rejected again" he said while coming close -arms wide.
"What are you now...psychic?"
"Nope-just seen that face enough to know"
"Whatever..." Lumian said while tossing his bag into the 'break room corner'.
Sooner or later..they clocked in: their ID cards beeping as if they were signing up for parole in prison.
The hours at the metromat dragged on endlessly with Lumian doing the same job he always does,his life now felt like it was going through monotony.
Although the only thing which could keep him afloat and make life not boring was his interest In writing novels..but now with his 4th rejection,Lumian face was not at all happy..his face was pale and lacked energy he was infact handsome-with his short wavey hair and his other nice features... it was just the gloomy kind.
By noon,Jamie and Lumian took a break at the back, sitting on overturned crater near the dumpster.
Jamie then handed him a sandwich.
"Bro what happened to you-you look like you've been fasting for the 3 days!
"Thanks bro" he said while taking a bite. "Wait how do you always have spare food!"
Jamie then brought his index finger to his lip.
"Don't tell..I bribed the bakery guy again."
Lumian just chuckled.
"Bro,your gonna get fired very soon."
"If that happens,I'll just walk out.. ain't like this place owns me!"
Lumian just looked at him in bewilderment and then took another bite of the sandwich.
"Wish I could say the same brother."
By the time Lumian shift ended the sky had already darkened into a deep navy.
Lumian the told Jamie goodbye who was still cleaning the shelves.
"Don't let the rejection get to you lumain,you got talent,with a bit of improvement you'll get better!"
"Yeah"
Lumian then stepped outside stuffing his hands into his pocket normally under the night he would play call of duty on his phone or best listen to some music but today his mind was just drifting away to his mother home cooking.
"Gosh, I miss mum's cooking, since I started writing I've not been able to stay home and eat properly..even Jamie said I'm already getting lean."
He then chuckled.
"And Dad always offering money-even though I say I have enough."
With a chuckle he approached the door to his house and odly enough it was already opened.
"Mom hates leaving the door open...Hmm... maybe they are doing something inside.
He then opened the door.
"MOM,DAD,IM HOME!!
The scene which he saw before nearly made him throw up.
"No..no..no."
He then went to his mother who was now lying on the sofa,her eyes rolled backwards and her neck sliced.With tears in his eyes Lumian hugged his mother.
"Hahaha..mom..dad I know your joking right!? Aren't you?...haha it's so funny... I so fell for it..you can wake up now!"
He then went to the corpse of his father which now had a knife imbedded in the head.
"Dad,this prop you used to 'prank' me is so top tier!"
But he didn't get any response-just silence.
Just then he let out a loud scream.
"AHHHHHHHH-"
All the rejections,the frustration and humiliations all of them he had try to hard to swallow burst out.
When he was true he carried his phone and called "911", although his voice was now hazy because of the scream he just let out,the operator could still hear what he was saying.
In the next twenty minutes..
Sirens wailed as blue and red lights flashed outside as police officers came 'in' and 'out' of the house.
Lumian sat outside on the stairs leading to his house..his face now was completely devoided of any emotion..is just like you made his life which was already hell to become a living nightmare.
Then a man maybe in his early 30s with an afro haircut that has some white traces on the edges;walked up to Lumian.
"My name is detective Hargreaves...I know what your going through right now is tough..but for the job sake I would want to ask you some questions."
Lumian didn't respond just nodded quietly.
"When you returned,did you see anyone leave the building."
"No"
"Was anything missing be it your money,the television or other valuables"
"No"
Hargreaves then let out a long sigh.
"Alright we will be in touch,we will still continue investigation and make sure to deliver justice to the perpetrators."
"Okay"
"For now just rest.. alright!"
As the paramedics took the bodies away he saw his mother being covered by them,that scene burned into his mind deeper than any rejection could.