Hazard_course - Pre-enrollment: At_the_crack_of_evening Part_1- Between_the_lines 2

„Come! Come with me to see this atrocity of a man,

come with me to see how our beautiful ladies throw their dignity and power away, come with me to see how we make peace with each other,

come with me to this atrocity of a man and make him great again,

come with me to this atrocity of a man and reset his mind again,

come with me to this hell of a way and show them the way to prosperity again,

come with me to this hell of a way and try to project this divine power you have gathered till today,

come with me to tell them that you are becoming a man!

Come with me to tell them that you are going to make everybody silent with your cunning actions again!

Now spread your hand to those who are hurt and become a shelter for those in need!

Show them the hidden and now awaken divine power: how to become a man! “

Part 1

The day was July 21st.

Thanks to the help of the landowner, the living room was now reconstructed and re-furnished with beds and sofas for everyone to sleep. The adventure from yesterday had Martin tired him down to an almost frozen state on one of the sofas in the living room. Another thing to add to the picture was that the outside tree was starting to give finally a proper image of a majestic old tree. The dirt that was in the front yard now had some grass holes here and there.

The time was 9:29.

Unfortunately, his soundless sleep was about to be disturbed because he had a job to do.

“Riiiing!” his phone gave off an alarm.

The rude alarm put him immediately in alert mode.

“Ahh! I am going to be late!”

He reached to stop the alarm from the sofa but fell to the floor which made a mini-earthquake. The phone was placed on the edge of the mini-table which was next to the sofa where Martin slept. Because of this mini-disturbance, the phone fell right on his head.

“Ouch!”

As he scratched his head to cool the pain, he realized that he was the only one sleeping till now. His family was already up, he went to the windows to check if someone was outside and saw his father prepping up the materials for the restoration of the second floor and overall walls of the house.

“Marti, come to have breakfast!” yelled his mom from the kitchen.

Martin then put on some clothes from his belongings and went to have breakfast. There he saw his siblings almost done with eating.

“Today we are having steamed eggs with veggies and bacon!”

Although his steamed eggs were not as warm as they were when made, he quickly ate everything up in a matter of seconds.

“Why are fasting? Do you have something to do today?” Christina asked.

“I have to take exams.” he answered after cleaning his mouth with a napkin.

“Why? Weren`t you already accepted?” asked his younger brother.

“Apparently, the letter has expired and I have to take a whole new one. The security guard told me that I was lucky because the stamp on the letter was a special one, plus the fact that there are fewer male students on this campus than the previous year.”

“So, you are lucky again huh?” his mother said unsurprised.

“In a way yes.” he said unsure.

“Now on to the important topic. Who was the girl from yesterday?”

“Well, she is our neighbor.”

“That`s it?” his mother said in disbelief. “Didn`t you ask her something like her name, what she likes, and so on?”

“Well… Crazy things happened and also, we went here and there and I forgot to ask her but I think we had a good time yesterday. And to add to this she is our neighbor. Literally.”

“Uh-huh…”

“Brother, why are you so hard on women?” Stefan asked with his innocent child tone.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, don`t you think it`s time at least to experience a lit a bit of romance? Do not feel like you are falling behind your peers?”

Martin was about to answer but he did not say a thing and just sat there for a minute. Then he smiled and turned his head toward Stefan.

“Maybe, but that is not a reason to want to go in a relationship just to not fall behind.”

“Either way do not get too full of yourself or you`re going to regret it just like my friend who is going to get married this year.” his mother said.

“Don`t worry mom I`ve got this. I have to do it eventually.” said Martin now smiling genuinely.

“Enough with this, why do you have to go to this campus to take exams?” his father joined in the discussion after coming from the second entrance to the kitchen.

“Were you eavesdropping on us the entire time?” she asked with a little flustered face.

“Yes of course!”

“Can you please start fixing the second floor, so we can sleep in different rooms?” she asked him with an ashamed look.

“I did not hear an answer to my question.” Bogdan began to speak in a serious tone.

“Why do you have to take exams which are required only for those who did not get this letter?”

“That is because the letter has expired, but because the seal on the letter is given to a few students every year, only this seal can partly pardon it.”

“How so?” he asked him now intrigued.

“The seal is a high priority target of the campus and can only reserve a place for those students.”

“Uh-huh… Then why did you not try to get some benefits?”

“Because I do not want to stand out.”

“Really?” He gave him an ironic look. “You really think that just because you did not ask for anything, and you coming right now even though the order was from 3 years ago, you think that you will be keeping a low profile? “

He then stood up and went to take a cup from the drawer, turned the sink on, put in some water, and then he sipped from it.

“Honestly, do think you will be left alone, even you said that the seal was only given to high priority targets. I bet that they even sent a person to get you from the front doors.”

Martin did not say anything he just sat in the chair and just listened without interrupting or defending himself.

After that, his father shook his head, placed the cup in the sink, and sat on one of the chairs around the table.

“Martin, tell me honestly, do you really think that your life will be ‘just another day has passed?” Bogdan gave him again a serious look.

“I…” Martin did not know what to answer at this point “I will try to keep a low profile.” he answered.

“How when every tutor knows about it?”

“I will tell them to not treat me like an important person, but I won`t let people push me.”

“Who are those people?” Bogdan asked because he did not understand.

“The students of course, who else?” Martin said surprised.

“Ok… We will see after you get enrolled.” then he turned to Stefan “Little Stefy because your brother will now be away, you will be helping me in restoring the house.”

“What?!!” Stefan said open-eyed.

“Today you will learn what it is to be a man and we need to put your muscles to work, after all, they are not just to show off.”

Christina then laughed under her breath, but that made her activate a deadly trap because that was what her father expected her to do.

“Christina,” he said with a smile on his face. “Today you will be painting the walls with me.”

Her smile slowly faded away. Her face got gloomier by realizing the fact that her father knew about the fact that after breakfast she was planning to go to the mall with her “friends” and look for some new clothes and was purposely waiting to see her face when her plans did not go as she was planning.

“Dad…You know that I am a lady, right?” she said to him while hiding her anger.

“Yeah, so?”

“You know that in this day and age it`s really hard to make friends and especially have boyfriends, so you need to show something so that you can get their attention, right?” she continued.

“Aha, and?”

“Well, if I am plain as now, how I am going to attract the person I want?”

“By first speaking to the person and then trying to befriend him.” he answered bluntly.

“But how is this going to sparkle attraction in him!??’ she said indifferently.

“You did not let me finish.” he said now in a serious tone.

“After you befriend him, you must ask him questions, lots of questions which are important to you.” he continued. “After some time, you will know eventually what kind of person he is and if he is for you.”

“But that will take ages! And above all I do not want a long relationship; I just want to have little fun and fool around nothing much!”

Bogdan gave a disappointed look.

“Then what do you want me to give as a piece of advice? Poke and run? Do not have dignity? Or maybe just go to the local bar if you want?”

“What so important about dignity?” she answered as if she was hearing it for the first time.

“Dignity is the most important for a lady dear.” answered her mother.

“Although I tried having fun with guys at your age, I was still doing it within the acceptable as a lady and as a woman.”

“That`s why you have succeeded so little.”

“Cough, Christina, you must understand that as lady and individual, you must have boundaries and responsibilities as well. Also, do you want to end up married so late?”

“No, but sti-”

“Then for who are you putting so much makeup and trying to look as best as you can?”

She played with her fingers for a little bit, then she spoke “Well, there is this guy who I really like-”

“Oh no, not again.” Martin just cut her off with a bomb after her comment.

“Shut up, you dam antisocial freak!” she shouted at him with all her voice can produce.

“The only thing you can do you is work or just be a stay-at-home shut-in!” she continued as well as trying to defend herself from further comments.

“Christina, lower your tone!” Bogdan yelled at that moment.

“Christina! What are you saying?!” Her mother said in shock at her response.

“Big sister you went too far…” Stefan added as well.

Christina was a little looking all over the place because now she had lost all of her power. At that moment she was thinking about a comeback, but Martin did not stop there.

“Christina, we all both know well that you just want to experience some ‘cool life moments’ that is all because you`re friends are telling you to do so. All you want is actually to have fun in your important years because you will have to be married in the near 7 to 8 years, but that is not an excuse to go wild and drop all your responsibilities to us or the person who is going to maybe take care of you. As an individual and as a partner you are part of this and you have to sacrifice some of your ‘fun time’, so you can have a good relationship with the person you like! Also, do not assume that the person who you like is going to take care of you just because you look pretty. Do not forget that beauty fades and the character stays.”

“SO, WHAT!” she shouted while being on the verge of crying. “SO, WHAT IF I WANT TO GO WILD NOW. YOU HAVE NOT RIGHT TO SAY WHAT MY FUTURE IS GOING TO BE! LOOK AT YOURSELF, YOU HAVE 3 OR FEWER PEOPLE YOU CALL FRIENDS AND ABOVE ALL YOU HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE TWICE! YOU ALWAYS STAY IN YOUR CIRCLE AND YOU NEVER VENTURE BEYOND! ALL YOU DO IS GIVE ADVICE, BUT NEVER TRIED IT YOURSELF! YOU COWARD!”

Everyone was listening to her, but nobody decided to cut her off. They all knew why.

“Christina…” Teodora decided to engage Christina with a hug, but the moment she tried Christina went out of the kitchen.

“I`m going to talk to her.” Bogdan said at that moment. Then he went out of the kitchen to run after Christina.

“Mom.” Stefan asked, “Is big sister, okay?”

“Of course, dear it`s just that in those years everyone can be a nuisance because you…”

She paused for a second then she spoke again. “When you grow up, you will understand. For now, focus on studies and what is fun doing”

She finished answering with a smile on her face.

“Marti, get yourself ready to go out. You have to take the exams, although I do not think is right, but I do not want to bother your father now to go and see why it is like that.”

“Don`t worry, I got this.” Martin responded.

Then he went back to his luggage in the living room.

“Stefan, come and help me wash the dishes.”

“Ok, mom.” he then collected all the plates and gave them to his mother.

“Mom.”

“Yes, dear.”

“Why is big sister so hostile to big brother.”

“I will tell you later, now is not the time.”

“Fine…” he that gave her the “I am not satisfied with this” look. She looked at him, shook her head then she gave him two pats on the head and smiled and him. Then they both laughed and continued washing the dishes.

Part 2

Before going out he took a shower. The time was 10:41. Now ready to go, he went to the kitchen to announce his outing. Wearing a V-shaped white t-shirt and beige slim shorts he went towards the subway. He thought of asking the girl for directions again but decided not to because he thought it would be too much. Also calling her by her nickname might be awkward.

He started walking toward the subway.

Thanks to the early tour from yesterday, Martin was now able to observe his surroundings. There were east and west-styled houses and also apartments. To him they were very strange since the only types of houses and apartments were only in 2020-2030 east European style.

He was not really aware of it, but he was yet again looking as if this was his first time. As he was standing there something circulated in him, but Martin did not know what. As he had stopped for a moment to admire that moment his senses got somehow sharper, his eyes could have seen better, he felt his muscles being pressured a little bit, but not to an extreme, as if his body was preparing itself for something to happen, also he got a headache in the same moment that was happening. He then realized that he was looking at the position of the Metropolis district.

Martin got a chill down his spine and that made him unfroze from just standing. As he was now better after the few minutes of headache and overall change he experienced, Martin felt hungry and decided to look around for a store or bakery. As he was walking around his eye caught an interesting sight: it was that girl from yesterday. This time she was not wearing her kitten strip watch, but a pink-white colored blouse with a kitten on it and some black jeans.

He immediately hid behind a wall without realizing it and started to observe where she was going.

Eventually, she caught on that somebody was looking at her and she started to move faster, but he did not falter. Without realizing Martin`s shoes illuminated some strange light, but it was not a light that was easy to see from afar, it looked like his shoes were made of the same materials as those flashy jackets that are promoted to teenage girls. In particular his shoes although the color of his shoes was black, they started to change to dark blue.

To the average person, it would seem that he was just walking faster and he got trendy shoes, but the reality is a whole different. As he was walking, a trail of his body could be seen following him from his back as he continued walking, but it was not a clear one.

“Maybe I need to check again my pills.” said a granny from across the other street as he was watching this phenomenon was happening in front of her eyes.

Other people who seemed new to the city were looking at him and were giving him the same look as the granny did.

Martin had not felt the changing flow of how time was around him. He even did not realize that he was being stared at by almost every 5 to 10 people he has walked by. At some point as he was following her, he heard some sort of sound from his feet, he looked down and saw some strange light flickering on his shoes, he stared for a moment and as he blinked after starring for too long, he saw his shoes being covered in some strange metal, and that flickering light begin to hover around his legs. In a panic, he tried to get them off, but as he blinked again the light has disappeared, his shoes were back to normal.

He then looked around and found out that he was in District Industrial. Despite its name, it was not a good view. There were a lot of constructions in this district as well as a lot of factories and stores all over the place. He finally found what he wanted. A convenience store. Before heading in he waited looked around for the girl who helped her yesterday, but in the end, she was nowhere to be seen.

He decided to stop at a convenience store to buy some food. He was just across the street. After crossing the road, he entered the store. There was a breakfast-ready stand in the store which was a huge bonus for him.

As he entered there was a huge screen next to the entrance.

“Good morning.” he greeted the cashier in charge.

“Good day, young man.” responded an old lady.

Then something started to buzz and make noise. Martin then turned towards the screen.

“Welcome to S city. The city of the supernatural and scientifically possible dreams. Here you can create the future for the generations ahead. ----, work as a team, not as an individual, ------- but lose everything you have ever worked ----- Please enjoy your stay and make you like a better place!” Then the ad stopped.

“I`m so sorry about that.” said the old lady “It appears that the tv is too old.”

“Don`t worry about it, miss.”

Although this was a strange occurrence, he went to buy some food. As he was walking around, he stumbled upon some newspapers. He thought of getting some, but as soon as he saw that those newspapers were written in a foreign language and decided not to. Martin went to the breakfast showcase, got some sandwiches, and then went to the counter.

“That will be 5,56 euros.” said the lady.

“Okay.” Martin then gave the money, decided to head toward the subway he saw from afar as he was following his neighbor.

But before that, he decided to take a look at the huge tv.

The tv screen was actually not that big, now that he was looking at the whole tv. It was wider and newer than those in the 2030s, that was for sure, but it was at best from the year his sister was born. Combined with the disturbing ad showing on the tv, which for some strange reason played over and over in every language that was possible.

“Excuse me miss, but why is the tv so old?”

“What do you mean son?”

“Well, this is S city. A new tv won`t cost much, right?”

The old lady only sighed.

“If that was true, I would have bought the latest model car that was sold outside S city a long time ago.”

“But isn`t this a technologically advanced city? Aren`t those some antiques to you?”

“Son… Are you an outsider?”

“Well, yes. Today is my second day in this city.”

“So that`s why…How much do you know about this city or any of this?”

“Little to none. Why?”

“Okay then, I will give you a pop quiz. The way I see it, you must now be heading towards the campus, right?” she asked to confirm her doubts.

“Yes, that`s right. Al-”

“The subway is five minutes from here. When you head out of the store take a right then walk till the end and then turn right again. You will see it then. Now let`s start with the quiz.”

“Alright…” Martin replied with an unsure look.

“What contains in the air of S city?” she stated her first question.

“Nitrogen, oxygen, water, other chemicals and… Mana?”

“Correct.”

“Next question. How can we describe teleportation?”

“Teleportation of what?” he asked confused.

“For example, food or some material.”

“Well…”

He thought for a second.

“To teleport or to change the location of something, you have to move it from point A to B, but in our case, we want to do it without taking the object from point A and directly put it in point B, so if we want to make teleportation, we have to disintegrate the object to energy or molecules which from there must somehow make a black hole which transports the contents to point B. The molecules construct the object which was disintegrated and form the object from point A without any anomalies.”

“That is a well-said answer.” she complimented.

“Okay, I give this answer a pass, but the test won`t be merciful to anyone.”

“Okay, last question. Which creature is eviler: the animal or the human?”

He thought for a moment and decided to answer “Well ma-”

“Take your time.” the old lady cut him off.

He stood there in front of the counter thinking. As he was thinking, he looked at his watch to see the time. It was 11:41. He had no time to waste anymore.

“I`m sorry but I have to go. I don`t have time to answer this question.” he replied after getting ready to dash towards the subway.

“Don`t worry about it, little man, just think on it.”

Then she went to a strange-looking fridge from where she took something.

“Here take this.” she gave him a strange-looking bottle of water.

“That is my token of appreciation and adding some diversity to my everyday life.” she said to him while smiling at him.

“Thank you for the spare time and this. Have a nice day.” Martin said while he prepared to run towards the end of the street.

After seeing him off the old lady went back to her shop. She then went to the staff room to wake up his nephew, who was yet again sleeping on the sofa.

“Get up!” she yelled at him.

“Aggh!!”

“What are you doing? You told me yesterday that you wanted to make money, right? Then why are you sleeping!? Do you think just because you are in a family business you can do whatever you want!?”

“Grandma, relax I was sleeping because was exhausted from studying yesterday.” he replied.

“Oh really!? They I insist, please write your theory on magnetic fields and human interaction with it.”

“What??!!”

“Do not look at me like that, start writing, you have 3 hours.” she said in a cold voice.

“But that is unfair!”

“Oi, babyface…If you do not start writing, you will have to say goodbye to your paycheck and your freedom, until you start going to school again, you got that?”

“Yes…” he replied in utter defeat.

He started to get his stuff together while the old lady went out for a smoke and gave a thought to the dumb question which that boy gave to her earlier. She then smiled and looked into the distance.

(And here I thought that I was blind. He should know that movies and reality are separate things, right? Right?)

As she was going through her monologue in her head, she tried to remember his look, because her theory did not add up. She remembered that he had a beard, which was a little bit uncommon for a student, that maybe was the most noticeable feature about his face, other than that she could not remember. Then she tried to connect the answers with his looks, but without his expression… It was quite hard.

After thinking for another two minutes, she realized that her smoke was over. Then she laughed and headed back in.

(Interesting.)

Between the lines 2

Bogdan went to the backyard and saw Christina standing on an old bench, probably from the time when the house was still inhabited. She was standing in a non-talkative position with her arms and legs crossed.

He sat next to her without saying a word for a while. After a few minutes, he poked her playfully so that she could unfreeze from her guarding position.

She of course broke and gave off a loud laugh after that.

“What`s the problem, Christina?”

She quickly then regained her coldness.

“Nothing.”

“Does Martin really bother you that much?”

“And you ask!?”

Bogdan only sighed.

“Okay, okay, I get it…”

“No, you don`t!”

“Then help me get it.”

Christina then calmed down and hesitated for a while, then she decided to speak again.

“Do I want a lot of you?” she asked without looking at him.

“No, of course not.” Bogdan immediately replied.

“Then are you satisfied with who I am?” she said in a cold tone.

“This you have to ask yourself.”

“Then why is it that when Martin speaks, almost everyone agrees with him and then tries to persuade me to change my opinion or criticize with him my decision?” she asked with a distant voice.

“That is because that is how most of the time the world works. Also, he said it to you, so that you do not make a mistake in who are you choosing as a boyfriend or partner if you well, love him to that extent.”

“But is it not this my choice? Why does he have to stick his nose in my business?” she asked him with an annoyed tone.

Bogdan thought for a moment. Although that was not a tough question, the real problem was, what was Martin going to say in this situation. Despite the usual father and son relationship, Martin was a whole new generation of thinkers. Most of the time when Bogdan was able to hear what Martin had discussed on a certain topic, his reasons were either vague, or to understand them you would need to spend a lot of time figuring things out for yourself. It wouldn`t surprise him if Martin knew something that he did not. So, the question he had to ask himself was, not was right or wrong but what would benefit and what would not.

“Well… Because you are his sister after all.” he replied after his deep philosophical thinking.

“…Really? That was the thing that you thought of after so long?” she answered in an unimpressed tone.

“What did you expect of your father? I am after all old you know.”

“Give some more time about thinking for example! My god…”

“What do you mean more time? I might be wise but I am not a walking library with answers ready to answer every question you toss at me.”

“But still! You must have a little bit of knowledge right!?”

“Yeah… That is right.”

“Then why are you agreeing with him?”

“Because he hasn`t said anything that was not true for a start.”

“But he is not older or wiser than me! Why are you still agreeing? Also, as the oldest child, why I am still prohibited from going alone to those places! It doesn`t make any sense while they are allowed!”

“Christina… You are my daughter after all. What I decide is a rule and you know it. The only reason for giving them that permission is because they subconsciously know that they had to come back around dinner time. While you want to go around and ‘live life’ which you know that I do not oppose, the way you do it will destroy you. That is why your brother is calling you out. But there is a difference between me and him. He comprehends and understands better than anyone of us in this family.”

Christina went silent. She only tightened her legs and didn`t say anything.

“Why won`t you say anything? Does this scare you?”

“No… It’s just that I want to experience life in my way too just how he is.”

“Really? Do you want to experience it like him?”

“Well, no but you get the idea.”

“I get it very well but that is not a reason for you to run wild. Tell me, do you know the difference between good and evil?”

“What? What does this have to do with all of this?”

“I asked you a question Christina, do you know?”

“Well yes of course.” she said embarrassed.

“Then tell me of what you wanted to do with the boys you like, how good or evil is it?”

She was silent.

“You do not know right?” he asked with an unsurprised voice.

“I know of course! I am not dumb! But what does this have to do with good and evil?”

“Then why are we having this conversation!?”

“Do I have to feel sorry for them? I mean please tell me dad what should I do? You know that the world isn’t a warm place either. They have to suck it up just like I have to.”

Her father did not know how to answer that. He stood there for a while and he looked towards the fence.

“Father why should I feel sorry for a guy who sees me only as a pleasure toy? Do you really think that good marriage can be sustained right now? Do you think that everyone is happy and peaceful as they say? Tell me dad what is your view on this?”

“I can`t answer that question for you.”

“Why?! Because you don`t know maybe!?”

“Because if I tell you, you won`t create the future that you want.”

“Then what if there is nobody to create a better future?” she asked with a cold voice.

“I can assure you that if you endure and work long enough you will eventually get rewarded for your actions.”

“Yeah, whatever…”

Christina was about to say something but decided not to. Bogdan poked her in the chest causing her to break her icy posture.

“Christina, your brother has never seen you as his older brother. You are his elder sister which he admires and wants the best for her. He is who he has to be. He is worried that if you had a bad experience, you might ruin your image.”

“What my image has to do with him?”

“Because everything negative that has piled up inside you, you will either lash it on us or on somebody else, which is not okay.”

“That is why I asked you do you know the difference between good and evil. You might think that simple manipulation like this won`t do anything but what may or may not happen is not up to you. Also, you must know that your emotions play part in this too. Even though I do not have to ridicule you about this, it`s time to understand that if you continue doing what are you doing, you will lose the closest and dearest thing you have ever wanted. Your friends might celebrate with you about how stupid your ex-guy was but that is not a cause for celebration. You should celebrate something positive, not something negative.”

“Still…” she was still upset by the fact that somebody had to point it out for her.

“Christina, bear in mind that nobody knows where do the two borders rest, so the only way is through experience and also what everyone has viewed as acceptable.”

“But why does again Martin stick his nose into this business so much?” she asked impatiently.

“Although you are older than him, he has experienced a crueler love than you.”

“And what type?” she said unimpressed.

“He was ghosted and he thought that by raising himself as a better person, that will bump up his number with he liked.”

(He liked a girl? That is unheard of.)

“And what happened? Did he cry or started to stalk her? Did he threaten her or become desperate for her?”

“No, of course, you know him…He left her and went to do his business.” he said with a smile.

But the smile was for a short time.

“Then what happened?” she asked with annoyance.

“He was rejected, but it was actually self-rejection. He was neither rejected nor accepted as a partner by her.”

“Aha. It sure is not a nice feeling. And then what?”

“He continued to create himself better and looked towards the future. It was a bitter truth for him but as you can see him, he isn`t whining or shutting himself alone. It`s just that he is now… Different than what he used to be.”

Christina knew that something was off with his little brother. He was always his little naive brother… or he used to be just like her father said. She tried to remember some of her memories when Martin was just a little cute toddler, who was not at all the same as his now matured version. Then she sighed.

“Okay dad, let`s go paint this stuff as soon as possible because I still want to go to the mall!”

Bogdan now relaxed that everything went back to normal went towards the front yard from the sides.

As they were preparing to work on the house, they did not realize that they were stalked from the house on the left by a certain girl`s mother.

“Interesting.” she said after all the fuss.

“I do not like them that much, but maybe…” She then looked at their family picture.

“I hope that this year, it will be different.”

After that, she headed downstairs.