Neogen: Chapter 1

Lennon stood in the heart of a vast field, the cool grass tickling his bare feet. The night sky stretched out above him, a blanket of inky blackness dotted with twinkling stars. The field was a hidden oasis, encircled by a ring of towering trees that swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling like whispered secrets.

He wasn't alone. Five figures stood with him, their forms shadowy and indistinct in the dim light. They were arranged in a wide circle, their silence echoing in the stillness of the night. Lennon squinted, trying to make out their faces, but the darkness was a stubborn barrier.

Suddenly, a low hum began to resonate, a sound that seemed to originate from the very air around them. It was a soft murmur at first, a mere whisper that barely disturbed the tranquility of the night. But it grew, steadily, relentlessly, transforming into a deafening roar that echoed in his ears. The sound was a living entity, a monstrous beast that clawed at his senses, its roar growing louder and more insistent until it was a painful shriek in his ears.

The ground beneath him began to tremble, a gentle quiver that escalated into a violent shudder. The world was coming apart, the earth groaning and heaving as if in the throes of a terrible agony. Lennon could feel the raw power of it, a primal force that threatened to consume him. His heart pounded in his chest, a frantic drumbeat that echoed the chaos unfolding around him.

And then, there was light.

It began as a faint glow, a spark that ignited from the heart of the earth. It was a beacon in the darkness, a solitary star that dared to challenge the night. The light grew, its radiance intensifying, its brilliance piercing the veil of darkness. It was a sun birthed from the womb of the earth, its rays a cascade of liquid gold that painted the world in hues of fire and honey.

The light was a revelation, a divine illumination that banished the shadows and laid bare the truth. As the light swelled, Lennon's eyes were drawn to a face beside him. It was a face he recognized, a face that belonged to Oswald McGill, a fellow student from his school. They had never spoken, their paths crossing in the hallways but never intersecting. But here they stood side by side, bound by a shared experience that defied comprehension.

Oz's face was a study in terror, his green eyes wide and filled with a fear that mirrored Lennon's own. His blond and blue  hair, usually so carefully styled, was a wild halo around his head, the strands dancing in the ethereal glow. His lips moved, a silent plea lost in the roar of the humming and the rumbling of the earth.

And then, the world exploded.

The light burst forth, a supernova that consumed everything. The world shattered, fragments of reality scattering like glass shards in a storm. The sound, the light, the fear - it was all too much, a sensory overload that threatened to tear him apart.

Lennon woke up screaming.

His heart was a wild thing in his chest, his body slick with sweat. He was in his bed, the familiar surroundings of his room a stark contrast to the surreal landscape of his dream. The relief that washed over him was a balm, a soothing salve that eased the remnants of his fear. It had been a dream, just a dream. But as he lay there, the echoes of the humming still ringing in his ears, he couldn't shake off the feeling that it had been something more. Something real. Something terrifying.

Lennon sat up slowly, his body heavy with the remnants of sleep and the weight of the dream. He swung his legs over the side of the bed, his feet sinking into the plush carpet. He ran a hand through his tousled brown hair and rubbed his face, trying to shake off the lingering images of the night.

He padded over to the mirror that hung on the wall, his reflection staring back at him. His room was a sanctuary, a testament to his love for all things geeky. Posters of superheroes adorned the walls, their vibrant colors a stark contrast to the pale blue paint. Shelves lined with action figures stood like silent sentinels, their plastic eyes watching over him. It was a room that spoke of countless hours spent immersed in comic books and video games, a haven for a boy who found solace in the fantastical worlds they offered.

Lennon's reflection in the mirror was a familiar sight. His brown hair was a mess, sticking up in all directions. His blue eyes, usually bright and full of life, were clouded with the remnants of sleep. His face was still boyish, the hint of stubble on his chin a testament to the adolescence that was slowly giving way to manhood. He was tall for his age, his body lean and wiry, the result of countless hours spent running around the field during gym class.

Shaking off the last vestiges of sleep, Lennon headed for the shower. The warm water was a welcome relief, washing away the remnants of the dream and the fatigue that clung to him. He emerged feeling refreshed, the steam from the shower enveloping him in a warm cocoon.

He dressed in his usual attire, pulling on a pair of worn jeans and a black shirt emblazoned with an 8-bit image of Link from Zelda. He laced up his black Chuck Taylors, the familiar rhythm of the action grounding him in reality. Grabbing his backpack, he gave his room one last glance before heading out.

It was time for a new challenge. His first day as a Junior at Moonstone High. 

Lennon plopped down at the breakfast table, his siblings flanking him on either side. His sister, Suzy, was engrossed in her phone, her fingers flying over the screen in a rapid dance. His younger brother, Cobain, was making a mess with his cereal, his giggles filling the room with a contagious joy.

Their mother walked over, her smile warm as the morning sun. She leaned down to plant a kiss on Lennon's forehead, her hand placing a packed lunch next to him. "Eat up, honey, first day of school" she said, her voice a soothing melody in the morning chaos.

Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed down the stairs, followed by the booming voice of their father. He was singing "Hey Jude" at the top of his lungs, his voice off-key but filled with an infectious enthusiasm. Cobain burst into laughter, his spoon clattering against his bowl, while Suzy merely smirked, her eyes rolling in a typical teenage fashion.

As the morning routine unfolded around him, Lennon found his thoughts drifting back to the dream. It had been the same for two weeks now, the field, the light, the fear. It was starting to worry him, the vividness of the dream unsettling. Not the way he wanted to end the summer. 

His mother's voice broke through his thoughts. "You seem preoccupied, Lennon," she said, her eyes filled with concern. His father had moved on to "All You Need is Love", his voice providing a strange backdrop to the moment.

She reached out, her hand covering his. "It's going to be a great year," she said, her voice firm with conviction. "Remember, every challenge is an opportunity in disguise. You're stronger than you think."

Lennon nodded, her words comforting him. But his attention was drawn to the clock on the wall. His eyes widened in alarm. He was about to miss the school bus.

With a hurried "I love you", he grabbed his lunch and backpack, bolting out of the house. His heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted down the street, the bus stop in sight.

Lennon's sneakers slapped against the pavement, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he sprinted towards the bus stop. The school bus was already there, its engine idling, the exhaust fumes curling into the crisp morning air. He could see the bus driver checking his watch, his hand hovering over the lever to close the doors.

"Wait!" Lennon shouted, waving his arms frantically. The driver looked up, his eyes meeting Lennon's. There was a moment of hesitation, then the driver gave a resigned sigh and held the doors open. Lennon skidded to a halt, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. He flashed the driver a grateful smile as he climbed aboard, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

The bus was nearly full, the familiar faces of his classmates scattered around. Conversations filled the air, a cacophony of laughter and chatter that was the soundtrack of every school morning. Lennon scanned the bus for an empty seat, his gaze drifting towards the back.

There, in the last row, sat Oswald McGill, or Oz as everyone called him. Oz was a study in contrasts, his blond hair streaked with blue, falling over his eyes in a rebellious fringe. His eyes were a piercing green, and the punk application of eye liner made them pop with an intensity that was hard to miss. He was tall and lean, his body language radiating a sense of aloofness. He was always dressed in black, his clothes giving the impression he deeply cared about not caring about his clothes.

Lennon and Oz had never been friends. They moved in different circles, their interactions limited to occasional nods in the hallway. But today, Lennon felt a strange pull towards him. He found himself standing in the aisle, his gaze locked on Oz, who was engrossed in his phone, oblivious to Lennon's scrutiny.

A wave of uncertainty washed over Lennon. He wanted to talk to Oz, to bridge the gap that had always existed between them. But the words were stuck in his throat, his courage faltering. He shook his head, trying to dispel the strange feeling.

"Hey, Lennon! Over here!"

The voice broke through his thoughts. He turned to see his friend Danny waving at him from a seat halfway down the bus. Danny, who was in the middle of his usual Call of duty mobile round, had looked up just in time to see him. Lennon gave Oz one last glance before making his way towards Danny.

As the bus rumbled down the road, Lennon and Danny settled into their seats, the familiar rhythm of their friendship falling into place. They chatted about the upcoming year, their excitement tinged with a hint of apprehension. Junior year was a big deal, after all, and they both knew it.

"Did you watch the new season of The Mandilorian?" Lennon asked, his eyes lighting up at the mention of their favorite science fiction series.

"Of course, dude!" Danny replied, his fingers still flying over his phone screen. "That cliffhanger in the last episode was insane!"

As they delved into a discussion about the show, Lennon noticed something strange. Danny, who was usually mediocre at his mobile game, was suddenly doing better. His character was dodging attacks with ease, shooting with an accuracy that Danny had never displayed before.

Lennon felt a strange sensation, like a current of energy flowing from him to Danny. It was a subtle shift, like a gentle breeze that you only notice when it stops. He couldn't explain it, but it was there, a tangible connection that seemed to be enhancing Danny's gaming skills.

Their excitement grew as Danny continued to dominate the game. He was unstoppable, his character moving with a precision and speed that was almost inhuman. The other players didn't stand a chance.

With a triumphant yell, Danny won the round, his character standing victorious on the virtual battlefield. It was the first time Danny had ever won a round, and the joy on his face was infectious. Lennon felt like he had been holding his breath, and hadn’t noticed until he exhaled. The connection was gone.

"Dude, you were on fire!" Lennon exclaimed, clapping Danny on the back. His heart was racing, a strange mix of excitement and confusion swirling within him.

As the bus pulled up to the school, Lennon and Danny were still buzzing with excitement. They disembarked, their laughter echoing in the morning air as they made their way towards the school building. They were so caught up in their victory that they didn't notice Oz watching them from the back of the bus.

Oz's green eyes followed Lennon and Danny as they disappeared into the school, a thoughtful expression on his face. He put away his phone, his mind filled with questions. Something had happened on the bus, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. But he was determined to find out what it was.