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Chapter 10: A Boy's Fear, Seen Through the Lens of an Artificial Girl
Prologue:
.
"Human beings are like animals. They do nothing more than pray and feast on honorable prey," he said with an elongated, devious smile. His eyes were fixed on Matongo, whom he viewed as nothing more than a helpless sheep.
"If anything, we have two categories in the human kingdom… predators and prey."
"Prevent me from moving any further than I already have."
"For I take pleasure and delight in hunting the weak."
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Chapter 10: A Boy's Fear, Seen Through the Lens of an Artificial Girl
Flashback:
Standing amidst the classroom front, the atmosphere painted in a faint orangish-yellow. His head bowed, sweat dripping from the tip of his forehead. The room was filled with figures wearing blank faces, yet devious smiles — clenched tight, still, frozen like time.
"Take off your pants," said the dark figure standing in front of Matongo.
Matongo: "I… I can't."
Dark figure: "Matongo, take off your pants."
Matongo, hesitant, stammered: "I… I… c… I… can't," trembling.
Dark figure: "Matongo, I said take off your pants. Can't you see I'm asking nicely… don't paint me to be a bad person?"
Matongo flinched.
Dark figure: "Everyone in this class knows how much of a nice guy you really are… I'm asking nicely. Take off your pants."
Matongo: "I can't."
Dark figure: "WHY?"
Matongo: "BECAUSE I'M STANDING AROUND EVERYBODY IN PUBLIC! I CAN'T DO THIS!"
"TAKE THEM."
"I CAN'T."
"TAKE THEM OFF."
"I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T, I CAN'T! I CAN'T!!!" (Scratches his head.)
The atmosphere spun around him as the smiles grew wider, each clenched tooth slowly loosening.
"I can't… I can't…" — snap.
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Back to Current Scene:
The sun poured down, warm and bright, with a gentle breeze caressing the shade that covered Megan, Matongo, and Student Council President Jairus.
Jairus gave Matongo a strong, intent look. Matongo barely faced him, bowing his head, still, shaking, and frightened.
Megan observed the sudden shift: Matongo's trembling hands, his still stance, and his inability to hold eye contact.
(Inner monologue: "What's going on??? Why is he shaking? And who's this guy just standing there looking at him?")
Jairus: "Still incapable of looking me in the eyes, aren't you?"
(Flashback: widened eyes, a bruised student, bloody palms — eyes filled with nothing but red, reflecting the rage of a beast.)
Matongo remained silent.
Jairus: "To my best efforts… I'm glad to see you're back, Matongo."
(His tone soothing, calm, in sync with the warm air and the soft chirping of crickets.)
Megan saw the look in his eyes — relief, calm, and kindness. Slowly, Matongo began to raise his head.
(Inner monologue: "Why are they looking at each other like that? This is so weird.")
She remembered a moment from one of her favorite TV shows: two boys warmly hugging each other. Mr. Banda had immediately bashed the TV.
> "You shouldn't be watching such at your age, young lady," he said, angry yet shameful.
Megan: (Inner monologue) "Ahhhhhhh… my circuits…" She widened her mouth in awe.
Jairus noticed. "Oh, hi! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there," he said, approaching her with warmth.
"My name is Jairus Mulenga," he said, reaching out his palm. "And what's yours?"
"Oh… me… I'm Megan," she said, catching a clear glance at Jairus — soft face, long lashes giving a warm expression to his eyes, and a clean, combed fade.
(Inner monologue: "Ahhhhh… wait… he looks like Papa!!!?")
Matongo clenched his teeth, face turning red. "What are you doing here?!"
Jairus: "Oh… me… nothing really. I just wanted to check up on you, that's all." (warm tone)
Matongo: (Inner monologue) "This guy is just fake. I hate that face… ughhhhhh."
"Since when?" he asked.
Jairus: "Since the day I found out my buddy was coming back from his trauma."
Matongo: "Ughhh…"
Jairus: "You did look rather frail that day you were hurried to the hospital."
Matongo: "Don't say it so casually."
Jairus: "To make things worse, you ghosted me despite me showing as active."
Matongo: "Heyyy…"
Jairus: "And worse, telling your mom to lie about you not being home." (dramatic tone, tear falling)
Matongo: "Why youuuuuuuu…"
Jairus: "Fortune enough, I had tea with her instead. Your mother is such a beautiful and cultured lady."
Matongo: "Youuuuuuu…"
Jairus: "AHHHH… parents just can't get enough of…"
(BAM!) — a straight punch from Matongo landed heavily on Jairus. Megan felt a spark on her neck. "Heyyyyy!" she exclaimed, standing up.
Matongo, heavy breathing: "I have no idea if your so-called check-up was genuine… especially when you aren't with your little squad of fake, elegant nerds."
Jairus looked at him calmly, gentle smile: "Dayum, that punch carries a little something now, doesn't it?"
Megan: "Ahhhhhhh… I don't want things to get out of hand, so please, please, please… don't kill each other!" She ran in front of Matongo.
Matongo, stunned: (Inner monologue) "What the… why is she standing here? Who does she think she is, an anime girl?"
He glared at her vulnerable stance, arms raised wide in defense.
(Inner monologue) "Ahhhhhhh… why the hell is she glowing? Girls aren't supposed to stand up for me! What the hell!!!!"
Jairus, stunned, observed Megan — legs slightly trembling, eyes closed, face turned away.
"What is she doing…? I wasn't gonna hit him, not at all," he muttered.
(Inner monologue) "I didn't realize she was this cute… her eyes are unreal. Like sculpted and painted by an artist of fine craft."
Matongo: "Youuuuu, stand behind me!" He pulled her arm, only to feel a spark on his palm. "The hell?" He immediately let go.
Silence fell… (Wooooooooooo) — the school siren rang.
Matongo: "I'm off to class." He deliberately bumped Jairus's shoulder aggressively and walked away. (Jairus flinched.)
Megan: "Heyyy, you boy! Wait… we're supposed to be in the same class, remember?" She ran after him.
Jairus watched, stunned: (Inner monologue) "What's up with her?" She behaved as though clueless about everything.
(Flashback)
"And when I got punched, she suddenly wanted to act like she could protect him. I've never seen that before," he thought, as a calm wind brushed his face and bruised cheek.
"Vulnerable."
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Meanwhile, Border:
(BOOM, BOOM, BOOM) — explosions, shots, and battle cries swept the frontier. Mutale, Makhaza, and Khumalo successfully arrived at the tent.
Mutale, bruised and swollen, was supported by Khumalo.
Commander: "You okay?"
Mutale, irritated: "I had it covered. Why did you bring me back here?"
Commander: "Your forehead's bleeding."
Mutale: "I know that." (embarrassed)
Khumalo: "You've seen your situation. You clearly stood no chance against that commander-general."
Mutale glared aggressively, forcing silence. Makhaza banged his head. "Ouuuh," Mutale scrambled. Makhaza smirked teasingly.
Commander: "I brought you back because things aren't as we anticipated."
Mutale: "Shut." He walked to the hall. "I'll listen once I get my head together."
Makhaza: "Spoiled brat." (teasing)
Commander said nothing. "It's not spoilage… it's something more."
Mutale entered the bathroom. On the floor, he sat, scratching his head, tears rolling down.
"DAMN ITTT… IF I HAD KNOWN SO MANY WERE GONNA DIE… THE F***… I CAN'T FAIL… NO… NOOO!"
"This isn't what I signed up for."
(Silence.)
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To be continued…
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