Never End: Chapter 1(Red Balloon)

Adam Louis sat in his usual spot at the back of the classroom, next to the window. The first rays of morning sun streamed through the glass, casting long shadows on the worn-out desks. It was just another ordinary day at school, or so it seemed.

As the teacher droned on about quadratic equations, Adam's gaze was fixed on the world outside. The trees swaying gently in the breeze, the students playing football on the field, even the occasional bird flying by - they all seemed more interesting than the math problems on the chalkboard.

His earphones played a soft melody, providing a soundtrack to the scenes unfolding outside the window. It was a melody he knew by heart, one that could drown out the world when it became too much. Lunchtime was a solitary affair. Adam sat in the corner of the cafeteria, his headphones a barrier against the world.

He watched his classmates from a distance, their laughter and chatter a stark contrast to his quiet solitude. When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the school day, Adam packed his things and headed out. He walked home alone, as usual, his thoughts as his only company.

The city was bustling with activity, but Adam moved through it like a ghost, unnoticed and unbothered. As he walked, he spotted a solitary red balloon bobbing in the distance. It was about ten meters ahead, drifting aimlessly from right to left across his path.

Suddenly, a small child burst onto the scene, giggling and chasing after the wayward balloon. The child was heading straight for the road, oblivious to the danger. Adam's heart skipped a beat as he saw a truck approaching at a high speed. Adam froze as the unthinkable happened. The truck didn't stop.

The child did not move away. There was a tremendous thud, followed by... quiet. The child's body was thrown to the side, and their head rolled eerily towards Adam, stopping only a few feet away.

Blood seeped onto the pavement, a shocking contrast to the mundane surroundings. Adam's breath hitched. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the gruesome sight.

His heart pounded in his ears, drowning out the distant sounds of the city. He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. '...Damn it...' he managed to choke out, his voice barely a whisper.

Suddenly, a strange sensation washed over him. His vision filled with a dazzling array of colors, like a rainbow breaking through a storm cloud. It was disorienting, making his head spin.

He looked down at his hands, and to his shock, they were starting to blur, becoming translucent. It was as if he was fading away, becoming part of the surreal tableau unfolding before him. Adam shock again "What am I dreaming ?" realize he was back in the classroom.

His classmates were all there, none of them seeming to notice anything amiss. He was back in his seat by the window, the chalkboard in front of him filled with equations.

The same equations he'd seen just that morning. He looked around, his heart pounding. The rest of the school day passed in a blur. Adam couldn't focus on anything.

His mind kept replaying the horrific scene he'd witnessed... or thought he'd witnessed. 'It must have been a dream,' he thought. 'A terrible, vivid dream.' He shook his head, trying to clear his mind. He focused on the familiar routines of the school day, the chatter of his classmates, the drone of the teacher's voice.

It was all so normal, so ordinary. It was comforting in its familiarity. When the school day finally ended, he followed the same path home. His heart pounded as he approached the spot where he'd seen the red balloon in his... dream.

He held his breath as he turned the corner... and there it was. The red balloon, bobbing gently in the wind, just like before. 'Oh, shit...' Adam whispered, a sense of dread washing over him. "It wasn't a dream. It was happening again."

To be continue.......