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Night of the Phantom: Episode 1
Night of the Phantom: Episode 1
Night of the Phantom: Episode 1
Ebook248 pages6 hours

Night of the Phantom: Episode 1

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Perception is a dangerous tool to obtain, it could turn the innocent into the guilty, a sinner into a saint, and a murder into a hero. But what happens when you are given the ability to create your own perception, will you be prove right or will you be proven wrong? Find out what Nick Solitario does in the first episode of a future series, Night of the Phantom.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherAuthorHouse
Release dateJan 25, 2012
ISBN9781468540284
Night of the Phantom: Episode 1
Author

Carlos Manuel Reynosa

I am a graduate of Kean University in the year 2011, under communications/Journalism. My passion for writing began in high school when I started writing poetry. From there it transition into essays that allowed me to graduate from Saint Mary’s of the Assumption, to Union County College to finally Kean University. It’s always been a dream of mine to even be called a writer let alone to make a successful career out of it. Aside from writing poetry, my goal will be to write articles that I enjoy experiencing and writing graphic novels. I’m the only boy in a Hispanic family of three sisters and my interests are music, movies wrestling and other stuff. My inspirations are my parents, who love me enough to give me both what I wanted and what I needed. My friends are limited because I value trust and wish to have friends with that same value. So when they call me a friend they know how appreciative I will be.

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    Night of the Phantom - Carlos Manuel Reynosa

    Chapter One

    Years later

    T he rain is pouring in New York, and the darkness of the night makes it harder to see anything. It’s hard to tell which is worse, the flashes of lightning that appear to touch the streets, or the sound of the lightning itself. There was no one in sight. Not a voice, or a scream could be heard, not even that famous New York vibe that all people know and love to experience. Everything is silent until sounds of footsteps occur in the puddle of water, footsteps of a boy who appears to be running for his life.

    The boy runs as fast as he can, but the rain keeps slowing him down. He doesn’t know where he is, nor where he’s going, he only knows why he’s running. He’s running from a dark figure that is chasing after him. It’s too dark to see, but the boy somehow knows he’s coming, and he knows he’s coming for him. The boy can tell by the sound of hooves that the dark figure is chasing him on a horse, just as the dark rider can tell that the boy has nowhere else to run, which urges him to ride even faster so he can catch the boy. The flashes from the storm blinds the boy from seeing anything, but because the hooves of the dark rider are getting louder and louder, he has no choice but to run wherever the streets lead him. The street has finally ended, leading the boy to an enormous gate that appears to be an entrance. When he arrives, the boy tries opening the gate, but it’s locked. He looks around for other openings to enter, but there are none.

    Just then, he hears the horse coming and sees flashes of lighting. He knows that the dark rider is getting closer. He rushes to the right side of the gate where he somehow trips on the sidewalk and lands on the side gate. The side gate he crashes into breaks, causing the boy to fall inside and lands on the wet grass of a grave. As the boy quickly gets up, he realizes that he’s in a cemetery. The boy becomes frightened, but as he hears the dark rider’s horse approaching, he runs right through the cemetery. The boy runs as fast as he can until he falls down again and lands on another grave. As the boy tries to pick himself up, he hears the loud hooves of the dark rider’s horse as it slowly walks towards him. He knows at that moment that the chase is over. The dark rider has finally caught him. The boy takes a deep breath, horrified, as he slowly turns around to see who is after him. The boy looks up, scared, and sees the dark rider. The rider still appears as a shadow on top of a big black horse, an evil creature that’s wearing a dark hat with a cape over him. Even though his face is hidden by the darkness of the night, the boy can still see him staring right at him with his big glowing red eyes. The boy is frozen out of fear. Just then, a strike of lighting occurs, causing the horse to jump up and raise his master higher. As the lighting occurs, its resulting flashes reveal the dark rider’s entire face, which is scarier than his red eyes. The rider then screeched in a loud voice that made the boy cover his ears. Then the dark rider stops screeching, quickly grabs his sword and attacks.

    Like a shot, the boy opens his eyes and feels his body shaking. That’s when he realizes that he’s sitting down on a train waiting for it to stop on his destination. It was a dream, it never happened. He says to himself. But for the boy, it felt so real, just like his other dreams. And each time he dreams, it feels more real than the others before. But the boy shrugs it off and remains seated with both his arms across each other. He wants to appear to be sleeping, so he can hear what the two girls near him are talking about. The girls are sitting close enough behind him that he can hear them perfectly. But he soon wishes they weren’t because they’re talking about him, and it wasn’t in a good way.

    Oh god, look at him. What is he doing? Says one girl. The other girl responds, I know he is so crazy. Why is he even out in public? He should be in jail. The criticism continues. Yeah, and he is so hideous.

    Yeah, what’s wrong with him?, the other girl asks.

    I don’t know, but look at the way he’s dressed, responds the other girl.

    As they giggle at the boy’s expense, the boy turns around to face them. The girls then whisper to each other to keep quiet so he wouldn’t know that they were talking about him. But because he fears confrontation, he says nothing and turns his head back around. The girls giggle again saying, He’s so pathetic.

    All along the ride, the poor boy has to hear the girls criticize him. I don’t even think they know me. Says the boy to himself. But most of all, I think they’re right. The boy looks in the window and sees his reflection; all he sees is nothing but a face that no one can stand to see, not even himself. He thinks. What is wrong with me?

    Moments later

    The boy finally arrives at his school, the Lincoln County High where every day is a miserable day for him. The boy walks down the long hallway where he is shoved around left and right. It is because they can’t see him or because they know that he can’t defend himself. There’s nothing he could do; he has the urge to fight back, but not the balls to do so.

    Hours later in the cafeteria, another young boy is eating at the edge of the table, minding his own business with no care in the world. Until he turns his head and sees the boy eating with him, Oh god, Nick! You scared me, he exclaimed.

    I’m sorry, Nick responds. Nick has been sitting with him for the past 20 minutes, but the boy never realized it because he never cared to turn around and notice. The young boy then looks around and realizes that he is being watched by other students in the cafeteria. Worried that they would assume that he and Nick are friends, the young boy gets up. Excuse me, Nick, I’ll see you later, says the boy and walks away.

    Well, at least he kept me company for those 20 minutes. Nick says to himself as he wonders. Am I really that hard to be around? He turns around and notices the people that have been staring at him are now looking the other way. I guess I am.

    However, Nick is used to it. He has been alone all his life, no one to talk to, no one to trust. But he would do anything for at least one person to talk to him. Especially Lindy.

    Lindy, a beautiful red-headed Asian girl, sitting five tables away from him. She’s the type of girl that he could only see in his dreams. That is whenever he doesn’t have nightmares. Just seeing her face already makes him happy. He will never, however, be able to speak to her. She is out of my league. He thought to himself. So he continues staring at her playful tan face and black eyes with lips that match her hair. Even though Nick is taller than her and he could wrap her around with his one arm, he would gladly bow down on his knees like a servant and obey any wish she commands.

    The guy currently holding Lindy under his arm would be the other reason Nick can’t speak with her. Lindy’s boyfriend, Ice, draws her body tightly close to him. Nick can understand how hard it is for Lindy to resist his strength from the many times Ice has beaten him up. What in the hell does she see in him? Nick thinks as it puzzles him. Is it really all about the bad boys? Suddenly, Lindy pushes Ice away. Ice’s eyes widen as he steps back with his mouth open. Causing a huge scene, Lindy walks away. Nick smiles after seeing that because he believes there may be hope for him.

    Just then, Ice sees him watching them. Ice’s eyes are full of anger and his teeth are grinding. When Nick realizes Ice’s anger, he immediately jumps off his chair and runs away.

    Shit, he saw me. Nick thinks as he runs fast. Out of all the people in school. Out of all the people in this world, why does he have to be the only one that acknowledges my existence? But Nick really isn’t that surprised. Ice preys on the people that can’t fight for themselves or the losers.

    The bell rings, and as Nick runs down the stairs, he wonders if the bell ringing is a good thing or not. It could be good because Ice wouldn’t be able to beat him up in class, but then it could also be bad if he catches him outside, because there will be no witnesses. His question is about to be answered as he turns towards the end of the corner. Out of the blue, a fist crashes towards Nick’s face, causing him to fall on his back. As Nick lies down on the ground wondering what hit him, a familiar but unfriendly voice speaks.

    Hey Nick, you really need to watch where you’re going, says Jake as two men hover over Nick, making sure he can’t escape. You were really looking at Ice’s girl again, weren’t you?, Jake asks. Did you really think he was going to let that slide?, and he then throws a punch into Nick’s stomach. Then Jake pushes Nick to the bigger and stronger boy, who grabs Nick by the neck.

    Nick glimpses the varsity jacket and knows it’s Shawn grabbing his neck. Shawn is a linebacker for the Lincoln County football team. The only reason he hangs out with Ice is because he loves to fight, and Ice is a troublemaker. Shawn then head-butts Nick down to the floor with his head and picks him back up. Then they hold Nick’s arms for the last member of Ice’s crew.

    Frankie is the brains of the group. As long as he helps them cheat their way out of classes, Ice will always have his back. Plus, it’s been told that he’s connected with some people who can provide good weed. Frankie slaps Nick with the back of his hand, pushing him back to Shawn, who shoves Nick down to the ground. Finally, they all back away from Nick in order for Ice to come and finish the job. Ice kneels down and lifts Nick’s head up.

    Big bad scary Nick Solitario, Ice says sarcastically. How can anyone be afraid of someone that is so weak and pathetic?

    The football coach then walks behind Ice and screams, Venkman!; Ice’s last name. Ice closes his eyes and heavily breathes through his nose, because he’s unable to finish beating up Nick. But before he lets him go, he utters in a low tone of voice, Next time. And releases him.

    What’s going on here!?, the coach says in an angry voice. Ice then stands up, turns around and smiles at the coach. That was what I was wondering about, Ice says, trying to fabricate nonsense reasons. Apparently, he fell into some steps and his face got screwed up, Ice continued.

    The coach squints his eyes as he examines Nick’s face. I don’t care! says the coach, You’re lucky I found you and not the principal. You could have cost us the game, Shawn! Shawn looks down, feeling bad. Alright everyone get out of here. The coach screams. While Ice’s crew is leaving, the coach looks at Nick as he can finally pick himself up. And you! The coach screams while looking straight at Nick. I don’t care what they’ve done to you and what story they make out of this, but you better stick with it. Or else I’ll finish what they started. Now go back to your class and stay away from my boy Shawn.

    Nick nods his head in agreement with no hesitation and runs back to his class. Despite their influences, the three boys are just pawns. Ice is the real threat, and while he kicks Nick’s ass every day, Nick still doesn’t fear him. The creature in Nick’s dreams is what he fears the most.

    The gang, meanwhile, split and went their separate ways. Ice is now all by himself. Suddenly, just as he walks by, there’s a sharp pain in his stomach that causes him to collapse on his knees. His body trembles and shakes, as if he were cold. Not again.., he murmured. The pain suddenly stops, and he’s all right.

    But when he looks back, he sees another student watching him. Ice jumps up quickly and grabs the student, then he pushes him to the wall, and threatens him, You’ve seen nothing!, Ice yells.

    The boy shakes his head and replies, Yes, I mean no, while watching Ice’s eyes turning white, as if there were turning into ice cubes. Ice then lets him go and watches the student run out of fear.

    Hours have passed. Nick is sitting in class trying to understand the teacher’s lesson. However, with Lindy in the same room, he is finding it hard to do so. He can’t help it. To him, Lindy is so beautiful, just knowing that they’re in the same room makes his heart skip a beat. Lindy suddenly turns around, catching Nick staring at her. He glances away quickly. But it’s too late, she knows that Nick has been staring at her. Then she rolls her eyes and turns her head back, looking unimpressed. He sarcastically thinks. Great, she saw me, and not positively. Nick believes her reaction to him staring at her is because she’s afraid of him trying to talk to her, or she just doesn’t want to talk to him.

    The bell rings, Lindy gets out of her seat and walks out the door. The fact that Nick won’t see her until tomorrow leaves him feeling empty. The moment she leaves, he regains his common sense that he also needs to leave quickly, for Ice will wait for Lindy outside. He knows that if Ice sees him, then it will be another chance for him to get beaten again. He grabs his bag and walks out of the classroom. But as Nick walks out the door, without either of the two realizing it, Ice comes walking towards him, and as they collide Ice just walks right through Nick feeling nothing, not even noticing him. However, it’s the opposite for Nick as he feels like a cold brick has just been thrown into him, pushing him down to the lockers and forcing him to fall into his ass. Damn, he doesn’t even need to beat me up. Nick says to himself. He just needs to stand still. It’s like his body is getting harder day by the day.

    Suddenly, Nick sees Ice talking to Lindy, even though she tries to ignore Ice. Nick stares at them and tries to endure the pain, because the girl of his dreams is with another boy and not with him. Nick can no longer stand to see them together, so he quickly leaves the school.

    Hours later, at a familiar apartment in New York, a much older but more beautiful woman is listening to music while cooking dinner. A door slams.

    Mom, I’m home!, Nick screams. Hey Nicholas. Ana responds. How was school today? As Nick walks into the kitchen, his mother sees the bruises on his face and assumes for the worse. Oh god another fight Nicholas! She shouts. Did you at least win? For years, Nick’s mother has always assumed that her son was the one causing trouble, always starting fights in school, creating mischief in the neighborhood, and he lets her believe that assumption. He fears that if she knew it’s the other way around, she will just make things worse for him. But it makes no difference anyway if he tells her the truth because for some strange reason, she would choose to believe anyone that would tell Ice’s version. So Nick remains silent, making her mother more furious.

    If you’re trying to prove that you’re an idiot who likes to get his ass kicked, then you succeeded. Says his mother. She walks towards Nick and slaps him in his face. This better not be about some girl. His mother shouts. How many times do I have to tell you? Girls come and go, but your education will stay with you forever. Not some girl who’s going to leave you for something new. Got it? Nick quickly nods. Now go to your room and do your homework. His mother shouts. As Nick walks away towards his room, his mother gives him one last command, And don’t let me catch you daydreaming again.

    Hours later, Nick is on his bed doing his homework and trying to forget everything that has happened to him. But it’s always a hard thing to do because it happens to him every day. Right now all he can think about is when is it going to stop? When will it get better?

    Ana enters the room and checks if Nick is doing his homework. She speaks to Nick, while observing him do his homework, I shouldn’t even have to do this. If you just concentrate on your studies and not on making fights, we wouldn’t have to go through this every night. He just stands there quietly, knowing she is right. She puts her arm around him for comfort, Hey, you know I believe in you. She says in a softer tone of voice, I just need to make sure you’re staying focused. I don’t even care what job you want when you grow up. You can be anything you want to be. As long as it’s good for you. Feeling more comfortable and with his mind at ease. Nick asks, Are you working late again?

    Yeah, I have to. She answers, But trust me, there’s nothing more I rather do than to be here and spend more time with you. She then kisses him on the head. I gotta go to work. Ana tells him. Keep studying, but don’t go to bed too late. And as Ana walks toward the door, she takes one last look at him and whispers to herself. Please let him sleep tonight.

    Minutes later, Nick’s mother had finally left the apartment and Nick had just finished his homework. With no test to study for, Nick can go under his blanket and pull out his comic books. It has always been his fantasy to become a superhero. To pretend to have these incredible powers, vanquishing the villain and saving the day. A perfect little dream world for Nick to escape into as he desperately needs to. In that world, he doesn’t even have to live in New York, he could live anywhere he wants, where no one knows him and he won’t be hated or feared. That he could be someone else, stronger, faster, smarter and even better looking. Maybe even good looking enough to be liked by someone special such as Lindy. But as he closes his comic book, he realizes that he is still in New York, he’s still weak, and could never be with Lindy.

    Hours later

    Nick is in his bed, having the same nightmare that haunts him every time. He wakes up and jumps out of bed, trying to catch his breath. For months, he has been frustrated over these recurring dreams. He has been having the same dream for years. It usually comes once in a blue moon, but it was never this realistic. The more he dreams, the more real it becomes. Almost like something bad is going to happen to him. Worse than Ice, worse than anything else that a normal teenager should be afraid of. Why can’t I just be normal? He says to himself. Dreaming about Lindy, making some friends, not being alone. Why can’t I at least have one good night’s sleep? He knows that his dreams means something, and he has to figure out what this dream means. It has troubled my thoughts for years. He sighed.

    Just then, gunshots and screams arise outside the building. Oh, god, someone is being mugged. Nick says with great relief as police sirens screech. For Nick, the sound of

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