an excerpt from my story, metamorphosis.

wanted to post a quick snippet/excerpt from my story: metamorphosis. hope you enjoy reading!

CHAPTER 1 of Metamorphosis The sun was pouring directly into my face when I heard the alarm ring. I woke up from my dream and gruffly got up from my bed. It was the first time that I woke up after my alarm went off. “Huh, that’s weird,” I muttered to myself. I immediately stretched as I stood from the bed and looked around. “I need to clean up,” I said to no one but myself. My room is a mess, clothes were thrown about, and shoes lying underneath the bed. It was chaos.

Cassie, my white cat, pranced in the room and purred as she rubbed her face on my ankle. I gently carried her and planted a soft kiss on her head before petting her. “Good morning Cassie, are you hungry?” I trudged onto the kitchen, which was just down the hall from my bedroom. My apartment was small but it was plenty enough for a guy like me. I put some cat food in Cassie’s bowl and gently placed her down so she could eat. I grabbed a porcelain bowl for myself and poured myself some cereal, a good thing I still got a carton left of milk in the fridge. I sat down at the kitchen island as I ate. It was another busy morning, not for me, but for other people. I scrolled through my phone to check if my class schedule had been updated. It was a new semester at Colivida University. Here at Lionel City, or as the locals call it ‘the LION DEN’ home of the fiercest warriors of the land. I luckily got into the school due to my good grades in high school, now I got a scholarship! That my parents aren’t quite proud of. You see, I took up Biochem as my major while my parents were Literature and History professors at more prestigious universities. And frankly, they wanted me to do the same but I loved science. I love experimenting and learning different factions of it so now I’m here.

I save the new schedule on my phone, making a mental note of it and then I finish off my cereal. After washing the dishes, I quickly head to the bathroom to grab a quick shower and get dressed. I was about to wear my favourite pair of sneakers when I heard the phone ring.

“WILLIAM LEOPOLD JARVIS GASTRELL-“ my mom’s voice rang through my phone’s speaker after I said hello. And yes, I was named after William Shakespeare. My parents were a fan and decided that their only child needed to have 2 first names before my middle name. Not to mention that my last name was even related to Shakespeare, it threw my parents into a loop of giddy excitement. “Mom I’m about to go to sch-“

“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US THAT YOU WERE ON SCHOOL BREAK!? We would’ve come down to visit you!” Did I mention that my mom was Scottish? No? Well, she is, which means that when she gets excited her voice gets higher, but when she’s mad she gets louder. “I’m sorry mom, I was taking a break by sleeping. I only had 2 weeks to prepare and I just settled into my new place that's all. I’ll call you guys next time.” I sighed and leaned against the wall next to the front door, my backpack slung on my shoulder and my keys in my hand.

My eyes trailed around the newly settled apartment. Just before the semester ended, I recently moved to an apartment just 2 blocks away from University. I couldn’t stand living in a dorm because of all the partying so I managed to save up some cash for the down payment from my job and got this place. It could be better but it’s my place and that’s all that mattered. My parents wired in some of the money they saved for my college fees for the rent and food supplies.

“Well honey, we just miss you. You haven’t come home since you started your job,” Mom says with worry in her voice.

“I know mom, I miss you guys too. I’ll be home this Christmas don’t worry. Just a couple more weeks.” I started to assure her that I’d be fine.

“How’s dad doing?” I asked. My dad had driven to see me a week before break and we talked about my future. He wanted me to take over the family business. We owned a library/cafe back home and since I’m the only son they weren’t getting any younger. He wanted me to come home and work there while I study. It wasn’t that much of a drive anyways but still quite a distance.

“He’s fine. He got the award that he told you about.” I smile as my mom rambles on about how Dad won the famous De la Croix award. After working as a professor for all my life, he deserves it.

“Well, stay safe darling. Come home soon.” I assured her that I would be home and ended the call before going to school. Events at school were just about the same as my normal routine every day. I go in, finish my lessons then go back to the apartment. Some days I drop by the library to get material for a project. My life has been very mundane since I moved out of the dorms. Life before my place was filled with late-night parties and neighbours with loud sexcapades. I’m glad to have my place now. After I finished my last class of the day, I dropped by a cafe on Bleak Street. Brooks and Bryers, a coffee shop owned by Salamander Brooks and Phillippa Bryer. They knew my dad because of their business. I would usually get my coffee here to support them. I opened the cafe door, and the bell signalled my arrival.

“Leo! My boy!” Mr Brooks greeted me with a kind smile, he was standing by the counter, broom in hand. He was wearing his green apron over his normal Button shirt and pants. I could see grey streaks slightly colouring his normally dark hair. I smiled back and greeted him with a handshake.

“Hey, Uncle Sal. How’s business going?” I’d worked for Uncle Sam since I started college. His cafe was one of the best in town, mostly students or professors would dine here due to the massive collections of books that Uncle Sal and Aunt Pippa collected over the years. It was their sort of library if you will. The whole building had been passed down from Uncle Sal’s relative and he'd managed the cafe for many years. The first 2 floors were the cafe, the remaining floors were the duplex. Uncle Sal had offered to let me live rent-free in the available apartment but I refused. They had already me out so much with my part-time job. I didn’t want to impose. The Cafe was the highlight of the building. The building had this French-style design, and adding the cafe just made it look even fancier. There were 2 floors, the first floor had a few tables out front by the windows, near the black marbled counter. There was a cake stand and coffee equipment right on display. Just by the left to the end of the counter, where there was a small fence door where you could enter behind the counter, is the spiral stairs leading to the 2nd floor. Under the stairs were rows and rows of bookshelves filled to the brim with all sorts of books. Behind the counter was the kitchen and staff room that you’d find mostly Uncle Sal in, reading the newspaper from time to time. Upstairs was where most of the customers would sit. It had some bookshelves perched up on some walls, but mostly booths and tables. There was a small stage up at the right side where slam poetry or acoustic sessions would be held.

“Good, good. How’s the new place?” It was normal for me and Uncle Sam to fall back into our usual rhythm. I dodged under the cabinet opening on the left side of the counter and headed for the staff room, Uncle Sal following close behind.

“It’s good so far… I need to go grocery shopping after shift though.” I place my backpack in its usual spot, on top of the lacquer drawer next to the staff table. I put on my apron and then grab the broom from Uncle Sal’s offering hand.

“We’re gonna close early anyways. Pip wants to go to the movies.” He smiled, eyes dazzling as he watched me clean up.

“What movie are you guys watching?” I asked as I finished sweeping the floor. I put the broom back in the closet and went to wash my hands.

“I think it's Colosi Redi?”

“It’s Red Coliseum darling.” I heard a woman’s voice say from the stairs. Just near the counter. I looked up as I washed my hands and saw Aunt Pippa, wearing a white dress shirt and trousers.

“Hi, Aunt Pip. How was York?” I greeted her with a smile and a hug. “It was wonderful love, I got you some trinkets that I thought you might like.” She handed me a black paper bag, I took it after thanking her, and then she focused her attention on Sal.

“Took you long enough my exquisite plum, shall we?” He had removed his apron and replaced it with a suit jacket, he stood up and offered his arm out for her to hold.

“We shall. Bye Leo, lock up properly. We’ll see you tomorrow!” They exited the premises after they left the keys to me. I smiled as I watched them pass by the window. It was already 7 pm, and dark out. I only had to stay till 10 pm and then I could lock up so I decided to play some Jazz music over the speakers and continued to work. There usually weren't many customers at night. Lionel City was infamous for its nightclubs and midnight raves so people usually would participate in those kinds of events. We'll be lucky if we get 5 or 10 customers at this time. Some customers preferred to sit upstairs where there were more chairs than books. I organized some books as I wanted by the hour, and some customers came and went for a while. I was feeling relaxed 15 minutes before closing time. I announced that we were gonna close to the remaining customers and in just a couple of minutes, they had packed up their things and left. I grabbed a tray and my cleaning tools and cleaned up the remaining tables that were just used. I flipped the open sign to its other side to signal that we were closed and started to clean up upstairs, brushing some dust away before turning the lights off. I was in the process of removing my apron and grabbing my things when I heard a knock. I peered out the staffroom door and saw someone standing outside. They looked dishevelled, they were breathing raggedly and knocking on the door fast. I walked swiftly to the door, my bag and store keys in tow.

“I’m sorry Ma’am but we’re closed.” I said as I pointed to the sign that said ‘open from 7 AM TO 10 PM”’. It was already past 10:30 at this point. She kept banging on the door, and I looked at her in surprise as she spoke. “I need to see Salamander. He knows who I am. Tell him it's Byron. Open the door!” She kept looking over her shoulder sometimes beside her and she looked rattled so I unlocked but before I opened it, I looked at her and spoke. “I’m calling Uncle Sal right now before I open this door.” And she scowled. “Sure, just make it quick. I dialled Uncle Sal's number and he answered on the first ring. “Leo, dear boy?” “Uncle Sal, there's a lady outside named Beron and she’s looking for you.” I heard him take a sharp intake of breath. “Let her in.” I didn't have time to protest because Uncle Sal hurriedly told me to do so. “We’re coming home. Stay with her Leopold. Do you understand?” This was the first time I heard him so serious and it sent shivers up my spine. I muttered a small okay and then he hung up. I unlocked the door and she scuffled right in. She looked bewildered. She wore a denim jacket and jeans, her right arm had a cut that was bleeding, and her forehead was dripping sweat and covered in dirt. Her shoes were dirty and wet. She plopped down on one of our couches by the stairs, catching her breath. I locked the door immediately and walked slowly. “Are you okay?” She seemed to forget that I existed cause she snapped out of it and looked at me, with this look in her eye. “Where is he?”

“He’s at the movies. He’s coming home with Aunt Pip. Just wait here.” I dashed back into the staff room and got our handy first aid kit. I sat opposite her and placed it in front of her. She eyed me suspiciously and then looked down at the box I just placed on the coffee table. “You’re bleeding…” I said as I let my eyes trail down to her sleeve. “Oh- I didn’t even feel it. Thanks' ' she opened the first aid kit and started cleaning her wounds. I decided to let her be and got up. Leaving my bag on top of the counter, leaning on the marbled top as I waited for Uncle Sal. I twirled my keys on my fingers looking for something to do.

Minutes ticked by and I heard the back door to the shop opening. I turned to where the sound came from and saw Aunt Pippa unlocking the door and running to where the lady named ‘Byron’ sat. She had patched her arm already. Uncle Sal locked the door behind them and I noticed they both had that panicked look on their face. “Alice- Alice what happened?” She kneeled in front of her and checked Alice’s face with her hands. Checking her wounds she smiled tiredly at Pip. “There was an encounter and I got out as fast as I could. I don’t know if the others made it. Or if he made it…” she trailed off. Sal was now standing near Alice. With his hands on his hips, he looked very worried. Alice started whispering something, and they were far enough for me not to hear it so I stood up straight and walked closer. “What’s going on?” I asked as I eyed all of them. They all looked at me and I could feel them thinking as the seconds ticked by. Sal had that look of worry on his face as he looked at me. “You should go, homeboy. We- we have some matters to attend to. We’ll call you soon.” He said hurriedly, swallowing the lump in his throat. Aunt Pip gave me a sad smile with a reassuring look. “O-okay. Let me know if there's anything I can do.” I said as I grabbed my things and prepared to leave. “Stay safe Leo. We love you.” And that was the last thing I heard Aunt Pip say before I walked out into the streets.

It had been 3 weeks since the incident at the cafe. Uncle Sal had sent me a text the following day that the cafe would be closed until they fixed whatever it was that they were dealing with. 3 weeks of me walking by the cafe before and after class. On the Monday of week 3, mom called and asked me to come home immediately. Told me that some matters needed to be discussed. Luckily, I had just finished exams so I had that week free. I still wonder what might’ve happened. But for now, I’ve got to focus on what’s happening at home.