Chapter 1
Year 506 of the Jokar calendar.
In a quiet high school in the south of the vast country of Ublea, three teens tried their best to live like everything was normal.
Cipher Deron was a laid-back guy. Smarter than he let on. His closest friends were Avi Rego-nervous, sharp-tongued, always asking questions-and Cloud Octavio, who swore he wasn’t scared, but flinched at every shadow anyway.
They weren’t troublemakers. They didn’t pick fights. But lately, they couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.
Disappearances. Murders. Stories spreading through the news like wildfire.
Cipher - Hey, relax Avi !
There is nothing to worry about my love. We are just hanging around in the street two miles away from our neighborhood.
Avi - Well, I don’t feel so safe with all the stuff they are saying on the news...
Cloud - Come on ! Just think that it will never happen to you, until you are with us !
Cipher - Says the guy who is as terrified as she is...
Cloud - Ow man ! You are playing me dirty ; I’m not terrified... I just don’t feel that safe either...
Cipher - *He laughs with his eyes closed*Guys, I am confident. Nothing will happen to us today.
They kept walking, about a mile more, when something stopped them.
A sound... A whisper from a narrow alley up ahead.
Voice - Hey kids, wanna have some power in this country ?
Cipher - Oh great ! What could be better than a creepy dude in a narrow street asking kids if they want some influence !
Avi - Oh my god ! Let’s run away quickly ! I told you I had a bad feeling !
Cipher - No, no, calm down, this one is not gonna do anything to anyone, *stares at the guy*right ?
The man stepped out of the shadows. Thin. Dirty clothes. And something glinting in his pocket.
He pulled aknifeand lunged-not at Cipher, but straight for Avi.
Avi screamed in surprise and fear.
Cipher moved faster than any high schooler should. He grabbed the man’s wrist mid-swing and twisted it. The knife clattered to the ground.
Cipher - *With a menacing look*Ok. We will make the things quick. DON’T YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE JUST TALKING TO ?
The man stared at Cipher like he was looking at a ghost. Or a demon.
Voice - Oh no ! You can’t be- !
Cipher - Oooooh I can ! Well, do you want me to call your superior, or do I let you a chance to run away and never forget my face ever again ?
He released the man. Who didn’t hesitate. He turned and ran like death was chasing him.
Avi and Cloud - Well, WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT ?!?!
Cipher - Well I think it’s time to tell you something. Come with me.
They walked back to Cipher’s house in total confusion.
Cloud - How did you know that guy ?
Avi - And why didn’t you want to answer our questions on the road ?
Cipher - I didn’t know this guy, I just recognized his way to act. And it was not safe to talk about that on the road you know ?
Avi and Cloud - TALK ABOUT WHAT ?!
Cipher - Well, how to summarize this huh ? I... Well kinda...
Cloud - Come on don’t make us wait !
Cipher - Well, we can say I am in the mafia.
Avi and Cloud - WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAT ???!!!
Thanks a lot for reading the first chapter ofIn the Deepest! More chapters are on the way-don’t forget to keep an eye out for updates and STAY IN YOUR CONVICTIONS.
