Chapter 1: The Reckoning (Part 1)
Oswald—the protagonist—let out an exasperated sigh, plopping on one of the many purple pillows before a low table, putting his dark blue bag on it.
“Y’know, I need to have a one-on-one with Ms. Cassidy. Can’t absorb Physics when I’m about to run out of batteries.”
He rested his head on his forearms.
“Вам следовало бы поспать в течение обязательного времени дневного сна.”
(You should’ve slept during your mandatory nap time.)
He turned to his left, seeing Vladimir stand by the Naruto poster beside the Anime Club’s entrance.
“Я не мог.”
(I couldn’t.)
Oswald replied in Russian, his fluency stemming from Vladimir and his mother.
“I literally couldn’t sleep because The Reckoning did not let me go to dreamland.”
He then switched to Chinese—a normal occurrence between them, both foreigners born and raised in China.
“Then you coulda’ drunk coffee.”
Vladimir looked behind him, seeing the third of the friend group, Li, peeking his head through the door.
“I couldn’t do that either because I don’t have the money.”
Vladimir sighed, shaking his head, joining Oswald on the pillow to his right.
“More like you didn’t ask for pocket money because you feel ashamed. You are in high school—you’re supposed to ask for it.”
Li nodded, sitting on the pillow opposite Oswald.
“I woulda’ given you the money but you never ask. Besides, it was only ten yuan; that’s pennies, man!”
Oswald gazed upward.
“Yeah… but— Haaah. I-I’m just not thinking straight today…”
Li tilted his head.
“You never think straight when it’s time for ‘The Reckoning’. You ruin your own day just thinkin’ about it. Tell him, Vlad.”
“Look, this Reckoning you talk about—you’ve given a simple task of talking to your parents an evil name.”
He placed his hand on Oswald’s shoulder.
“Отсюда его возросший статус и влияние на ваш разум.”
(Hence, its amplified power on your mind.)
I know, man. Giving it a non-terrifying name doesn’t lessen its effects.
“Look, can we…” Oswald’s gaze shifted between Vladimir and Li. “Can we just drop it for today? The truth isn’t gonna help me talk with them. Also,” he turned to Vladimir, “did you buy the DVD with all the episodes of Naruto? Just making sure because the Lord has blessed us with school renovation tomorrow.”
On Thursday, baby.
“It’s sitting pretty by the big sixty-two-inch.”
Bought last week. Thanks, Aunty Masha.
Li leaned forward, looking at Vladimir.
“You got Lev’s poo stain out your blanket?”
Lev the Ginger Cat.
“’Cause I got a spare blanket on standby.”
“Please do. The washing machine refused to clean it, so Mama had me sent it to the laundry.”
Lev—Lion in Russian. Why though? It doesn’t even have a mane.
RING! RING! RING!
Their free period—and the school day—came to an end.
The boys grabbed their bags and left the Anime Club, their conversation trailing out the door and down the hall.
* * *
He and his friends stood at a T-intersection—himself bound for the left path and the two friends for the right, train tracks lying between them and their neighborhood.
“I’ll see you two tonight,” Oswald said, rubbing his eye with his free hand. “I’m just gonna go home and, uh, eat then sleep.”
Vladimir dipped his head. “Goodbye. Look, j-just—” He pointed at Oswald.
“Идите сразу спать, брат.”
(Go straight to sleep, brother.)
He shook his head. “«Расплата» ударит по вам сильно, потому что у вас не хватит энергии, чтобы справиться с потерей. Again, just go straight to bed.”
(‘The Reckoning’ will hit hard because you won’t have the energy to deal with the loss. Again, just go straight to bed.)
Li gestured toward Vladimir, only understanding the last part. “What he said. Go straight to the sack, my man.”
“Haaah. Yeah, yeah. I’ll do just that. See you.”
He gave a wave and began walking in the opposite direction, not looking back.
“Он не последует моему совету.” (He will not follow my advice.) Vladimir’s gaze lowered, his fist clenching.
“Yeah… what you said.”
* * *
