Into Madness - Part 1
My son and I are very much into board games. One of our favourites has a bit of back story that we have discussed in great detail. Then one summer on the drive up to my grand father’s cottage we started naming the unnamed characters on the character cards … and their familiars … and developing back stories … and inventing a magic system. Every year over the past 3 years we’ve added to the story and in recent times we’ve started writing it down.
A Bad Day
Bernard stormed into his dorm room and slammed the door so hard that it bounced back open.
“Professor Mernez is such a tool.” Bernard didn’t keep his voice down.
The professors would all be headed back to their cottages that circled the manour house after what had been a perfectly terrible day for everyone at the school.
“If my father was here … ” Bernard spun and kicked a small over stuffed book shelf knowing full well that he’d never call on his father to fix his problems.
“Watch it, you’re going to knock my books over.”
It wasn’t until Arwin protested that Bernard noticed he was there. His roommate was glaring at him through his large oval glasses. The scrawny boy’s size and angles made him look like an irritated insect.
“I’ll kick whatever I please.” Bernard shot back, giving another kick to the bookcase, only vaguely relieved that the thick leather of his oxfords was protecting his foot.
Arwin scrambled up, his white-blond hair flopping in front of his face. “That’s my stuff.”
“So, go ahead and stop me.” Bernard knew that was never going to happen. He was twice Arwin’s size thanks to his big bear of a Russian father and Kazakhstani mother. Not to mention … “I dare you to toss a flame at me … go on …”
The only thing that flamed was Arwin’s face. They both knew that despite his prodigious skill for magical theory he had yet to attract even the smallest magical phenomenon.
“Right,” Bernard finally scoffed, “I don’t know why they even let you into the Academy without a familiar.”
Arwin straightened his glasses and pushed his shoulders back. “At least when I get a familiar I’ll do it on my own – not be handed one by my daddy.” Arwin pushed past Bernard heading for the door.
Not having a verbal retort, Bernard shoved Arwin between the shoulders. Arwin stumbled into the hall landing.
“Hey now,” Sheila was standing just outside the door her petite face marred with a frown as an absurd amount of blond hair swung from a ponytail. “I think we can all agree to keep our hands to ourselves.”
“I don’t need your help,” Arwin snapped at her and rounded on Bernard.
***
Into Madness Part 2 is here!
Looking for another read? Chapter 12 of Sacrifice is now available on Wattpad.