The rest of Tia's weeks were just a series of repeated routines.
Wake up, bathe, eat, and then then lounge on the couch watching TV.
He stopped going to school since the last Evolution Exam. What's the point anyway?
Living like this isn't so bad.
One Thursday evening…
The house was filled with the scent of sweet caramel popcorn, sticky and rich.
Tia sat in front of the TV, popcorn in one hand and soda in another.
Mom's been out on a business trip, and it's just me to myself.
When was the last time I went to school?
But it's really no use.
No one would give a damn after the evaluation event.
I pity my mom for having such a son like me.
I better start job hunting soon. I can't rely on her for too long.
Knock… knock… knock.
The sound echoed through the quiet house.
Who could that be at this hour?
The mailman? But… I don't remember ordering anything today.
Tia pushed himself off the couch and walked toward the door.
Twist. Click. Push.
The door swung open.
Nothing.
Only the cool night breeze and a sky filled with bright stars.
What the…
He looked outside.
Is someone playing a prank?
"Not funny, whoever you are. Go back to your damned house!" he muttered.
Silence.
Just the soft chirping of crickets.
He shook his head, about to close the door.
Then something caught his eye.
A neat, white envelope lay on the ground, as if it had just landed there.
Tia bent down, glancing left and right before picking it up.
Back inside, he sat on the couch and stared at the envelope in his hands.
Okay… deep breath…
Hmm… or was this a wrong delivery?
Carefully, he broke the seal and pulled out the letter.
The handwriting was neat, precise. Each word seemed deliberate.
His eyes moved across the first line.
Then the second.
Then the third.
He stopped.
His breathing slowed.
And then…
His eyes widened.
Am I dreaming....?
He blinked once.
Twice.
His gaze rushed back to the beginning of the letter, reading it again.
Did they really send this to me?
But why?
To a failure like me .
The words burned into his mind. His head throbbed.
This is… insane.
I have to give everything I got tomorrow.
A small grin tugged at his lips.
Maybe… a second chance isn't so bad after all.
His fingers tightened around the paper.
But I'll still choose death a million times