Behind The Mask
Prologue
Sapphire was standing on the edge of the building. Her eyes were numb from crying and she was feeling the cold as it seeped into her skin, almost making her muscles cramp. In the middle of a very cold night, she was debating whether she should jump or not.
But her train of thoughts was disturbed when she felt the building shake as right in front of her, a few miles away, flames arose into the sky. The sound of the siren followed the loud bang as the tallest building in front of her crumbled into ashes.
Her trembling legs and the shaking building almost had her fall down when a strong grip tightened around her waist and pulled her backwards, bringing her back to her feet, except there was no land to stand on as the entire building collapsed.
007
Stop making things hard.
A deep voice spoke as it took her in his arms and brought her down to safety. Sapphire was too shocked to express anything. She had already accepted her fate the moment she fell down, she wasn't expecting to be saved.
She asked, almost like a whisper. She knew who he was, it was 007. He was the youngest among the team of superheros that kept the world safe.
Her eyes blurred with tears. The weight of everything wasn't making it easy for her to just cry, so all she could do was to moisten her eyes.
007 spoke nothing. He put her down with the crowd.
His response was cold, but Sapphire wasn't bothered by it. She was about to commit suicidé a few minutes ago, and now the entire city was burning. But she was safe, unlike her original plan. She couldn't help but think of it as a sign that she should live longer.
That she shouldn't succumb to bullying.
Episode 1
Sapphire comes downstairs in a hurry. She had gotten up late, and as usual had to skip her breakfast. It had become usual for her to miss it because she couldn't get up on time.
In a hurry, she nearly jumped over two staircases, landing a solid entry on the mattress which slipped making her almost fall.
Sapphire
Mom! I am getting late!
Mrs.Thompson
Have your break-
Sapphire cuts her off mid-sentence.
Sapphire
I can't be late again! Ms. Edwina would chew me out.
Mrs.Thompson
But you better have your lunch!
Sapphire gives a kiss on her mother's cheek and rushes out of her house. Luckily she made it to the bus stop on time because if she had been late today, hell would have broken loose.
Emily
Wasn't expecting you to be early, it kind of ruined my daily entertainment!
Emily says in a tone of mockery. The entire bus starts to laugh. But Sapphire wasn't going to do anything about it. The last time she tried to stand up for herself, her bullies made sure she ended up humiliated badly.
The smile had already vanished from Sapphire's face the moment she left her home. It was hard pretending that she was alright when she wasn't.
She and her mother had moved to this part of the country for a better job opportunity and also for a better education. Although her mother thought of the best interests, the school she ended up joining was filled with vile brats.
The education was good, but the people weren't. The teachers did nothing to stop the bullying, because rich kids rock. And when she tried taking a stand, they humiliated her in the cafeteria.
The reason why she got up late every morning wasn't because she was a heavy sleeper, but because she cried her heart out at night. And whatever she faced, she couldn't tell mother, as she knew how hard it would be for her.
Sapphire
[Just two more years.]
The bus reached the school, and they all got off. Sapphire was the last person to get off. To tell the truth, she could have easily avoided taking the bus, but she had to do it because money was tight at home.
After the divorce, her mother was completely broken. Her father had cheated on her, and it had only been a year since the divorce, so the wound was fresh.
Mrs. Edwina
Morning class!
Mrs. Edwina
Morning Sapphire! (in a sweet tone)
Mrs. Edwina was a special villain in Sapphire's life. In the beginning, Mrs. Edwina tolerated her, then she hated her, and then she targeted her. And currently every eye in the classroom was on her.
She felt a lump forming in her throat that she forced herself to swallow. The school life felt shîtty. And more importantly, it was shîtty because she was weak.
Sapphire
(gives an awkward smile)
Sapphire knew she looked like a clown but from her perspective, she was far too weak to take a stand. She had always been a timid girl and bravery is something that takes time to manifest.
Sapphire
[I wish I had superpowers! Why am I born a human?]
That's right, in this world superheroes exist. The entire foundation of humanity was based on surviving through the most unfavorable species. A thousand years ago or so, a pact was signed and after that, the world was divided into two parts, the one that believed in saving humanity and that one that believed in ruining humanity.
Luckily for humans, the opposition has almost been wiped out by the amazing team of superheros that continues to keep humans safe. But things have changed a lot, due to inter-specific relationships, the line between humans and other species has gotten so thin, the supernatural powers have become rare.
Although efforts were made, the genes had mingled with each other so much, that it was hard to design a superhero baby.
As for now, scientists are doing their best to revive the long dormant powers.
Mrs. Edwina
As you all know, a week ago, the northern side of our city was completely destroyed due to the ongoing fight between superheros and mutants.
Mrs. Edwina
To show our gratitude towards them, and also to help those who suffered harm, we are going to organize a charity event.
Mrs. Edwina
And Jessica, I put you in charge of our class's charity work.
Mrs. Edwina
Everyone has to make contributions.
Mrs. Edwina
And... Sapphire, you better not skip this event or else I'll be deducting your marks.
And another day of absolute humiliation.
Emily
This is not fair! How come you always end up doing all the praiseworthy work.
Jessica
Stop complaining. I didn't ask for it.
Jessica
By the way, what happened at the previous event, on Hero's day?
Emily
You mean what happened with Sapphire?
Emily
Ha! You should have seen it.
Emily
But I won't tell you, after all you can create the same scenario again in the upcoming event.
Harry
If you ask me, it's not a good idea.
Emily
Nobody cares what you think Harry.
Harry
Really? But I think Zane would agree.
Harry points towards Zane. They all look towards Zane who had his head on the table, taking a nap like he gave no fuçk to anyone.
Harry
Just let him sleep, yesterday was gaming night.
Jessica
Don't tell me you have a crush on Sapphire.
Harry
That bitçh has no fuçking personality.
Harry
She's like a red carpet!
Emily
Awa! That's so sweet. Then why are you so bothered? (she snapped)
Jessica
Okay shut up! What should we do about her?
As their conversation took place, from a distance Sapphire heard them. Her grip on the book tightened. It was a problem then, if she skips, she would get her grades deducted and if she didn't, well, she'll figure something out after all, she wasn't trying to stay the timid girl her whole life.
It was time for a minor comeback.
Episode 2
Sapphire
Maybe I can just fake an illness?
Sapphire
She can't do anything then.
Sapphire stares into the void. It was late in the afternoon, and she was standing on the balcony, trying to come up with something that would make it possible for her to skip the charity event without risking anything.
Her teacher, Edwina had always treated her badly. It might appeal to others that Mrs. Edwina was giving her opportunities but under the disguise, it was another embarrassment. Just two days ago, she was made to stand outside the classroom because she was late. No other student faced the same punishment.
Last week, during the Hero's day, the entire north side of the city succumbed to ruins as the gang of mutants attacked the city hall where celebration was ongoing. It was also the same day when she had decided to go forward with the plan of killing herself.
But fate had other plans, and she eventually ended up being saved by 007. Sometimes Sapphire wishes she had superpowers, this way she would be able to stay away from the internal fight for power among humans.
But the powers had become rare, almost every foundation meant for the living of supernatural beings was turned into a place for humans to dwell. At this rate, it won't be long before all the elements of the magic would vanish from Earth's surface.
The superheroes had contributed a lot and they still continue to do so by fighting the remaining mutants.
It isn't exactly confirmed that superheroes are on the verge of extinction, but they surely have disappeared from the eyes of the public. They are only seen in times of troubles whereas a hundred years ago they had their own functioning societies and colonies.
The sun had set down. It was dark. The streetlamps were glowing, lighting the streets. Sapphire was staring down the balcony, drinking her hot chocolate. In the end, she had decided not to skip the event. She had promised herself that she was going to get back on them, and she would not back down.
But making a comeback wasn't that easy, especially when she easily panicked and could barely hold grudges for too long. And this was the very reason she was being bullied.
Had she been a brave soul and taken a stand for herself on the very first day, she would have at least avoided looking like an idiot.
Sapphire
Mrs. Edwina is a psycho!
Sapphire
Why am I even surprised?
Sapphire
It's not like she ever took a rightful stand.
Sapphire
Where there is money, there is she.
Sapphire
Why wasn't I born in a rich family...?
Sapphire
But it's only like my mother is to blame.
Sapphire
That lame, good for nothing fuçker had to cheat on her.
Sapphire
I should probably sleep now. I have a test.
Sapphire takes a deep breath and gulps down the rest of her beverage and goes to bed after turning off the lights. She had to wake up early after all.
She was only sixteen, people her age aren't that experienced. Although she is inexperienced, she is an exception. Unlike people her age, she behaves in a more composed manner, always trying to play safe, almost as if she was worried of being caught in a facade.
Jessica, Harry and Emily are inferior to her when it comes to understanding emotions. She is amazing in a way that only someone with a keen gaze, sharpened perception and a curiosity to discover would understand.
As a toddler, Sapphire had always been shy. She had always tried to keep others happy. She had given up her peace, offered her own victories and much more to bring a smile on someone's face who might never have enough to offer her a helping hand.
But it was alright, because she believed in helping people without asking for anything in return. Of course, she isn't perfect, she makes mistakes, she gets all fussed up, she complains about the unfair treatment but in the end, her empathy over weighs her anger and she ends up helping anyway.
Even though she tries to stop, she knows the guilt would eat her alive. Another issue with her is that she is a people pleaser.
But she sure was strong, even if she believed the otherwise.
The next morning was surely less chaotic. Her bullies had taken the bus. Well, to be specific, Emily wasn't there. The rest don't travel by bus. They are wealthy and hence have a car that drives them to school.
And to her surprise, Mrs. Edwina was on leave, something about her missing a traffic signal and bumping into a car. That's completely on her by the way.
Emily
Sapphire! How is the planning for the event going?
Emily
(gives a fake smile)
Sapphire wanted to say something but she didn't know what to say so stays silent. It was hard for her because she is scared of arguments. She doesn't know how to insult someone and even if she tried, she was sure to end up on the receiving end.
Sapphire
Yea...(almost a murmur)
Emily
You better show up to the event unlike the last time. After all that was really embarrassing.
Emily
You were supposed to give a speech but you ran off.
Emily says in a fake sympathetic voice. After all she was the reason Sapphire faced embarrassment. But she wasn't the reason why Sapphire wanted to kill herself. One of the factors? Yes but not the reason.
There was something she wasn't going to reveal easily.
Harry
Leave her alone for now.
Harry
We'll see her in a week.
They enjoyed making things difficult for her, but things haven't escalated that far. The bullying was still verbal and in some cases, the sabotaged her work like on Hero's day.
And they left her alone, in distress.
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