「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(312) Juggernaut

Lynn's POV

Automatically, tears dribbled down in an uncontrollable fashion. Heart accelerated, breaths erratic, I sobbed hysterically and Raven simply rubbed my abs as she silently cuddled me from behind, undoubtedly recognising there was absolutely nothing she could say that would keep my emotions at bay.

Recounting the nightmare had been as painful as experiencing it the original time, and perhaps just as torturous as truly living it in real life.

From the ceiling to the floor, everything had been tiled in white. There was not the slightest glimmer or sheen, just the purest shade of snow plating the walls around him.

A plain motif comprising of orthogonally silver lines criss-crossing modestly decorated the interior facade. However, the asymmetric pattern, upon closer examination, were mere shadows created by slightly protruding lining panels constructed as rectangles of unequal sizes that divided the surface into three horizontal sections where the middle was narrowest, with the widest slabs residing at the bottom.

The confined space was large, but radiated with a contradictorily suffocating aura. There was but a small window that allowed in natural light, with the remainder of its illumination gathered from numerous bulbs mounted all over the top of the room's inside.

It was bright, so much so, it was glaring. It was pristine, to the extent there was not a spot or blemish. The unadulterated surroundings were dull, cold, and even rather unwelcoming. If not for the toys and sheets that contributed a splash of colour, none of the scene would have looked to be a friendly accommodation.

Greenish textiles printed convolutedly with cartoons covered the unmade bed while stuffed animals and model figurines strewn the pale ground. There was a nightstand and a writing desk, both similarly cluttered with little trinkets. The place was even furnished with a computer screen seemingly linked to a gaming machine.

Despair was unapparent at first, initiated only by his wheelchair that had been toppled in the far corner of the disguised imprisonment and a pair of handcuffs rigidly hooking up Charles and the boy together. Although undesirably restricted, Charles and Jimmy sat happily on the uncoated deck, genuinely fascinated as they each gripped a set of controllers in their hands.

Wholly entertaining them was a multiplayer online battle arena as the two engaged in a heated virtual warfare. Evidently, the excellent strategist in Charles had deemed him superior but giving way to his inherent graciousness, the young one eventually emerged victorious.

As Jimmy flashed Charles a proud grin, the same expression of satisfaction was mirrored immediately. Regardless of his predicament, Charles peered down with that signature look of compassion, exhibiting such tenderness like he had essentially embraced the role of a loving father.

I marvelled at their wondrous synergy, amazingly sweet, but apart from the striking resemblance in their appearances, there was something unfathomably uncanny about their seamless interaction.

Unfortunately, the paradisiacal ambience was delicate, shattering into pieces as a booming ruckus thundered through the lands. The deafening blares rumbled in repeatedly, drastically nearing with every beat. Loose objects, vibrating with just a mild quiver prior, rapidly gained momentum and rattled vigorously as the earth violently quaked.

Face bleached and ostensibly shivering, Jimmy instinctively huddled towards Charles, thoroughly stricken by fright. Contrastingly composed, Charles kindly leaned the boy against his chest, dotingly stroking his bare head, whilst simultaneously maintaining a sharp and vigilant gaze.

Suddenly, smashed concrete came raining from the side, tumbling down menacingly, as the door and its accompanying aperture were completely obliterated by a tremendously muscular being.