Prologue: A Life in Shadows
Nathan Cole had accepted his lot in life years ago.
At Blackwood High, he was not only ignored—he was bullied.
A nobody. That morning was no different.
Nathan threaded the packed hallway, books pressed against his chest, attempting to make it to class without incident.
But fortune never was his ally. A foot abruptly materialized in his way.
Before he could react, his body pitched forward. His books rebounded from his grasp as he landed solidly on the floor, his elbows on fire.
They all erupted into laughter around him.
"Oh, damn! That was perfect," Jason Miller's loud voice rang out, thick with laughter filled with hate.
Nathan clenched his teeth together, his palms burning with the chill of the tile floor.
"Oh, oh dear," Jason scorned, towering over him. "Didn't see you there, Cole. Perhaps if you weren't such a worthless human being, people would actually see you."
Nathan inhaled and exhaled through his nose, trying not to retaliate. Jason leaned down near him, speaking so that Nathan only could hear.
“You know, it’s actually kind of sad,” he said mockingly. “You’re like a stray dog, waiting for scraps of
attention. But guess what?” He grabbed Nathan’s collar, yanking him close. “No one gives a damn about you.”
Nathan clenched his fists.
Jason smirked, then shoved him back down.
“Later, loser.”
Nathan sat there for a moment, his chest burning with frustration and shame. As he moved to take his books, two hands promptly took them before he could. He looked up.
Sophia Carter.
She held out his book, her hazel eyes genuine with doubt. "You okay?" Nathan swallowed. "I am." She sighed. "Jason's a jerk. Just ignore him."
Nathan took the book from her, his voice soft.
"I do."
Sophia slowed down as if she would like to say something. But before she had a chance to speak, her friend shouted out to her.
"Hey, Soph! We're gonna be late!"
She looked back over her shoulder to Nathan. "See you around, okay?" And she was off.
Nathan sighed, clutching his book in his hand.
He didn't need her sympathy. He didn't need anyone.
That night, while he lay awake in bed, staring at the ceiling, his father's words echoed in his head.
"Are you ever gonna do something with your life?"
Nathan rolled onto his side and took a sudden breath. Maybe he would.
Maybe he'd just disappear altogether. And then. he saw it. A flash of vivid blue light outside his window. Confused, he sat up to stand and look out.
His backyard was dark—with the sole exception of a peculiar shimmering tear in the air next to the ancient oak tree. Nathan's heart was pounding.
What the heck was that?
His legs took him there on their own volition as he moved outside. The light grew brighter as he drew nearer, pulsating like a heartbeat. His breath caught.
It was. a portal. An actual freaking portal.
The humming air around it vibrated, an odd pulling feeling spreading through his chest.
Nathan swallowed.
All the logical reasoning in his mind screamed at him to go back.
But there was a soft voice whispering—What if this is your way out?
With not so much as a thought, Nathan reached out.
The moment his fingers made contact with the light—His world exploded.
