I woke up with a migraine. It was already dawn. Emily was packing her things to leave, and Sammy was rolling around the house in his wheelchair, humming to himself. He said he was going to stay a little longer, take in the sights.
Emily was headed to the hospital to see her mom. Speaking of moms… mine would be worried sick by now.
When I woke up, Maxwell was nowhere to be found. I asked Sammy what happened.
"He went for a business meeting with his dad about the company," Sammy said. Then he added with a grin, "Ohhh, but he did leave us Mr. Teddy."
"Mr. Teddy?" I repeated, confused.
A man with long white hair folded neatly into a ponytail entered. He looked about sixty, but his face was scarred and stern — like a battle-hardened veteran.
"Freddy, this is Mr. Teddy," Sammy said.
"Nice to meet you, sir," I said, eyes wide.
"No, the pleasure is all mine," he replied with a bow. "So, what can I do for you?"
Mr. Teddy? More like the man who goes around killing teddies, I thought nervously.
"Nothing, sir. We were just about to head home."
"Then allow me to take you."
"That's actually a good idea," Sammy pitched in.
"Y-yeah, but I believe Mr. Teddy has more important matters to attend to," I said, laughing nervously.
"I insist," the scarred man said, bowing again.
"…Ok. But I don't know about Emily. I can only guarantee for myself," I muttered, scratching my head.
We went to the room where Emily was packing her books. Mr. Teddy stopped a few feet shy of the door while I stepped closer.
"Hey Emily, umm… so Maxwell went for some important matters and he left this kind gentleman with us," I said, glancing back at Mr. Teddy before turning to her again. "He wants to take me home and then drop you at the hospital. So what do you say?"
"Ok sure, why not," she said.
"That's what I told the man — that you prefer not to be bothered. Wait, what… you want to go?"
She looked at me. "Why not? Who says no to a free ride?"
The truth was, after that nightmare, I felt skeptical about the house. But I decided to go regardless.
---
The Limousine
We got into a sleek black limousine, shiny and beautiful.
Me and Emily sat opposite each other. I was too shy to speak, and she was too nonchalant to care. She just pulled out a notebook and began writing.
I still remember my pathetic attempt at a conversation.
"Do you know cockroaches are disgusted by human touch?"
She looked up at me, confused.
"Not that you need to know about that… I don't even know why I know that. I just thought… you would…"
Dropping her book, she looked at me. "Relax, Freddy. We're friends, aren't we? Just be yourself."
I breathed in, then out. And then, like an idiot, I asked something I wasn't ready for the answer to.
"Hey Emily."
"Yes?" She looked at me over her glasses.
"Ha…ha… have you ever da…dated someone before?"
"No," she said bluntly.
"Ohhh. Ok. Do you… perhaps like someone?"
"Yes, I do."
My eyes widened. Really? Can I know him?
She shook her head. "No. You might tell him."
"I won't, I promise."
"Still no," she said again.
"Can you at least describe him for me?" I pressed.
"Why would you want to know that?" she asked, resting her cheek on her palm.
"I don't know. I just want to…" My voice trailed. I couldn't even make eye contact. She was just too gorgeous.
"Fine. Let's see. He's smart, he has beautiful eyes, he loves me too, and he's really big."
That last line shattered me. I didn't have any of those things. Sure, I was smart — kind of — but that was it. The moment she said big, I knew I wasn't the one. And oh my god, it hurt. It hurt so fucking much.
I forced a smile. "What do you mean by big?"
"He has a hulking frame. What were you thinking? Is Sammy rubbing off on you?"
"No, of course not." I laughed nervously.
We finally got to my home, where Mr. Teddy stopped the limo a block away. I didn't want my mom seeing me get out of a limousine. Paranoia would've killed her faster than anything.
Before I got out, I dug into my bag and pulled out a large pouch stuffed with notes and coins — $1 bills, $5 bills, a $20, and way too many pennies.
It was ridiculous. It looked like I was donating to an orphanage.
She blinked. "What is this?"
"You said your mom is in the hospital and you didn't have enough for her care. That's why you… you know." My face flushed red. "Just take this. It's $100. It's not much, but I hope it helps. Or buy dinner. Or something. I don't know. Bye."
I shoved the bag into her hands and bolted.
I could feel her eyes on me until I turned the corner. Then the limo drove away.
...
Back Home
The aroma of omelette and fried rice filled the air. My favorite.
I opened the door silently, but my mom was already standing there, staring.
"Mom… I didn't know you were home," I said.
"It's the weekend. Where else would I be?" She rushed over to hug me. "I'm so glad you're safe."
I could barely breathe — she was taller than me. Some people even joked I was adopted.
"Wow, Mom. Cooking my favorite food and a hug? It's almost like you knew I was coming."
"And why would you say that?" she asked, letting go and holding me by the shoulders, her eyes teary.
"Well, knowing you, you'd have called the police, Interpol, maybe even the FBI. My baby picture would be all over the neighborhood."
Spank.
"Ouch!" I rubbed my head.
"That's what you get for being a smarty-pants."
"I wasn't lying though," I muttered under my breath.
"What was that, dear?"
"Nothing."
We walked to the kitchen.
"But how did you know I was coming home?" I asked.
"A boy called. He said he was your friend. What was his name again… Maxwell Burner?"
"Maxwell Turner," I corrected.
"Yes, that's it."
I smiled. Thanks to him, my mom wasn't panicking.
We joked around a little before I settled into the kitchen, nibbling on a cracker. Then something from the radio caught my ear.
I turned up the volume.
[Breaking News Report]
"Good morning, this is WNBN Daily News bringing you the latest headlines."
"After nearly seven years of silence, whispers have turned into reality: the controversial stimulant drug Warp has resurfaced on the black market. Authorities confirmed late last night that several small batches of the substance were seized in New York, sparking fears of a full-scale revival."
"For those who may not recall, Warp was first developed by Dr. Leonard Grayson, a once-renowned neuroscientist turned rogue entrepreneur. Originally designed as a cognitive enhancer, the drug quickly gained popularity among high-performing students, athletes, and corporate elites. But what was advertised as a 'productivity miracle' soon proved to be a ticking time bomb. Users reported violent mood swings, paranoia, and in some cases irreversible neural damage. The government banned Warp in 2018 after a string of overdoses and criminal cases linked directly to its use."
"The Drug Enforcement Agency has yet to release official suspects, but insiders suggest that a faction of Grayson's former associates may be behind the new distribution network. What's more disturbing is the refinement of the formula. Early lab results indicate the current strain of Warp is far more concentrated than the original, making it harder to trace, faster-acting, and significantly more addictive."
"Law enforcement is urging the public to remain vigilant. Citizens are advised to report any suspicious pills, vials, or packaging resembling Warp's original branding—black capsules marked with a silver lightning insignia."
"This resurgence raises unsettling questions: Who is producing the new Warp, how widespread is its reach, and what could it mean for a society still scarred by its first outbreak?"
"This has been your WNBN Breaking Report. Stay tuned for more updates."
."
My eyes widened.
My eyes widened, heart pounding against my chest.
Warp…? After all these years.
Behind me, my mom froze. The tray of food slipped from her hands, crashing to the floor.
Her eyes were wide with fear.
"Warp…" I whispered under my breath, my throat suddenly dry. Why does it feel like no matter where I go, this drug keeps finding its way back into my life?