Chapter 1: Max Sullivan
2023, New York, USA
The relentless New York sun scorches the city streets as I stand there, just another high school student in the heart of the Big Apple.
I wear my everyday attire, which provides no refuge from the oppressive heat.
But I ponder why?! Why don't I kill myself?!
It's a survival game, you see? But let me tell ya, these ain't your run-of-the-mill circumstances we're talkin' about here.
I'm stuck in this never-ending cycle of torment, all at the hands of those creeps I gotta call my high school 'peers.'
They don't let up, man. Every day's like they don't have anything more productive to do, with 'em taunting, jeering, and even getting physical.
The damn sun just beats down on me, and it's like they feed off that heat, using it to turn up the heat on my misery.
The gang, led by this real piece of work, thrives on making me the punchline of their sick jokes.
But you know what? I'm holdin' on to the belief that someday the tables will turn.
I've got dreams! And ambitions! I won't let go of it, no matter how vicious they get. Still, it's wearin' me down, man... I am scarred inside.