Welcome Joylings!
I'm JoyBoy and you're reading The Eleven: Amelia. New chapters will be published daily.
Read the optional auxiliary volume (Lore Notes) for more detailed information like lore, plot, character cards etc.
Hope you enjoy the novel, let's gooo!
———————————————————
Nightmare At Stonebridge Highschool Arc
This Arc consists of chapters 1 to 14.
Chapter 1: Here We Go Again
———————————————————
"They say some people are born special… but what if I told you I was just tired, broke, and running on three hours of sleep when it all began?"
— Amelia
---
The fluorescent lights buzzed softly overhead as the late shift dragged on. Amelia's head drooped, her cheek pressed against the cold counter of the small convenience store. Her eyelids fluttered shut—exhaustion had finally won. Another long day at school, followed by another long night of work.
Newscaster(on TV):
"…two superhumans have been found guilty of the homicide that happened last night in East End. Authorities say–"
"Amelia… Amelia!"
She jolted awake, her heart skipping. Her boss, a chubby man in a coffee-stained apron, stood over her, arms crossed.
"You dozed off again."
"Sorry, Boss," she mumbled, rubbing her eyes and straightening up.
"You're done for the night. Go home, get some rest. You've got school tomorrow, kid."
"Right. Thanks." She grabbed her bag and headed for the door.
The cold night air slapped her awake as she walked home beneath flickering streetlights. The streets were quiet, save for the occasional distant honk or the wind rustling through the trees.
She arrived home just as dinner hit the table.
Mrs Brown:
"Amelia, perfect timing." Her mother called from the kitchen.
Simon:
"Come eat with us." Her little brother Simon grinned from the dining table, fork already in hand.
"We waited!"
Amelia forced a tired smile, brushing a hand through her tangled hair.
Amelia:
"I'm not really hungry… I'm just gonna shower and crash."
Her mother frowned but didn't argue.
Mrs Brown:
"At least take something up later, okay?"
Amelia:
"Mmhmm," Amelia muttered as she made her way to her room.
The moment her head hit the pillow, she fell asleep.
---
Morning came fast.
Sunlight crept through the blinds as her mother's voice echoed up the stairs.
Mrs Brown:
Amelia! Come down for breakfast! We're gonna be late!"
Groggy, she sat up, already dreading the day. She hadn't slept well—again. The same recurring nightmare kept waking her up throughout the night.
She quickly freshened up and headed downstairs.
The smell of scrambled eggs and toast filled the air. Simon was already at the table, shoveling food into his mouth.
Simon:
"Mom said we're gonna be late! You girls are always so slow."
Amelia rolled her eyes.
Amelia:
"Shut up, nerd. What do you know about girls? You're only ten."
After breakfast, they headed out the door. Simon was dropped off at grade school, his energetic wave the last flicker of peace before Amelia's real day began.
They pulled up in front of Amelia's high school.
Amelia:
"Bye, Mom," Amelia said, unbuckling her seatbelt.
Just as she reached for the door, her mother gently grabbed her hand.
Mrs Brown:
"Wait, Amelia…"
A silence hung between them as her mother hesitated, her voice soft and uncertain.
"I just wanted to say… thank you. For everything. You've taken it upon yourself to be the breadwinner since your father left and I lost my job…"
Amelia:
"He didn't leave," Amelia said sharply, her voice rising slightly, eyes still fixed ahead.
"Can I go now?"
She stepped out before her mother could respond. The door shut. Her mother remained still for a moment, her head falling into her hands before she drove off.
Amelia paused just before reaching the school entrance. She took a deep breath.
Amelia:
"Here we go again."
It was time for another long day.
But what she didn't know…
Today wouldn't be just another day.
---
To be continued…
———————————————————
Thank you for reading to the end! This short chapter was meant to give you a glimpse into Amelia's world and set the tone for what's to come. The story only grows richer and intense from here.