February 11th, 20XX 1:30pm
It's my ninth birthday today and Dad didn't even seem to notice. Mom did however, she says that Dad is just busy working construction. She gave this journal to write, said something along the lines of I should always make sure to write down my thoughts everyday so I don't forget what a thoughtful person I am. It's a nice gift to be sure but Mom said that wasn't the only surprise. Apparently thanks to the effort the construction team put to building that Signal Tower they'll be the first to receive a gift. I'm not sure what it is but I definitely look forward to it. It's a beautiful day today it's been a long time since we've had a storm. The radio did mention that a thunderstorm would be rolling in. I do find it strange we've had radios working all the time so I can't help but find it a little odd that the city's focused on building a-
"MONO!"
Mono drops his pencil out of surprise as the Teacher calls his name. She's a very tall woman a little taller than his mother. She's very intimidating when she wants to be especially when she smiles. It's almost as if she turns into a predator. She also seems to enjoy catching people in the act. Almost as much as she likes punishing them.
"Uh yes Mrs. Scrag?"
"What on earth are you doing? This is History not English."
Mono holds up his journal it's a leather-bound book with the letter M imprinted on the cover. Mrs. Scrag plucks it from Mono's grasp looking it over seeing the first entry.
"I'm uh, recording my own history one day at a time. I thought someone such as yourself mig-"
"A pleasant thought Mono. It is your birthday I'll let it slide today but do not let me catch you doing it in class after today."
She hands the book back to Mono turning back to write on the chalkboard again. Right when she picks up the chalk a crunching sound can be heard. Her head quickly snaps in the direction of the sound. Mono also looks over to the desk nearest the door to see the foreign exchange student chomping down on a lollipop.
"OLLIE!"
The kid with the candy stick still in his mouth looks up before pulling the stick out covered in drool. He's wearing the standard school outfit although his is slightly larger given his body size. Mono's known for a while difference being that Ollie lives in the school while Mono lives at home with his parents.
"Aye ma'am?"
"Care to explain why you are eating my CLASSROOM? This is not the cafeteria, where'd you even get it?"
"Ah got it from mah lunchbox Mrs. Scrag. Ah didnae have th' time to eat it efter th' bully twins gave me trouble while ah had mah lunch."
Mrs. Scrag looks over to the twins sitting on the other side of the classroom who are just smiling and waving. Then when Mrs. Scrag turns around to look at Ollie the Bully twins look absolutely devilish back at Ollie viciously.
"I highly doubt that, Ollie. Those two are my best students after all. I think you just need some more discipline. Instead of going back to your dorm after class I think you will be assisting me in polishing the drama class's dolls"
"Nae again, they porcelain dolls gimme th' willies."
"I don't want to hear another complaint, Ollie. This is the third time you've a complaint about my star students. And I don't want to keep having-"
The school bell rang out interrupting Mrs. Scrag's rag. Looking a bit disappointed she quickly scrawls out a set of page numbers on the wall. Mono quickly bookmarks the page numbers before getting out of his desk. Mono and Ollie share a look with Mono gives a look of pity to which Ollie just shrugs and follows the Teacher out of the classroom. Mono keeps walking out of the school seeing some of the kids play on the playground. He just walks over to the bench, he always found it odd that there was an eye inscribed on the back of it. He opens his journal again and writes...
"Anyway, I guess the school day was nice. Mrs. Scrag seems to be kinder to students on their birthday. On every other day she seems to hate us. Sometimes I wonder if she's just obligated to teach because she has to. She doesn't hate everyone she seems to appreciate the Bully twins. No scratch that she practically idolizes them just like her dolls. Poor Ollie I hate cleaning those dolls as well. I remember one time I was cleaning them by myself and I could've sworn those things were moving. Since that day I figure it's better to just keep my head down most of the time."
Mono looked up to the sky to see a flock of birds flying overhead into the blue sky. A pleasant view only for him to see a group of rain clouds slowly start pouring in. Mono quickly collects his things and makes a mad dash for home. The flock of birds however continue on their flight.
They weave their way through the alleyways dodging clothesline's as dry clothes are pulled in to keep them from getting wet from the incoming storm. We see cats in the alleyway their bellies full from munching on vermin watching as the birds fly by. Until the flock flies into a massive plaza. Traffic is bustling with many people walking on the sidewalks. The streets are busy to be sure with citizens going in and out of shops. Children are seen running down the streets to their parents after the long school day. Laughing and smiling without a care in the world.
We see Mono run past a diner where people come in after the daily grind to share with friends about the woes of their job. There's one building that stands out from all the rest however, a tower. More accurately a massive spire stands in the middle of the city nearing completion. The structure's been built and the radio tower on the very top stands ready. All that is needed was the power to be turned. A team of electricians, the construction workers, and the man who put it all together, the Broadcaster, eagerly watch as the lights slowly turn on. The Broadcaster, an overweight balding man, watches with a more sinister smile as the building turns on. One by one all the workers, construction, plumbers, electricians, and boardmen are given packages.
Everyone outside is distracted by a loud hum. Everyone, including Mono, stop what they're doing to look at the Signal Tower. The antenna at the very top starts to flicker for a few minutes before finally emitting a pale blue light. Almost as if the very top was beacon and not an antennae. This light mesmerizes everyone for a few seconds before they continue on their day. Mono especially begins running back home eager to enjoy his birthday with his family. He's seen running for a few minutes brushing into a couple of people calling him out to be more careful. He runs to the apartment building where his family lives at quickly getting inside before the sky opens up in rain.
Mono is seen catching his breath before opening his bookbag to see if any of his books got damaged along the way. He thinks nothing of the Signal Tower's activation for now. He knows his father has been part of the team creating it for a very long time. He rarely sees him but he knows his father loves him. Mono walks up the stairs, it's a shame that his birthday didn't gift him longer legs to make the trip any easier. He still travels with haste very excited to celebrate his birthday with his mother and hopefully his father. He starts running out of breath when he reaches the last set of stairs. Finally, he clambers onto his floor before walking down the hallway. Walking up to his family's apartment he knocks on the door a few times. The door opens to a woman with black hair and brown eyes. Her hair has a few streaks of gray in them. Her eyes getting a little bit of crow's feet on the sides. She's not wearing much makeup on her aside from a bit of blush on her cheeks. She appears to be steamed with some moisture running down her forehead. She's wearing a brown long sleeved shirt and blue jeans. She looks down to Mono offering him a wide smile as he walks inside.
"Welcome home, sweetie. Did you have a good day at school today?"
"Yeah Mom! I learned a lot about history. I almost got in trouble with Mrs. Scrag today because I was eager to write in the journal though."
"Hmmm. That Scrag, I hope she wasn't being rude to you. I swear one of these she's going to poke her nose in people's business and come out worse for it."
Mono puts down his bookbag against the wall and looks around. The apartment isn't large but it does have two bedrooms, a bathroom, and a mix between a living room and kitchen, a radio sits over in the corner next to a small window. It's a nice view overlooking the plaza you can even see the Tower from here. A couch and a chair are set next to a coffee table with a few plates still set on it.
"Don't worry Mom. She wasn't rude to me. Although she did put Ollie in, sort-of, detention. I feel bad for him because her punishments a little weird sometimes."
"Ollie? Isn't that the foreign kid you were talking about a few days ago? Have you tried to become friends with him? I'm sure you both would benefit from having a friend."
"I've tried but he doesn't seem to want to be friends with anyone."
"Aww I'm sure anyone would want to be friends with my little man."
Mono giggles a small bit before looking at his mother who looks back with a questioning grin.
"Speaking of which. Has any girl caught your eye yet?"
Mono whines out, "MOOOOOM! Why are you asking me that?"
His mom laughs out, "I just wanted to make sure my little man isn't too deep in a relationship yet."
"No mom I haven't met anyone like that. I only just turned nine today."
"Ah yes that's right. We still need to celebrate your birthday tonight."
"Will I finally get to see Dad again? The Tower finally turned on everyone could see the light flickering on."
His mom looked very hopeful, "I'm sure he will be. I haven't seen the Tower's light yet. What does it look like?"
Mono looked excited to finally be able to tell his mom something she didn't know. "It emits a blue light it catches your eye for the first time. Like a blue firefly."
Mono is gently picked and held by his mother for a few times as he's carried inside. She places him on the couch at which Mono lets out a small yawn. His mom grabs a quilt folded up.
"Sounds like my little man needs a nap. Why not take a short rest until your father gets home?"
"*Yawn* Okay Mom! I love you!"
Mono's mother gives him a small peck on the forehead before standing back up.
"And I love you too my sunshine. Sweet dreams."
The warmth of the blanket pulls Mono into a deep slumber. He dreams of many things but has no nightmares to speak of.
A few hours later
Mono is pulled out of his sleep as a sweet smell hits his nostrils. Mono gets off from the couch and looks over to the kitchen where his mother has laid out quite a banquet. A pot of roast beef next to a bowl of mash potatoes The one thing that catches Mono's eye is the birthday cake set in the center.
"Sleep well Mono?"
"Had a weird dream it wasn't quite a nightmare. Just very odd."
"Oh? Do you recall anything about it?"
"Just a girl she was running away from a woman in a green dress."
"Girl of your dreams perhaps?" his mom teased.
"MOOOM!"
Both of them were interrupted as a knock on the door. His mom looked happy at the sound while Mono looked absolutely excited. Mono ran over to the door and attempted to reach for the door handle. Unfortunately, his birthday hadn't gifted him with any height yet. His Mom giggled a small as she reached for the door and pulled it open. Standing in the doorway was a tall figure wearing a construction vest. He was easily as tall as the doorframe as he had to duck down a bit. Mono tried seeing his face but couldn't as it was obscured by the large package his dad was carrying.
"Good evening Martha, finally got the work done on that Tower."
Martha kissed his husband on the cheek as he walked by. Mono began following his dad into the living room seeing the balding back of his father's head. His dad set down the package and his tools for the time being and turned around.
"And who's this little guy right here?"
"Dad, you know who I am."
"Oh yes that's right, you're the little boy who's having his ninth birthday today. Nine years ago, you were brought into this beautiful home of ours and into our blessed lives."
His picks him and holds him in a massive bear hug. Mono lets go of any breath as he's brought into this tight embrace. His father's beard tickling his cheek as he holds him close. Compared to his father Mono rather small even needing help to get onto the couch.
He hears his father say, "I'm sorry for not being able to see much of either of you sooner but the job's paid off. Especially since it will cover us for a while until our next gig. Apparently, the Broadcaster thought we did so good a job that he gave every single member of the team a gift."
"Speaking of which Stan, what exactly is in the box?"
"I'll get to that later, for now I believe our son wants to celebrate his birthday with his parents."
And so, they dug each helping themselves to the food Martha so dutifully worked on all day. The roast was delectable with the right amount of chewiness and the shreds of meat just peeled off like chips of ice. The mashed potatoes were amazing. Extremely soft and fluffy almost as if it melted in their mouths as they stuffed more food in. Mono's dad talked on and on about how the Signal Tower practically took forever. The boss in question didn't seem to mind how long it took almost as if he had other goals in mind. Or it was possible that the Broadcaster really only cared about the payoff of building the massive structure. When asked about a different name than the Broadcaster Stan said that the Broadcaster doesn't exactly have one or didn't have one to give. He apparently just liked being referred to as the Broadcaster of the Shining City. Mono just smiled as he listened to his father's words happy to have him home. So much so he didn't hear the first time when his mother talked about having the cake now. Mono got ready to blow out the candles when his mother stopped before taking out a polaroid camera.
"Make a wish Mono before blowing out the candles, okay?"
Mono sat there for a few seconds before blowing out the candles. The camera snapped and the picture developed to reveal Mono with a joyful face and his Dad making a goofy face behind. Martha then stepped behind Mono holding out the camera in front of them.
"Everybody say Cheese!"
"CHEESE!"
The picture developed to show the family holding arms around each other happy to be together.
Stan asked, "So Mono what'd you wish for?"
Mono still smiling said, "I wish that everyday ended like this. It doesn't have to be the same day I just hope they all end like this."
"That's a wonderful thing to wish for."
All of them dove into their respective pieces of warm fudge cake. It even had a small bit of fudge in the center moistening their mouths with each crumb. It couldn't be said enough Martha was an excellent cook. They all quickly finished up their food and then took care of their dishes. As Martha was still placing dishes in the drying rack she asked.
"So, what's with the package?"
"Well, the Broadcaster thought we did so great a job that gave us all TVs for free."
Mono asked, "Dad, what's a TV?"
"Think of it like a radio son. Only instead of just giving you sound it gives a moving picture as well. Best part of it is besides being free for us it's connected to the Signal Tower not just in signal but in power. The Broadcaster is a very rich man but also very charitable to give us a great gift. Everyone on the construction team got one while everyone else will need to pay for their own."
Stan began unpacking the TV pulling a large box with a glass screen in the front and a few dials to the side. He also pulled out a plug connecting it to the TV. After turning it on everyone had to cover their ears as the loud sound of static ripped through their ears.
"HOLD ON! I've got to fix the antennae a bit."
After working the antennae slowly adjusting it bit by bit an image starts to appear. It shows a rotund man sitting down at his desk wearing a fez with an eyeball on top reading a book with some gibberish on the cover. He glances over, looking directly at Mono and his parents before setting his book down.
"Well, hello there. We were waiting for the last TV to connect. Don't worry I can't actually see you so you don't need to feel embarrassed. I just wanted to give one last thank you for helping my dream come reality. I've been hoping to give people some manner of entertainment after the old war. When I came to this city with a dream, I never thought it would be made possible. However, the people of this Shining City have most certainly proved me wrong. Hmmm, perhaps it is more accurate to say you've proved me right. Anyway, I was feeling so charitable that I've decided to donate all my televisions to everyone in the city. There is not a place you won't see one and now everyone can enjoy the bliss of video entertainment."
Mono was a little unnerved by the Broadcaster. He wasn't sure but there was something off putting about him.
"Anyway, in order to use your televisions, you can just twist the dial to the right of the screen to change to different channels. Whatever suits your pleasure it's bound to be there. Enjoy."
And the Broadcaster gives a thumbs up and a wide smile.
Mono's dad actually pulls something else out from the box. A small black box with a couple of buttons on it.
"Alternatively, the Broadcaster also gave us these. With it we can turn the TV on and off along with changing the channels."
Stan started pressing the different buttons and the screen filtered to a few different things: A news network, a cooking show, a baseball game, a nature documentary, a slapstick comedy the list went on. Mono didn't find the TV too interesting and there was something about the Broadcaster's words that didn't sound right. His mouth watered from the taste of the cake still in his mouth.
"Hey Mom, is it alright if I have another piece of cake?"
But Martha didn't answer him almost as if she didn't even hear him. She just continued looking at the screen along with Stan neither of them moving nor making a peep.
"Mom? Dad?"
Mono walked in front of them heaving himself onto the coffee table before jumping onto the couch. Looking at both of them Mono was even more unnerved at the sight. He tries calling out for them again and again panicking at them not responding. He looks over their faces trying to see if they somehow fell asleep with their eyes open. He believes his eyes are fooling him a bit when he sees the brown of his mother's slowly turn grey losing their color. He looks back to his father's to see his eyes are turning silver. Not able to get their attention Mono then picks up the remote in his father's hands. Having to tug from his father's grip he tugs the remote out and quickly presses the different buttons on it. Finally, the pressing the one closest to the screen turns black and shuts off. Mono looks at both of his parents as they blink for a few times before looking around.
Stan finally speaks up, "What happened? Did we fall asleep on the couch watching the TV."
Martha looks outside to see that it's nighttime. The only light in the sky being the Signal Tower blue light above.
"Seems like it." Both of them ignoring Mono as they walked right past him.
"Mom? MOM? MOM?!"
Martha turned around to see Mono standing on the floor with the remote by his feet. She walks over to him reaching down. Mono reaches up being ready to be picked up only for Martha to pick up the remote and set it on the table. Mono very confused tries to grab his mother's hand. Martha recoils her hand before looking down at him.
"What do you want Mono?"
"I just wanted a hug before bed."
Martha reaches down and picks him up. Mono latches on tightly hugging his mother. Martha does as well but Mono notices something. It feels like she's only doing it to make sure he doesn't fall. It's like there isn't any care for him. She sets him down under his blanket before giving a peck on his forehead and closing the door behind her.
Mono closes his eyes for the night letting sleep overtake him with hopes his parents will be back to normal the next day.
So the first few chapters will be focusing on Mono's side of the story before we see Six's. Ollie btw is the lollipop kid from the Little Nightmares 2 comics and this isn't the last we see of him either.