Chapter 7: The Calm Before the Strike
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The corridors of Eastbridge Academy were nearly empty, the muffled sound of distant chatter fading with each passing step. Liam walked alone, hands tucked into his pockets, trying to steady the chaos brewing within. The events of the past few days weighed heavily on his shoulders—the confrontation with the bullies, his sudden abilities, and the students who were still in the hospital because of it. He had promised himself he wouldn't let that happen again.
But what he didn't know was that he wasn't entirely alone.
From the second-floor balcony that overlooked the hallway, Lucas leaned silently against a pillar, partially cloaked by shadows. His arms were folded, his sharp eyes never leaving Liam. Let's see what you do now, he thought. Will you awaken again? Or was that power a fluke?
Liam turned the corner into one of the isolated hallways near the old library annex. That's when he heard it—the sound of a foot dragging slightly behind another, like someone intentionally pacing in wait. He stopped.
"Looking for peace and quiet, Liam?" a voice sneered from the shadows. Brody stepped into view, his eyes gleaming with malicious satisfaction. Two other boys blocked the far end of the hallway, their presence closing the trap.
Liam tensed. He glanced around—no cameras, no teachers, and no students nearby. Perfect setup for a beating.
"What do you want, Brody?" he asked, his voice firm but calm.
Brody cracked his knuckles. "Oh, nothing much. Just figured you'd want to pay for showing off the other day. Everyone's talking about you. Acting like you're some big deal now. Thought I'd remind you where you really stand."
From above, Lucas narrowed his eyes. He could feel it—Liam's hesitation. His restraint.
Come on, Lucas urged silently. Tap into it. Show me what you really are.
"I'm not fighting you," Liam said, stepping back. "Just leave me alone."
Brody's lips curled into a grin. "Aw, what's wrong? I thought you were stronger than this. Where's all that energy? The fire? Huh?"
Before Liam could react, Brody lunged, slamming a fist into his ribs. Pain flared across his side. Liam staggered but didn't retaliate. Another blow caught him in the shoulder, then a knee to the gut forced him to the floor.
"Fight back!" Brody shouted. "Come on, hero!"
Liam coughed, blood tingling at the edge of his tongue. Still, he didn't fight back.
Lucas clenched his jaw. Why aren't you doing anything? He'd expected a burst of power, a sudden reaction—even a flicker of what Liam had displayed before. But instead, Liam only endured. Held back.
Then suddenly, something shifted.
A hand shot out—strong, slender fingers closing around Brody's wrist mid-punch, stopping it cold.
"That's enough," said a calm, clear voice.
Everyone turned.
Standing just behind Brody was a girl—shoulder-length jet-black hair, sharp eyes like a falcon's, and a presence that made the hallway feel like it had dropped a few degrees. She was in Liam's class. Her name was Kaela Voss.
From above, Lucas's eyes widened. Kaela? His body straightened as he moved closer to the edge of the balcony for a better view. Why is she here?
"Huh? Who the hell are you?" Brody growled, trying to yank his hand free. "You trying to stop me?"
Kaela's grip didn't falter. "You're pathetic. Picking on someone who's not even fighting back?"
"I'll show you pathetic," Brody snapped and swung at her with his free arm.
Kaela's body moved like water—fluid, precise. She ducked with ease, spun low, and with a sweep of her leg, knocked Brody clean off his feet. He hit the floor hard, groaning in stunned disbelief.
Liam blinked. What just happened?
The other two boys at the end of the hall looked ready to charge, but Kaela only gave them a look. One took a step forward—then thought better of it.
Kaela turned to Liam, offering a hand. "You okay?"
He hesitated before taking it, her grip surprisingly warm after all that cold fury.
"I—I didn't want to fight," he muttered.
"I know," she said. "That's why I stepped in."
As she helped him up, Liam stared at her, questions swirling in his mind. Who is she really? And how did she move like that?
Kaela brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, her tone casual but with an edge of warning. "Next time, don't be alone when you're walking into a trap. Eastbridge is full of wolves."
And just like that, she turned and walked away, leaving Brody groaning on the ground and Liam stunned in her wake.
From above, Lucas stayed still, shadows masking his expression. He wasn't sure what unsettled him more—the fact that Liam hadn't used his power… or the fact that Kaela had intervened. Just what game are you playing, Kaela?