The Aftermath and The Confrontation
Logan Lee groggily sat up in the nurse's office with a curse, a ragged bandage slapped on the ripped bite wound on his shoulder. The burn felt like liquid steel. But that burn was nothing compared to the burn of his pride.
Logan: (cradling his bandage, his voice shaking with anger) "That. that son of a. MARCUS?! He. he did this?!
The other three goons exchanged wary glances, fear filling their battered expressions. They refused to make eye contact, afraid that saying too much might bring the beast that was Marcus Lane crashing down upon them again.
Goon 1: (whispering) "Logan… we've bullied that kid for months. Nobody thought he'd ever fight back."
Goon 2: (eyes shaking) "That wasn't a person, man… that was an animal."
Goon 3: (trembling) "I don't want to mess around with him again. Ever."
Logan slammed a fist on the bed, grinning low.
Logan: "I don't CARE! He humiliated me! That little punk! He made ME… ME, LOGAN LEE, a joke. I don't accept this! He's going to pay for this, no matter what it takes."
Meanwhile… The School Reacts
The word spread like fire. Photographs circulated through chat rooms and social media: Logan Lee and three of his goons with claw marks and bites all over them. The story? Animal attack. The school closed for a day to investigate.
Zack Lee (eyes scrunched up as he viewed the photos): "What in the world? Someone or. something. made mincemeat of Logan Lee. That guy's a beast."
Mira Kim (bending forward, shaking voice): "That's… Logan? How is this possible? He's huge, Zack… this cannot be."
Zack Lee: (balancing a clenched fist) "Logan had that 'tough guy' act down… until now. Whoever—or whatever—did this, I don't want to stand in their way."
The Confrontation
The next day, when the school reopened, Vasco, Jace, and the Burn Knuckles stood guard at the entrance. The atmosphere was electric. Word of an "animal attack" ran rampant, but Vasco was not buying it. Not even close.
Vasco: "We talked to Jiho and Duke. They said that Marcus was the last one there. Let's go talk to him ourselves."
Marcus felt all eyes on him as he passed through the gates. And then suddenly, the Burn Knuckles appeared, Vasco and Jace leading.
Vasco: "Marcus Lane. We have to talk."
Marcus: (stern tone) "What about?"
Vasco: (suspicious eyes) "Logan Lee and his goons. They're howling 'animal attack'… but it doesn't make sense. What really happened?"
Marcus felt the flash of guilt and the burning need within him. But he would not let it out.
Marcus: (avoids eye contact, tone of voice is at level) "They attacked me. Things got out of hand. I was running away, but when I backed up, one of them reached out too far and I scratched him. My nails, they're pointy and long, I suppose. That's all."
Jace tilted his head to the side, stroking his own chin.
Jace: "That doesn't sound like something that would happen… Not for injuries like those. Not for a normal person."
Vasco watched closely, scanning Marcus's eyes. The boy was stiff, voice shaking but firm. In refusal of Jace's skepticism, Vasco gave a slow nod.
Vasco: "Alright. Thanks for the information, Marcus."
Marcus nodded rigidly and walked by, disappearing from view down the corridor.
The second he was out of earshot, Vasco exchanged a glance with Jace.
Jace: "You don't actually believe him, do you?"
Vasco: (frowning) "I don't. But he's trying to cover himself… and until we get proof, we watch."
Jace: (slowly nodding) "Right. We watch. And when the truth comes out… we'll be ready.".
At the same time, deep within, both of them had already known it was Marcus. Not because of wounds. Not because of blood. But because of the boy's horror and silence — and the fact that he had been the last to be with Logan and his men.