Ravyn sat at his desk as the classroom buzzed faintly, all background noise he'd long learned to tune out.
Cole Renner stopped by Ravyn's desk, smirk curling. "Man, last night I saw your mom passed out in the gutter."
Ravyn ignored him, standing up and walking.
Cole stepped closer, blocking his path. "I heard you're the reason she's still drinking"
Before anyone could blink, his hand fisted Cole's collar and slammed him into the wall so hard the posters fluttered. But Cole smirked even more.
"Come on, Grantham. Fighting me won't help your drunkard mother sober up." he said.
Ravyn didn't hesitate he drove his fist into his guts. Cole felt that it was now serious, and he swung wildly but Ravyn ducked under it. He then tried to grab at him by the coat, Ravyn shoulder twisted him, sending him crashing onto the floor.
Ravyn didn't stop, dropped to his knees and several heavy blows followed Cole's face. Blood smeared across his hand.
The other students froze, one screamed but none intervened.
It took Principal Krueger's voice to break the trance.
"GRANTHAM!"
Ravyn froze and stared at Cole as he lay motionless, with his face bloodied and swollen. His hands trembled as Krueger grabbed his shoulder and yanked him back.
Two other teachers came into the classroom and one of them guided Ravyn away.
Minutes later, he sat outside the Principal Office with his head bowed.
His mother, Marianne arrived half an hour later. Ravyn didn't look up, he could feel the anger radiating from her.
Principal Krueger explained everything in a tired tone. Cole Renner was in the hospital with a broken nose and a possible concussion. His parents were furious.
Marianne's voice cracked as she spoke. "Please… Principal Krueger, he's a good boy. He's just... he's been through so much."
"I know, Marianne but we can't ignore this." Krueger replied gently. "And keep on covering for him."
Cole's father stood in the corner, arms folded. "If you want us not to press any charges. You have to pay for the damage he caused on our son."
"How much do I have to pay?" Marianne asked.
"Given our son's current state..." Cole's mother replied. "Fifty thousand will do, plus the medical bills."
Marianne covered her mouth, as tears dropped from her eyes. "I'll find the money." she whispered. "Just… please. Don't expel him or press charges."
She stood up, got out of the office and went straight to the car. Ravyn followed behind her.
The drive home was silent. When they reached the house, the lights flickered from the storm. Ravyn's younger sisters, Amira and Lea, peeked from the hallway. Marianne stormed inside, muttering under her breath, grabbing a bottle from the counter.
"What were you thinking, huh? Beating up a spoiled brat?"
Ravyn leaned against the wall. "He started it."
"Fuck what he did." She spun around, face red and wet. "You thought beating him half to death was gonna make our lives better?"
He sighed. "I wasn't think...."
"Of course you weren't!" she snapped. "You never think! All you do is find ways to mess up this little life we have. What did I ever do to you, Ravyn?" Her voice cracked. "Tell me, where did I go wrong?"
He looked down. His fingers clenched at his sides.
Marianne took a shaky breath. "We already have enough problems. We're six months overdue on the dojo, and they're gonna kick us out real soon. And now..." she laughed bitterly, "now where the hell am I supposed to get fifty thousand for that rich boy's face you broke?"
He didn't answer.
"Oh, you can't speak now?" she spat, voice rising. "You're such a useless piece of work, Ravyn. And sometimes I wish you could've died instead of your father."
The room went still, the only sound was from the rain tapping the windows.
"Now go to your room." she said finally, turning away. "Before you make me throw up."
He stared at her back. Then he turned and walked out the door.
"Ravyn!" she shouted, spinning around. "I said go to your room!"
But he didn't listen, the door slammed behind him. Into the streets he went, walking without direction.
Until he reached down to the old Ironbridge that crossed the city's floodway. He stopped at the center of the bridge.
"Why am I even still here, when all I do is mess up?"
He looked at his hands and they were still stained faintly with blood. He slammed his fists against the wall once, twice... several followed and blood began to seep from his knuckles.
He tilted his head back with his eyes closed and rain streaming down his face.
"I'm tired." he whispered. "Just… tired."
Suddenly, everything froze. The rain suspended midair. The wind ceased and the city's hum disappeared.
Ravyn stepped back. "What… what is this?"
DING!
[Do you wish to participate in the Arcane Game for a chance to claim your deepest desire?]
[YES] [NO]
Ravyn stared, then looked down at the dark water below.
"I... just want it all to stop."
He stepped forward.
[Response not detected.]
[**System ano**ly.]
[Ca***date *3 conf***ed.]
The last thing he heard before the world went black was the rain resuming.
[Welcome to the Arcane Game.]