EQUINOX REQUIEM
CHAPTER TWO: MY HERO
Hale wakes up to the sound of muffled voices. His roommates are chatting about something he can't quite make out.
"Why do I feel like I got hit by a bus?" he groans, sitting up. The room swims for a moment before his vision steadies — sunlight spilling through half-drawn curtains, dust motes drifting lazily in the air.
The voices sharpen as his hearing clears.
"The school's hosting a party for us final-year students this noon — since, you know, it's our final year."
"Who cares about that?! Bill's having a party at his place tonight. It's gonna be lit. The school's party will be memorable at best."
. . .
Hale blinks the sleep from his eyes just in time for his roommates to notice he's awake.
"Yo! Hale, buddy!" Harrow calls out, his grin wide enough to brighten the room. "You heard about Bill's party tonight, right? You gonna be there?"
Hale stretches, shoulders cracking. "Maybe, maybe not."
Chase leans forward with a teasing glint. "I heard Auburn's gonna be there… oooooooh." He puckers his lips dramatically.
Everyone bursts into laughter — except Hale, whose face was more crimson than a baboon's butt.
"Maybe, maybe not," he repeats flatly, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Anyway, what university are you guys going to?"
Chase flops onto his bed. "My folks want me at Oxford. They've already got everything ready, so after the College Entrance Exams, I'm packing up."
Abbey chimes in, brushing her short hair aside. "I'm studying Geology at the Pacific."
"I dunno which university I'll go to yet," Harrow admits, scratching his head. "Haven't decided. I'll see after the exams."
"Yeah, me too," Hale says quietly. "Whatever. I just wanna go home."
Chase smirks. "Won't you miss Auburn?"
The room erupts in laughter again. Hale rolls his eyes, grabs his towel, and heads for the bathroom.
---
Inside, the mirror greets him with a tired reflection — messy hair, dark circles, a hint of something restless behind his eyes.
Every day for the past two months, he thinks, splashing water on his face, I've been having the same dream. That place… the light… except yesterday, that guy appeared.
He exhales, gripping the edges of the sink. It's more than a dream. I know it.
He pulls off his shirt, glancing at the faint scar that runs across his shoulder — one that wasn't there two months ago.
"No," he mutters. "It's definitely more than a dream."
He dries off and stares at his reflection one last time.
"Well, whatever. I can't wait to go home — to see Mom, Lyric, and Asher."
---
The midday sun blazes overhead as Hale and his friends stride out of the dorms, dragging their bags behind them. Laughter bounces off the courtyard walls — the kind that only comes with the last day of school.
After the school party...
The world is tinted gold by the setting sun as Hale pedals down a straight, quiet road on his bicycle. Wind rushes past his ears; the tires hum against the asphalt.
Then — movement up ahead catches his attention.
Two black cars speed recklessly past a smaller vehicle in front of them. Both cars screech to a halt, blocking its path. The trapped driver slams the brakes, but it's too late — the car skids sideways and stops just short of impact.
Nine men pour out of the black cars, steel pipes and daggers glinting in the dusk. All dressed in black. All masked.
"Get out of the car right now or I'll mess you up!" one of them shouts. He's the only one in casual clothes but still hides his face behind a mask.
The driver hesitates — then throws the car into reverse.
Pop! Pop!
Two sharp sounds split the air. Tires burst. The car swerves, spinning out of control before crashing into the sidewalk.
"Get out now!" the same thug yells, pounding the hood with his pipe. "Don't blame me for being ruthless!"
The driver stumbles out, hands raised. "Wait—"
Bam!
A steel pipe connects with his head. He drops instantly, unconscious.
"Get the girl out," the leader orders coldly.
Another thug smashes the back windshield and reaches inside. Hale catches a glimpse — a young woman clutching her phone, eyes wide with terror.
He drags her out by the arm.
"Let me go!" she cries. "Please— let me go!"
"Shut up, bitch!" he snarls and slaps her hard across the face. She hits the pavement, eyes brimming with tears.
That's when Hale's voice cuts through the chaos like a blade.
"Let that girl go!"
Every head turns. Hale is running toward them, his bicycle tossed aside, his expression burning with fury.
"Oh, you wanna be a hero now, don't you?" the man sneers, stepping forward. "You insolent brat—"
The words barely leave his mouth before Hale's hand lashes out — slap! — a sharp, echoing crack.
The man hits the ground and doesn't get up.
The other thugs surge toward Hale, weapons raised, but their leader raises a hand.
"Wait." His tone hardens. He studies Hale with narrowed eyes. "Who do you think you are, huh, kid? Don't try to be a hero."
Hale's pulse pounds in his ears. With my improved strength, I can take them. As long as they don't have guns…
He moves.
A blur of fists, fluid and precise. One thug crumples, then another. Pipes clatter against the road as bodies hit the ground, groaning in pain.
The last man falls with a muffled grunt.
Hale steps toward the leader, grabs him by the shoulder, and slams him against the hood of a car.
"So, you're their leader, huh?" Hale says, his voice low, cold. "Trash like you is the reason innocent people get hurt."
He glances at the girl trembling nearby.
"Don't talk like some self-righteous bastard!" the leader spits, trembling. This kid's strength… damn it. Feels like I've been hit by a train!
"Well," Hale says, reaching for the mask, "let's see who's behind the face."
"No! Wait— stop!!"
Too late. Hale rips the mask off—
And freezes.
The world seems to stop breathing.
Hale staggers back, eyes wide in disbelief. "Abbess…? How could… why would you…"
The leader — Abbess — looks away, jaw tight. "All of you! In the cars. Now!" he roars.
The bandits scramble back into their vehicles, engines roaring as they speed off into the fading light.
Hale stands motionless, the echo of betrayal still ringing in his chest.
He turns toward the girl, who's now sitting up, clutching her bruised cheek.
"Are you okay?" he asks softly.
"Yes, I'm fine," she says, her voice trembling. "Thank you."
"No problem," Hale replies, his tone calm but distant.
The girl rushes over to the driver, shaking him awake.
He stirs, wincing. "Oh no! The mistress—!"
"I'm fine, Page. Are you okay?" she asks gently.
He exhales in relief. "Oh, thank goodness… I'm fine, Ms. Hyacinth. Thank you."
Hyacinth looks up — but Hale is already riding away, the faint red glow of sunset outlining his silhouette as he disappears down the road.
She watches him go, her eyes softening.
My hero, she thinks.
---
Chapter Two – End