Hex POV
The hospital corridors felt endless. Every step I took echoed against the sterile walls. The smell of disinfectant, the cold touch of the tiled floor, the quiet murmurs of nurses passing by—it all pressed down on me, suffocating. I hated it.
I kept walking, hands in fists, jaw tight. I hated this place. I hated that I couldn't save her. I hated that her laughter, her warmth, her voice that had always made me feel… safe, was gone.
I thought about when I first met Aunty Kathrine. I was nine, awkward, unsure. I remember her kneeling down, eyes kind, and saying, "Hex, you're safe here. You're welcome." I had felt—no, I had known—for the first time in my life that someone believed in me.
And now she was gone.
I walked past the waiting area again, past the Section E boys, past Keifer, Percy, and Jay-Jay, who all sat frozen in their grief. Their faces were pale, eyes wet, but none of that mattered. All I could feel was this burning rage inside me.
I rounded a corner and leaned against the wall, trying to breathe, trying to think. Breathe. Don't lose it. Don't—
Then I heard a voice.
"Hex."
I turned, startled, and saw Percy. His usual playful grin was gone, replaced by a soft, sad look I'd never seen on him before.
"I saw what happened," he said quietly. "I know it hurts."
I didn't answer. I just kept pacing. My fists were shaking.
Percy came closer. "Listen… I want you to know… she's a star now. Watching over you. Watching over all of you."
I stopped. My chest ached. I wanted to scream. I wanted to punch a wall. I wanted to feel her here, even for a second.
"I… I can't…" I muttered, my voice rough, almost breaking.
Percy didn't say anything. He just nodded, understanding. "Come on. Let's go back. You need to be with them. But… don't let the anger eat you up inside. You have to survive this. For her."
I wanted to argue, wanted to tell him that no one could calm this fire inside me, but instead I just nodded. My steps were heavy as we walked back toward the waiting area.
Then I froze.
Everyone was huddled around something. I narrowed my eyes, chest tightening. As I approached, my heart sank, my stomach dropped.
They were watching the CCTV footage.
And then I saw her. Aunty Kathrine… the gun… the moment.
The one who shot her… was Trisha.
I don't remember the world around me after that.
I grabbed the nearest glass of water and hurled it to the floor. The sound of shattering glass cracked through the air. Everyone froze.
"H-Hex?" Carlos stammered. Nathan and Miguel looked shocked, some of the Section E boys stiffened, and even Percy's eyes widened. Hannah stepped back, hands raised.
"I… how… how could she?" I spat, voice trembling but furious. "How could Trisha… how could she do this to her?!"
The anger was a fire roaring inside me, burning through my chest. I was shaking, teeth clenched, fists tight. "Why… why her? She didn't deserve this! She didn't… she didn't—"
"Hex! Calm down!" Percy's voice was sharp, but gentle. "She's gone, Hex! You can't—"
"I don't care!" I shouted, voice cracking. "I don't care if she's gone! She… she can't get away with this! I'll make her pay! I swear… I'll make her pay!"
Aries stepped forward, hands up, trying to block me. "Hex… wait, please… don't do anything rash!"
"Stay out of my way!" I yelled, spinning to face him. "Everyone stay out of my way! Do you understand? I'm not… I can't… I can't just sit here!"
Jeana tried stepping closer. "Hex, listen to me! Think! You can't—"
But I didn't hear her. I only heard the rage, the betrayal, the heartbreak. My vision blurred, my legs trembling, my fists shaking uncontrollably.
Then someone tapped my shoulder.
I whipped around. Carlos. Before I could react…
BAM.
The sharp strike hit the side of my neck. My knees buckled. My world flipped. Darkness swallowed me.
I collapsed, hitting the floor hard. Stars exploded behind my eyes. My head was spinning, my body numb.
And I knew one thing…
I would not forget.
I would make her proud.
And I would not let Trisha get away with this.