Chapter 4 – The Awakening Proves Its Worth
Zane barely had time to register the guard’s cry before the mob reacted.
"That’s him! The reject!" someone shouted.
"Zane Carter? The bastard of that super-villain?" another spat. "Didn’t he fail his awakening? How dare he come back?"
The voices multiplied, a storm of hatred and mockery swirling around him.
"He attacked a guard? Typical filth."
"He’s his father’s son! No different from a villain!"
The very people who had ignored him, mocked him, dismissed him—now they had a reason to unleash their loathing.
The guard who had started it all struggled to his feet, his baton still clutched in a trembling hand. His pride had been wounded, and he refused to let it go.
"You all saw it!" he shouted. "This reject sneaked up on me and struck me down! Look at me—I’m wounded! What if he had a knife? What if he’s planning something worse?"
Gasps rippled through the crowd. The accusation fanned the flames of their fear.
"We can’t let him run free! He’s dangerous!"