Chapter 21: The Rooftop Mystery and Fight
The rain pattered lightly against the glass as Ethan sat quietly in class, his eyes staring blankly at the board. The lecture faded into background noise as a memory crept into his mind—one that refused to die.
It was during high school, years ago.
.........
Ethan lay on the cold pavement of a back alley, blood trickling from his mouth, surrounded by laughter and cruel insults.
"You’re worthless. Why don’t you just disappear?" someone shouted.
Fists rained down. Kicks landed on his stomach. Bags and shoes stomped him like garbage.
The worst part wasn’t the pain. It was the people walking past, seeing him suffer, and doing nothing. Some even laughed.
Then—
"Hey! Get away from him!"
A sharp voice cut through the noise like a blade. Everyone turned.
A girl stood at the end of the alleyway, her black hair tied back, her uniform messy but her posture confident. Her name was Serena Kael.