Raphael finally woke up from a long sleep and the first thing he did was to look around in the hope to see his friend but his face frowned in disappointment after not seeing him anywhere in the room.
"Did you guys hear? The new kid is going to receive his punishment today for killing Jerry last two days ago," a student said to her friends as they walked past the room Raphael was in.
Hearing what they said, Raphael jumped down from the bed and rushed to those students. He grabbed one of them with shock written all over his face.
"Aren't you the one he was trying to save that made him kill Jerry? Thanks to you, the boy will also be getting killed soon!" The girl said and pushed him away from her. "You are cursed! Get lost!" She spat at him and then walked away along with her friends.
Raphael stumbled backward in shock. So this was why he woke up but didn't see him anywhere in the room? And here he was thinking that he wasn't valued at all. He wiped away the tears in his eyes and ran towards the entrance, the nurse was coming in but he brushed past her without stopping and headed to the Dean's office immediately. He got there but no one was inside, he then ran off again but suddenly stopped along the way — he had no idea where Alex was kept and it frustrated him. He could have asked anyone but unfortunately, he couldn't because of his ability. Standing there, he kept clenching his fists and frowning in anger until a student walked up to him.
"I am not in support of what your friend did but I can not equally blame him for his actions. I know you are looking for him, so let me take you to where he is being kept," the boy said to him and he nodded without hesitation. The boy led the way and took him to where Alex was kept.
It was a small house at the back of the Dean's office with a metal gate. "Students don't come here because it is a prohibited area but two days ago, I saw him being taken inside by the Dean and some other teachers. I don't know if he is still alive though," the boy said to Raphael. "I'll take my leave, good luck," he added before turning and leaving Raphael behind.
Raphael proceeded further and went ahead to open the metal gate. As he pushed open the gate, he was met with a dark room with only a faint light coming from a small hole in the ceiling. In the middle of the room was Alex tied with his hands up. Seeing him, he rushed to him and immediately loosed the ropes used in trying him. He was also able to see the cut marks all over his body and his white shirt that was dyed red with his blood. What he couldn't understand was why he let them do all of this to him when he was fully capable of escaping.
Alex opened his eyes and saw Raphael's worried face, he then chuckled and tried to get up but the latter didn't let him do so because of the state of his body.
"Don't worry, I'm fine. These little wounds aren't enough to hinder my movement," Alex said to him before he reluctantly allowed him to get up. "You must have heard the news right?" He asked him and he nodded his head in reply, then Alex sighed. "I've been tagged a murderer. My parents must be disappointed wherever they are," he mumbled with a sad expression.
Raphael opened his mouth to talk but he couldn't, sadly, he closed his mouth and patted Alex on the shoulder.
"They may be here very soon to finish what they started. Don't get involved in my mess, you should leave here now," Alex told him but he shook his head hastily. "Don't think I'll save you when trouble comes," he warned him but the latter was bent on not leaving. Soon, footsteps were heard and when they turned to the entrance, they saw the faint silhouette of Kelvin. "Kelvin?" Alex called out in surprise. "What are—"
"We are leaving here this minute!" Kelvin interrupted Alex who was about to ask why he was there.
"You are getting yourself into trouble," Alex said with a frown.
"It doesn't matter, I've long gotten myself into trouble because of you," Kelvin replied causing Alex to sigh. "But... I don't regret my actions. I've long made this decision, and I don't care about the outcome."
"Kelvin, thank you so much," Alex mumbled. He truly felt grateful for having people who were ready to sacrifice themselves for him and it made his heart warm.
Kelvin smiled and loosed the remaining rope used in trying Alex's Legs. After he was done, he led them out of the room but the moment they got outside, the Dean approached them, together with some students and teachers.
"Kelvin! What is the meaning of this?" The elderly man asked him, sounding pissed off.
"Dean, I'm sorry but I can not sit and watch you hurt him any further. You used Raphael and forced him to be locked up for two days and now what? You are planning to kill him, doesn't that make you a killer as well?" Kelvin replied. It was at this moment that Raphael understood why Alex didn't run away and let them punish him severely; it was because of him.
"Who are you to question my decision?" The Dean asked him. "Kelvin, if you still acknowledge me as your only family member, listen to me and hand over the murderer," he said to him.
"I'm sorry, uncle, but I can not do that. If you must then you have to go through me," Kelvin replied.
Seeing that he was adamant about protecting Alex, Dean was furious. He opened his palm and a ball of light formed in the air. "I'll give you one last chance, hand him over or I'll be forced to attack you!" He repeated.
"Uncle, do what you must but I'm not handing him over—" Just as Kelvin finished speaking, he felt a force push him away, not just him but Raphael as well. He turned around only to see Alex being hit by the large ball of light and was sent flying back inside the dark room.