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Chapter 15 - 5

**Chapter 5: The Weight of Silence**

Brenner Souka arrived home that night with his head buzzing with emotions. The adrenaline from the fight was still pumping through his veins, and the tears that had been uncontrollable during the school riot were now mixed with the anger he felt for himself. Upon entering, he was greeted by the gaze of his brother, Enzo, who, as always, was ready to unleash cruel words.

"Look who's back! The out-of-control giant! What do you think you are? A fighter now?" Enzo scoffed, laughing contemptuously. The pain Brenner was carrying was already enough, and his brother's words were like acid on his open wounds. But that night, something inside Brenner had changed. The anger and frustration that had been building up for so long exploded in an instant.

Without a second thought, Brenner stepped forward and punched Enzo in the face. The impact was instantaneous, causing his brother to fall backwards, with a black eye, and his mouth and nose bleeding. The expression on Enzo's face changed from contempt to fear and surprise. Brenner, with tears streaming down his face, realized what he had just done, but anger overcame him. He was not willing to be another victim.

After the attack, Brenner ran to his room and locked the door. The weight of what he had done consumed him, and he threw himself on the bed, not knowing whether he felt relief or despair. He did not come out until the next morning, trapped in a cycle of guilt and confusion.

When he finally decided to go to school, his heart was heavy. With his head down, Brenner walked through the halls, fearing what he would find. To his surprise, he noticed that things were different. The students no longer teased him. Many moved away from him in fear, and others avoided even meeting his eyes. He did not know whether he should feel relieved or even more confused.

Entering the classroom, he sat down in his usual chair. The silence was palpable, and whispers filled the air. He heard snatches of conversation and words that made him uneasy. "Did you hear about Lucas? He can't walk anymore… he's in a coma…" The words hit Brenner like a punch to the gut. What should have been a moment of victory now felt like a curse.

The news of Lucas's condition had spread quickly, and the gravity of the situation had caused the students to look at Brenner with a mixture of fear and respect. He had become a feared figure, and the idea that he might be the next target terrified him. But at the same time, he couldn't ignore the sense of power he felt when he stood up for himself, even though it had resulted in something so tragic.

With his head full of conflicting thoughts, Brenner realized that the line between defense and offense was thinner than he had imagined. He had become what he had always feared, and it left him distressed. Amidst this new reality, the only constant in his mind was Lara, the only one who didn't judge him, the only one who hadn't turned away from him. He wondered if, even in a world that seemed so terrifying, there was still room for love and understanding.

As the class continued, Brenner knew that the battle he was fighting wasn't just against others, but against the self-image he now carried. The path ahead was uncertain, but he was determined to find a way to deal with it, even if the shadows of the past still haunted him.