My heart pounded as Alex stalked toward me, his eyes narrowed in menace. Each slow, deliberate step heightened my fear, but I planted my feet, refusing to back down. The hallway felt smaller with every second, the distant sounds of chattering students fading into a tense silence.
"Hey, punk," Alex sneered, stopping just inches from me. The smell of his cheap cologne mixed with the sweat of his earlier gym class. "I heard you're the smartest guy in class." His voice was low and dangerous, almost a growl.
I swallowed hard, trying to control the tremble in my voice. "Yeah, you heard right," I said, forcing a confidence I didn't feel. Sweat trickled down the back of my neck. Why was he so interested in my grades? I could only assume he was repeating the grade again.
Alex's twisted grin confirmed it. "Good. That means you'll be doing my assignments this year," he declared. "I'm not failing again."
The unspoken threat hung heavy in the air. My fists clenched at my sides, but I nodded reluctantly. Better to avoid provoking him, at least for now. As he turned back to his group, their mocking laughter echoed behind him, a cruel soundtrack to my humiliation.
Aaron, who had been lingering by the lockers, approached me cautiously. "Looks like you've just been hired by the school's most feared thug," he said, trying to make light of the situation with a weak smile.
"And what of it?" I snapped, frustration bubbling over. "You think he's actually going to protect me?"
Aaron shrugged, the attempt at humor fading. "Well, at least you're on his radar now. It's a sort of... twisted compliment?"
I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, right. More like a death sentence."
Aaron's face turned serious, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Just... be careful, Rowan. I've heard stories about what he did to that kid last year."
I didn't need reminding. Everyone knew the stories. But hearing it from Aaron just made it more real.
****
The day dragged on painfully slow, and by the final bell, I was more than ready to bolt. Relief washed over me as I grabbed my skateboard from my locker. I needed the rush of the wind in my hair, something to clear my mind of Alex's threats.
I spent hours at the skate park, letting the adrenaline burn away my anxiety. By the time I got home, the sun had dipped below the horizon, the sky painted in deep purples and pinks. I knew Mom would be working late again, so I headed straight to my room, peeling off my sweaty clothes and stepping into a cold shower.
The icy water shocked my senses, grounding me. I needed to focus. I had bigger problems than Alex like the looming threat of Lucius if I used my powers too recklessly. But today had been a close call. I'd almost lost control.
After drying off, I changed into my pajamas and sat down at my desk, pulling out my assignments. With a heavy sigh, I opened Alex's workbook and began the tedious task of copying my answers into his. As I wrote, my mind wandered back to that moment in the hallway. How easy it would have been to just... stop time, to make him look like the fool instead.
But Elder Elowen's warning echoed in my mind: Using your powers carelessly will only draw him to you.
A soft knock on my door broke through my thoughts.
"Come in," I called, expecting it to be my mom. She always checked in on me when she got home.
Mom stepped inside, her eyes tired but warm. "Hey, sweetie. How was school?"
I hesitated, debating whether to tell her about Alex. But she had enough to worry about, so I just said, "The usual."
She didn't look convinced, but she let it slide. Sitting on the edge of my bed, she seemed... different. Nervous, almost.
"Rowan, there's something I need to talk to you about," she said softly.
I turned to face her, already knowing what she was about to say. The weight of this secret had been sitting between us for years. I took a deep breath. "Actually, Mom, there's something I need to tell you first," I confessed, my hands shaking slightly.
Her brows furrowed in concern. "What is it?"
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to meet her gaze. "I'm John. You know... the John," I said, my voice barely a whisper.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, to my shock, she smiled. "I've always known," she admitted. "You act so much like him... like you." Tears shimmered in her eyes, but they were filled with relief, not sadness.
My chest tightened. I hadn't realized how much I'd needed her acceptance until that moment. "Why didn't you ever say anything?"
"Because I wanted you to live your life, Rowan. I didn't want to burden you with the past," she replied, brushing a tear from her cheek.
"But I remember everything, Mom," I confessed, my voice breaking. "The powers, the promises... Elder Elowen's warnings."
She nodded, her expression turning serious. "You need to be careful. If Lucius senses your presence, we might not be able to hide again."
"I know," I murmured, turning back to my desk. "But I can't keep letting people like Alex push me around. Not anymore."
Mom reached out, squeezing my shoulder gently. "Just promise me you'll be careful. I can't lose you again."
"I promise," I whispered, though the weight of that promise felt heavier than ever.
****
Lunch was almost over when my phone buzzed. I pulled it out, my stomach dropping at the sight of the message. Bathroom. Now. Don't keep me waiting. It was from one of Alex's lackeys.
I showed the message to Aaron, whose face went pale. "I'm coming with you," he said, but his voice was shaky.
Together, we walked to the bathroom. The air inside was thick with the stench of sweat and something metallic blood, maybe. Before I could react, Alex's hands were on me, shoving me into the wall.
"You're late," Alex snarled, his grip tightening around my collar. "Didn't I warn you to pick up my assignment after school?"
"I-I forgot," I stammered, the pain in my back throbbing where I'd hit the wall.
Alex's fist connected with my stomach, knocking the wind out of me. "Forgetting isn't an option."
Anger surged through me, my vision going white-hot. The urge to fight back with my powers was almost irresistible. But I couldn't risk it. Not here, not now.
But when Alex's fist came at me again, something inside me snapped. I moved faster than I ever had, slipping out of his grasp and slamming him against the wall in a blur of motion.
Alex's eyes widened in shock. "What the hell...?" he muttered, his voice trembling.
I leaned in close, my voice cold and steady. "Try that again, and I won't hold back next time."
As I released him, I could feel Aaron's stunned gaze on my back. I'd crossed a line today one I couldn't uncross.