Buji fell to the floor after stumbling over someone's feet. It was probably a trap set with the leg. What followed next was an echo of laughter from those who surrounded him.
'This is enough!'
This was his thought, but in reality, he was helpless. His knees kissed the ground while he used his two hands to support himself, placing them on the ground. He now focused his stare at the ground, not knowing what to do and as if trying to figure out what to do, until another hit landed on his head. Losing his support and pushing his head to hit the ground.
"A weakling. That's what you are."
"I wonder… not even an attempt."
"Show us what you've got."
"Don't just let him blow you out. You are a boy like him."
"A boy you regard him?"
The mockery came from the voices around. Others laughed at him. Some jerks even took pictures, and one boy was forward, closer to Buji as he's being bullied, taking the video.
'This is shameless,' Buji thought. How was he going to escape this mini-slavery?
'Mini...'
The laughter from other students disturbed his thoughts. He sluggishly managed to lift his body from the floor, pulling his bag so it could rise with him.
"Perfect timing," the earlier bully said, and he kicked Buji hard. Sending him to hit his back against a nearby wall with a thud.
Everyone in the hall gasped, and following was silence. They watched as Buji lifelessly rolled, turning his face to the wall. No one knew what the outcome of the hit had become. No one wanted to advance closer to Buji to find out what had happened, not even the bully from earlier. They only moped at the body that lay lifeless before them.
***
Buji remained still, but got lost in the sea of retrospection...
The night's darkness enveloped the car as Buji and his father traveled on the deserted road, the only sound being the hum of their car engine. Streetlights cast an eerie glow, illuminating the empty pavement. 5-year-old Buji made use of the passenger's seat, his eyes wide with excitement, proving his innocence.
"Hey, kiddo! I got you that snake toy you've been wanting," his father said with a warm voice, watching as Buji played with the toy.
Buji's father smirked and said, "I knew you'd like it."
Turning his concentration to the steers, he added, "You know, I had a similar toy when I was a kid. It sparked my curiosity and helped me learn about the natural world."
Buji, so tender and delicate, only sat on the seat, showing his tiny teeth in playfulness with the toy.
"You see, the universe is full of mysteries waiting to be unraveled." And after a brief pause, "Always keep exploring, asking questions, and seeking answers."
Buji stopped playing and listened. For some reason, what his father said was now making sense to him.
"I'm glad you started paying attention," Buji's father said and stroked Buji's hair gently.
"Never be afraid to try new things, you know. They widen your intelligence. Being intelligent is not just about the books; it's about experiencing life and adapting to challenges. Movies also help a lot, so, be a fan of movies. You get..."
Then came the distraction.
The streetlights flickered, casting eerie shadows on the road. Suddenly, they went dark, plunging the car into darkness.
"W-what's happening?" His father was being rhetorical; Buji neither could tell what was going on. But for the first time, Buji noticed a tremble in his father's voice.
Before any of them could respond to the current situation, the car's tires screeched, and the vehicle careened off the road. The world outside became a blur as the car flipped, rolling onto its side.
Time froze.
Buji heard his father's voice, faint but urgent. "Never give up on your life. You are going to be great!"
Utter silence followed afterward.
"B-Dad?" Buji stammered, his voice shaking.
No response.
Panic set in as Buji scrambled to find his father. He crawled through the wreckage, calling out again. "Dad! Daddy!"
Just then, sirens pierced the night air, growing louder with each passing moment. The sound was jarring, cutting through the eerie silence that followed the crash.
***
"Splish."
Buji's retrospection and unconsciousness deserted him as the splash of water landed on his face.
'Water? From?'
His thoughts were distracted again, but this time by a familiar voice.
"Get up already. I've always told you not to let them get in your way easily. You have the potential; try to defend yourself at times."
Even though his vision of the environment was blurry, he could dictate that it was Emra's voice. She had come to take him as an accompany to home, as she normally does when she is allowed to go from her school on weekends.
It was Friday.
With Emra's help, Buji rose from where he lay.
"It hurts," Buji stated, clutching his right hand on the back of his head to indicate where it hurts.
With a jolt, Emra rushed to the boy she suspected was the culprit, tugged him on his shirt, and pulled him up, pinning his back against the wall.
"When next something like this happens, you will crawl on your knees for the rest..."
But Emra was interrupted. A boy, average in height but with broad shoulders, shot out from the crowd.
"So, what do you think you are? Just barge in and think you can get away with it."
The big boy, still pinned up to the wall, signaled the boy to hold his peace. "She's from the Zin family," he muttered with a choky voice.
There was an immediate uproar in the hall, with students exclaiming and making their comments. Of course, it was a free world.
"Woah!"
"Zin family?"
"No wonder she's a darling."
"Snap out of it. She doesn't need a single praise."
"And does that justify her arrogance?"
Different students, with different remarks, disturbed the eerie atmosphere that almost formulated when Emra had initially pinned the big boy to the wall.
While all these happened, Buji put on a smirk on his chin. He seemed to be enjoying what was going on, especially the once victorious big boy who was now pinned helplessly on the wall. But his smile faded as Emra loosened her grip on the boy and let him go.
"Let's go."
Buji scrawled behind Emra as she took his hand, leaving all other students behind as both of them made for the door.
"No matter what happens or what she might be to your strength, you will forever remain the weakling!"
Buji noticed a burst of laughter had followed the statement, but the sound faded immediately at the closure of the door behind them.
"Next time, I will leave you behind if you get in messy," Emra said, taking the lead to a limousine that was parked directly opposite the hall's door.