It was a bright, sunny day, and the town buzzed with life as everyone went about their routines. At the local high school, students were vibing—some chatting with friends, others glued to their phones. The teachers? Nowhere to be seen. They didn't need to keep the kids in line anymore.
Why? Because today marked the start of summer break!
The camera pans (if this were a movie) to a boy sitting at his desk. Short black hair, dark skin, sharp blue eyes, and a crisp white school uniform—this was Maxwell Duncan. He was chilling, scrolling through his phone like nothing exciting was happening.
"Yo, Maxwell!" a voice called out from across the room.
Maxwell looked up and smirked when he saw his best friend, Jai, standing in the doorway. Jai had short brown hair, yellowish skin, and striking green eyes that always made him look like he was up to something.
"Yo, Jai. What's up?" Maxwell said nonchalantly, barely looking up from his phone.
Jai froze for a second, then threw his hands up dramatically. "Dude?! That's all you've got to say? It's summer!"
Maxwell shrugged. "Yeah, and?"
Jai groaned, pointing an accusing finger. "You sound like my grandpa! What happened to the excitement?"
Maxwell let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair, putting his phone down for a moment. "Excitement? I don't know, man. Summer's just... summer. Same thing every year. Hot days, random family trips, maybe some gaming if I'm lucky."
Jai gawked at him like he'd just committed a crime. "Same thing? Dude, this is freedom! No teachers, no homework, just pure vibes. You've gotta make the most of it!"
Maxwell gave a half-smile. "You're way too hyped for someone who's probably gonna spend half the break eating chips and watching anime."
"First of all," Jai said, putting a hand to his chest, "it's called dedicated relaxation. And second, you're coming with me to the arcade tonight. No arguments."
Maxwell raised an eyebrow. "The arcade? Isn't that just your excuse to try and beat my high score on Monster Hunt again?"
Jai grinned mischievously. "You're not wrong. But hey, if you're scared of losing, just say so."
Maxwell smirked. "Scared? Please. I'll destroy you."
Jai slapped Maxwell on the back, laughing. But then his expression softened, and he let out a sigh. "Can't believe we're gonna be in university soon…"
Maxwell tilted his head, curious at the sudden change in tone. "What's up? You getting all sentimental on me?"
Jai shrugged. "I don't know, man. It's just… high school's been fun, you know? Everything's gonna change soon. New people, new classes, new everything."
Maxwell nodded slowly. "Yeah, I get that. But hey, we've still got this summer. Let's not waste it worrying about the future."
Jai brightened a little, nodding. "Yeah, you're right. One last summer to do it all."
Just then, Jai's phone buzzed in his pocket, cutting the moment short. He pulled it out to check the notification, and as he read the message, his eyes went wide. "…Or not."
Maxwell raised an eyebrow, instantly suspicious. "Uh oh. What's up?"
Jai groaned, slapping his forehead with his free hand. "My mom just texted me. She says we're going on a trip back to India… FOR THE WHOLE SUMMER."
Maxwell blinked, then leaned back in his chair with a smirk. "Well, so much for dedicated relaxation. Guess I'll have to dominate the arcade solo."
Jai pointed at him accusingly, his face a mix of frustration and desperation. "Don't you dare! If you beat my high score while I'm stuck eating homemade curry and dealing with cousins I barely remember, I swear—"
Maxwell laughed, holding up his hands defensively. "Hey, it's not my fault your mom's got vacation goals."
"Vacation goals? More like vacation nightmares." Jai slumped into the chair next to Maxwell, looking defeated. "Man, this sucks. I had so many plans. Now I'm gonna miss everything—hanging out, the arcade, late-night junk food runs…"
Maxwell gave him a pat on the shoulder. "Look on the bright side. You'll get to eat all the authentic Indian food you can handle."
Jai glared at him. "Do you know how much my mom loves spicy food? I'll probably come back breathing fire."
Maxwell smirked. "You ate three packs of spicy ramen once."
Jai stammered, his face turning red. "I-it was fire… cuz it was fire!"
Maxwell burst out laughing, nearly falling out of his chair. "Sure, buddy. Keep telling yourself that."
Jai crossed his arms, pretending to sulk. "Whatever, man. It's not the same! Homemade Indian food hits different, okay? Especially when it's loaded with chili powder and love."
Maxwell wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "Sounds like you're in for a hot summer, Jai."
Jai groaned, throwing his head back. "You're the worst. I'm leaving you all my gaming snacks. Think of me while you're crushing my high scores."
Maxwell grinned. "Deal. Don't forget to bring me back something cool. Like… I don't know, a souvenir sword or something."
Jai smirked. "Fine. But if I do, you have to promise not to chop anything."
As their laughter died down, Maxwell's mind wandered back to how long they'd been friends. They'd been inseparable since kindergarten, when Maxwell had stood up for Jai during recess. Some bullies were picking on Jai just for being Indian, and Maxwell hadn't hesitated to defend him, even getting into a scuffle himself.
"You know," Maxwell began, a hint of nostalgia in his voice, "remember that time in kindergarten when those guys wouldn't leave you alone because of your accent? I had to step in."
Jai chuckled, nodding. "Yeah, you looked so tough back then. Thanks for always having my back, man."
Maxwell shrugged modestly. "What are friends for? We've been through a lot together. From hiding in the library to avoid recess to surviving middle school drama."
Jai laughed, the tension easing from his shoulders. "True. I couldn't ask for a better friend."
Just then, the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day. Students began packing up, buzzing with excitement for the summer ahead. Maxwell and Jai stood up, grabbing their bags.
"Alright, let's hit the arcade tonight and make this summer legendary," Jai declared, a determined glint in his green eyes.
Maxwell nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "You got it. Let's make the most of it before reality hits."
---
Later that afternoon, around 4 PM, Maxwell and Jai were holed up in their favorite spot—the local arcade. The sounds of button-mashing and triumphant victory jingles filled the air as they faced off at one of the fighting game machines.
Maxwell grinned devilishly, his fingers dancing across the controls. "Damn, you suck at BlazBlue! My Susano'o is destroying you!"
Jai leaned forward, teeth gritted and beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "Shut up, man! I just need to warm up."
Maxwell chuckled, effortlessly stringing together another combo that sent Jai's character flying across the screen. "Warm up? Bro, you're already fried. I've got this in the bag."
Jai groaned as the screen flashed "K.O." in bold letters. His character slumped to the ground while Susano'o struck a victorious pose. "Ugh, this game is rigged! No way you're this good."
Maxwell leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms with a smug look. "It's not rigged; you're just trash. Admit it."
Jai jabbed a finger at him, fuming. "Let's see you talk big when I switch to Ragna! I'm about to unleash the beast."
"Oh, please," Maxwell said, rolling his eyes. "Ragna? You mean Mr. Predictable? Bring it on."
As Jai furiously navigated the character select screen, a crowd of kids started to gather around them, drawn by the intensity of their rivalry. Maxwell was calm and collected, while Jai was practically sweating bullets.
"Alright, this is it," Jai muttered, gripping the joystick like it owed him money. "You're going down, Maxwell!"
Maxwell smirked, not even glancing at the controls. "Big talk for someone who hasn't won a single round."
The next match began, and the two launched into an all-out button-mashing frenzy.
Just as the match was heating up, Jai's phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket, the loud ring cutting through the arcade noise.
"Huh?" Jai pulled the phone out, glancing at the screen. His face dropped. "Oh, it's my mom..."
Maxwell shot him a sideways glance. "What's up? You're not quitting already, are you?"
Jai frowned, swiping at his phone to read the message. "Nah, my mom says I gotta go home. Something about packing for the trip to India…"
Maxwell raised an eyebrow. "Already? Dude, you just got here! We were about to settle the score."
"I know, man!" Jai groaned, shoving his phone back into his pocket. "But you know how moms are. She says we leave in the morning. I can't exactly tell her 'No.'"
Maxwell sighed, a bit disappointed. "Alright, guess this is where the party ends. You better not go get all spicy on me over there."
Jai smirked, the hint of a joke in his eyes. "I might come back with some dragon breath, man. You won't be able to handle it."
Maxwell chuckled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Whatever, man. Have fun burning through your mom's spice stash. I'll hold down the fort here."
Jai rolled his eyes, but the playful grin stayed on his face. "Yeah, yeah. Don't go getting too good at BlazBlue while I'm gone, okay? You're not allowed to get any better than me."
Maxwell gave a half-hearted salute. "No promises. You know how I do."
The two stood there for a moment, the usual banter easing the tension of Jai's upcoming departure. But with the countdown to summer now in full swing, things felt different.
"Alright, see you later, bro," Jai said, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "I'll text you when I get there."
"Safe travels, man," Maxwell said, giving him a casual wave. "And don't forget to bring me back that souvenir sword."
Jai flashed him a grin. "I'll do my best. Later, Max."
With that, Jai disappeared out the door, leaving Maxwell alone.
Maxwell glanced at the time on his phone. "Hmm... Only 7 PM. Meh, one more game wouldn't hurt," he muttered to himself with a shrug.
He dropped a few coins into the machine and settled back into his seat, adjusting his grip on the controller. The arcade around him buzzed with energy, the clink of coins and the steady hum of games filling the air.
"Alright, game on," he grinned, his fingers already flying over the buttons.
As the game loaded, Maxwell felt the usual thrill of competition rush through him. It was a familiar feeling—one that made him forget everything else, even if only for a few minutes.
But as he stared at the flashing screen, something weird pricked at the back of his mind. It was like a sudden, strange unease that he couldn't quite shake. He shrugged it off, focusing on his game.
--
By 9 PM, the sun was setting, casting long shadows across the street. Maxwell kicked at a loose pebble as he walked, his mind wandering.
"Ugh, maybe I shouldn't have wasted my time there..." he muttered, looking down at his phone. The screen showed a few new texts from Jai, but Maxwell didn't feel like reading them just yet. He was still thinking about how the arcade session turned into another pointless day with nothing to show for it.
He shoved the phone back into his pocket and kept walking, the cool night air making him pull his jacket tighter. The streets were quieter now, the usual hustle and bustle of the city fading as people started heading home for the night.
Maxwell's mind kept drifting back to his conversation with Jai earlier. The whole India trip thing... it felt like a bigger deal than it should've been.
Maybe I'm just overthinking it, he thought. But something about it didn't sit right. The feeling from earlier, the weird unease that popped up at the arcade... it was still there. Like there was something waiting to happen.
Shaking it off, Maxwell quickened his pace.
"I need to stop being so paranoid," he muttered to himself, his footsteps echoing down the empty street.
As Maxwell walked, a faint sound interrupted his thoughts—a soft, echoing meow that seemed to come from nowhere. He paused, looking around.
And then, just ahead, he saw it: a small white cat with its eyes half-closed, sitting casually by the sidewalk. Maxwell blinked in surprise.
"Oh, it's you," he muttered, shaking his head with a half-smile.
The cat, as if on cue, padded over to him, brushing its soft fur against his legs. Maxwell crouched down and gently ran his hand over its back, the fur warm beneath his fingers. The cat let out another soft meow in contentment.
This cat. It was always around, like it had some kind of magnet for Maxwell. No matter where he went, it showed up. Maxwell had never seen it with anyone else, and as far as he could tell, it had no name, no family. Every time he tried to bring it home, the cat would just vanish, like some sort of ghost, slipping away into the night.
"You know, you're a weird little thing," Maxwell said, rubbing behind the cat's ears. "I should've just named you 'Ghost' by now, huh?"
The cat gave him a lazy glance, as though it didn't care about names. It only seemed to care about Maxwell's presence.
Maxwell stood up, glancing down the street. "Alright, I better get home before Mom starts calling me a delinquent again."
But before he could turn, something caught his eye. The cat's usual lazy movements seemed... off tonight. It was standing still, staring up at Maxwell with its half-closed eyes.
"Hey, you okay?" Maxwell asked, confused.
The cat's tail flicked once, then it meowed again—but this time, it sounded... different. Almost urgent.
Maxwell frowned. "What's going on with you?"
Suddenly, Maxwell jumped, his heart pounding in his chest, when he heard a low, guttural roar coming from behind. His body went cold as the sound echoed through the empty street.
ROOOOOAAAAAAR
There, emerging from the darkness, were massive humanoid figures. Their skin was dark as night, and their eyes glowed an eerie red, piercing through the gloom like twin lasers. The creatures stood tall, their hulking forms rippling with muscle.
Maxwell froze. He couldn't look away, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing.
"W-what the fuck..." His voice shook, barely a whisper.
The monsters let out another roar, and that's when it hit him: they were coming for him.
Maxwell's instincts kicked in, and he snapped out of his paralysis. Run.
He turned on his heels and sprinted down the street, his legs moving faster than he ever thought possible. But as he did, his eyes flicked down to the ground where the cat had been just moments before.
There was nothing.
"Of course, leaving me," he muttered under his breath, frustration mixing with panic.
The sound of heavy footsteps thundering behind him made his blood run cold. The monsters were getting closer.
Maxwell glanced over his shoulder, the red eyes of the beasts glowing brighter with each step. He didn't dare slow down. They were closing in fast, and the only thing that mattered now was survival.
I need to get away. I need to—
A loud screech interrupted his thoughts.
Maxwell looked ahead. The street stretched out, empty and desolate, but he could hear the creatures behind him, their growls vibrating through the pavement.
He pushed himself harder, his breath ragged, but no matter how fast he ran, it felt like they were always right on his tail.
Suddenly, one of the monsters leaped into the air, landing right in front of Maxwell with a bone-rattling thud. He skidded to a halt, nearly tripping over his own feet.
"Shit… I'm stuck," he muttered, his voice trembling.
Heart pounding, Maxwell's eyes darted around desperately, searching for any escape route. But there was none. The monsters had boxed him in, their towering forms casting long shadows over him.
This is it, he thought. This is how I die. Probably the dumbest and most brutal way possible. Feels like something straight out of a horror movie.
The monsters let out a guttural snarl, their glowing red eyes narrowing as they prepared to charge. Maxwell could feel the raw, suffocating terror building inside him.
He clenched his fists and shut his eyes tight. This is gonna hurt…
...
...
...
But the pain never came.
Maxwell's eyes opened slowly, heart still pounding in his chest. The first thing he noticed was the stillness—the kind that didn't feel natural.
The monsters, just moments ago lunging toward him, were now... frozen.
Time itself seemed to have stopped. The hulking creatures stood motionless, mid-charge, their red eyes dimmed like fading embers. Even the faint breeze that had rustled the leaves moments ago was gone.
"What the…" Maxwell whispered, taking a cautious step back.
He glanced at his surroundings, then down at his phone, which he had instinctively pulled out. The screen glowed faintly, but the clock wasn't moving.
7:05 PM.
The numbers stared back at him, unchanging, like the entire world had hit the pause button.
Maxwell's breath came in shallow gasps as he turned back to the monsters. They loomed over him, frozen in place like grotesque statues.
"This… this can't be real," he said, his voice barely audible.
As Maxwell stood frozen, trying to make sense of the bizarre stillness around him, something caught his eye.
In front of him, hovering in mid-air, was a bracelet.
His eyes widened as the object floated, spinning slowly as if it were defying the laws of gravity. Its surface gleamed faintly, intricate patterns etched into what looked like some kind of dark metal. A faint, otherworldly glow surrounded it, pulsing rhythmically like a heartbeat.
"...What…" Maxwell whispered, taking a cautious step closer. "Where the hell did this come from?!"
His voice echoed in the silence, the sound jarring against the eerie stillness of the street.
The bracelet remained suspended, almost as if it were waiting for him.
Maxwell hesitated, every instinct in his body screaming at him to turn and run. But something about the bracelet was... calling to him. It was impossible to ignore, like it was reaching out, demanding his attention.
He extended a shaky hand toward it. The moment his fingers brushed against the metal, a sudden warmth spread through his palm, up his arm, and into his chest.
"What the hell?" Maxwell yelped, trying to pull back. But it was too late.
The bracelet shot toward him, locking around his wrist with a sharp clink.
Maxwell staggered back, staring at his arm in disbelief. The patterns on the bracelet began to glow brighter, pulsing with energy. His heart raced as a strange sensation spread through his body—a mix of fear, power, and something he couldn't quite describe.
"What is this thing?!" he shouted, his voice echoing in the unnatural stillness.
Before he could think any further, the world around him seemed to ripple, like the air itself was bending. The monsters, still frozen moments ago, twitched ever so slightly, their glowing eyes flickering back to life.
Suddenly, Maxwell doubled over, a sharp, searing pain tearing through his chest. It was like his entire body was being ripped apart from the inside.
"Ugh… what is happening to me?!" he groaned, clutching at his stomach.
The bracelet on his wrist flared brighter, and before he could make sense of it, a massive surge of dark energy exploded out from him, engulfing his body in a swirling, malevolent aura.
The pain became unbearable, forcing a guttural scream from his throat.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The sound tore through the night like a primal roar, vibrating through the air and shaking the very ground beneath him.
The world seemed to snap back into motion as the monsters, once so confident in their pursuit, were flung backward by the sheer force of the aura. The street around Maxwell cracked and crumbled, the ground splitting as the power surged outward.
The monsters staggered to their feet, their glowing red eyes now dim with unease. Slowly, they looked up, and what they saw made them freeze.
Standing where Maxwell had been moments before was... something else entirely.
The creature was enormous, towering over the monsters at an imposing nine feet tall. Its skin was bone-white, smooth yet unnervingly unnatural. From within its body, a fiery red glow pulsed, like molten lava trapped beneath a fragile shell.
Its head was monstrous, long and pointed, devoid of eyes, yet somehow radiating a terrifying awareness. Its mouth stretched wide, revealing jagged, bloody teeth that looked as though they could tear through steel.
Massive claws extended from its hands, gleaming dangerously under the dim light. Each movement of the creature sent ripples of power through the air, a suffocating presence that made the monsters hesitate.
Maxwell—or whatever he had become—lifted its head, tilting it slightly as if sizing up its enemies.
The monsters growled, but their movements betrayed their fear. They had chased prey, but now, they stood face-to-face with a predator.
The monsters hesitated for only a moment before their primal instincts kicked in. With guttural snarls, they charged at Maxwell's new form, their claws extended, ready to tear him apart.
Maxwell tilted his head again, as if amused by their feeble determination. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, he lunged forward, his massive claws slicing through the air.
The first monster barely had time to react before Maxwell's claws tore into its chest. The sound of ripping flesh echoed through the street as dark, tar-like blood sprayed into the air. The creature let out an ear-piercing shriek before collapsing to the ground, twitching.
The second monster roared in fury and leaped at him, its glowing red eyes burning with rage. Maxwell caught it mid-air with one hand, his claws sinking into its torso. With a low growl, he hurled the monster into a nearby lamppost, the metal bending under the impact.
The creature struggled to get up, but Maxwell was already on it. He brought his massive foot down, crushing its arm with a sickening crunch. The monster howled, its voice filled with pain and desperation, but Maxwell showed no mercy.
He lifted the monster by its head, his claws digging deep into its skull. It flailed wildly, trying to escape, but Maxwell's grip was unrelenting. With a guttural roar, he slammed the monster into the ground, its body splattering like a broken bag of meat.
The last monster, the largest of the three, backed away, its confidence shattered. It let out a low growl, trying to appear threatening, but Maxwell could smell the fear radiating from it.
Maxwell turned to face it, blood dripping from his claws and mouth. His toothy grin widened, and the glow from his red insides pulsed brighter, illuminating the scene of carnage around him.
The monster made a final, desperate attempt to flee, but Maxwell was faster. In a blur of motion, he was on it, pinning it to the ground. The creature struggled, its growls turning to panicked whimpers as Maxwell leaned closer, his massive jaws opening wide.
For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath. Then, Maxwell let out an earth-shaking roar before sinking his bloody teeth into the monster's neck.
The creature's screams filled the night, echoing through the empty streets. Maxwell tore into it savagely, ripping flesh and muscle with primal ferocity. Dark blood splattered everywhere as he devoured the monster, piece by piece.
When it was over, Maxwell stood in the middle of the carnage, his towering form illuminated by the dim streetlights. His claws dripped with blood, his teeth stained crimson.
He tilted his head back and let out a scream—raw, guttural, and filled with a strange mix of rage and pain.
The sound echoed into the night as the aura around him began to fade. Slowly, his monstrous form started to shrink, the glowing red light dimming until it was gone entirely.
Maxwell collapsed to the ground, gasping for air. His body felt heavy, his mind clouded. The last thing he saw before everything went black was the bracelet on his wrist, still glowing faintly.
...
"How...Interesting."