[DANIEL]
The bell had rung moments ago, signaling the end of after-school activities, and Daniel adjusted the strap of his bag as he stepped into the nearly empty hallway.
The fading sunlight streaming through the windows painted golden streaks across the polished floors, but it did little to ease the tension that had begun to coil in his chest.
Halfway down the corridor, a group of boys emerged, their figures casting long shadows across his path. They weren't part of any club—Daniel knew that much. These were the kinds of students who lingered after hours for trouble, not extracurriculars.
"Hey, look who it is," the tallest one sneered, stepping forward with a smirk. His voice echoed in the quiet hallway. "The honor student."
Daniel tried to sidestep them, but the group spread out, blocking his path entirely.
"You're the mistress's son, right?" another boy asked, his tone mockingly polite. The words hit like a slap, sharp and unrelenting.
Daniel's jaw tightened, but he kept walking, choosing silence over confrontation. His shoulders were stiff, his gaze fixed straight ahead.
"Oh, don't ignore us!" a third voice jeered, louder this time. "We're just trying to get to know you better."
The tall boy stepped closer, leaning into Daniel's path. "What's the matter? You act all perfect in class, but under that shiny exterior, you're just trash, aren't you? Born from someone who couldn't keep her hands off another woman's husband."
Laughter erupted from the group, cruel and biting.
Daniel stopped abruptly, his fingers curling tightly around the strap of his bag. He swallowed hard, refusing to meet their eyes.
"Why so quiet, huh?" another boy mocked, circling around to stand behind him. "Cat got your tongue? Or are you too ashamed?"
"Bet you think you're better than us," the tallest one continued, his voice dripping with venom. "But everyone knows where you really come from. Your mom? A homewrecker. And you? Just the proof of her mistakes."
The words cut deeper than Daniel wanted to admit. His heart pounded in his chest, each insult a jagged shard that wedged itself into his self control.
"Hey," one of the boys called out, grabbing Daniel's shoulder and forcing him to turn around. "We're talking to you."
Daniel shrugged off the hand, his expression cold but composed. "I don't have time to deal with you," he said quietly, his voice steady despite the storm raging inside him. He stepped forward, trying to push past them, but the group wasn't finished.
"What's the rush?" the tall boy asked, stepping directly in front of him. "Going home to your mom? Bet she's busy ruining someone else's family."
The hallway filled with another round of laughter, and this time, Daniel couldn't stop his hands from trembling.
"Or maybe you're embarrassed because it's all true," one of the boys taunted. "That's why you're always trying so hard to be the good kid, right? You think you can erase what she did?"
Daniel's eyes burned, his fists shaking form holding back.
"You're nothing. Just the son of a mistress. No amount of perfect grades is going to change that."
The taunts had been unbearable, but Daniel had endured them—until now. He had taken their insults, clenched his fists, and walked away, knowing deep down that stooping to their level would solve nothing.
But this—this was different.
"I bet his mother is sleeping with various men right now," one of the boys sneered, his voice laced with venom, "just so she can afford his tuition."
The words hung in the air like a noxious cloud, thick and suffocating. Daniel froze mid-step, his breath catching in his throat. For a moment, the hallway fell silent except for the pounding of his heart in his ears.
Then something inside him snapped.
The next thing he knew, his vision blurred with rage as his fist connected squarely with the boy's jaw. The satisfying crack echoed in the hallway, silencing the mocking laughter of the group. The boy staggered backward, clutching his face in shock.
"You little—!" another boy growled, charging at Daniel, but he was ready. Fueled by adrenaline, Daniel sidestepped and landed a punch to the boy's ribs, sending him stumbling to the side.
But the numbers were against him.
Before he could turn, another boy grabbed him from behind, locking his arms. Daniel struggled, his muscles straining against the grip, but it gave the others an opening.
A fist slammed into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He gasped, doubling over, but the boy holding him yanked him upright, leaving him exposed.
"Think you're tough, huh?" one of the boys snarled, his lip curled in disdain. He threw a punch, catching Daniel on the cheek. Pain exploded across his face, but he refused to cry out.
Another punch landed on his ribs, then another to his jaw. The metallic taste of blood filled his mouth, but Daniel gritted his teeth, his anger burning hotter than the pain.
"Come on, honor student," the tall boy mocked, stepping closer. His voice dripped with cruelty. "You're not so special now, are you? Just like your mother—a worthless piece of trash."
That did it. With a surge of strength, Daniel wrenched himself free from the boy's grip, twisting his body and elbowing his captor in the stomach. The boy let out a choked groan and stumbled back, giving Daniel just enough space to strike.
He lunged at the leader, tackling him to the ground. They hit the floor with a thud, and Daniel rained down punches, his fists driven by a storm of anger.
But the group wasn't done. Two of the boys grabbed him by the shoulders and hauled him off their leader, slamming him against the lockers. The cold metal bit into his back, and he groaned, dazed.
The tall boy got up, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. His eyes blazed with fury. "You're dead," he spat, his voice low and dangerous.
Daniel barely had time to react before the punches came again. One hit his temple, making his vision swim. Another landed in his side, sending a jolt of pain through his ribs.
He fought back as best he could, his fists flying wildly, but the numbers were overwhelming. For every punch he landed, he took two more in return. His body ached, his movements growing slower and more desperate.
"Enough!" a voice suddenly barked, loud and authoritative.