Gabriel's head dropped as he let out a deep sigh.
"Well, this isn't going to be good," he muttered under his breath.
Before he knew it, a crowd had formed behind David—and behind him too. Gabriel panicked, trying to slip away, but students behind him shoved him forward, forcing him back into the fray.
As David stormed toward him, Gabriel took a cautious step back, his hands raised in a defensive gesture.
"Hey, David, what's going on?" he asked, trying to sound calm. But his voice trembled slightly, betraying his fear.
He didn't answer. His eyes locked onto Gabriel with a burning intensity that made Gabriel's head sweat. His heart pounded like a war drum as he tried to make sense of it. He'd never seen David like this before.
Gabriel looked around the hallway for an escape route. But there was no way out. The students surrounded him, hungry for drama—treating them like Roman gladiators. The only way out was when someone was defeated.
He was trapped.
"David, stop," Gabriel pleaded, his voice shaking. "What's wrong?"
Still no answer—only those burning eyes getting closer and closer. Panic gripped Gabriel's chest like a vice. He turned to run, but David's long strides caught up within seconds.
Gabriel froze and turned back—and what he saw in David's face scared the life out of him. It wasn't just anger—it was pure hatred. A rage that told Gabriel there was no reasoning with him. He wasn't here to talk. He was after blood.
"You think you're just going to get off so easily?" David screamed, his pain and anger on full display.
Gabriel tried to reason with him.
"David, you don't have to do Harry's dirty work, man. He's using you," he said, keeping his tone calm, trying not to provoke him. "You're better than that."
But David chuckled deeply.
"You think so little of me, Gabriel."
He stepped closer—too close.
"The good thing is though… I don't care what you think."
From the sidelines, Harry cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted:
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
The crowd picked it up instantly, chanting in unison.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!"
With every shout, David's intensity grew.
He got into a fighting stance—fists clenched, shoulders squared. He moved forward with confidence—like he'd already won.
Gabriel's mind raced.
This is actually happening. Me… in another fight. What alternate universe did I land in? And how do I get back?!
David struck first—a looping left hook.
Gabriel ducked, the fist missing his head by inches. Another hook came from the right. Gabriel twisted low, hand planted on the ground.
In one fluid motion, he flipped back up and launched his legs towards David's chest.
THUD.
David flew backward, crashing into the lockers.
The crowd leaned forward slightly in anticipation of David's response, but he just stood there—hunched over, eyes wide, staring ahead like a lifeless zombie.
He slumped down slowly, his back scraping the lockers, and hit the floor with a gentle thump. Limp. Unmoving. Unconscious.
The crowd gasped, hands over their mouths. They couldn't believe what they had just witnessed. But then—
They erupted into cheers.
"GABRIEL! GABRIEL! GABRIEL!"
The crowd moved forward, picking him up in the air , holding him high like he'd just knocked out a world champion.
Gabriel lay on the sea of hands holding him up, chest heaving, taking in the stunned faces around him. He'd done it.
But across the hallway, behind the wall of students, Harry stood stone-faced.
He mouthed the words:
"This is far from over."
Then he turned and disappeared into the crowd with his crew.
Gabriel, still catching his breath, looked down at David's unconscious body, then at his own clenched fists.
He had defended himself. And he'd won.
But the weight of Harry's words lingered in his mind—this was far from over.
"Where did that come from?" Gabriel muttered to himself, still processing everything.
As the crowd surf came to and end and he stepped out the school doors, he spotted Jai-Lee waiting for him at the bottom of the stairs—arms crossed, expression stern.
Oh no… this is going to be worse than the fight.
As he reached her, she didn't waste time.
"What part of 'lay low and don't use your powers' did you not understand?" she asked calmly.
Gabriel exhaled.
"In my defense, I didn't want to fight David. And let's be honest, he had it coming—even if it was an accident."
Jai-Lee arched an eyebrow. "Accident?"
"Okay, maybe not a total accident… but you weren't there. It was like the Roman Colosseum out there. I was surrounded—it was literally a fight to the death. I had to do something."
She gave him a long look, barely hiding her smile.
"Really, Gabe? You're so dramatic."
He smirked.
"You couldn't have taken a hit and faked being out?" she asked, her tone shifting serious again.
"I know you have powers now, and that you finally feel seen, heard, strong… But with great power comes—"
"Let me guess," Gabriel interrupted, "great responsibility?"
She tapped him on the forehead.
"No. The need for greater maturity. This… is the most powerful thing you have. Start using it more often, and you'll be just fine."
Gabriel went quiet. He knew she was right.
When they reached his house, he gave her a hug.
She looked surprised. "What was that for?"
"For the pep talk," Gabriel replied. "I know it comes from a place of love."
"Ewwww! You two get a room!" Daniel shouted from the upstairs window, giggling.
"I thought you two were just friends. From here, it looks like more than that to me."
Jai-Lee rolled her eyes. "What would you know?"
"A lot, actually," Daniel said smugly. "I'm an expert in body language."
Gabriel and Jai-Lee burst into laughter.
"Sure you are, little bro," Gabriel said, still chuckling.
"Well," Jai-Lee smiled, "I'd better get home before my dad flips."
Gabriel nodded. "Later."
"Bye, Daniel," she called.
Daniel waved like a smug cartoon villain. "Byeeee—jai-lee."
****
later that night…
As the final light in the house turned off, Daniel waited patiently. He listened for the usual snores of his mother echoing down the hall.
"Coast is clear," he whispered.
He peeled back his duvet—already fully dressed—and grabbed his phone.
Malakie was already calling. Daniel looked at the screen nervously before answering.
"You were supposed to be here at ten. Where are you?" Malakie said bluntly. "What part of being on time didn't you understand, little homie?"
"I tried," Daniel said, pacing around his room. "But I couldn't get out. I had to wait until everyone was asleep."
"What did I say about excuses? Miss me with those. I told you what would happen if you were late—you're out."
"What?!" Daniel blurted, panicking. "Come on, man, please! I need this—give me one more shot. I'll do anything."
There was a pause.
"Aight, little homie. Come on through. We leave in half an hour. Miss it—lose my number."
Daniel's eyes lit up. A huge smile spread across his face as he pumped his fist in the air.
"Don't worry. I'll be there. I'm leaving now."
He tiptoed through the hallway and crept down the stairs.
A bedroom light flicked on.
Daniel froze, holding his breath, waiting to see who it was.
But after a moment, the light went off again.
He let out a quiet sigh of relief, then picked up his pace, hurrying down the last few steps. Slipping out the back door, he left it unlocked behind him for later. With one smooth motion, he vaulted over the side fence and disappeared into the night.
But little did he know… Gabriel had seen everything.
Gabriel grabbed his shoes and phone and followed discreetly—making the shadows his friend.
Daniel rounded the corner and pulled out his phone.
"Five minutes… not too bad," he muttered, relieved.
Gabriel stayed hidden as the Uber pulled up.
The driver rolled down his window. "Taxi for Daniel? Going to Park Bank Warehouse?"
"Yeah, that's me," Daniel replied, getting into the back seat.
Gabriel's expression turned to one of concern.
"Why would Daniel be going there? That place's owned by criminals…"
He shook his head.
"Arghh, man—what have you got yourself into now, Daniel? I can't let you go there alone. You get on my last nerves and I've questioned why you're even my brother sometimes… but family is family."
"I guess I'm going to have to save you from yourself, little bro — because if I don't… who will?"