"Shit… I'm dead."
A frail, panting figure darted down a narrow alley, his sneakers pounding against the cracked pavement, breath ragged and shallow. Blood stained his shirt where pain pulsed from his side, but he couldn't stop—not now. Behind him, five rough-looking students gave chase, their shouts echoing through the brick-lined corridor.
All of these.... Over something stupid. But these guys weren't just angry—they were out for blood.
"Don't let him escape!" one of them barked, wiping crimson from his split lip. "He's gonna pay for what he just did!"
Henry's mind raced even faster than his legs. 'Why did I do it?' he thought bitterly. 'That one hit just gave me a death sentence.'
But he had no choice. It was either fight back or get humiliated again. And now, it was run… or die.
Henry gritted his teeth as he tore through the winding alleyways, the crumbling buildings blurring around him. The pain in his stomach was nearly blinding, but he kept going.
A laugh echoed behind him—sharp and cruel. "You think you can lay a hand on Jack and walk away? You're dead meat, freak!"
Henry's heart froze.
He risked a glance back.
One of them had stopped. He was reaching into his bag.
And then—cold steel.
A gun.
'Where did it all go wrong?' Henry thought as his eyes caught the end of the alley just meters ahead. Beyond it, the open street. Crowds. People. Safety. Maybe.
He clenched his jaw and pushed harder, ignoring the scream of pain in his side.
''Only minutes ago, I was laughing with Nuela and now I'm being chased by bullies''
.
.
.
.
.
Minutes Earlier
*Ding!*
The final bell rang, and the school corridors flooded with voices, lockers clanging open and shut.
Henry stood at his locker, smiling faintly. His shoulders relaxed for the first time that day.
"Thanks for yesterday," he said.
Nuela leaned against the locker next to his, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Her lips curled into a warm, teasing smile. "I should be the one thanking you, Bloody Assassin," she said, nudging him playfully. "That VR game—Blue Online—was out of this world! It felt more real than real life."
Henry stiffened slightly, glancing around the hallway. No one seemed to be listening.
He leaned closer. "Hey… don't say that name out loud."
She blinked. "Bloody Assassin?"
"Yeah," he said, eyes darting around. "No one can know. I've taken out too many top-tier players. Wrecked thousands of dollars in gear. Some of those guys… they don't play games when it comes to revenge."
"You're serious?"
"I wish I wasn't."
Nuela paused, taking in the weight in his tone. Her playful smile softened into something more tender.
"Then I won't tell anyone," she said. "I promise. Your secret's safe with me.
Just down the hall, a group of students passed by, voices low but animated.
"I swear," one said, "if I could get to know Bloody Assassin's true identity, I'd give him every credit I have for a tutorial session."
"Legend status," another whispered. "That guy is untouchable."
Henry and Nuela both heard it.
She leaned closer with a grin. "I guess I'm lucky."
They both chuckled and then Nuela gripped Henry's arms.
She looked down, then back up.
"Henry…" Her voice dropped. "I don't want to ruin things, but... I've been meaning to tell you something."
His heart skipped a beat.
"Henry… I know this might sound sudden but... I like you. A lot. I don't just want to be your gaming partner. I want to be your girlfriend." She whispered as she leaned closer and tightened her grip around his arms.
Henry froze. The words hit him like a lightning bolt—and then everything spiraled.
*CRASH!*
The hallway doors burst open.
Heavy boots stomped across the floor like a marching army.
Henry turned, heart plummeting.
The bullies.
The same ones who had made his school life hell. The ones who treated his frail frame like a punching bag. The ones who beat him for sport.
Now they were here.
And they had seen him.
One of them smirked. "Hey Jack," he sneered, loud enough for the whole hallway. "Looks like your girl's got a thing for your punching bag."
Nuela's face twisted in disgust. "Don't ever call me your anything, you pack of brainless cavemen. I'm in love with Henry. Get it?"
The group froze for a beat.
Then all eyes shifted.
To Henry.
But he was no longer standing there.
He was gone.
Already moving. Already running.
Again.
"Henry!" she screamed as the bullies took off after him, their footsteps echoing like a death sentence down the corridor.