[Scene 1 – Classroom]
The group was gathered after recess. Diego was fiddling with his phone when the TV in the multimedia room, tuned to the local news, caught their attention.
Reporter on TV: "This afternoon, the peace between gangs controlling different areas of the city was broken. Footage shows the assault on a young man, apparently involved in the conflict."
The screen shows cellphone videos: a rival gang beating Claws in the middle of the street. He tries to defend himself but is surrounded by more than ten men. At the end, he lies on the ground, motionless.
Rafaela (gaping): "N-n-no… that's… that's Claws?!"
Isa (standing up in shock): "My God… it's him!"
Diego (trembling, nervous): "This… this can't be true…"
Lucas (pale): "But… he never said anything…"
The group falls into heavy silence. Mateus clenches his fist tightly.
Mateus (voice trembling but firm): "…It's Claws. I knew something was wrong."
He suddenly stands up, grabs his backpack, and runs out of the classroom.
---
[Scene 2 – School Hallway]
Mateus walks quickly, already typing on his phone.
Message in the group chat: "It's him. Claws is in the hospital. I'm going now. Whoever's coming, meet me at the gate."
The notification pops up on everyone's phones. Rafaela runs out crying, Isa following her. Diego and Lucas exchange a wordless glance, then run after them.
---
[Scene 3 – Hospital]
The group arrives running, out of breath. At the reception, a nurse asks:
Nurse: "Are you family of Cláudio Silva?"
Mateus (without thinking, firmly): "We're friends. Very close friends."
Nurse (looking serious): "He is unconscious. Multiple bruises, fractured ribs… but he's alive. He's under observation."
Rafaela covers her mouth with her hand, tears falling. Isa holds her hand tightly.
Isa (whispering): "He… he hid all this from us…"
Diego (nervous, pacing): "And now? What do we do? This isn't just school fighting, man, it's street war!"
Lucas (gritting his teeth): "And we… didn't even know…"
---
[Scene 4 – Hospital TV]
While they wait, the TV in the waiting room continues broadcasting.
Reporter: "The attack is seen as a declaration of war. The peace treaty between the two factions lasted three years. Now, the police fear that the coming days may be filled with bloody retaliation."
On the screen, Claws' injured face appears again, being loaded into the ambulance.
The whole group holds their breath.
Mateus (staring at the screen, voice firm): "Enough. I'm not letting him face this alone."
Isa (worried): "Mateus… you can't get involved in this!"
Mateus (looking at her): "He's my brother for life. If I abandon him now… I'm nothing."
Silence. The weight of the choice hangs over them all.
---
[Final Scene]
The camera shows Claws unconscious, lying in the hospital bed. The heart monitor beeps slowly.
The close-up goes to his fist, clenched, even while unconscious, as if still ready to fight.