Light shines luminously through awindow, illuminatinga young man sleepingsoundly. Analarm screeches from beside hisbed, wakinghimup. Witha groan he rises from hisbed, hisslender framequicklyjumping up to get a start on hisday. Preparinghimself for school, he brushes his dark brown hair from his face ,his hazel eyes and caramel skin showing him to be of mixed descent. “Eli hurry up oryou''llbe late” his sister yells athim." Groaninghequickenshispace, finishingeverything up before leaving hisroom. "ThanksAngie,I''llsee you after school” he tells his sister on his way out.Unfortunately,this would be the last time he would see her for a long time.


    “I wonder ifit''sbad I hope Brunotriesto bully someone today since I want a reason to get in his face” Eli thinks to himself. “Imean I don’t want those kids getting bullied but at the same time I really want to put him in his place.” Lost in thought Eli fails to notice a shadow on the road following him despite nothing castingit, glidingominouslya fair distanceaway. Elicontinues towalk, eventuallyreaching a basketball court on the outskirts of hisschool, wherethree boys surround one smallerone. Noticingthe largest of the three asBruno, Elismouth curls up into agrin. Hewalksup, notverystealthily, but the boys are all focused on thesmallest,so hisapproachgoes unnoticed. Walking closer he can hear the three hurling insults at the bullied kid,elicitingboth anger and happiness from Eli. Anger at the fact suchblatantbullying isoccurringbut happiness at the fact he has very good reason to step in and release somepent-upanger. GrabbingBruno by the shoulder and turninghim, hepuncheshim hard in the face as the others gosilent. Blooddripping from hislip,Bruno''sface goes from pain to recognition and finally purefury. Witha roar ofanger,he chargesEli, tacklinghim to theground. Despitehis struggles Eli issuppressedby the larger boysweight, havingto surrender himself to the onslaught of blows that are beingdelivered. Asthe fists slow,he pushesBrunooffhim, standingand backing offquickly. "Whatthe fuckEliyou sucker punching little bitch” yellsBrunogetting to his feet,panting heavily. “I told you the next time I saw you bullying someone I''d teach you alesson” Eli says with a sneer “I''llshow you how strike fear into someone” Sprinting towards him Eli ducks to his left, delivering a jab hard intoBruno''ssolarplexus knocking the wind out ofhim, then snaking one of his legs behindBruno''srams his palm into his chest putting him on the floor. Once on the floor he kicks him several times in the ribs eliciting groans of pain, the sound of bones cracking witheverykick. Stoppinghis kicking Eli drops down into acrouch, hiseyes alight with mad delight, he whispers to thewhimperingchild. “Next time you ignore something I say itwon''t bethisbad, itwill be worse.” kicking him one more time before limping away with blood dripping from his hand, he goes around the corner of abuilding. Leaningagainstthe wall he slidesdown, andthen falls into the shadowitself, falling into a black abyss.Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.