Despite the turmoil of the past few days, Samira had always been there for Alex, a constant source of support and strength. She was one of the few people who knew the real Alex, who saw past the shy, awkward exterior to the person he was inside. If there was anyone who could help him, it was her.Without wasting another moment, Alex took off in the direction of Samira’s house, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination. He had to tell her the truth—about the amulet, about his family, about everything. And he had to do it before it was too late.As he ran, the streets of the city seemed to blur around him, the buildings and people fading into the background. All that mattered now was getting to Samira, telling her what had happened, and preparing for the battle that lay ahead.When he finally reached Samira’s house, Alex pounded on the door, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps. The world seemed to tilt on its axis, the weight of everything that had happened pressing
The world felt quieter after the storm. Alex stood at the edge of the burial site, Samira by his side, the cool wind tugging at his clothes. It was a day that seemed too serene for the weight of the occasion, as if nature itself hadn’t yet recognized the gravity of what had transpired. They had just buried Grandma Chen, the woman who had been the center of Alex's life for as long as he could remember.Grandma Chen had raised Alex with unwavering love and guidance after the death of his mother. She had been everything to Alex—teacher, protector, and, in many ways, the only family he had left. And now, she was gone. The house that once echoed with her soft humming and wise words stood silent, much like Alex's heart in that moment.Samira, always the dependable friend, stood close to Alex, offering quiet support. She had helped with every step of the burial preparations. Together, they had chosen the spot—a peaceful grove near the family home, surrounded by tall trees that swayed gently
The next day, Alex walked into school alongside Samira, who had been by his side every step of the way. The events of the past few days felt surreal, like something out of a nightmare, but Alex felt different now. Stronger. The weight of the amulet hanging from his neck was no longer a burden—it was a source of power, a connection to his mother and Grandma Chen.As they entered the crowded hallway, Samira shot Alex a concerned glance. “You sure you’re ready for this?”Alex nodded, his eyes scanning the familiar faces of students chatting and laughing in groups. “I have to be. I’m done being afraid.”It didn’t take long for Victor and his gang to notice Alex. The look of shock on Victor’s face was almost comical. His eyes widened as if he had seen a ghost. After all, he and his crew had left Alex for dead just a day ago.“Chen?” Victor stammered, disbelief and panic creeping into his voice as he pushed through the crowd. Jake and Emily followed close behind, their expressions just as c
Later that day, Victor sat in the corner of the school’s empty gymnasium with Jake and Emily, his face still burning with humiliation. He couldn't believe what had happened. One moment, he had been on top, ready to put Alex back in his place, and the next, he was the one pinned down, disgraced in front of the entire school.Emily nervously glanced at her phone, scrolling through social media. "It's all over the internet, Victor," she said hesitantly. "Everyone's posting videos of what happened. Look at this." She turned the phone toward Victor, showing him a video of Alex effortlessly dodging his punches and then pinning him to the ground. The comments were brutal, mocking Victor, calling him weak, and praising Alex’s newfound strength.Victor snatched the phone out of Emily’s hand, his eyes narrowing in fury as he watched the video loop over and over. “This... this can’t be happening,” he growled. His hands shook with rage. “Chen was supposed to be a joke. How did they do that?”Jake
The next morning, Alex walked into school with Samira by his side, feeling a little more at ease after the previous day’s events. The buzz in the hallway had died down somewhat, though the occasional whisper and sideways glance reminded Alex that his confrontation with Victor was still very much on everyone’s mind. Samira had seen some of the videos being shared online but didn’t bring it up, sensing Alex’s desire for normalcy, at least for now.“I can’t believe people are still talking about it,” Samira said as they headed to class. “You were amazing, Alex. I mean, you’ve always been strong, but that? That was something else.”Alex shrugged, feeling a bit awkward under the praise. “I didn’t really think about it. It just... happened. I don’t even know how I did it.”Samira gave a small smile. “Maybe your mom’s gift is more than just sentimental. Maybe it’s connected to all of this.”Alex glanced down at the amulet hanging around his neck, hidden under his shirt. It had felt different
After the confrontation, Alex and Samira walked in silence for a while, the weight of what had just happened hanging heavy between them. The rush of energy from the amulet had settled, but Alex could still feel its presence pulsing softly under his shirt, a reminder that things were far from normal now.Finally, Samira broke the silence. “Alex, you just took on Victor like it was nothing. Yesterday, you weren’t even sure what happened, and now… this?” Her voice was filled with a mix of awe and concern. “You’ve changed.”Alex nodded, feeling the truth of her words. “I know. I don’t understand it, Samira. It’s like... something woke up inside me when Victor knocked me out fews days back. The amulet, it’s connected to everything. I think it’s my mom’s doing.”Samira looked down at the amulet. “You mean the one your grandma gave you? The one from your mom?”“Yeah,” Alex said, glancing down at the small, ancient-looking charm hanging around his neck. “It’s more than just a gift. I can feel
As Alex walked through the halls the next day, he couldn’t help but feel the pull of the amulet against his chest, a constant reminder of the power that now coursed through his veins. The confrontation with Victor had only been the beginning. He knew that. There was so much more to this mysterious gift from his mother—so many more abilities that Alex had yet to understand or unlock.That afternoon, after school, Alex headed to the old park near his neighborhood. It was quiet, a place where he could be alone. Samira had offered to come, but Alex felt this was something he needed to figure out on his own. He sat on one of the large rocks near the center of the park, pulling out the amulet and holding it in his hand.It glowed faintly in the fading sunlight, warm to the touch as though it were alive. The longer Alex stared at it, the more he could feel something inside—something ancient and powerful. His heartbeat synced with the soft pulsing of the amulet, and Alex closed his eyes, lett
The day started off like any other. Alex walked through the school halls with Samira, still getting used to the strange new energy inside him. The amulet, its warmth always present against his chest, was a constant reminder of the power he had inherited. Since his connection with it deepened, everything around him felt different—the way he moved, the way he saw the world. It was like he had stepped into a whole new reality, one where he could sense danger before it even arrived.They were headed to lunch when he noticed something off. A group of students gathered near the stairs, their voices panicked. Samira and Alex exchanged a quick glance, and without a word, we pushed through the crowd to see what was happening.At the bottom of the staircase, a student lay sprawled out on the floor, barely conscious. His breathing was shallow, and there was a nasty gash on his forehead, blood trickling down the side of his face. I heard someone say he’d slipped and hit his head on the way down,