Chapter 21: Standing against the bully

"Hey boy, got some change?" Jason sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "I have to get a cold drink to quench my thirst, you see."

Kael clenched his fists, his jaw tightening with anger. The audacity of Jason, to demand money after everything that had happened, was infuriating. He didn't want to stoop to his level, but he couldn't help but feel a surge of defiance.

Looking directly into Jason's eyes, Kael spoke with a steely calm.

"No, I don't have any change. And I suggest you find another way to quench your thirst."

Jason's smirk faltered for a moment, caught off guard by Kael's unexpected resistance. He recovered quickly, however, his face twisting into a scowl.

"What did you say?" he growled, stepping closer to Kael, attempting to intimidate him.

Kael stood his ground, his gaze unwavering. He knew he couldn't back down, not now. He had to stand up for himself, for Amelia, for all the others who had been bullied by Jason.

"I said I don't have any change" Kael repeated, his voice firm. "And I suggest you leave me alone."

The tension in the hallway crackled, the air thick with unspoken threats. Other students gathered around, watching the confrontation unfold with a mixture of curiosity and fear.

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the crowd, stepping between Kael and Jason. It was Alex, his face etched with determination. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Kael, presenting a united front against the bully.

"Leave him alone, Jason" Alex said, his voice low but resolute. "We're not afraid of you."

Jason's eyes narrowed, his gaze flickering between Kael and Alex. He knew he was outnumbered, and the unexpected defiance of his usual victims threw him off his game.

With a grunt of annoyance, he turned and walked away, muttering threats under his breath. The crowd dispersed, the tension dissipating as quickly as it had risen.

Kael and Alex exchanged a look of understanding. They had faced Jason together, proving that they wouldn't be intimidated. They had taken a stand, not just for themselves, but for all the victims of bullying.

Emma, witnessing the stand her friends took against Jason, beamed with pride. Her smile, genuine and warm, radiated through the hallway. She knew that facing Jason was never easy, and the courage they displayed was truly admirable.

"Nice one, guys!" she exclaimed, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. "You stood up to him, and he didn't stand a chance."

"Jason is just a weakling without his hyena entourage friends flocking behind him" Alex resonated patting Kael's shoulder.

****

That night, as Kael lay in bed, the events of the day replayed in his mind like a flickering film. The meeting with the detective and the lawyer, the restraining order, the vision of the old chapel, the encounter with Amelia, the confrontation with Jason. It was all overwhelming, a whirlwind of emotions and unanswered questions.

Amidst the chaos, however, one image persisted his mother's gentle touch. Earlier that evening, she had tucked him into bed, her hand brushing away a stray strand of hair from his forehead. Her eyes, filled with concern and love, had spoken volumes without needing a single word.

In that moment, amidst the turmoil and uncertainty, a sense of peace washed over him. He knew, with unwavering certainty, that he was not alone. He had his friends, his family, and a mother whose love provided a safe harbor in the storm.

As her touch lingered on his cheek, he felt a surge of warmth and determination. With a final sigh, Kael closed his eyes, his mother's love enveloping him like a warm blanket. He drifted off to sleep.

Soon, a jolt of energy surged through Kael's body, ripping him abruptly from his slumber. His eyes shot open, wide with terror, heart pounding against his ribs like a trapped bird. His breath came in ragged gasps, his body slick with cold sweat.

He didn't know what had woken him, but the fear was tangible, clinging to him like a shroud. He sat up, his eyes darting around the darkened room, scanning for any sign of danger.

His gaze fell upon his desk, where a flashlight lay forgotten amidst his textbooks. A flicker of recognition sparked in his mind. He needed to go to the chapel. Now!