Chapter 13: Chapter 13: A New Beginning
As summer break drew to a close, Liam felt a sense of excitement mixed with anticipation. His final year of high school was about to begin, and unlike the previous years, he now had the power and confidence to face whatever challenges came his way. With his abilities honed and a plan in place, he was ready to step into a new chapter of his life.
The first day of school arrived, and Liam walked through the gates with a calm, confident demeanor. He could feel the eyes of his classmates on him, but the usual anxiety was absent.
As he walked down the hallway, he saw Brad and his group of bullies leaning against the lockers, their eyes narrowing as they spotted him. Liam felt a surge of anger but quickly controlled it. He had no intention of letting them get under his skin this year.
Brad stepped forward, a sneer on his face. "Well, look who it is. Ready for another year of being our punching bag, Liam?"
Liam met Brad's gaze steadily. "Not this year, Brad. Things have changed."
Brad laughed, but there was a hint of uncertainty in his eyes. "Oh really? What makes you think we won't beat you to a pulp like always?"
Liam smiled slightly, his confidence unwavering. "Try it and find out."
The morning passed without incident, but Liam knew it was only a matter of time before the bullies made their move. During lunch, he decided to sit outside, away from the crowded cafeteria. He found a quiet spot under a tree and pulled out a book, enjoying the peace.
It wasn't long before he heard the familiar taunting voices approaching. Brad and his group surrounded him, blocking out the sunlight.
"Enjoying your little break, Liam?" Brad said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "It's time for your welcome back beating."
Liam remained calm, his eyes never leaving his book. "I told you, Brad. Things have changed."
Brad's expression darkened, and he took a step forward, swinging his fist towards Liam's face. The impact should have knocked Liam off his feet, but it didn't. Instead, Brad's fist connected with an unseen barrier that absorbed the force, leaving Liam untouched.
"Why isn't he flinching?" Jason muttered, confusion evident in his voice.
"Hit him harder, Brad!" Sarah urged, frustration mingling with fear.
Brad swung again, and again, each punch absorbed by the invisible shield around Liam. The bullies felt the impact reverberate through their fists, but Liam showed no signs of pain or damage. He simply stood there, an amused smirk playing on his lips.
"What's the matter, Brad? Having trouble?" Liam asked, his voice calm and confident.
Brad's face turned red with anger and confusion. He swung again, putting all his strength into the punch, but it was as if he was hitting a wall. The other bullies joined in, their punches and kicks landing but causing no harm to Liam.
"What the hell is this?" Jason shouted, backing away.
"He's not even trying to fight back!" Sarah exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic.
Liam continued to smile, his eyes locking with Brad's. For a split second, Brad's vision blurred, and he saw Liam's face transform into a horrifying, monstrous visage. He blinked, and the image was gone, replaced by Liam's normal, composed expression.
Brad stumbled back, shaking his head. "Did...did you see that?"
"See what?" Jason asked, his eyes wide with fear.
"His face...it changed," Brad muttered, trying to steady his breathing.
"You're seeing things, man," Sarah said, her voice wavering. "Let's get out of here."
The bullies, realizing they were outmatched and confused by what they had experienced, slowly backed away, muttering under their breaths.
Liam watched them leave, his lips curled in a smirk as he feels amusement in their confusion. He had taken the first step in reclaiming his power, and it felt good.
With the bullies out of the picture, Liam focused on building alliances and expanding his social circle. He knew that having allies would be beneficial for gathering information. He used his telepathic abilities subtly, reading the thoughts of his classmates to identify those who might be open to friendship.
He started with small gestures, like helping fellow students with their homework or offering to carry books for someone struggling with a heavy load. These acts of kindness did not go unnoticed, and soon, Liam found himself surrounded by a growing number of friends and allies.
Liam also began to influence the social dynamics of the school. He would use his telepathic abilities to sense the intentions and emotions of those around him, allowing him to respond appropriately and build stronger connections.
He defused potential conflicts before they escalated, using his influence to calm tensions and foster cooperation. This ability made him a valuable mediator, and his reputation for being fair and wise grew.
During group projects, Liam would subtly guide the discussions, ensuring that his ideas were accepted and implemented. He helped his classmates see the benefits of working together, creating a sense of unity and cooperation.
Liam also decided to focus on his academics. He had always been a good student, but now he wanted to excel. He used his enhanced abilities to study more efficiently, absorbing information quickly and understanding complex concepts with ease.
In class, he answered questions confidently and participated actively in discussions. His teachers noticed the change, praising his efforts and encouraging him to continue. Liam's grades improved, and he found himself enjoying the intellectual challenge.
As the weeks passed, Liam's position in the school hierarchy shifted. He was no longer seen as the timid, easy target. Instead, he was respected and even admired by some of his classmates.
Meanwhile, Brad and his group watched Liam's rise with a mix of confusion, resentment, and unease. They couldn't understand how the boy they once tormented was now becoming so popular and influential.
"How is he doing this?" Jason grumbled one day, glaring at Liam from across the cafeteria.
"I don't get it," Sarah added, shaking her head. "He's supposed to be a loser. How did he suddenly become so... competent?"
Brad, however, felt a deeper sense of unease. There was something off about Liam, something he couldn't quite put his finger on. The image of Liam's face morphing into a monstrous visage still haunted him.
"There's more to this," Brad muttered. "I think he has something to do with what happened in the forest."
Jason and Sarah exchanged uneasy glances. "You really think so?" Sarah asked.
Brad nodded. "I don't know how, but I'm going to find out."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Tiamat372
Tiamat372 I think I will try to just finish up highschool for him here pretty soon, might bring an end to the bullies as well here soon, just depends on if you all want them to be tormented throughout the story, but for now i plan on getting through highschool, then we can see where the story goes from there. For all those who think i might have this fleshed out, nope this is all just on the fly. but thanks for everyone who reads the story!
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