Chapter 2: Echoes of Destiny: Awakening [2]

Rey and his friends returned to their classroom after lunch, chatting softly among themselves.

The room still buzzed with conversation until the shrill ring of the school bell silenced the chatter.

One by one, students hurried to their seats as the next period began.

A few hours passed in a blur of lectures. Some subjects dragged on like they’d never end.

But finally, at

2:00 p.m.

, school was dismissed for the day.

Most students rushed out with relief—but not Rey.

He had been called by his math teacher,

Sir Peter

, to meet in his office after class.

“See you guys later,” Rey said, waving goodbye to James and Evan as he hurried down the hallway.

Soon, he stood outside a wooden door labeled:

Faculty Room – Sir Peter

He raised his hand and knocked.

“Come in, Rey. I’ve been waiting,” came the familiar voice from within.

Rey opened the door and stepped inside. The small office smelled of old paper and chalk dust. Sir Peter sat behind his desk, spectacles perched on his nose, eyes calm but observant.

With quiet nervousness, Rey entered and took the seat in front of him.

Peter didn’t speak immediately. He simply watched Rey for a moment, then turned, pulled out a folder from his drawer, and placed a small stack of papers on the desk.

“I know things haven’t been easy for you,” he said softly. “Your family's situation is tough. I can see it in your performance… you’ve been slipping.”

Rey lowered his head, shame creeping into his chest.

Peter continued, “These are practice sheets, notes, and some prep material I made just for you. Consider it a small push. From a teacher who believes in you.”

Rey’s eyes widened, and before he could stop them, tears welled up.

“Thank you, sir… I’ll study hard. I’ll make it to a good university. I swear it.”

Peter nodded, expression warm. “Good. You should. Because now… you're carrying your family’s future on your shoulders.”

Rey nodded firmly. “I won’t let you down.”

After a few more words of encouragement, Rey left the office, papers in hand, his heart lighter than before.

Outside, he glanced around the main road but didn’t see James or Evan.

They must’ve gone home already.

Remembering his part-time job starting today, Rey quickly picked up the pace.

Can’t be late—not on the first day.

He sprinted through the streets toward home. But halfway there, he skidded to a stop.

To his left was an old side-road—a shortcut.

It was overgrown, cracked, and rarely used. Whispers of odd happenings and strange noises had made locals avoid it.

But today, he hesitated only a second before darting down the path.

Time was short.

As he ran, the crumbling silhouette of an abandoned factory loomed to his right. Once a busy manufacturing plant, it had shut down years ago after workers reported unexplainable sounds—moans, screeches, clanking metal. Rumors spread. Protests followed.

Eventually, the place was condemned.

Now, it stood as a haunted relic, surrounded by garbage and forgotten stories.

Rey glanced at it—just for a moment—

—and that moment was enough.

A hard shove struck him from behind.

He stumbled forward and crashed to the ground with a pained grunt, scraping his palms on the rough pavement.

“What the—”

He looked up, and his stomach dropped.

Jonny.

That same cocky grin twisted across his face, surrounded by a group of boys—his usual gang.

Rey scrambled to his feet, backing away.

“Why did you push me, Jonny?”

Jonny’s smile widened. “I want you to feel what it’s like to be humiliated. Just like you humiliated me in front of everyone, you little brat.”

He gave a quick nod to his friends.

Two of them lunged forward, grabbing Rey by the arms.

Another snatched his bag.

“Let go of me!” Rey yelled, struggling, but they held him tight.

Jonny stepped forward and gave the order: “Empty his bag. And put it on his face when you’re done.”

They dumped the contents on the ground—books, a pencil case, a worn-out notebook…

And one slim guide labeled:

Study Guide – Prepared by Peter

Jonny picked it up, laughing.

“Aw, how touching. Your teacher gave you this? Must be really precious.”

He motioned to remove the bag from Rey’s head.

“You know,” he sneered, “I think I’ve found a better way to hurt you than just beating you up.”

He turned toward the abandoned factory.

“I’ll show you some generosity, Rey. I’ll throw this little treasure into the trash heap where it belongs—just like your future. After all, what’s a kid without a father supposed to do?”

Rey’s eyes flared—literally.

A strange crimson hue began to seep into his irises, glowing faintly.

“Don’t,” he said in a low voice. “Don’t talk about my father with your filthy mouth. You’re not worthy.”

But Jonny just laughed louder. “Ooooh, scary.”

His amusement quickly twisted into cold malice. He strode over to the factory gates, still holding the guide.

Then—

he hurled it inside

.

The book soared through the air, flipping end over end…

…until it disappeared into the shadows beyond the fence.

Rey stared, frozen, as something inside him cracked.

“Now,” Jonny said, cracking his knuckles, “let’s teach your body the same lesson we just taught your brain.”

He gave a final signal.

The boys closed in around Rey, raising the empty bag to cover his head once more.

To Be Continued…

Author’s Note:

Hey guys! Thanks so much for sticking with the story 💪🔥

See you in the next one—things are about to get intense. 👀