Chapter Six: The fight

It took forever for morning to come.

I barely had any sleep last night, battling from the dull, throbbing pain that still resonated from yesterday’s beating, the chaotic aftermath of dinner, and the terrifying prospect of Zack’s inevitable vengeance – how could I possibly sleep? So much for feeling whole again.

Mom’s worried sick now. Zack had her convinced I was bullied—and he’s not wrong, but I don’t want her knowing that. Now she’s determined to schedule a meeting with the school board.

Ahh!

The thought alone sent a fresh wave of dread through me.

Great. Just what I need.

Zack, on the other hand, is definitely up to something. I don’t know what it is yet, but I can tell—Andrew’s going to regret ever laying a hand on me.

Zack and I may not be close, we might constantly butt heads and disagree on almost everything, but when it came to me getting hurt, Boy, he turns into a whole different person.

I still remember after the accident... Zack was furious with Mom. He truly believed she was to blame for what happened, convinced it was her fault I was in that state. Him seeing me all tubed up, fighting for my life in that sterile hospital room, it had shattered him. But he couldn’t stay mad at her forever. He wasn’t me, he didn’t feel the excruciating, soul-crushing pain that came with the whole accident that happened. He didn’t carry the kind of pain I’ve been holding ever since that day.

As I lay there, lost in thought about my life and everything it had become, I heard the door creak open.

"Who's that?" I asked, my voice low.

"Oh—sorry, Master Nicholas!" came the familiar voice.

I turned slightly and saw Nanny Tee stepping into the room.

"I thought you’d still be asleep—since you stayed up so late with Cilia," she said.

I sighed, dragging my eyes away from the ceiling. "I couldn’t sleep. And I hope the music didn’t disturb you."

She shook her head gently, offering a small smile. "No, not at all. I actually found it kind of comforting."

he took a few steps closer, then sat carefully on the edge of my bed, her presence.

"So… why couldn’t you sleep?" she asked, her tone tender, as if afraid pushing too hard might make me retreat.

"Because I couldn’t stop thinking... about how screwed up my life is."

"Don't say that, Nicholas," she said, taking my hand in hers.

“I know you’ve been through a lot. More than any sixteen-year-old should ever have to face. But there’s still hope. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

She paused, her voice warm with encouragement.

“Everything always works out eventually. You just have to open yourself to it. Enjoy your life, Nick,” she added, giving me a soft smile.

“Thanks, Nanny Tee,” I murmured, pulling her into a hug.

Tee has always known exactly what to say to make me feel better, to lift the crushing weight from my shoulders. I remembered when we first met—I’d been so cold, so distant. But she never gave up.

Instead, she stayed. She listened. And slowly, she helped me become better.

She helped me get dressed and ready, and before long, we headed downstairs for breakfast. Zack, predictably, had gone to school early, probably to stew over his revenge plans, so it was just Mom and me at the table.

“Honey, you have your next doctor’s appointment in a few days,” Mom said casually as she bit into her toast.

I just nodded and quietly continued eating. My mind already drifting to the next set of challenges the day would undoubtedly bring.

After breakfast, I was driven to school.

The ride felt longer than usual, maybe because my stomach was already tied in knots. I didn’t know what to expect—whispers, stares, or worse.

When I wheeled into the hallway, I was met with silence. Not a single student in sight.

Weird. Usually, this place was a warzone of laughter, chatter, and locker slams. But today? Nothing.

A distant rumble of noise echoed down the corridor.

Curious—and slightly unsettled—I followed the sound until I reached the cafeteria.

So this is where everyone is...

But why?

The crowd was packed so tight I could barely move, but I forced myself through, elbowing past students who barely noticed me. My chest tightened as I reached the front.

Shit.

It was Andrew and Zack—fighting.

Shouts echoed all around me:

“FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!”

Chairs were knocked over. Trays had crashed to the floor.

And in the center of it all were two people who should never have crossed lines—my brother and my... whatever Andrew was.

They both looked wrecked, but Andrew looked worse.

Bruised lip. Swollen eye. Bloody nose.

“I told you to leave my brother out of all this, but you wouldn’t just listen!” Zack growled, voice hoarse with fury as he slammed his fist across Andrew’s jaw. The crack echoed.

I wasn’t the one being punched, but I felt it.

Andrew staggered backward, trying to balance himself, but Zack wasn’t done.

“I left the damn group just so you would stop hurting him!” Zack shouted, grabbing Andrew by the collar. “But you didn’t! What more do you want, Andrew?!”

I froze. Zack left the Bloodline... because of me?

I had always assumed something else had happened between him and those guys. Something different. I never imagined he left to protect me.

Andrew coughed, doubling over from the next punch—this one to his stomach. Blood splattered from his mouth onto the cafeteria floor.

Zack was really kicking Andrew’s, I had to step in

“Zack, stop!” I shouted, my voice slicing through the chaos.

He didn’t hear me—or maybe he didn’t want to.

“Zack, please!” I begged, louder this time.

He raised his fist again, this time aiming higher—his knuckles trembling.

And then... he stopped.

Like a statue frozen in place, his chest heaving. He slowly turned toward me.

Then another voice cut through the madness like a blade.

“Boys! In my office. NOW. And everyone else—GET TO CLASS!” Principal Moira barked, storming into the room, heels clicking hard against tile.

Zack stood straight, still breathing heavily, his face red with rage and sweat.

He looked at me—and I looked back, not with fear... but disappointment.

I turned away and left, the crowd slowly parting for me.

“Zack, my office. Now,” Principal Moira repeated behind me.

I needed space. I needed air.

I wheeled myself outside, my mind still spinning from everything I'd just seen.

But just as the morning breeze touched my skin, something yanked me back.

A bag—thrown over my head. I gasped, darkness swallowing me whole.

“Hey!” I screamed, but it was too late.

Rough hands gripped my arms. I was lifted, dragged.

Panic gripped my chest.

Everything went black.