CHAPTER 1: Shadows of the Fragile

“Look at him. Can’t even stand up straight.”

A hard shove sent Kai crashing into the lockers. The bang echoed in the empty hall. His backpack fell, spilling his papers everywhere.

“Pick it up,” Marcus said, smiling. “Like the dog you are.”

Three of them had him trapped. Kai dropped to his knees, his hands shaking as he reached for a paper.

“You’re pathetic,” Marcus said. “You’ll never be anything.”

Another kick sent his bag flying. Books and pens scattered across the floor.

“What’s wrong?” Tyler laughed. “Gonna cry? Oh, that’s right. You don’t have a mom to run to.”

The words hurt more than any punch. Kai’s heart beat hard in his chest. He kept his head down.

Finally, they walked away, their laughter fading.

He was alone again. Where were the friends who promised to stick by him? Nowhere. Just like always.

He gathered his broken things. A torn notebook. His lunch, crushed and ruined. Homework covered in a dirty shoe print.

No one helped him. The other students looked away as they passed.

The walk home was long. His body ached. The world felt too bright and too loud.

His uncle’s house smelled of old smoke and leftover food. Kai tried to sneak inside.

“Where’s the money?” His uncle stood in the kitchen doorway, his eyes angry.

“I don’t have any,” Kai said.

“Rent is due. You eat my food. You live in my house.” His uncle stepped closer. “Get a job, or get out.”

Kai’s room was small and dark. A mattress on the floor. A broken desk. He fell onto the bed, his energy gone.

He was sixteen. His parents were gone. No one wanted him. School was a nightmare. His grades were bad.

What was the point?

He made his hands into fists. He would not cry. He had to survive.

His eyes found a crumpled paper on his desk. A flyer.

PRIVATE TUTORING. Limited spaces. Serious students only.

Meet after school. Ask for Mr. Ashford.

Kai stared at it. Tutoring cost money, and he had none.

But everyone knew Mr. Ashford. The new teacher. The one who made the hall go quiet. Students were scared of him. Even Marcus was careful around him.

Why would that man offer tutoring?

The next day, after school, Kai found the room. It was in the old, quiet part of the building. He stood outside the door, afraid to knock.

What if it was a trick?

The door opened before he could move.

Mr. Ashford stood there. He was tall and serious. His eyes were cold.

He didn’t say hello. He just looked at Kai, and it felt like he could see every broken piece inside.

“You’re late,” Mr. Ashford said. His voice was soft, but it filled the silence.

“I… I’m sorry, I didn’t—”

“Make a choice. Come in, or go away.”

The room behind him was dark. A single light bulb glowed on the wall.

Kai’s whole body told him to run. This man was dangerous.

But Kai had nothing left. No one else to turn to.

He took a step forward, into the dark room.

The door closed behind him with a quiet, final sound. Like a lock turning.