Return to school (4)

Sebastian then approached Derrick, who was still on the ground reeling in pain. He sat on him, and with the same gaze a bird of prey would look at his soon to be meal, he looked him in the eyes.

But there were no words between them. Sebastian then started punching Derrick. In the face, on the ribcage, on the groin.

"AAAAH! STOP! STOP HIM!"

At that moment, although many onlookers had scrambled away, a curious crowd still lingered, their eyes locked on the unfolding drama.

The area, despite the flight of many, was paradoxically bustling with spectators. They watched with a mix of horror and fascination as Sebastian unleashed his fury, yet none stepped forward to intervene.

Perhaps it was the intensity in Sebastian's actions that held them back, or maybe it was a collective disdain for Derrick that made them reluctant to stop the spectacle.

Derrick's pleaded, "STOP HIM!" It cut through the tense air as he tried to defend himself against Sebastian's relentless assault. His voice, laced with desperation and pain, seemed to fall on deaf ears.

Sebastian moved with a predator's grace, his actions unfettered by any intervention, his demeanor that of a beast unchained.

"He he he he he…"

Sebastian punched Derrick in the face.

"He he he he he…"

He punched him again. Then Sebastian turned to his right, where most of the crowd of people was. As he saw them, he smiled.

However, it wasn't the same sadistic smile he sported during the whole beating. It was that of a child, happy about having received a toy and eager to play with it.

The presents shivered.

It was then that he jolted out of his reverie. In that sharp moment of clarity, Sebastian's gaze fell upon the figure sprawled beneath him—Derrick, now a mere shadow of his former arrogance.

Blood marred his features, streaming from cuts that littered his face. Bruises bloomed across his skin like dark, ominous clouds.

Derrick's once defiant eyes were now closed, his consciousness swallowed by the shadows of pain and defeat.

The beating had drained out of him, leaving behind a battered body struggling for each breath.

<He… he—fu—he… f—hehe—fuck…>

Sebastian rose to his feet, the echo of his laughter still filling the air, a sound that mingled madness with regret.

Despite the joy he found in the chaos, there was a storm of frustration brewing within him for having surrendered to such a loss of control.

His eyes, alight with a wild gleam, swept over the onlookers, their expressions a mix of shock and morbid curiosity.

As he shouldered his backpack, the crowd instinctively parted for him.

Sebastian simply walked through the parted crowd, his laughter fading into a sinister whisper that lingered like a shadow.

The onlookers watched in silence, a mixture of relief and unease settling over them as he disappeared from view.

<I messed up… I really, really up.>

The problem was that Sebastian beat the shit out of Derrick in front of everyone. That was what he feared. If he got the spotlights on him, he could attract unwanted attention from the four sacred clans.

The precarious peace that had spared Sebastian's life hinged on a simple fact: he had been deemed no threat in his unawakened state.

The four sacred clans, despite their dominion, faced murmurs of dissent, not just for their handling of the fangeds issue but also for the shadow of suspicion that lingered over the mysterious demise of Argus Wells.

This undercurrent of discontent simmered quietly among those who harbored ill will towards the clans, yet lacked the strength to challenge their authority.

Sebastian's potential awakening, however, threatened to upend this fragile balance. It wasn't just about one individual gaining power; it was about the revival of the Tide breaker clan, a name that once commanded respect and loyalty, now whispered as a rallying cry for those disenchanted with the current regime.

Sebastian, with the legacy of Argus Wells coursing through his veins, represented a beacon of hope for retribution and change.

Should he awaken, the very fabric of their society could shift. The families once loyal to the Tide breakers, who had silently mourned Argus's passing and bided their time, would see in Sebastian a chance to reclaim their lost honor and power.

Their grievances, long buried under the guise of subservience, would ignite into a fervor for justice, propelling them towards a conflict that had been brewing under the surface.

This wasn't just about avenging a fallen patriarch; it was about challenging a status quo that had allowed the four sacred clans to dictate the course of their world unopposed for almost 30 years.

Sebastian's awakening could very well be the catalyst for a war, a struggle to redefine the balance of power and to restore the Tide breaker clan to its rightful place.

In the wake of such a shift, the allegiances and rivalries that had silently shaped their society would emerge into the open, sparking a conflict that could redraw the lines of power and loyalty in their world.

As Sebastian neared the school's main entrance, his pace slowed, his attention captured by a figure walking towards the same destination.

It was Rebecca. In that moment, the chaos and madness that had just consumed him faded into the background, replaced by a singular focus on her.

She moved gracefully, her laughter and conversation with friends floating towards him like a melody, unaware of his presence.

Rebecca was, without a shadow of a doubt, the most beautiful girl Sebastian had ever seen.

The sunlight seemed to weave itself around her, casting a halo that highlighted her features with a soft glow.

Her hair cascaded down her shoulders in waves, catching the light with every step she took, shimmering like a river of gold.

Her smile, bright and infectious, had the power to draw in those around her, lighting up her face and making her eyes sparkle with a vivacity that was captivating.

She moved with an effortless elegance, each gesture and expression radiating a warmth that was as inviting as it was mesmerizing.

To Sebastian, she seemed like a vision, a beacon of light amid his tumultuous world.

Her beauty was not just in her appearance but in the aura she carried, an essence of grace and vitality that made it impossible to look away.

As Rebecca continued towards the entrance, laughing and chatting with her friends, completely oblivious to his gaze, Sebastian found himself rooted to the spot, struck by the sheer force of his admiration.

In the chaos of his life, she represented a moment of pure, unblemished beauty, a reminder of the gentler aspects of existence that he so often overlooked.

Watching her, Sebastian felt a sense of longing, captivated by the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on. Then she briefly turned. It was clear she saw him based on the face she made.

<You already thought about that, Sebastian. No contacting her, no approaching her. It is better this way. safer for>

Then Sebastian walked through the main entrance, after Rebecca, and her friends disappeared from sight.