Alan's mind replayed everything in fragments.
Bob's fists crashing into his face.
The weight of his own body collapsing.
Ellie's desperate screams begging him to stop.
Coner and Andrew frozen in fear.
Bob's rage, blind and uncontrollable.
Then… nothing.
No pain.
No sound.
Just darkness.
Teacher: "Hey! Bob! What are you doing?!"
Bob froze.
He looked down at Alan's unmoving body, his chest rising no more. Confusion crossed his face, quickly turning into panic.
Bob: "Oh–miss! It's nothing serious, I was just—"
The teacher rushed forward and knelt beside Alan. She placed her ear against his chest.
Her face drained of color.
Teacher: "Bob… what did you do?"
Bob swallowed hard, his legs trembling.
Bob: "He's fine… right? Miss, he's fine, right?"
Even he didn't sound convinced.
The teacher lifted her head slowly.
Teacher: "Bob… he's not breathing."
The words hit like thunder.
Andrew and Coner froze completely.
Ellie covered her mouth with both hands, unable to scream.
Bob's body started shaking uncontrollably.
Bob: "No… no, check again! There's no way he's–"
Teacher: "I'll deal with you later. Call an ambulance. Now!"
Andrew and Coner ran inside the school in panic. Minutes later, the sound of sirens filled the air as Alan was rushed away.
Darkness.
So this is it…
Am I dead now?
Alan felt nothing. No pain. No weight. Just an endless void.
But then—
Warmth.
A strange comfort wrapped around him.
Wait… how am I thinking if I'm dead?
A rhythmic sound echoed nearby.
Beep… beep…
Alan slowly opened his eyes.
White lights.
A ceiling he didn't recognize.
A tube near his face.
Before he could move, a nurse rushed toward him.
Nurse: "W-wait! Don't move!"
She stared at him in disbelief, tears forming in her eyes.
Nurse: "Oh my God… thank goodness. You're finally awake."
Alan blinked, confused.
Alan: "Where… am I? Is this a dream?"
The nurse laughed softly through her relief.
Nurse: "No, sweetheart. This is real. I can't believe it… you woke up after two years."
The words hit him like a punch.
Alan: "…Two years?"
His eyes widened.
Alan: "I was… in a coma?"
Nurse: "Yes. We tried contacting your parents. We even found your house, but every number was disconnected. We didn't know who to call."
Alan looked away.
Alan: "That makes sense… I've never even seen my parents. That photo at home… that's all I know."
The nurse gently patted his head.
Nurse: "It's okay. You're safe now. Are you hungry?"
Alan nodded weakly.
Alan: "Yeah…"
When the food arrived, he ate slowly, his hands trembling.
Alan: "Arigato gozaimasu."
The nurse chuckled at his sudden Japanese.
Nurse: "You're an interesting kid."
She left the room smiling.
Alone again, Alan stared at the ceiling.
I survived…
And two years have passed…
Memories of that day resurfaced.
Bob's face.
The pain.
The fear.
Alan clenched his fists.
A few days later, he was discharged from the hospital.
Standing outside, the world felt unfamiliar.
Alan: "Going back to that school…"
His chest tightened.
Alan: "No… not yet."
He took a deep breath.
Alan: "I won't return until I'm ready."
His eyes hardened.
Alan: "Just wait… I'll come back soon."
To be continued…