Nerez was fifteen when the world ended.
One moment, he was just a teenager trying to figure out life. The next... he became death.
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6:00 p.m.
*Finally, my last class is over. Who in their right mind schedules a class until six in the evening?*..., A boy muttered, slinging his bag over his shoulder.
The black-haired boy standing at 5'11 sighed as he stepped out of the classroom. He wasn't alone , other students also shuffled out, tired and drained. This particular class had always been a struggle for everyone, but it remained the most important one in their schedule.
As he walked through the familiar hallway, a small smile crept across his face. He had good and bad memories here... but at least he had someone to share them with.
Opening the front door, he glanced outside and smiled again.
Yep, as always. Present, he thought, his eyes locking on someone.
Most people might assume he was smiling at a girl waiting for him but no. It was his twin brother.
Standing opposite him, equally tall and similarly dressed, was Seran.
"Idiot. You should be home by now," Nerez called out with a faint smirk.
"Look who's talking. Mom and Dad will be worried," Seran rolled his eyes and turned to walk toward their home.
Their names were Nerez and Seran. Seran, the older of the two, was calm and gentle. Nerez… was different. They weren't identical twins, but their bond ran deeper than blood.
"Brother, seriously... why did you wait for me? And where's that little girl?" Nerez asked as they walked down the path by the road.
"She went home. Her dad called and said it was 'important.' You know how rich people are, who knows what 'important' means to them," Seran replied with a shrug, glancing around.
"True, true... I just hope she's not relocating or something," Nerez murmured.
"Oh? Why? You like her?" Seran teased.
Nerez frowned slightly. "Who had a crush on her when we were kids?" he asked with a mischievous grin.
"You did.."
"Hey! Stop that.."
The two laughed as they passed into a darker alley, not far from home.
"Nerez... get ready to run," Seran whispered suddenly. He had been scanning their surroundings the entire way.
Nerez instantly understood. Ever since they were little, they had learned to keep their eyes open.
Despite being good-looking, they came from a modest family and were quiet, introverted,some would say weak. This made them perfect targets for bullies. The kind who were strong on the outside but broken inside, needing someone to step on just to feel whole.
That group made up of four boys had been following them since they left school.
"Run," Seran muttered just as they turned a corner. Both brothers sprinted in the opposite direction of their home.
The last thing they wanted was for their parents to find out.
But the bullies, already used to the game of predator and prey, weren't far behind. Within seconds, they caught up and tripped the twins, sending them crashing to the ground.
Boom.
Boom.
Nerez and Seran hit the pavement hard. Knees pressed down on their backs as their arms were twisted and locked behind them.
"Well, well... if it isn't the two pretty boys of our school," the leader sneered. He was a tall blond at 6'3, muscular and intimidating.
The rest of the group stood just over 6 feet tall. Two of them held down Nerez and Seran, while the leader and a creepy-looking kid with a snake like scar took the lead.
"Isn't today the day I told you to bring the 15,000?" the leader asked mockingly as the others laughed.
"I..." Seran hesitated, racking his brain for an excuse.
"These two don't respect you, boss," said the scarred one, yanking Nerez by the hair and spitting on it.
Fury surged through Nerez, and he struggled only to be held down harder.
Crack!
A brutal punch to his face sent his vision spinning.
"Stop! Stop! I'll get the money next week! Please, don't hit him!" Seran begged, his voice trembling.
The bullies laughed. This was what they loved—seeing their prey beg. It made them feel powerful. Dominant.
"I said this week, and I meant it. You want to negotiate?" the leader scoffed.
Seran clenched his fists, biting back tears.
"Let's beat them half to death," the scarred one said. The leader grinned wickedly.
"You're right."
Boom!
An uppercut sent Seran crashing to the ground. His vision blurred, and pain exploded through his body as fists and feet rained down.
"You're so much weaker than your twin," the scarred bully mocked.
Then came the knee.
Boom.
The impact to Nerez's stomach knocked the air out of him. He vomited violently.
"Disgusting," the scarred kid muttered, grabbing Nerez's face and forcing him to look up.
"Don't die yet."
Nerez, through blood and rage, sneered. "Your face... is ugly."
"Oh? Still got a mouth on you? Let's fix that," the boy hissed—and the beating resumed.
Nerez couldn't even cry out. He simply endured.
The last thing he heard before blacking out was:
"Leave them. If we don't get the 15K by next week... we'll pay your parents a visit."
Then laughter. Cruel, mocking laughter.
Earlier, Nerez had thought about the good and bad memories from school. The bad memories is this and it always comes back to them.
Life was truly miserable for some.
Seran groaned, forcing himself up. He spat blood, tore his shirt, and wiped away the crimson stains on his face—then bent to clean Nerez's wounds too.
Finally, he lifted his unconscious brother onto his back and staggered forward.
"I swear... I'll create a better future for us," Seran whispered.
An oath carved in pain.
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