Max Gates

Chapter 6 : Subtle Triumphs

A few hours later, Max nonchalantly strolled out of the library, returning to the now deserted hallway. With a disposable cup of water in hand, he meandered down the lengthy corridor when suddenly, a sharp cry echoed through the hall, catching his attention. Max halted, his curiosity piqued. The cry repeated, creating ripples of unease in the air. He stood there, grappling with the decision to explore its origin or continue on his way.

A debate unfolded within Max—temptation versus prudence. Opting not to play the role of the intruder, he resumed his journey, convincing himself it was wise not to pry into others' affairs. Yet, the persistent cries lingered, like an insistent melody, tugging at his inquisitiveness.

Three minutes passed, Max standing at the crossroads of curiosity and restraint, each cry intensifying the mystery. A gulp, a toss of the cup into a nearby bin, and he succumbed to the allure of the enigma.

As Max retraced his steps down the hallway, faint grunts and laughter emerged from the gym. Intrigued, he ventured inside, and his surprise was palpable as he discovered Ethan Snow and his formidable friends, a trio feared by all.

Ethan stood tall, his dark hair framing a determined face with and piercing dark eyes. His lightly built body physique hinted at an underlying strength that complemented his confident presence.

Observing Ethan's friends tormenting a defenseless individual, Max couldn't stay silent. "You gonna cry for us!?" taunted one of Ethan's henchmen.

"Yeah, come on, cry," jeered another, brandishing a smartphone to capture the agonizing scene. Max's gut churned at the display of cruelty, and he couldn't remain a mere spectator.

"Hey, leave him alone!" Max blurted out, his voice cutting through the gym's atmosphere.

The trio jolted, turning to confront Max. "Mind your business, Gates!" one of them bellowed.

"Unless you wanna join in," another one sneered before they dismissed Max as inconsequential. Ethan and his friends, oblivious to Max's persistent presence, callously continued their attack.

In a final act of cruelty, Ethan shoved the victim into a row of gym seats, his friends taking turns assaulting the defenseless individual. Tension hung thick in the air as Max, torn between intervention and retreat, grappled with the unfolding brutality before him.

In truth, Max found himself perplexed, questioning why he remained rooted to the spot, a silent witness to the unfolding brutality. The desire to intervene tugged at him, yet the looming specter of Ethan and his cohorts deterred any heroic impulses.

The prospect of inviting the wrath of Ethan Snow, the school's reputed tough guy, was not a risk Max was willing to take, especially for someone he barely knew. Ethan's enigmatic status as the school's unofficial enforcer, and his prowess in sports casted an ominous shadow.

Ethan's reluctance to join any school sports teams only added to the mystery surrounding him. As Max pondered the complexities of Ethan's reputation, the realization of being on Ethan's potential "payback list" in the upcoming term dampened his spirits.

The anticipation of a hostile reception in the future term loomed, considering Ethan's undisputed dominance. The internal conflict between intervening and avoiding Ethan's wrath intensified with each painful cry that echoed through the gym. The fists relentlessly assaulting the hapless victim stirred something deep within Max, challenging his passive stance and prompting a surge of conflicted emotions.

Max, despite his usual attempts to steer clear of Ethan's affairs, couldn't merely stand by and let the injustice unfold.

"What is wrong with all of you!" Max's voice pierced through the gym, a blend of frustration and moral indignation.

Ethan and his cronies were momentarily stunned, turning to find Max still standing firm. "What'd you say, Gates?" Ethan inquired, his tone carrying an oddly soothing quality.

Max, hands casually finding refuge in his pockets, took a decisive step forward. "I said, leave him alone," he asserted, a steely resolve in his words.

Ethan's friends exchanged glances, awaiting their leader's instructions. Ethan, smirking with an air of arrogance, met Max's gaze.

With a calculated step forward, Ethan leaned in, a theatrical touch to his demeanor. "I'm sorry, can you repeat that into my good ear?" he quipped, eliciting chuckles from his friends.

"You heard me, Snow," Max retorted, unwavering. "You don't even show up on the last day, so why are you here?"

An air of tension enveloped the gym as Max confronted the formidable Ethan, challenging the unspoken rules that governed their interactions.

Max's gaze shifted to the fallen figure on the gym floor, the silent plea in the guy's eyes searing into Max's consciousness. His face reflected sheer terror.

A subtle nod from Max, and the victim, without a moment's hesitation, scrambled to his feet, bolting out of the gym as if pursued by unseen ghosts.

Ethan, bewildered and seething with rage, couldn't fathom Max's interference. "What the—what did you do that for, huh?" he demanded.

"Didn't we tell you to mind your business, Max!" one of Ethan's henchmen erupted, pointing an accusatory finger.

"Meeting adjourned, get out," Max commanded, a resolute authority underlining his words.

Ethan, attempting a dismissive chuckle, countered, "That's not how this works. Since you made that guy to leave, it automatically means you have to take his place."

Fluster, Max, unaware of the implications, asserted, "You know, this may not go the way you think it will."

Despite his reluctance towards martial arts, Max had attained a black belt, a detail that he subtly reminded Ethan of. "So you don't have to do this," Max urged.

Ethan, reveling in the brewing confrontation, insisted, "Oh, but we have to. Right, guys?" His statement served as a cue for his friends, who began a deliberate advance toward Max, a measured pace that both intimidated and intensified the suspense.

Yet, Ethan remained stationary, a calculated observer in this unfolding drama, watching and waiting for the inevitable clash.

As Ethan's friends closed the distance with each determined step, Max found himself questioning the decision he'd just made. With every approaching moment, their looming presence intensified.

Confident in his stance but trembling within, Max harbored a silent hope that standing up to them might put an end to the persistent bullying in the upcoming term. He steeled himself for the confrontation, prepared to face the consequences, even if it meant a potential sacrifice.

However, as one of Ethan's friends extended a fist, Max anticipated a block but was caught off guard when the boy cunningly diverted, delivering a gut-wrenching blow. "Bet you didn't see that one coming, did you?" the assailant jeered, sealing their triumph with a celebratory high-five.

Max cringed, clutching his abdomen and struggling to catch his breath. Despite the setback, a flicker of determination persisted within him. Yet, when two fists lunged towards his face, panic seized him. Instinctively, he raised his hands to shield himself.

Curious about the absence of impact, he cautiously fluttered his eyes open.

To his astonishment, Ethan's friends were propelled forcefully to the end of the hall, colliding with Ethan, scattering into the benches, and rendering them unconscious.

Max, bewildered, questioned the inexplicable event. No broken glass, no open windows – just a trail of destruction leading from the unconscious boys in a perfect straight line to him.

Puzzled and petrified, Max contemplated whether he was the catalyst for this mysterious turn of events. Terrifying thoughts raced through his mind, leaving him paralyzed with fear.

As he turned to escape, the sight of Maddie stopped him in his tracks.