The invisible struggles

Revelation

The evening at Windham University had passed in a rather mundane way until Lucas locked eyes with one of his classmates in the main hall. The tension between them had always been there, fueled by past misunderstandings and academic rivalries.

That evening, as Lucas was leaving his class late in the afternoon, he encountered Maxime, who looked at him with a mocking expression. Maxime, known for his arrogance and quarrelsome nature, couldn't resist taunting Lucas about a recent academic competition in which Lucas had surpassed his expectations.

"You really thought you were better than me, didn't you?" Maxime said sarcastically, pushing Lucas to the brink with his provocative remarks. Lucas, usually in control of his emotions, felt a cold rage rising within him. He tried to remain calm, but Maxime's words struck a nerve. Memories of past confrontations, where Lucas had been ridiculed or underestimated by his peers, resurfaced.

"Stop, Maxime," Lucas replied through clenched teeth. "This isn't the time or the place for this." But Maxime, determined to provoke Lucas further, continued his taunts, raising his voice and drawing the attention of other students in the hall. The situation quickly escalated into a heated exchange of sharp words and agitated gestures.

In a moment of intense frustration, Lucas felt an uncontrollable surge of anger. Without thinking, he shoved Maxime violently against the wall, causing him to stumble over his scattered belongings. The surrounding students looked on in shock, some intervening to separate the two before the altercation could escalate further.

The commotion was muffled by the noise of the confrontation, which had reached its peak. The tension in the university hall was palpable, like a sword hanging over their heads. Maya, Elena, and Alexandre looked at Lucas with a mix of concern and confusion after the fight that had erupted in the lobby a few hours earlier. No one had ever suspected Lucas could have such issues.

Lucas stood there, his hands shaking and his eyes downcast. He knew he had to confront his inner demons, the anger that erupted without warning and threatened to destroy everything he cared about.

"I... I need to tell you something," he began hesitantly. His friends looked at each other, attentive but silent, ready to listen.

"It's not easy for me to admit, but... I have a compulsive violence disorder," he finally confessed, his words coming out quickly as if he feared he wouldn't be able to say everything. "It's like a storm is brewing inside me sometimes, and I can't control it. It doesn't happen often, but when it does... I become someone I don't recognize." He took a deep breath, finally meeting his friends' concerned gazes. "I know it seems hard to believe, especially after what just happened. But it's true. And I don't want it to ruin our friendship, or worse..."

A heavy silence settled in the room. Elena, usually so talkative, struggled to find her words. Alexandre had a serious expression, a mix of surprise and understanding. Maya, on the other hand, recalled moments when Lucas had seemed suddenly distant or irritated, without understanding what was truly going on inside him.

Finally, it was Maya who broke the silence. "Lucas, thank you for telling us. It must be incredibly difficult for you. But know that we are here for you, no matter what you're going through. You don't have to face this alone."

Elena nodded silently, showing her support. Alexandre then spoke in a calm but firm voice. "Lucas, you are our friend. We understand that everyone has their struggles. What matters now is how you choose to face them."

Lucas looked down again, this time with a mix of relief and vulnerability. He had feared that his friends would judge or reject him. But now that he had shared this dark part of himself, he felt strangely liberated.

"Thanks, guys," he whispered, feeling a tremendous weight lift from his shoulders. "I really want to change. I want to learn how to deal with this, to be a better person for all of you and for myself."

His friends' looks were full of compassion and acceptance. Together, they knew this moment marked a turning point in their friendship. Lucas had finally opened the door to mutual understanding and deeper support.

"Lucas, I think we all need to understand something," Maya said. "How long have you had this problem with violence? And what triggers these episodes?"

Lucas looked down for a moment, gathering his thoughts before answering. He knew he had to be honest if he wanted his friends to truly understand. "It's something I've been struggling with for a long time," he began slowly. "I'm not sure when it started. It's always been there, lurking under the surface. But it becomes a real problem when I feel cornered, threatened, or lose control of a situation."

He paused, trying to describe his internal experience. "It's like a ball of anger and frustration is forming in my chest. I feel a pressure building inside me, and sometimes I can't contain it. It's like everything has to come out, even though I know it's the last thing I want to do."

Maya placed a comforting hand on Lucas's, silently expressing her support. Elena looked at Lucas with empathy, recalling moments when he had seemed distant or irritable without understanding why.

Alexander tilted his head slightly, continuing the conversation in a calm tone. "And what triggers these episodes? Is there something in particular that sets you off?"

Lucas thought for a moment before answering. "It's often linked to situations where I feel threatened or unable to control what's happening around me. Conflicts, unexpected challenges, moments when I feel overwhelmed."

He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "I know this isn't an excuse. I really want to change. I've tried different methods to channel my anger, but sometimes... sometimes it comes out before I can do anything."

Lucas' friends listened intently, absorbing every word as they tried to understand the magnitude of what he was facing. They now knew that Lucas was not only battling his own issues but also fighting inner demons that threatened his peace of mind and relationships.

That evening, they talked for a long time, sharing their thoughts and hopes for the future. Lucas knew he still had a long way to go to overcome his inner demons, but he now knew he wasn't alone in this fight.