The invisible struggles

Revelation

The late afternoon sunlight poured through the tall windows of Windham University's main hall, casting a warm golden glow on the polished stone floor. Most students had already left for the day, their footsteps echoing faintly in the large, quiet space. Lucas moved slowly through the hall, clutching his books and notes tightly to his chest, trying to push the fatigue of the day aside. The pressure of exams and projects weighed heavily on him, but tonight something else unsettled him — a quiet tension he couldn't ignore.

As he neared the main entrance, Lucas suddenly locked eyes with Maxime, a classmate whose presence always stirred something uneasy within him. Maxime stood by a tall marble pillar, leaning back with an arrogant smile playing on his lips. That smile, which had always seemed to mock him, now felt like a direct challenge.

Their backstory was complicated — filled with rivalry, misunderstandings, and unspoken grudges. For years, Maxime had made it his mission to undermine Lucas, teasing him about his quiet demeanor and intense focus on academics. And Lucas, though usually calm and composed, had never forgotten those moments of humiliation. The memories stirred like embers ready to flare.

Maxime's voice cut through the silence like a blade. "So, you really think winning that competition means you're better than me?"

Lucas stiffened, the words striking a nerve. He tried to meet Maxime's gaze with steady eyes, but inside, a storm was brewing. "This isn't the place," Lucas said, his voice controlled but firm.

Maxime's smirk deepened, and he took a step closer. "Come on, Lucas. Don't pretend like you're not enjoying this. You finally got ahead, and it's gone to your head."

The words felt like a slap. Lucas's fists clenched tightly, nails digging into his palms. Years of pent-up frustration surged up, burning and suffocating. He tried to breathe, to calm the rage rising inside him, but it was no use.

Without thinking, Lucas shoved Maxime hard against the cold stone wall. Books and papers spilled to the floor with a sharp clatter. Maxime's surprised expression quickly twisted into anger, but before the situation could escalate further, students nearby began to gather, watching in shock.

"Hey! Break it up!" someone shouted as others stepped in to pull the two apart.

Lucas's heart thundered wildly in his chest. His hands trembled uncontrollably. The tension that had been building inside him exploded, leaving him exhausted and shaken.

Just then, Maya, Elena, and Alexandre arrived, their eyes wide with disbelief. None of them had ever seen Lucas like this — a storm barely contained beneath the surface.

They guided him away from the crowd and toward a nearby café. The warm light and soft murmur of conversations felt like a fragile shield against the turmoil inside Lucas's mind. He sat silently, hands wrapped around a hot cup of coffee, his gaze fixed on the swirling liquid.

After a long pause, Lucas finally broke the silence. "There's something I need to tell you all. Something I've kept hidden for a long time."

Elena leaned in, her voice gentle and reassuring. "Whatever it is, Lucas, we're here for you."

Taking a shaky breath, Lucas began. "I have a compulsive violence disorder. Sometimes, there's this storm inside me — quiet most of the time, but when it erupts, I lose control. I become someone I don't recognize. I don't want to hurt anyone, but the anger takes over."

His friends listened intently, the weight of his confession settling around them. Maya's eyes softened as she recalled moments when Lucas had seemed distant or irritable without explanation.

"I'm scared," Lucas admitted, voice breaking. "Scared I'll lose everything — my friendships, my future — because of this."

Alexandre's voice was calm but strong. "Thank you for trusting us with this. We want to help. You're not alone anymore."

Lucas nodded, feeling a fragile hope flicker inside him. He told them about the years he had struggled silently, the triggers that set off the violent episodes — feelings of being trapped, threatened, or overwhelmed.

"I've tried therapy, meditation, exercise. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't," he explained. "And when it doesn't... well, that's when the storm breaks loose."

Elena reached out, placing a comforting hand on Lucas's arm. "We'll support you. You don't have to carry this alone."

Maya squeezed his hand. "What usually triggers these episodes?"

Lucas thought carefully. "It's usually situations where I feel powerless, like today. When Maxime pushed me, said those things... I just snapped."

Alexandre nodded slowly. "Understanding the triggers is important. What do you want from us?"

Lucas met their eyes, gratitude shining through his exhaustion. "Patience. Support. Help finding ways to control this before it controls me."

The friends stayed late into the night, sharing plans, hopes, and fears. Maya promised to research specialists. Elena offered to help monitor his moods. Alexandre pledged to be a steady presence when the storm threatened.

For the first time in a long time, Lucas felt hope — fragile but real.

As they stepped outside into the cool night, the stars shining softly above, Lucas took a deep breath. He knew the road ahead would be long and difficult, but he also knew he wouldn't face it alone.

Flashback — The First Time

Lucas's mind drifted back to the first time he'd lost control. It had been years ago, in middle school, during a group project. Someone had accused him of cheating, a baseless claim fueled by jealousy. The accusation had spread quickly, whispers turning into cruel jokes.

The anger had built slowly at first, a burning ember. But then, one afternoon, when the teasing became unbearable, the storm erupted. Lucas had slammed his fist against a desk, shattering the wood. Teachers intervened, but the damage had been done. The fear and shame that followed had driven him to retreat inward, hiding his true feelings behind a mask of calm.

That moment, Lucas realized, was the beginning of the battle he had been fighting ever since — the battle with the storm inside.

Present — A New Beginning

Back in the café, Lucas looked around at his friends. Their faces were full of understanding, free from judgment.

"I want to get better," Lucas said firmly. "Not just for me, but for all of you. I don't want to lose what we have."

Elena smiled softly. "We'll be with you every step of the way."

Maya nodded. "Together, we'll face this storm."

Alexandre's voice was steady. "And no matter how hard it gets, remember — you are not defined by your disorder. You're defined by who you are, and who you want to be."

Lucas felt tears prick his eyes. For the first time, he believed that maybe, just maybe, he could find peace.

The night grew deeper, the café quieter. But inside Lucas, the storm was beginning to calm, replaced by a fragile calm and a glimmer of hope.