𝔉𝔏𝔄𝔐𝔈𝔖.

EPISODE TWENTY-FOUR: SOLITIDE

**HADIZAH'S POV**

I sat at my desk, writing down everything I had studied for this exam. The effort had clearly paid off.

I caught Mr. Lois watching me intently. He'd been assigned to me because they thought he could "handle" me.

"Mr. Lois, I'm done," I said.

"About time," he replied, his gaze sharp.

He stood up to collect my paper.

"Thanks," I said, gathering my things.

I left the classroom, eager to avoid the stares that would follow me. Opting for solitude, I headed towards the Biology lab.

For the past two days, I hadn't spoken to any of my classmates. I felt ashamed, even though there was no real reason to be.

I kept my head down, lost in my thoughts, when I sensed an aura nearby. I looked up and saw Ethan.

"I don't think I want to be seen with anyone right now," I said, rising to leave.

"Wait," he said, grabbing my hand. I tried to pull away, uncomfortable with his touch, but he didn't let go. Instead, he tightened his grip.

I pushed him away, kicking his leg with all my might. He winced in pain. Realizing what I'd just done, guilt washed over me.

"Ethan, I'm so sorry. Are you hurt?" I asked urgently.

"It's fine, I'm okay. I realize I approached this the wrong way," he said.

He sat down and removed his prosthetic (fake leg) leg from the knee downward.

I stared in shock.

"Oh my God," I whispered, almost shouting.

"See, you didn't even dent it," he reassured me as he fixed it back in place.

I sat down, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment.

"I'm really sorry," I said.

"You don't have to be," he replied.

We sat in silence, both watching the fish swim freely in the aquarium. I envied their freedom, wondering if I could ever be as liberated.

"If you don't mind, can you tell me how it happened?" I asked softly.

Ethan sighed and began his story.

"It was a spring day. I was going to a seminar with my dad. He was about to receive an award for Best Entrepreneur of the Year. Our brake failed, and the driver jumped out, saving his own life. My dad tried to stop the car, but it was useless. We collided with a tow truck, and the car flipped. My leg got trapped in the front seat. My dad tried to free me, but it was impossible. With fuel leaking and the car about to explode, he used all his strength to pull me out. My leg was crushed. He carried me a few steps before the car exploded. He was injured, but he carried me to the hospital. I was in a lot of pain and terrified I wouldn't make it. My dad kept assuring me I'd be okay. When I woke up, I realized my leg had been amputated. My world shattered. I couldn't walk again, and it felt like my life was over.

After a year in a wheelchair, my uncle, a robotics engineer, offered me a chance to test a new prosthetic (fake leg) he'd been working on. I was the first human trial. It worked. Now, I'm able to play football and live my life," he concluded.

"Wow, that's overwhelming," I said, wiping away my tears.

"I don't like when people cry for me. It's just a phase in my life, and I've moved past it," he said.

"Yeah," I agreed.

My plastic bottle of drink rolled to the entrance. As I picked it up, I felt my cheek sting. I saw Rose's eyes filled with rage.