Seize A Lost Identity

Chapter 11: Tensions Rising

The Siberian cold barely penetrated the morning air as Xio journeyed to school, his breath creating whispers in the air. He liked the stillness of mornings, the reverie of the world pausing before day would start to fall into chaos.

When he stepped through the school gates, Nadia waved at him from across the yard. "Xio! Over here!"

He gave it a brief nod and started to approach her, but a volley of geriatric people blocked his way. Among them was Pavel, the senior he'd left humiliated in the hallway just days ago.

"Well, well," Pavel sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "If it isn't the silent hero. Thought you could humiliate me and get away with it?", huh?

Xio didn't respond, his eyes scanning the group. Four older men, each of them larger than him, and the garden space was mainly free. Nadia, unaware, was at a distance from the action to be perceived.

"Not going to say anything?" another senior taunted. "What, cat got your tongue?"

Pavel stepped closer, jabbing a finger into Xio's chest. "You're going to pay for what you did."

The Ambush

The seniors wasted no time. One of them grabbed Xio's bag and threw it to the ground while another tried to grab him by the collar. However, Xio made good pace, stepping out and flexing his arm itself.

"Big mistake," Pavel growled before lunging at him.

The fight was fast and brutal. Xio escaped the blow by Pavel's swing and landed a brutal blow on his side, sending him reeling. But the others weren't about to let him win so easily.

Two of them rushed him at once. Xio kicked out, catching one in the knee and sending him sprawling to the ground. The other managed to land a punch on Xio's side, but Xio retaliated with an elbow to his face, blood spurting from the senior's nose.

Pavel, in a fit of fury, picked up a wooden broomstick from around and hit Xio with it. The force knocked Xio's arm, but he broke the stick in the middle of the swing and seized the stick from Pavel's hand. He broke it in half with a clean motion, the pieces striking the floor.

The seniors froze, their confidence wavering.

Interruption

"Hey! What's going on here? a loud voice boomed from behind them.

Dmitri arrived first, Nadia followed, and then a few others. The seniors quickly backed away, trying to appear nonchalant.

"Nothing," Pavel said, his voice tight with anger. "Just a misunderstanding."

Nadia rushed to Xio, her eyes wide. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," he said quietly, brushing off her concern.

The seniors slunk away, muttering curses under their breath.

They're the worst, Nadia said, with a look at them. "You shouldn't have to deal with that."

Xio shrugged. "It's nothing."

Dmitri clapped him on the shoulder. "Man, you've got some serious moves. Remind me never to get on your bad side."

Classroom Buzz

By the time they got to class the news of the fight had already gotten around. Whispers followed Xio everywhere he went as students looked at him as he was a king in a medieval story.

"Is it true you took down four seniors? a girl from the next row asked.

"He broke a broomstick with his bare hands! another student chimed in.