Broken Hands

25. Far GONE

The rumors swirled through Marvin High like wildfire, each one feeding off the last, but this time, it was Russell's breakup with Emily, the school's soccer captain and cheerleader, that had everyone hooked. Whispers and theories spread fast, and curious students pried for details like vultures over a fresh meal. Even Grayson, who was so close to him, didn't know the real reason behind the breakup. But he didn't care. His life was spinning beyond school gossip—home had become unbearable, filled with constant clashes with Alex, and he was running out of patience. Just a few more months, he reminded himself darkly, until he'd be eighteen and could leave it all behind.

Lost in these thoughts, Grayson yanked open his locker, his mind drifting to the idea of dropping out altogether. The lure of racing, of living his life with stable finance of his own, grew stronger every day. Among his crammed books, a folded note caught his eye. He opened it and stared, chills crawling up his spine as he read:

"I know what you're hiding, and the whole school will soon find out."

Beneath, in smaller letters, the note continued:

"I know you got shot, and I know who did it. Charlie."

At the bottom, the name Judas was scrawled like a taunt.

A hand touched his arm. "Hi, rascal," Amber greeted playfully, but Grayson flinched hard, snapping his head to her. Her expression shifted, catching the intensity in his eyes.

"What's that?" she asked, nodding toward the note.

Grayson crumpled it in his fist, shoving it into his pocket. "A stupid joke." He slammed his locker shut, his jaw set as he stalked down the hallway.

Amber hurried to keep up. "Where are you going?"

His fists clenched tight. "To teach some monkey a lesson."

A hush fell over the hall as Grayson stormed ahead, his expression fierce and unyielding. Students stepped aside, their wide-eyed stares following him to the lunchroom, where half the chatter died as he pushed his way through. His target was clear: the table of mockers, the self-assured, rumor-spreading hyenas—and at its center, the red-haired Judas.

"Grayson, don't. Please—you'll get expelled!" Amber pleaded, her voice desperate, but he was far beyond hearing. Rage clouded his mind, silencing everything else.

Without warning, Grayson spun Judas around and drove his fist into his face with bone-jarring force. Judas crashed to the ground with a groan as his friends leapt back in terror.

"What the hell!" Judas gasped, holding his bleeding face. Grayson hauled him up effortlessly, slamming him against the wall. Judas looked at him, fear widening his eyes as blood dripped down his cheek.

"Grayson—" Judas stammered, his voice trembling as he saw the burning fury in Grayson's gaze.

Grayson didn't stop. He threw Judas to the floor, his boot driving into Judas's chest, again and again, silencing the boy's pleas with each blow. Gasps echoed through the hall, and Judas let out a strangled scream, pain contorting his face. But Grayson was beyond control, determined to leave a permanent lesson in his silence.

Hands grabbed at him, trying to pull him back, but he fought against them until Russell and Milo held him firmly, restraining him as he struggled to break free. Savanna and Julian rushed to Judas's side, helping him as he shivered, blood staining his shirt.

"What's going on here?!" Mr. Robinson's furious voice sliced through the crowd, and the sea of students parted, revealing the chaos. His gaze swept over the trembling Judas and the restrained Grayson, his usual calm shattered by fury.