As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the school grounds, Damien stood at the entrance, the weight of his decision pressing heavily on his chest. Today was not just another day; it was a reckoning. After his heart-to-heart with Leo, he felt a flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, he could find redemption. But that hope was accompanied by the dread of facing those he had hurt so deeply.

Damien’s eyes scanned the familiar faces of students milling about, their laughter now a distant echo of what once seemed so innocent. Memories flooded his mind—memories of torment, of cruelty. He had reveled in the power he held over them, using their pain as a tool to elevate his own status. Now, that power felt like a chain, dragging him down into the depths of his own despair.

A familiar voice called out from behind. “Oooo, you’re still alive!” It was Ethan, standing a few feet away with a mischievous grin plastered on his face. “I heard you tried to jump off a bridge.”

“How do you know that?” Damien shot back, anger flaring inside him.

Ethan shrugged, a devilish glint in his eyes. “It doesn’t matter. I heard you were saved by that filthy beggar. How pathetic!”

Damien clenched his fists, his heart racing. “Watch your tone, Ethan. You don’t get to talk about people like that.”

“Chill, dude,” Ethan replied, his voice dripping with mockery.

Damien struggled to keep his cool, his pulse quickening at Ethan’s words. He could feel the rage boiling inside him, but he forced himself to stay calm.

“Well, it doesn’t matter anymore,” Ethan continued, a smirk forming on his lips. “I’m going back to my old school. My toys are waiting for me there. Never see ya around! Hehehe!”

As Ethan walked away, Damien felt a chill run down his spine. He knew Ethan was a psycho who thrived on chaos, and he didn’t care about anyone but himself. The laughter faded into the distance, leaving Damien standing there, grappling with the darkness of his past and the realization that his struggle for redemption would not be easy.