The Masked Pursuit
They walked through the crowded corridors until they reached the intersection of two hallways marked by a metal archway.
Groups of girls passed by without noticing them. Logan frowned at being ignored.
Making their way to the lockers by the main entrance, Logan's phone buzzed.
"Just a second," he said, surprised by the unexpected message.
"Who sent it?" Conal leaned in to look.
"Back off and let me check." Logan pulled out his phone.
—[TEXT MESSAGE]—
Dear Logan.
I always wanted to say to you that you are the most disgusting person I have ever met. Not only are you a motherfucker with the mama complex, but you amount to nothing.
The only thing you can do is to be a waste of space, a waste of air, and a waste of resources. I know for sure that your mommy wanted to kill herself for having you.
You are the shit stain on a white underwear pair, like a piano crashing on someone's teeth. Your mother is a bitch that shouldn't have you.
You will never find happiness in this world, but by all means, keep on dreaming about it!
—[PARTIAL END]—
The message continued, and Logan read it all.
He put aside the phone and stood there for some time, thinking about what he had just read. Besides the blatant insults, there was one last line that caught his attention.
Logan shoved his phone in his pocket, his jaw clenched tight. Orson looked over and asked bluntly, "What's the message about?"
Conal stepped closer. "Yeah, what is it?"
Logan's face hardened. "We're going to the train station."
"The train station? What for?"
"Someone needs to learn a lesson," Logan said, his hands balling into fists.
Conal and Orson looked at each other before following Logan outside. Their faces showed anticipation as they prepared for what was coming. Whatever it was.
During the walk, Conal remained silent, lost in his own thoughts, while Orson couldn't stop talking, his excitement obvious as he kept asking questions about what they were going to do and kept asking about it.
"Can you tell me what the letter said?"
"Shut up, Orson!" Logan said. Orson fell silent.
The trio's eyes darted among the passersby. Maybe the guy wasn't there yet, and they hoped to find him soon.
The streets were bustling with students from their school, yet none bore any hint of being connected to their current situation.
Logan glared at each person they passed, searching faces with obvious distrust. Conal kept his distance, watching quietly but carefully.
Orson, no longer cowed by Logan's sharp words, looked around eagerly, clearly ready for trouble.
The area was full of students in school uniforms. They were talking on phones, chatting with friends, or sharing quick kisses. Nothing seemed out of place.
The train station came into view, with trains coming and going on elevated tracks that spread across New Alexandria's skyline.
They watched the trains move past the buildings and headed for the elevator. Logan punched the elevator button hard and fast until it turned red.
One minute passed before the elevator doors glided open, unveiling the interior.
Conal and Orson looked at each other with concern. Logan's rage was something new—far worse than his reaction to finding Amber and Erik together yesterday.
They stepped out of the elevator and pushed through the crowd toward the main waiting area.
Logan's eyes darted through the masses until he spotted him—a student in their school uniform wearing a mask. The masked boy stared right back at them.
Logan charged at him, sure he found who sent that message. Conal and Orson followed as Logan started the chase.
The masked figure slipped through the crowd, dodging people with ease.
Logan's approach was more forceful, less about finesse and more about raw anger.
His broad shoulders became instruments of disruption. He moved like a boulder rolling downhill, unstoppable but not without consequence.
People stumbled and fell as Logan pushed through, showing no concern for those in his way.
The masked boy knocked over items from nearby stalls—candies, newspapers, books, and water bottles.
The strategy worked. Logan, Conal, and Orson had to stop in their tracks, blocked by the mess in their path.
The masked boy was in control of the chase.
The commotion was interrupted by the piercing hiss of an arriving train. Seizing the moment, the boy with the mask pivoted and dashed towards the train, boarding it.
The three boys jumped onto the train right behind him. Logan's face was hard; he didn't care who was behind that mask; he just wanted payback.
The train started moving with a jolt, lights flashing as the doors closed. It picked up speed, leaving the station behind.
It moved faster than Logan expected, making him grip a handrail. Outside, buildings and streets blurred together into streaks of color.
Logan looked through each car, searching. Then he saw him in another carriage—the masked figure staring right back at him through the connecting doors.
Erik found it weird how easily he lured Logan and his friends. He knew Logan wasn't renowned for his intelligence at school, yet the ease with which he had been duped surprised even Erik.
Crafting the message had been fun, too.
Now, on the train, and when boarding it, Erik was aware of his limited options for escape within the confines of the moving vehicle.
The moment he caught sight of Logan's gaze from across the carriage, he realized the need to act.
The train carried only a few passengers. Among them were farmers. This train was bringing them to the fields.
Among these travelers, some were clad in business suits, perhaps heading to the fields looking for the farmers for some unknown reason, while others opted for more casual attire, like jeans paired with sweaters or jackets.
Some passengers were dozing off, but the sudden noise jolted them awake. Erik's mask made him stand out, drawing stares from other travelers despite his efforts to blend in.
Spotting his pursuers getting closer, Erik darted forward. He pushed through the carriages, bumping into passengers as he ran.