Chapter "Outsmarted Them All"

"Why the hell are you laughing?" the boy demanded, his anger clear.

"I'm laughing at your stupidity, you fools," Hamlyn responded with glee through his laughter.

Enraged, the boys bristled at his words. As Hamlyn rose to his feet, still chuckling, he deftly retrieved a pen from his tie and revealed it to them. "This pen," he announced, "contains a hidden camera."

The boys' eyes widened in shock and realization.

"Every violent act you've committed against me and Fredy has been recorded.” Hamlyn's voice took on a stern tone. "Attacking two innocent people without any solid reason is clearly against the law. Have you thought about what will happen if I show this evidence to the authorities?”

The boys burst into laughter. "Once we're done with you, we'll gladly snatch that pen from you.” One of them sneered,

Hamlyn's laughter rang out, mocking and derisive. "You really are a bunch of fool's," he taunted. "Do you honestly believe that's the only recording?" The boys exchanged bewildered glances.

With a confident grin, Hamlyn continued, "This pen isn't just any pen with a camera. Its recordings have already been stored on my friend's phone. And I've instructed them that if anything bad happens to me or to Fredy then, they will send this evidence straight to the authorities. Remember, in the case of murder or attempted murder, you'll all face execution. Even if you kill me then I'll just die. But in jail, your suffering won't end with one act, you'll endure daily torment. Your families, your reputation, everything will get destroyed. Am I right?" Hamlyn's smile stretched across his face, sending chills down their spines.

The boys stood in stunned silence, their eyes wide with fear and sweat beading on their brows.

“But you started it! You provoked us. You're just as guilty!" one of them spoke up.

"Do you really think I'm that foolish?" Hamlyn's maniac smile remained unshaken as he replied. "I instructed my friend to edit out my words. And while you were assaulting me, I was pleading, 'Please, stop! We haven't done anything wrong.' That's the evidence of my innocence, contrasted with your threats to kill me, isn't it right?”

Boy's were visibly stunned, "We'll let you off the hook for now," one of the boys muttered as they began to retreat.

"Oh, no need for that," Hamlyn interjected, his smile widening. "I'll settle this once and for all. Here's the deal: If you ever dare to cross paths with me, my brother, or Fredy again, I won't hesitate to hand this recording over to the authorities—not for murder, but for assaulting two innocent individuals. You'll be facing arrest either way.”

The boys stood frozen in silence, their faces pale with shock, sweat trickling down their brows.

“Fine, we won't bother you or your brother again, just delete that recording," one of them said.

"If you keep your word, then this recording will remain untouched," Hamlyn responded firmly. "But I'm not deleting it, it's my insurance after all." he maintained his maniac smile.

With that, the boys swiftly bolted from the park, their fear palpable in their hurried footsteps.

Hamlyn then approached Fredy with a playful grin, "Hey, you still Alive?"

Fredy managed a weak nod, replying, "Barely, but yes."

With a supportive hand, Hamlyn helped Fredy to his feet, draping his arm on his shoulder to provide stability as they made their way to the hospital.

Once at the hospital, both Hamlyn and Fredy received treatment for their injuries, with Hamlyn sporting a bandaged arm due to a slight fracture on his bone.

Afterwards, Hamlyn and Fredy were walking down the road, heading towards homes.

"Hamlyn, you totally Outsmarted them. I had no idea that you are this genius," Fredy remarked in awe. "And where did you even get that pen?" he inquired curiously.

"Oh the pen? I just borrowed it from a classmate." Hamlyn casually replied.

"Your classmates have some pretty high-tech gadgets, Recording and saving on other phones? That's impressive." Fredy remarked.

Hamlyn smiled knowingly, "Well Actually, that was a lie." he admitted.

Fredy's eyes widened in disbelief. Hamlyn elaborated, "If they had destroyed the pen, the recording would have been lost. It's just a regular pen with a built-in camera.”

Fredy's jaw dropped in astonishment. "So you created that whole story just to save us, and now you'll just go back and save the recording and return the pen to your classmate?"

Hamlyn nodded affirmatively, saying "Exactly."

"Man, you're a freakin genius," Fredy exclaimed in admiration.

Hamlyn grinned saying, "Nah im not.”

With a smile on their face’s both continued walking towards their homes…

Upon arriving home, Hamlyn was greeted by his concerned mother, who rushed to his side. "What happened to you? Why are you covered in bandages? And what happened to your arm?" she inquired anxiously.

"It's nothing, just a minor scuffle. I'm fine now, don't worry," Hamlyn reassured her with a smile.

"Go to your room, I'll cook something to make you feel better," his mother insisted, her worry evident. Hamlyn nodded gratefully and headed to his room.

A few hours later, Ullmar entered Hamlyn's room, concern etched on his face as he began, "Hey, Mom told me—" His words trailed off as he took in Hamlyn's bruised and battered appearance.

Ullmar's concern faltered, replaced by a playful laughter.

"You've taken quite a beating. Was it those same boys again?" Ullmar asked, his tone playful.

"Don't worry about it, it's all sorted now," Hamlyn responded calmly yet resolutely. "They won't dare to bother either of us again. But if they ever try anything, just give me a call.”

"Well, look who's talking tough now," Ullmar grinned teasingly.

"Sometimes you have to take matters into your own hands," Hamlyn quipped, returning the smile with clear confidence.

"Did you beat them up?" Ullmar inquired, curious.

"Not every problem can be solved with violence." Hamlyn responded with a smile.

Ullmar couldn't resist a playful jab, "Your face is completely messed up. Is that the face you're going to show to your girlfriend?” he teased.

Hamlyn's cheeks flush crimson. "No, she's not my girlfriend," He quickly retorted,

Ullmar burst into laughter, seizing the opportunity to tease him. He playfully began using his girlfriend's name in jest, and despite Hamlyn's attempts to brush it off, both of them couldn't help but laugh and enjoy amidst the banter…

Next Morning, Hamlyn was standing in front of the mirror, looking at his bruised face and bandaged arm.

"I wonder how everyone will react to this," he mused inwardly. "What should I say? Should I reveal everything or just stick to a partial truth? Sheryl's reaction is what I'm most curious about. Will she be upset? worried?” A smile crept across his lips as he pondered the possibilities.

Ullmar approached Hamlyn, asking, "Hey, can you walk with your bag on your shoulder?"

"With ease." Hamlyn responded confidently.

A smile spread across Ullmar's face as he observed, "You've changed ever since you started seeing that girl, it's like love has transformed you. But you know what? I'm liking this new version of you.” he said.

"Am I truly a different person now?" Hamlyn returned the smile, his words tinged with introspection. "Or am I just turning back to who I used to be?”

"Shut up” Ullmar playfully interjected “And let's hit the road, we're running behind schedule," he quipped, flashing a playful grin.

With shared smiles, Hamlyn and Ullmar exited the room…

As Hamlyn entered his classroom, whispers about his arm and wounds quickly circulated among his classmates. Ignoring the gossip, he quietly took his seat and faced the front of the room. Sheryl was absent from her usual place, but Rurina remained, staring at Hamlyn with mixture of disbelief and concern, before swiftly moving to the other side of the classroom. Hamlyn seemed confused seeing Rurina going to the other side.

"What the-?" A voice interrupted. Hamlyn swiftly turned to his right and saw Hamond standing there, his bag slung over his shoulder, smiling at Hamlyn.

"Well, well, looks like someone took a serious beating," Hamond remarked. "Did you pick a fight with the entire crew solo? You should have given me a call, it would have been quite entertaining to watch you get thrashed.”

"Shut it," Hamlyn retorted tersely. Suddenly, a cluster of boys gathered around him, their voices merging into a confusing babble which eventually started frustrating Hamlyn.

"Hey, knock it off, guys! What's going on?" Hamlyn raised his voice in frustration. "I'm fine, so take your seats. I can't see her."

Teasing smile flickered across the boys' faces as they responded in unison, "Huh? Who are you looking for?”

"I meant the teacher," Hamlyn's voice trembled slightly as he clarified, his words faltering. "If she shows up, I won't be able to see her... you know, the teacher.” Every boy kept on smiling knowingly.

"Hey, Hamlyn, since your arm is all bandaged up, how about I sign my name on it?" Hamond suggested with a grin.

A sense of alarm flashing in his eyes.

"No, no, no, you're not writing anything on it," Hamlyn protested quickly

Hamond firmly pressed Hamlyn's arm onto the desk, inscribing his signature despite Hamlyn's objections. Following suit, all of Hamlyn’s male classmates added their own autographs to his bandaged arm before settling back into their seats.

As the boys dispersed, Hamlyn's eyes met Sheryl's who was sitting Infront on her usual seat,

Both Hamlyn and Sheryl locked eyes, her expression filled with concern and sadness. Her eyes mirrored the pain she felt upon seeing Hamlyn's injuries.

Hamlyn's gaze remained fixed on Sheryl, the silence between them stretching into the longest eye contact they'd shared. Sensing the weight of the moment, Sheryl's eyes slowly drifted downward, her pen tracing lines on the paper as she began to write.

As Hamlyn smiled and averted his gaze, the arrival of the teachers marked the end of their silent exchange, and the classroom buzzed to life with the start of the lesson…

During the lunch break, Hamlyn headed to grab a drink. As he made his purchase and turned around, he was taken aback.

His eyes widened in surprise as he found Sheryl standing before him, holding a paper bag between her left arm and another bag on her right hand.

With her gaze fixed downward, she slowly looked up, revealing a flushed face. "Could we have a moment to talk?" she asked softly.

Hamlyn was momentarily stunned, but quickly regained his composure. "Yeah of course, we can," he replied.

"But somewhere more private." Sheryl hesitated.

"How about the terrace?" Hamlyn suggested eagerly.

"But isn't the terrace door usually locked?" Sheryl voiced her concern.

"No problem. I'm the class representative, so I have the keys.” Hamlyn reassured her confidently.

“Shall we head there?" Hamlyn asked with a gentle tone.

With a nod of agreement, Sheryl and Hamlyn set off towards the terrace.