PART 01 - I'M NOT A COWARD

[Detroit City – United States – Serenia High School]

The rancid scent of blood wafted out from his lips after feeling the pain so strong that it made his body fall to hold back something. The heat flowed, and the blood still came out , dirtying his hands and even the clothes he was going to wear to school.

"Hh, I have to change it again," the young man sighed thinly, his two ashy eyes staring unhappily. He didn't like it. The blood-red color and the pungent fragrance bothered him. The time was still eight o'clock in the morning, but the young man had already soiled his clothes a few minutes after entering the school area.

Started the day with bloodied clothes and a face full of wounds. "Damn," He cursed subconsciously, trying to get up using the rest of his energy while picking up some of the textbooks scattered around him.

'How do I explain this outfit later?' He said, unconsciously, accompanied by a long sigh. As the body lowered, his eyes tidying up the surroundings, he was completely unconscious.

Some people who had left him before after making sure the surroundings were safe are now back again. They grinned faintly, the cigarette smoke wafting around them. Without hesitation, a blonde leader complete with his best school clothes immediately kicked the young man's body.

He fell again. This time the face successfully touched the paving stone, the book in his hand just now was scattered again. Instantly turned around, looking up sharply,

"You dare to look at me like that, geeky?"

In contrast to his seemingly polite appearance, an armband containing the writing of the vice-chairman of the school discipline is perfectly attached to his arm area. Five big men directly behind the vice-chairman couldn't help but grin. As if waiting for an order to move,

"Aren't you tired of doing this to me?" said the young man, challenging the figure in front of him. "Tired?! Khahaha, are you stupid? Seeing you tormented like that is the best entertainment for us!"

Loudly filled with laughter, it seemed like no day went by without having to dirty his clothes with blood red, and wounds everywhere. Sighed briefly,

The young man tried to stand up again, intending to forget all the books that were still scattered. His two grey eyes stared tiredly at the six figures in front of him, "It's up to you guys what to do, if you are still not satisfied with hurting me, please do it quickly," he said shortly.

That one utterance was able to provoke their emotions as if he's not afraid of threats and blows every day. The moment their two eyes met each other,

"Oh, you dare challenge me." The vice-chairman gave a sign to move, "Before the lesson starts, how about we have fun first?" Throwing the cigarette directly at the young man, accompanied by a big grin.

"It'll be interesting if you just rest at home tomorrow, Atlas." Speak his name aloud, the gaze fell directly on his two legs. "Let's see. What kind of reaction did your crazy father have after seeing his own son's condition?"

The code was given, and the five men of a larger body than him slowly approached. They compactly gritted their muscles, and some faint tattoos on their bodies were visible.

Atlas Castor Ravian, his eyes staring at the figure of the deputy head of discipline, who was actually in charge of maintaining the safety of the students, prohibiting violence, and maintaining the peace of the school, is now the leader of the bullying in this place.

Just because he disturbed the man's fun. "Make him cry today,"

"Roger!"

Ironically, the figure of the torturer and leader of the delinquent members in this school hides behind the name of the vice-chairman, who is loved by all women, even the teachers in his school.

Imagine what would happen if Atlas reported the vice-chairman's act of violence to his homeroom teacher or principal?

Guess—will he get justice or are the facts twisted and he gets a heavier punishment for that confession?

"He's finished, tomorrow this kid will not be able to attend school for a few days,"

"Good, it seems that your punch just now was quite hard, he couldn't cry anymore,"

The school bell rang quite loudly, and half an hour passed. "Let's go back, I don't want those teachers to look at me at this stage," The figure said, as he checked his cellphone, "Ah, I almost forgot," He turned around at a glance, with a big grin.

"Today's gift I must memorialize," As the sound of the camera sounded for a moment, taking on Atlas's current state, only then did he turn around, step by step slowly moving away. Accompanied by their brief talk,

***

["You know about the phenomenon a few weeks ago?"]

["You mean about that terrible creature? Do you believe it? Stupid!"]

["The news has already reported their appearance everywhere, should we stop going at night first for now?"]

["Khahaha! Your body is this big but still afraid of such an imaginary creature?! The media is just trying to raise the issue for a cowardly man like you to believe!"]

["Shut up! Many photos prove that they exist!"]

["In this kind of era, photos can be edited in such a way! You're the one who's too stupid!"]

["A terrible creature that eats living humans and spreads viruses everywhere. Do you think our world is a feature film? What a fool!"]

***

The sound of their laughter disappeared behind the wall, leaving Atlas alone. Slumped with even more severe injuries than before.

Thought that he had passed out, but they were wrong. A few seconds passed, the coughing sound was brief, and Atlas's body stiffened. As if rising from his consciousness, with severe pain, the grey eyes were wide-eyed.

"Uhk, my legs," His body slowly tried to sit up, staring at the two legs that were now full of blue bruises, and the pants were slightly torn. It hurts, of course, using the rest of his strength, it is fortunate that the two legs are not broken, just a slight sprain.

So he can still stand up, but his brown hair now looks messy, almost covering half of Atlas face. His round glasses have also cracked again. "Hh, even though I just bought it yesterday, it's broken again now," He sighed,

His black hat had been thrown far enough, shuffling over the fallen things. "Tsk," Atlas chirped at a glance, wearing glasses and a hat back, erasing the blood stains on his face, "I'm late again,"

Although today was his favorite history lesson in the first hour, it seemed that Atlas couldn't attend. Before the body fell, he had to rush to the health room.

Intending to leave, "Ah—Are you okay?!"

Atlas eyes were distracted, seeing the figure of the same-aged girl in the same outfit as the vice-chairman, just now standing in shock, accidentally passing by when she saw the condition of the school area.

"Gosh, Atlas?!"

"Olivia?"

"What's going on?! You got hurt like this! We must take you to the hospital!" The blonde girl with short wavy hair was now fighting back tears. "Did Asthor do it?" The girl asked.

The armband is also attached to the girl's sleeve, the same shirt. With an innocent but resolute look, the figure of Olivia Rosemarry is used to taking over the front covers of magazines at her school as the best disciplinary chair for several years in a row.

"No need, who will believe my confession later," Atlas said quickly,

"I'll help you! If only he hadn't had the support of the school and the teachers, Asthor wouldn't have gone up as my deputy. You are a new student in this school anyway. Why do they have to hurt you!"

"I'm okay, uhk-" Almost fell over, "Never mind, I'll take you to the health room. So don't argue anymore!" Olivia insisted, trying to support Atlas' body and help him walk,

Unable to resist, Atlas just sighed, if you look closely. Even her height is now not much different from Olivia's, only a few cents different. But at least compared to a few years ago, his body growth has indeed increased a bit.

"Thank you,"

"No problem! You know, if anyone bullies you again, just tell me. As chairman, I can easily punish Asthor," Olivia said back.

In their footsteps, Atlas' expressions hardened for a moment, as their eyes stared at each other. He smiled faintly, "Of course."

***

This is the story about him, Atlas Castor Ravian. The lively 17-year-old young man is full of puzzles. Hide his appearance. During this time, he can only remain silent.

He holds the status of a human being in the lowest chain of life. What if God now tests him? Give him the greatest test by risking the future of the world in both his hands.

***

[Kensington Avenue, North Philadelphia, California, USA]

A dead city that has been ignored by the government. It is the largest holding place for criminals in the entire United States.

["AGHHH!! Get away from me!! Let me go!!"]

The sound of shouting in a hallway area full of rubbish was scattered. No one came to help when the screams were heard. Everyone could only hear.

["Help me!!! It hurts!!! Let go of my hand!!"]

A roar full of pain filled the entire area. Everyone who heard the roaring sound only saw it for a moment and within a few seconds, their faces paled in shock.

"A-a-what is that!!"

Screaming in panic, their faces paled as soon as they saw the appearance in the dark alleyway area. The sounds of meat being torn apart quite loudly, accompanied by an increasingly mesmerizing roar. The garbage around now also made quite noisy sounds.

["It hurts!!! Let go, let go of my hand!! Get away--aggh!"]

["AGHHH!!!"]

As the shouts ended, the brief silence made the people around there freeze in shock. What they saw just now was just a delusion.

"What---what was that?"

They turned their eyes to each other, and none of them dared to check into the dark area. Waited silently with a paled face,

The rustling sound of plastic waste clashes with each other, followed by the sound of footsteps repeating slowly. They were again frightened in shock, the darkness of the area made the vision even more blurred,

Waiting with fear, when a foul scent combines with the dense carnations flowing through the area, they come to their senses. There was something strange approaching.

Step by step, heartbeat after heartbeat, makes them freeze. An unfamiliar voice sounded as something got closer.

"Haaahhhhhh," A strong hoarse sigh sounded. Their goose bumps were all in place. That's when, for so many seconds, their two eyes flashed. In a shadow.

"HAAAAHHHHHHHKKK!!"

A roar sounded, "AHHHH!!!"

Time seemed to be stopped for a few seconds, roar after roar filling the wasted area in minutes. Shouting and crying, a strong hoarse sigh, converging full of torment.

"AHHHHKKK, PLEASE HELP ME!!!"

The creature appeared again.

They existed, but no one believed it.