Gabriel woke up feeling empty.
He couldn't explain why—it was just one of those mornings. He'd moved to Millway a few months ago thinking it was just a quiet neighborhood. Peaceful. Maybe even boring.
But a few weeks in, everything changed.The gangs. The crime. The silence.No one cared. And the cops? They weren't helping.
Still, Gabriel wasn't ready to give up.He was going to push through. He believed that The Word of God had power—and if there was anywhere it needed to be heard, it was at his school.
But when he tried to take a stand, no one listened.Worse—he was mocked. Ridiculed.Bullied.
It might've gotten worse that day if Mr. Rex hadn't been watching from across the roof top. Only his presence stopped the boys from going further.
Now, Gabriel lay on his bed, replaying his conversation with Rex.
"Fight back."
The words echoed in his mind.But Gabriel didn't want to fight—not like that.His faith taught peace. Mercy. Compassion.
And yet… how would he ever shine if he didn't do something?How could he change the world if he stayed silent?
He slapped his cheek lightly, snapping himself out of his spiral.
"Stop feeding yourself this nonsense," he muttered."God said I'm the light of the world... Then I am the light of the world. I just need to choose where and how to shine."
He prayed. Opened his Bible.His eyes landed on Isaiah 40:31:
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;they shall mount up with wings as eagles;they shall run, and not be weary;and they shall walk, and not faint."
Gabriel whispered to himself, "God never said it would be easy."
He got up, showered, dressed, and packed for school.He lived alone by choice—a decision to grow, to stand on his own.
At school, he designed and printed flyers for a Bible study group.After classes, he posted them on walls, doors, boards—anywhere eyes might land.
That evening, he felt lighter. Relieved. He had taken a step.But deep down, the question lingered:Would anyone come?
Saturday came.
Gabriel woke up excited. The neighborhood secretary had happily granted him use of the local community hall.
By noon, it was clean and set—chairs in place, Bibles stacked, snacks on a tray.
The study was scheduled to begin at 1 PM.
So he waited.
2 PM came.Then 3.Still, no one.
By the fourth hour, the doors creaked open.
Gabriel looked up.
Rex Marlowe.
Rex blinked, surprised. "Heya, kiddo. What're you up to?"
Gabriel smiled, despite everything. "Mr. Rex!"
"I was holding a Bible study," he said.
"By yourself?" Rex asked.
"Well... no. It's just... no one showed."
Rex glanced around, then held up some posters in his hand. "Wasn't here for your little event—I came to put these up. But hey... I got a little time to spare."
They sat.
They prayed.They talked.To Gabriel's surprise, Rex knew his scripture well. He just didn't follow it.
But something changed in that hour. Gabriel saw it—the flicker of a forgotten faith rekindled.
Afterwards, Rex pinned his poster on the community board. Before leaving, he turned to Gabriel.
"Hey, Sterling," he said as Gabriel packed up.
"Don't stop smiling. That way, you'll never stop shining.And don't waste your time in places where you can't be seen.If you're searching for an exit... look for the light."
Then he was gone.
Gabriel stood in silence. Inspired.He knew who Rex Marlowe was. The Empire. The downfall. The internet was full of stories.
But now, meeting the man himself... he knew the truth.Rex wasn't a washed-up has-been.He was a seed that hadn't bloomed yet.
Evening fell.
Gabriel packed his things, content that at least one person came. One seed had been planted. There would be more.
Then, on his way out, he noticed Rex's poster:
"Are you ready to get in the game?Join our football club and be part of the team."
Gabriel smiled.
Football?He wasn't great.But he wasn't bad either.
Maybe—just maybe—this was the light at the end of the tunnel
_____________________________
"Arrgh—what was I thinking?" Rex muttered, hurrying down the street that evening.
"I was supposed to be putting up flyers, and I spent the whole afternoon with that kid." He sighed. "But... it wasn't that bad, I guess. I'll just finish the rest tomorrow."
As he turned toward home, his stomach growled. Right on cue, he spotted a burger joint across the street—fate at work.
Rex stepped inside and ordered his usual: double burger and iced tea. The radio played softly in the background as he sat down to eat. Then the door chimed.
Someone walked in.
At first, Rex didn't care. But then he noticed: the guy was wearing sunglasses—at night.No sun. No glare. Shades.Was that a new trend? Or was he... blind?
Rex watched as the guy calmly approached the counter, ordered a cold cola and fries, and made his way to a corner booth.
No cane. No guide dog. His movement was smooth, natural.
He couldn't be blind. Right?
Before Rex could decide, two more men walked in—definitely gang types. Loud. Rough. Looking for trouble.
They turned toward the guy in the corner.
"Aaro Vale," one of them growled.
Rex's ears perked up.
He'd heard that name before—whispers in the teacher's lounge. A war hero. Blinded at nineteen. Moved to Millway for peace and privacy.
But society didn't like quiet. And clearly, neither did these thugs.
Aaro tilted his head toward them, like he saw them.
"You think you can rough up my boys and walk away clean?" the larger one barked.Even Rex flinched.
But Aaro didn't.
"Did your 'boys' tell you how they tried to scam an underprivileged citizen?" Aaro shot back calmly.
The thug paused. "Is that true?" he asked one of his lackeys.
"Course not," the other guy said quickly. "He's faking it! He's not blind. It's all an act."
Aaro smirked. "If I'm faking, why don't you take off my glasses yourself?"
"You punk—" The thug lunged, ready to slap him.
Aaro caught his wrist effortlessly, stopping him mid-swing.
"You see? He's not blind!" the lackey shouted.
"Then see for yourself," Aaro said.
With his free hand, he removed his sunglasses.
His eyes were clouded over—an eerie white film coating them entirely.
The thug backed away, startled. "What the hell...?"
"But... how did you react to everything like you could see?" he asked, stunned.
Aaro didn't respond.He didn't need to.
The big man was fuming—not at Aaro, but at his own men.In Millway's gangs, disgrace was worse than defeat.
"I apologize for their stupidity," the boss grumbled, then stormed out, dragging his subordinates behind him.
Rex sat frozen, stunned at what he'd just witnessed.
He paid for his meal and left in silence.
The next day, after putting up his last few flyers, Rex noticed a familiar figure staring at one of them.
"You again," he said, walking up."I didn't peg you for the soccer type."
Aaro tilted his head."Soccer? Is that like... a cult or a board game?"" I assumed I was looking at a poorly labeled street map."
"Wait—you don't know what soccer is?"
"Does it involve physical exercise?"
"Well... yeah," Rex replied. "But no guns. Just balls."
"Sounds dangerous," Aaro said flatly. "Not interested."
"Hey, soccer's only as dangerous as you make it," Rex countered. "You can play it dirty or play it fair. Your choice."
Aaro thought for a second. "If you can get me to Millway High, I'll consider."
"Deal."
Rex didn't know why, but something about Aaro intrigued him. The guy was mysterious, sure, but real. Unshaken. Grounded.
"What do you even want at Millway High?" Rex asked as they walked."It's not exactly a haven for the blind."
"I have a letter to give to the principal," Aaro said.
"And then?"
A pause.
"I... don't know."
Rex looked at him for a moment. "You'll figure it out. Something tells me it won't take long."
Aaro suddenly stopped. "You were there yesterday, weren't you?"
"Where?"
"The burger shop."
Rex raised a brow. "Guilty. But how'd you know? I didn't say a word."
"Never mind," Aaro said, dropping the topic.Rex didn't press.
Inside the Principal's Office
At the school, they entered the principal's office. Rex still hated being near Mrs. Hawkins after everything she'd done—but he stayed, for Aaro's sake.
Aaro handed her the letter.
She read it silently.
Then, without a word, she pulled out her checkbook.
The letter stated Aaro was owed $30,000 from the school—for reasons unknown to Rex.
But instead of 30,000, Mrs. Hawkins wrote him a check for $1,000.
Rex's fist clenched. He was ready to speak up.
But Aaro placed a hand on his shoulder, calm.
"Let's go."
Outside the office, Rex turned to him.
"Aaro, you know she shorted you. Why didn't you stop her?"
"I was taught that human nature is flawed," Aaro replied. "If all you expect is evil, then that's all you'll see. I believed she might do good. If she didn't... that's on her."
Rex blinked.
This guy was young—but clearly more experienced than most adults he knew.
As they stepped outside, Aaro spoke again.
"Thanks for guiding me. Like I promised... I'll sign up for your soccer—whatever you call it."
He found a bus, boarded it without hesitation, and disappeared into the city.
Rex stood there, watching him go.
He didn't know why, but he felt like he'd just made the right call—even if it wasn't obvious yet.
Only time would tell