Chapter 3: The Punch and the Past
Hani staggered through the crumbling school hallways, his trembling fingers pressed against his bleeding nose. Every time he touched the swollen spot, pain shot through his face like fire.
As he limped forward, he crossed paths with Narjis and Salma, who were walking in the opposite direction. Narjis, concerned, immediately asked:
"What happened to your nose?"
Hani forced a weak smile, masking his true pain.
"Just a bit of sunstroke," he muttered.
He continued walking, ignoring the worried glances Narjis gave him. As she watched him fade into the distance, Haroun's voice broke her thoughts as he came from the same direction.
"Ziad punched him. Right in the nose."
Narjis's face darkened.
"Ziad again…"
Haroun's eyes burned with anger. "We need to put an end to that arrogant jerk."
But Louay, who had just joined them, interrupted firmly:
"What matters most is finding a way out of this hellhole."
Narjis nodded, and they all agreed—it was better to ignore Ziad than get dragged into more drama.
Meanwhile, Hani had reached the bathrooms. He stumbled toward the sink, barely keeping himself upright. He splashed cold water on his face, staring at the distorted reflection in the mirror—swollen face, dazed eyes. He could hardly recognize himself.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
Ziad walked in, sarcasm glinting in his eyes.
"Didn't know you were that soft. One little punch and you're crying already, pretty boy."
Hani growled, pain and rage boiling inside him.
"Screw you! I don't need your crap right now."
Ziad didn't like his tone. He stepped closer.
Hani backed away until his back hit the cold wall. In a flash, Ziad drove a punch straight into his stomach, knocking him to the ground.
Then came the kicks.
Again.
And again.
Hani writhed in agony as Ziad shouted down at him:
"No one talks to me like that, you little trash."
He grabbed Hani by his blond hair and slammed his head against the metal door, then walked off casually to do his business—like nothing had happened.
Hani lay on the cold floor, his body aching, his heart heavier than ever.
How did I end up here?
Was I always meant to be a victim?
Hani's Flashback
Back in his old life, Hani was just another high school student—except richer than most.
Girls fought to get his attention. Everyone wanted his number, his smile, his approval.
He treated them all like a celebrity would—cold, untouchable, superior.
One evening, walking home from his luxurious villa, he was suddenly cornered by a group of rowdy teens in a narrow alley.
Just as they were about to rob him, a stranger with a strong build appeared.
"Excuse me… did I lose my way, or did I just find a bunch of losers trying to play gangsters?"
One of the thugs laughed.
"And what are you gonna do about it, huh?"
The stranger grinned confidently. "Crush you."
And he did.
Within minutes, the gang scattered like scared rats, leaving Hani speechless and in awe of his savior.
His name was Yacine.
They became close friends, inseparable. Hani invited him to his mansion. Yacine later returned the gesture and invited Hani to his modest home.
One dark night, Hani stepped into Yacine's place—and was immediately swallowed by darkness.
"Yacine? Did your power go out?"
A light flicked on.
And there stood a hulking man… holding a thick rope.
Before Hani could react, he was tied to a chair, completely helpless.
"Why, Yacine? I thought we were friends…"
Yacine let out a cold laugh.
"Friends? Don't be stupid. Everything was planned from the beginning—the rescue, the bonding... All so I could gain your trust."
"And then… sell you."
His family paid a massive ransom. After that, Yacine vanished. Forever.
That was Hani's first true lesson...
The lesson of betrayal.
Since then, Hani trusted no one. He had a bodyguard with him everywhere—even at school.
But despite all his precautions, he became the joke of the class.
They whispered behind his back, called him the idiot who got fooled by a fake friend.
One day, during chemistry class, the teacher mixed some chemicals and a strange smoke began to rise.
Hani panicked.
"What is this smoke?!"
The girls burst into laughter.
"He doesn't know the difference between a chemical reaction and real smoke!"
He slammed his desk in frustration. But before he could say more, he inhaled the strange gas and felt a wave of drowsiness…
Everything went black.
And when he opened his eyes—
He found himself in this twisted school, surrounded by an endless ocean.
Back to the Present
With great effort, Hani pulled himself off the bathroom floor, every bone in his body screaming in pain.
As he opened the door, he found Haroun standing there, eyes widening in shock at the sight.
"Who did this to you?! It was Ziad, wasn't it?!"
But Hani, eyes filled with bitterness, shrugged coldly.
"I… slipped on a bar of soap."
Haroun clenched his fists. "Do you think I'm an idiot?!"
Hani snapped, barely holding himself together:
"Just stay out of it. Don't pretend you care. You're all liars… just like Yacine."
"Yacine?!" Haroun echoed in confusion.
But Hani had already started walking away, leaving a trail of blood...
And a piece of his trust behind.
– To be continued –