The school halls felt different today.
Mikey walked through them with his fists lightly wrapped in tape, posture straight, eyes sharp. No longer the scared kid who slunk past lockers hoping not to be noticed—he had fire now.
He spotted them.
The same group of bullies that had haunted him for years, laughing loudly in the middle of the hallway. Their leader, the one who had hit him in the classroom that fateful day, noticed him too.
"Look who's here," the bully sneered. "Little Mikey Brown. Still crying to the teachers?"
Mikey took a deep breath. He could feel the heat in his chest, the adrenaline thrumming in his veins.
No more running. No more fear.
"I'm done being your victim," Mikey said, his voice calm but cold.
The hall went quiet. Whispers spread among students.
"Ha! And what are you gonna do about it?" the bully laughed, stepping closer.
Mikey didn't flinch. He shifted his weight, instinctively slipping into the stance Marcus had drilled into him.
Close the distance. Control the fight. Use your strengths.
The bully lunged, throwing a punch. Mikey dodged and countered with a quick jab. The punch grazed the bully's shoulder.
Shock crossed the bully's face.
The fight escalated. Mikey ducked under kicks, stepped forward to close range, and struck with hooks and crosses he had perfected in the gym.
Every punch was precise. Every movement calculated. He wasn't fighting out of fear—he was fighting for himself.
Within moments, the bullies were stumbling back, stunned. Students pulled out phones, gasping.
The leader glared, chest heaving, bruises forming. Mikey took a step forward.
"This ends now. I won't let you touch me—or anyone else—again."
He didn't strike again. He didn't need to. The message was clear.
The hallway was silent. For the first time, Mikey's bullies felt fear instead of power.
Mikey turned and walked away, each step light and confident. He didn't need applause—he had already won.
Marcus's words echoed in his mind:
"You're not weak anymore. You're just getting started."
And deep down, Mikey knew it was true.
This is only the beginning of my life… my fight.