Vincent and his cousin were clearly of different ages, with the older boy towering over him, using his height and strength to his advantage. He was determined to overpower Vincent.

Vincent ducked just in time to avoid the first strike, his heart racing as he swayed and dodged, barely escaping each attack.

He couldn’t imagine hurting anyone, especially family; the thought of using a knife against his own blood filled him with dread.

On the sidelines, their grandfather sneered. “This naive boy thinks he’s being kind, but that’s just a ticket to his own downfall. To survive, you need to be ready to take lives. Compassion leads to disaster.”

Vincent continued to dance away from his cousin’s wild strikes, relying on his quick reflexes to stay out of harm’s way.

His cousin’s frustration grew, sweat glistening on his brow as he shouted, “Die! Anyone who stands in my way deserves to die!”

In a sudden move, his cousin lunged, and this time the knife bit into Vincent’s arm.

As the blade was pulled free, blood sprayed out, and a cold panic washed over Vincent, leaving him trembling. Vincent pressed his palm against the gaping wound, staggering backward. His grip on the knife tightened as adrenaline surged through him.

The searing pain and the overwhelming scent of blood jolted him awake, revealing the harsh truth: being a kind-hearted person would get him nowhere in this brutal world.

Only by summoning enough strength to instill fear could he hope to control the situation and become the one who determined the rules.

In that fleeting moment, a fierce resolve washed over Vincent. As his cousin charged again, he ducked low to avoid the attack and then thrust the knife sharply into his cousin’s chest.

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This was the first life Vincent had ever taken, and it cut deep—his own kin, the last person he ever imagined he would harm.

The memory of his own grandfather on stage, clapping with delight, would haunt him forever, his eyes glinting with a twisted sense of approval.

In that brief moment, Vincent’s gaze locked onto the old man, whose face twisted into a terrifying grimace. The look in his eyes sent a shiver through Vincent. Every two weeks, the brutal cage fights took place, continuing until only one boy was left, a lone survivor in a harsh reality.

“I don’t want to kill! Just leave me alone!” Vincent shouted, his voice shaky with fear.

Trapped in a waking nightmare, he thrashed, desperate to escape his own terror.

Each word felt like a struggle, his face reflecting deep anguish as memories threatened to swallow him whole. Katelyn, though strong, found it hard to match Vincent’s wild energy; his frantic movements were a storm of panic.

With determination, she pressed her weight against him, holding down his thrashing arm.

“Vincent, breathe! Those nightmares are behind you. You’re safe now. You don’t have to follow those cruel rules anymore. You get to set the rules,” Katelyn urged, using all her strength to keep him grounded.

“The nightmare is behind you. A brighter future awaits. You need to break out of this darkness!”

Yet, despite Katelyn’s encouragement, Vincent remained trapped in his turmoil, oblivious to her words.

In that moment, Katelyn had a powerful realization—she understood the real effects of the so-called miracle drug. The doctor’s explanation hadn’t been clear enough, leaving her with lingering doubts. It didn’t just enhance clarity; it forced people to face the deep-rooted fears from their past.

For those who could endure, life could return to normal. But for those who couldn’t handle the pressure, the nightmare would repeat endlessly, leading to a breakdown that could unravel their minds.

With resolve, Katelyn fixed her gaze on Vincent and said, “You were a champion once, and you can be one again. Don’t let these fears hold you back. We’re all here, waiting for you to wake up.”

Her voice was strained from shouting, but it felt like her words got lost in the chaos around her.

Just then, Jaxen burst in, his eyes wide with disbelief at the frantic scene.

“You hold him down, I’ll find a nurse for a sedative,” he urged, urgency in his voice.

“Please, hurry!” Katelyn pleaded, her heart racing with fear.

Vincent’s strength surged like a tidal wave, making her grip slip.

Katelyn cried, her desperation overflowing, “Vincent, please! I’m begging you to wake up! Don’t let this nightmare hold you!”

Her words seemed to hang in the air until a nurse rushed in and quickly administered a sedative, bringing a hint of calm to Vincent.

Katelyn stood there, soaked in sweat, her eyes filled with worry as she watched Vincent lying still on the hospital bed.

“Will he be alright?” she whispered, her voice shaking with anxiety.

The young nurse paused, worry etched on her face. “Mr. Adams has had the worst reaction to the miracle drug, and we can’t predict what will happen next.”

Jaxen moved closer, gripping her collar as he leaned in, his voice low and tense.

“If anything happens to him, I’ll make sure this hospital pays.”

Panic flickered in the nurse’s eyes, and she nodded quickly, fully aware of the seriousness of his words.

Katelyn remained by Vincent’s side, her heart heavy with dread. She hadn’t dared to sleep all night, anxiety wrapping around her like a thick blanket. For original chapters go to find~novel~net

As morning light streamed into the room, Vincent still lay unresponsive. Katelyn gently wiped his forehead with a cool cloth when, suddenly, a firm hand seized her wrist, sending a shock through her.

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Message from Noah: Great Friday for you dear ones. God loves you and Noah wishes you all the best. (﹏) ?

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