Chapter 3

After dealing with all the guards, Malik and Night Howler arrive at the prisoners' cell. Liak has directed them to this place because there is someone he thinks Malik will like to see. There seems to be no sign of anyone in the cells, but after they pass three empty cells, they start to encounter prisoners, none of whom is who Malik is expecting. They increase their pace until they reach the last cell, and Malik's eyes become wide when he sees who Liak is referring to.

"Oh my... Bale? Is that really you?" Malik exclaims when he sees his friend chained to the wall.

 "Malik?" Bale's voice is weak, so as his body.

 "You're here. You're finally here," Bale says with a hint of excitement and hope in his voice.

Night Howler uses his laser to cut an opening in the iron gate, allowing them to walk through. Night Howler breaks Bale's shackles while Malik helps him up. There's an uproar when other prisoners see them escaping.

"What should we do about them? We can't just leave them, right?" Howler asks Malik for his suggestion. 

"I don't know what to say. Some of these people might deserve being locked up, but Ra'shal can also be cruel to innocent people. Let's free them; I hope we don't do more harm than good," Malik says, uncertain of the decision.

12 YEARS AGO

A young Malik, during his time at the orphanage home, is so focused on the novel "Gone" by Michael Grant. The book is suddenly snatched away from him by one of his fellows. 

"Give that back, Chiaz!" Young Malik demands, stretching his hand for the boy to return the book.

"What if I don't want to? What are you going to do, cry?" Chiaz mocks Malik, knowing he won't do anything or report to anyone. When Malik remains silent, Chiaz grins in victory. "That's more like it," Chiaz says and turns his back on Malik when another voice intervenes.

"I will shove your head and your minions down the toilet." The kid says. Chiaz turns to look at his nemesis.

 "Huh? Oh, It's just the new kid. Bale, right? Anyway, I would like to see you try." Chiaz challenges him.

Bale nods, and they all head to the bathroom where they won't be heard. Bale locks the door, trapping everyone inside. 

"You know what I don't like? Bullies. I have dealt with so many of your kind before. You won't be the first, and I'm certain you won't be the last either." His words send a bad vibe to the boys, who try to wear their tough faces. "And by the time I'm done with you silly freaks, they will have no option but to move me to another orphanage home. This isn't my first. So, are we doing this?" Bale gives them no time before he starts beating up the boys. Bale kicks one of them in the face and then delivers a punch, making the boy gasp. Another one tries to attack Bale with a mop stick, but Bale gets hold of him, snatches the mop stick, and uses it to continuously hit the boy.

Chiaz is in fear as he witnesses his colleagues being beaten to a pulp. He has nowhere to run to and does the next right thing - begs for mercy. 

"I beg you, please don't hit me." He raises his hands up and kneels before Bale. Bale looks at him for a moment before bursting into laughter, catching Chiaz off guard.

"Whoa, that was fascinating. Who's hitting you, anyway? Last time I checked, I said I would shove your head down the toilet, and that's exactly what I'm going to do." Bale then grabs Chiaz, dragging him to the toilet.

 Malik sits quietly, watching everything and everyone, but he is distracted by the loud bang on the table. It is the book he was reading earlier, returned to him by Bale.

"I've taught them the lesson they will never forget. I'm sure they won't dare to come near you ever again." Bale assures Malik. "I'm Bale, by the way." He stretches out his hand. 

"Malik," the boy responds.