In the school

As Amon lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, he couldn't shake the strange feeling that had been creeping over him since that injection. The flashes of memories from the accident, the moments of feeling different, and the whispers of strength he couldn't explain made him feel both powerful and unsettled.

The next morning, he got ready for school, trying to brush off the unease. he thought to himself. The doctor had mentioned that his recovery was unusual, but he had dismissed it, chalking it up to the doctor's expertise. As he walked to school, he was met by his friend Medusa.

"Hey, Amon!" Medusa waved as she walked up to him. "You look much better! Are you alright now?"

Amon gave a small smile. "I'm alright, Medusa. What's happening in school today?"

"Nothing exciting," Medusa shrugged. "Just a blood checkup camp. They're doing it for all students."

"Blood checking camp?" Amon asked, confused. "What's the purpose of that?"

"Yeah, they do it every year for health screening," she replied, glancing up at the school. "But honestly, it's boring."

Just then, the school bell rang. Ding dong, ding dong.

"Oh, that's the bell! We better hurry," Medusa said, tugging on his arm. "Come on!"

They made it to class just as their teacher was beginning to speak. "Good morning, everyone. Today, we'll have a blood screening camp. Don't worry—Dr. Srinivasan, a professional doctor, will be handling it."

From the back row, a few students cheered. "Does that mean no classes today?"

The teacher sighed, shaking her head. "Settle down! Tomorrow, we're going on a three-day forest camp, so make sure you're prepared!"

Excited whispers filled the room, and a few students shouted, "Yes!" with enthusiasm. Soon, everyone lined up for the blood test, one by one going into the nurse's office. Each sample was carefully labeled and placed in a separate container.

When Amon's turn came, he stepped into the room and saw Dr. Srinivasan sitting there, surrounded by medical equipment. The doctor's gaze flicked up, recognition in his eyes.

"Ah, it's you, Amon," Dr. Srinivasan said with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm feeling well, doctor," Amon replied, keeping his expression neutral.

Dr. Srinivasan waved him off. "There's no need to take another sample from you. I already have yours from last time. You can go now."

"Thanks, doctor," Amon said, relieved to avoid the test as he headed back to class.

Afterward, Medusa found him in the hallway. "Are you coming to the forest camp tomorrow?"

"Yeah, I am! Are you coming too?" Amon asked, feeling a hint of excitement.

"Of course," she said, smiling. "It'll be fun! And for now, we can head home early since we're done with the checkup."

"So soon?" Amon raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, they're letting us go early for rest." She shrugged. "I could use a nap!"

Amon agreed, and the two of them walked together out of the school gates, talking about what they might find at the camp. But as they walked, a strange feeling washed over Amon again. He stopped mid-step, glancing around as if he were searching for something just out of reach.

"I feel… strange, Medusa."

She gave him a concerned look. "Strange? Why? What do you mean?"

He hesitated, unable to find the right words. "I don't know how to explain it, but… I have this feeling, like something bad is going to happen. Like we're all going to suffer."

Medusa laughed softly, though a hint of worry crossed her face. "You're probably just tired. The accident, the transfusion, everything… it's been a lot. Get some rest, Amon. Tomorrow's a big day."

Amon managed a small smile. "Yeah, maybe you're right. See you tomorrow."

They parted ways, and Amon headed home, trying to shake off the nagging feeling. Once in his room, he sank onto his bed, exhaustion taking over. As his eyes drifted shut, his thoughts swirled with fragments of dreams and strange, unexplainable sensations. And as he drifted into sleep, one thought echoed in his mind—a sense that this was only the beginning of something he couldn't yet understand.

The next morning, Amon woke up feeling restless, but he shook it off as he packed his bag for the school camping trip. Heading downstairs, he told his mom, "I'm going to the forest for a three-day camp."

His mom gave him a concerned look. "Be careful, Amon. And don't wander off from your class."

"I won't, Mom," he assured her, then left the house.

Once he reached the school grounds, he saw his classmates gathered near the bus, including Medusa, who waved him over.

"Hey, Amon! Good morning!" Medusa greeted him with a smile.

"Good morning, Medusa," he replied, smiling back.

Everyone began boarding the bus, and the teachers reminded them not to leave without permission. As the bus rolled away from the school, Amon glanced out the window, trying to relax, but his thoughts kept drifting to the strange sensations he'd been experiencing.

Suddenly, he felt a nudge and turned to see three of his classmates sneering at him. "Look who's spacing out," one of them jeered.

"Please… don't bully me," Amon said, trying to keep his voice calm.

Before he could say more, Medusa stepped in, delivering a swift punch to each of them. "Better not mess with Amon. Now, go back to your seats," she warned.

Just then, a teacher came down the aisle. "What's going on here?"

Medusa admitted, "They were bullying Amon, so I handled it."

The teacher sighed. "Medusa, next time, tell me instead of resorting to violence."

"Sorry, ma'am," Medusa muttered, looking only slightly guilty.

Finally, they arrived at the forest. The teachers instructed everyone to set up their tents and gather wood nearby. As the students dispersed into the trees, the three bullies, still nursing their bruised egos, trailed after Medusa, hoping for revenge. Amon noticed them lurking and followed, keeping a cautious distance.

Before long, the bullies cornered Medusa and Amon. "You think you're tough, Medusa?" one of them sneered. "Let's see you fight all of us."

They grabbed Amon first, punching him as he tried to protect himself. Medusa shouted, "Let him go! You don't want to mess with me!"

"Oh yeah? Do your worst," they taunted, turning on her and striking her.

Watching them hurt Medusa triggered something deep within Amon. His vision blurred, his skin flushed, and he felt an intense heat building inside him. His eyes glowed a fiery red as the air around him grew hotter, radiating an almost suffocating warmth.

The bullies stepped back, sweating. "Why… why is it so hot?"

Amon stepped forward, his voice low and unrecognizable. "You shouldn't have done that." Moving faster than he'd ever thought possible, he struck each of them, his punches landing with brutal force. In seconds, the bullies lay unconscious.

Medusa, catching her breath, looked at him in awe. "Amon… how did you do that? That strength—it's like you're a different person."

Amon's eyes faded back to normal as he stared at his hands in disbelief. "I don't know, but… it felt amazing."

Medusa shook her head. "It's dangerous. You could have seriously hurt them."

"Please, Medusa," Amon whispered, "don't tell anyone."

She nodded, and together they dragged the unconscious bullies back to the campsite. When the teacher saw their bruised faces, she looked concerned. "What happened here?"

Amon quickly covered. "I found them like this, unconscious under a tree."

The teacher frowned. "There must be a wild animal around here. We're cutting this trip short."

They packed up and loaded back onto the bus, heading to the hospital. Medusa sat beside Amon, sensing his worry. Gently, she rested a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Amon. You did what you had to."

Amon glanced at her, his mind swirling with confusion. "But how… how did I even do that? My punches felt so powerful, and my body… it felt like I was going to explode."

"Maybe it was just adrenaline," Medusa suggested, though she sounded uncertain.

At the hospital, the doctor examined the injuries and informed the teacher that one student had severe eye damage, though all were stable. The teacher urged the students to go home, assuring them their friends would recover.

Back at home, Amon's mom looked at him in surprise. "Why are you back so soon?"

"An animal attacked some kids," Amon replied, careful to keep his voice steady.

His mom's face grew worried. "Are they alright?"

"They'll be okay," he assured her. She nodded, then told him to rest.

Later that night, Amon lay in bed, replaying the events in his head. The strange sensations, the heat, the strength… Just then, he felt that same burning energy surge through him again. He sat up, grabbing his water bottle to calm down, but as he touched it, the plastic began to melt, and the water turned to steam.

"What's happening to me?" he whispered, panic rising.

Hearing him, his mom knocked on the door and stepped in. "Amon? Why are you shouting?"

"Nothing, Mom. Just… a bad dream," he quickly lied.

"Alright," she said, looking a bit concerned. "Drink some water and try to sleep. Hm… where's your water bottle?"

Amon stammered, "Uh… I don't know, Mom. I'll get some from the kitchen."

After she left, Amon stared at his hands, trembling. Something was changing inside him, something he couldn't control. And he had no idea what it meant—or what it could lead to.