Chapter 1 – The Final Day

The morning chill seeps through the thin walls of the shed, biting into my skin as I push myself upright on the creaky foldable bed. My muscles ache from yesterday's beating, bruises blooming across my ribs and arms like flowers of pain. The tiny heater had shut off in the middle of the night, and the cold seeps into my bones.

I sit there for a moment, staring at the cracked ceiling before sighing and rubbing my face. Another day. The last day of school before vacation.

With stiff movements, I grab my towel and a change of clothes before stepping outside. The sun is barely peeking over the horizon, and the house is silent. I press my ear against the back door. No voices. No movement.

They're gone.

Slipping inside, I make my way to the bathroom. The contrast between my existence and this house is almost laughable. Warm wooden floors, expensive furniture, a kitchen stocked with food I'll never touch. My parents aren't rich, but they make enough—enough to send Seyeon to a prestigious academy, enough to pretend I don't exist.

The hot water stings against my bruises, but I welcome it. For once, I can shower in peace without worrying about my father's sneers or my mother's disgusted glances. Without the ever-looming presence of Seyeon, their golden child, reminding me that I am nothing.

I take my time. It might be the last real comfort I have for weeks.

After drying off and changing, I slip out of the house, making sure to leave no trace that I had been there. The shed welcomes me back with its musty scent, but I don't linger. I grab my bag and step onto the cracked pavement leading away from my prison.

The walk to school is quiet. Just me, the wind, and my thoughts.

When I step through the gates of Hwasong High, the world becomes noise again. Laughter, shouts, the endless chattering of students eager for the upcoming break. I keep my head down, moving through the currents of people like a ghost.

But ghosts can still be seen.

I barely make it five steps before I hear them.

"Where do you think you're going, rat?"

A heavy hand slams onto my shoulder, jerking me back. Pain flares up my spine as I stumble, barely catching myself. My heartbeat spikes. My stomach knots.

Jisung.

And where Jisung is, the other two are never far behind.

Minho circles around, that same snake-like grin stretching his lips. "Man, you look worse every time we see you. Are you even eating? Oh, wait—you live in a shed, right? What do you even eat in there? Leftovers from your trash parents?"

Doyun cracks his knuckles, eyes gleaming with amusement. "Bet he eats rats. Probably why he's so scrawny."

Students walk by. Some glance at us, then quickly look away. No one intervenes. No one ever does.

I grit my teeth, clenching my fists at my sides. I shouldn't respond. I should just take it, like always.

But Minho isn't done.

He leans in, voice dripping with mock sympathy. "Oh, wait. Maybe he eats his tears instead? Bet they taste extra bitter after seeing Seoha getting claimed by a real man."

Something snaps.

Before I can think, I lunge for him—but I don't even make it a step before Jisung's fist slams into my gut. The air is knocked from my lungs, pain exploding through my body as I double over. A kick follows, catching me in the ribs. I collapse onto the cold floor.

More kicks. More pain.

I gasp, reaching out weakly, my fingers grasping nothing. The world spins.

I need help.

Through blurry eyes, I see her.

Eun Seoha stands just a few feet away, her long black hair cascading down her shoulders, her arms crossed as she watches the scene unfold. She doesn't look away.

I force the words out, my voice raw and desperate.

"P-Please… Seoha…"

She doesn't move. She doesn't speak. Her face remains unreadable, like I'm nothing but a stain on the pavement.

I cough, blood flecking my lips. "Just… say something…"

Nothing.

Jisung's laughter fills my ears as another kick crashes into my ribs, sending agony ripping through my body. The crowd watches in silence, too afraid to step in, too indifferent to care.

And Seoha?

She turns her back and walks away.

Leaving me there.

I make it to class, my body screaming in protest with every step. My legs are unsteady, my ribs ache with every breath, and the taste of blood lingers in my mouth. I collapse into my seat, ignoring the whispers and stares around me.

The teacher steps in, his gaze scanning the room before landing on me. His brows furrow in concern. "Baek… are you okay?"

I let out a bitter chuckle, shaking my head. "Of course, I'm not okay. I almost got beaten to death."

An awkward silence fills the room. The teacher shifts uncomfortably, clearly unsure of how to respond. Then, after a moment, he scoffs. "Well, maybe if you weren't so pathetic, people wouldn't pick on you."

Something inside me snaps.

I stare at him, my hands clenching into fists. Then, without another word, I grab my bag and push myself up from my seat, wincing as pain shoots through my body. I start walking toward the door.

"Baek, where do you think you're going?" the teacher calls, irritation lacing his voice. "Class isn't over. You still have lessons to—"

I turn my head slightly, my voice low but sharp. "It's not worth being here if all you're going to do is insult me."

The room falls into stunned silence.

I glance at the students—none of them meet my gaze.

Then, without another word, I walk out, slamming the door behind me.

When I reach home, they're waiting.

My parents stand outside, their faces twisted in anger. The moment I step onto the property, my mother storms toward me, her voice sharp and shrill. "What the hell did you do this time?"

I barely have time to process before the slap comes. My head jerks to the side, my cheek stinging.

"The principal called," my father growls. "You humiliated us. Do you think you can just walk out of school like that? Do you have any idea what you've done?"

I don't answer. I just stare at them.

My mother raises her hand again, but then she stops. Her face pales slightly. My father stiffens beside her.

Because my eyes are empty.

I say nothing. I just step past them, walking toward my shed.

My mother hesitates, turning to my father. "We should—"

"Leave him," my father mutters. "He's not worth it."

And just like that, I disappear into the only place that is truly mine.

I boot up my PC, logging into Dascord. A single name is online—Evelyn.

I call her, and when she picks up, I finally break.

Tears fall as I tell her everything.

Evelyn is small, with blonde hair and large blue eyes. She's in 9th grade, soon to be 10th. Two years younger than me.

She, too, is an Abyssal.

And for the first time in a long time, someone listens.

She listens quietly, and after a moment, she sighs. "That bad, huh?"

I wipe my face. "Worse."

There's a pause before she speaks again, softer this time. "My dad… he hit me yesterday."

I inhale sharply. "What?"

"He tried to sell me off to some rich family. Said I'd be better off that way. I told him to go to hell." Her voice shakes slightly, but then she chuckles bitterly. "Didn't go over well."

My hands clench into fists. "Evelyn—"

"It's fine," she cuts in. "I handled it. But… I hate being here. I hate this place, Neph."

I exhale, my mind racing. She's strong—stronger than me—but even she has her limits.

Then, her voice brightens just a little. "Wouldn't it be fun if all six of us met up this vacation? In South Korea?"

I blink. "Wait, seriously?"

"Yeah. Think about it. We've been talking for years, but we've never met in person. Maybe it's time."

I hesitate. The thought of finally seeing them—her, Leon and the others—feels unreal. Like a dream just out of reach.

But then, I smile.

"That's an amazing idea."

The others eventually join the call, and soon, the plan takes shape. Everyone has enough money for a plane ticket. I offer to cover the transportation in Korea—bus and train tickets, anything they'll need. We settle on Odaesan, a remote mountain range, perfect for a long hike through the forests.

After hours of talking and laughing, we finally log off one by one, exhaustion setting in.

I lie down on my creaky bed, staring at the dark ceiling. My stomach growls, but I ignore it.

I don't care about food right now.

Jisung.

And the day I make him suffer.

And Seoha.....

One day, you'll want me.

And I'll do exactly what you did to me..... The same face and attitude you gave me when I was getting beaten....