The offer

Felix sat slumped against the wall, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. The adrenaline coursing through his veins was beginning to fade, replaced by a gnawing sense of dread.

The blood on his knuckles glistened in the pale morning light. He flexed his fingers, wincing at the sharp pain. It wasn't just his hands that hurt—his head was pounding, his vision slightly blurred.

"What did I just do?" he whispered to himself, his voice hoarse.

The sound of footsteps pulled him out of his thoughts. They weren't hurried like the teachers rushing to the scene or the cautious shuffle of students whispering about the fight. These steps were deliberate, measured, and growing louder.

Felix stiffened, glancing toward the source.

A man stood at the corner of the building, partially hidden by shadow. He was tall, dressed in a black vest over a dark shirt, his hands tucked casually into his pockets. A hood was pulled low over his face, but the sharp line of his jaw and the faint smirk on his lips were visible.

Felix's heart skipped a beat. Something about the man's presence set off alarms in his mind.

"Quite a show back there," the man said, his voice smooth and dripping with amusement. It was the kind of voice that demanded attention—low, calculated, almost hypnotic.

Felix swallowed hard, his back pressing against the cold brick wall. "Who are you?"

The man tilted his head, his smirk widening. "That's not the question you should be asking."

Felix frowned. "What?"

"The real question," the man continued, taking a step closer, "is why you're still here."

Felix's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"

The man crouched down, bringing himself to eye level with Felix. His movements were unhurried, almost predatory.

"Look at you," he said, gesturing vaguely. "Sitting here, bloodied and beaten, shaking like a leaf. And for what? A moment of satisfaction? A fleeting burst of power?"

Felix clenched his jaw, his fists tightening at his sides. He didn't respond.

The man leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You don't belong here, Felix."

The sound of his name coming from this stranger's mouth sent a chill down Felix's spine. "How do you know my name?"

The man ignored the question, straightening up and taking a step back. "You've spent your whole life trying to fit into a world that doesn't want you. It's pathetic, really. But what if I told you there was another way?"

Felix's heart was pounding now. "Another way?"

The man's smirk returned. "A way to leave all of this behind. The bullies, the pain, the emptiness. You wouldn't have to suffer anymore. You wouldn't have to fight to survive in a place that doesn't deserve you."

Felix stared at him, his mind racing. The words were tempting—so tempting that they made his chest ache.

"What's the catch?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

The man chuckled softly, the sound low and dangerous. "Smart boy. Of course, there's a catch. But let's not spoil the surprise just yet."

Felix shook his head, his brows furrowing. "I don't even know who you are. Why would I trust you?"

The man's smile faltered for a moment, replaced by a look of almost pity. "You don't have to trust me, Felix. You just have to decide."

"Decide what?"

"To break free."

The words hung in the air, heavy and electric.

Felix's mind was spinning. He didn't know what this man wanted or why he was here, but the thought of escape—of leaving everything behind—was like a lifeline.

The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, folded piece of paper. He held it out to Felix.

"What's this?" Felix asked, staring at the paper like it might bite him.

"An invitation," the man said simply. "Think of it as your ticket to a new life."

Felix hesitated, his hand hovering over the paper. Every instinct screamed at him to walk away, to run as far as he could from this man and his cryptic offer.

But his instincts had never done him much good before.

Slowly, he reached out and took the paper.

The man's smirk returned, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. "Good choice."

Before Felix could respond, the man turned and walked away, disappearing around the corner as quickly as he had appeared.

Felix sat there for a long moment, staring at the folded paper in his hands. His chest felt tight, his breaths shallow.

Finally, he unfolded it.

Inside was a single line of text, written in neat, precise handwriting:

**"Eterna Institute of Advancement."**

Below it was an address.

Felix's hands trembled as he stared at the words.

A new life.

The idea was intoxicating. But at what cost?