A Genius In Chains

The morning sun poured through the cracked window of a small, lonely house. Dust particles danced in the golden light as Albert slowly opened his weary eyes. He groaned, stretching his stiff limbs before reluctantly pushing the thin blanket off his body. A yawn escaped his lips as he trudged toward the window, pulling the worn-out curtains shut. Another lonely day awaited him.

He moved through his quiet home, the silence heavier than any burden he had ever carried. No voices called to him. No laughter filled the space. His parents were gone—taken by fate before he could even understand their love. No siblings to share his sorrows. No friends to ease his loneliness. Just Albert and the ticking of the clock.

As he pulled on his school uniform, he sighed. "Another lonely day..." The words barely left his lips before he grabbed his school bag and hurried to the bathroom. The cold water sent shivers down his spine as he brushed his teeth and took a shower, a daily routine void of any warmth. Within minutes, he was out the door, greeted only by the rustling wind.

A school bus pulled up with the words Stardom High School boldly painted across its side. Albert stepped inside and glanced around. Groups of students sat together, chatting and laughing, their friendships evident in the easy way they leaned into one another. Without hesitation, Albert made his way to the back, the only place where solitude was guaranteed. He sat down, resting his chin on his palm as the bus began to move.

---

The bus came to a halt before the towering gates of Stardom High School. Students eagerly filed out, chattering away as they made their way into the grand building. Albert followed in silence, weaving through the crowded hallways until he reached Class 1-D.

The moment he stepped in, the room was alive with activity. Some students scribbled in their notebooks, others gossiped in hushed whispers, their eyes flickering toward him for only a moment before dismissing his presence altogether. He quietly made his way to his usual seat at the back, where he could disappear into the background.

Then, the door swung open with a bang.

A group of students entered, their presence demanding attention. Leading them was a tall boy with jet-black hair and a confident smirk—Adams. He walked with an air of dominance, his lackeys trailing behind him like shadows. The murmurs in the class died down as they watched the group approach Albert's desk.

Adams slammed his hand onto the wooden surface, making Albert's books tremble. "Define a word that depicts bullying, Albert," he sneered.

Albert, his head still bowed, closed his eyes briefly. Here we go again.

The class held its breath, all eyes now on him. The girls whispered among themselves, while a few boys exchanged knowing glances. Albert said nothing. Silence was his only weapon.

One of Adams' lackeys, Gregory, leaned in and scoffed. "Adams, he's giving us the silent treatment."

Adams' smirk twisted into a scowl. His hand shot out, gripping Albert's collar as he yanked him forward. "You think you're better than us, huh?" He lifted a fist, but before he could land a blow—

"What's going on here?"

The sharp voice of the teacher cut through the tension like a blade. Adams quickly released Albert and turned to face the teacher with a feigned innocence. "We were just talking, sir."

The teacher narrowed his eyes but didn't press further. "That's enough. Get to your seat."

Adams huffed but obeyed, sending a glare in Albert's direction before slumping into his chair. Albert exhaled quietly, shaking the tension from his shoulders. As he looked up, his gaze landed on a young blonde woman standing at the front of the room. Her silky yellow hair cascaded past her shoulders, framing a gentle face.

"Good morning, class. My name is Miss Evelyn, and I will be your homeroom teacher. Before we begin, let's introduce ourselves one by one."

One by one, the students stood up. Names were called, and personalities shone through their words. Adams spoke with confidence, Gregory with arrogance. The introductions carried on until it was Albert's turn.

He stood slowly, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "Albert," he said simply.

Whispers rippled through the room. They all knew who he was—the genius of the school. The teachers admired him, the school management respected him, but the students despised him. He had no friends, no allies—just books, his only true companions.

The class soon ended, and Albert wasted no time in leaving. But as he stepped outside the school gates, shadows loomed over him. Adams and his gang.

They surrounded him like vultures circling a dying prey.

"Gregor, hold him down," Adams ordered.

Albert struggled as Gregory's iron grip locked onto his arms, pinning him against the cold brick wall. Adams cracked his knuckles, a twisted grin on his face. "You think you're so smart, huh?"

A punch to the gut sent Albert doubling over, pain shooting through his ribs. He gasped but refused to cry out. He wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

"Hold him tighter!" Adams barked.

Albert twisted his body and lashed out with a powerful kick, sending Adams stumbling backward. For a moment, hope sparked in his chest. He could run—

But Gregory seized him again, forcing him to the ground. Adams' face twisted with pure rage. He reached into his pocket, and in the blink of an eye—

A knife.

Time slowed. Albert's breath hitched as Adams lunged forward. Pain. Searing, burning pain. The blade sank into his side. A warm sensation spread across his uniform—blood.

The moment Adams realized what he had done, his face paled. He pulled his trembling hand away, stained with crimson. "I... I didn't mean to—"

"We have to go," Gregory hissed. "Now!"

Panic surged through the group, and within seconds, they vanished into the night, leaving Albert behind.

The world blurred. Darkness crept into the edges of his vision. As his body grew heavy, a single thought echoed in his mind—

"Is this how it ends?"