A new bond

"Stop! "Stop!" Joshua shouted as he sprinted toward the group of boys, his breath coming in sharp bursts. His heart pounded in his chest, but he didn't hesitate—he pushed off the ground with all his strength and swung his fist with everything he had.

His punch connected squarely with the leader's stomach. A sharp thud echoed through the alley as the bully gasped, his eyes widening in shock. He staggered backward, clutching his abdomen, and then dropped to his knees, his face twisted in pain.

The other bullies froze, stunned.

Joshua stood tall, his fists clenched. His knuckles ached from the impact, but he ignored the pain.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence—just the sound of the leader gasping for breath.

Then, he slowly lifted his head, his eyes burning with fury. He gritted his teeth and pushed himself back to his feet.

"So… the orphan thinks he's the star of the village now?" His voice was cold, mocking. "You think just because your parents ascended to the ancestral realm, you're better than me ?" His lips curled into a sneer. "Let's show him—no one misses with us."

The other boys smirked and cracked their knuckles.

Joshua barely had time to react before they charged at him all at once.

The first boy lunged at him with a wild swing. Joshua ducked, narrowly avoiding the punch, and countered with a quick jab to the ribs. The bully yelped and stumbled backward, but another was already on him.

A foot came flying toward his head. Joshua raised his arms just in time to block the kick, but the impact sent him staggering. Before he could regain his footing, another boy grabbed him from behind, locking his arms in place.

"Got him!"

Joshua struggled, twisting his body, but the grip was too strong. He felt a fist slam into his stomach. Pain exploded through his core. Another punch came—this time to his ribs. Then another.

He grunted, trying to fight back, but the blows kept coming.

With a sudden burst of strength, he jerked his body to the side, freeing one arm. He swung his elbow backward, smashing it into the nose of the boy holding him. The bully cried out and let go, stumbling back with blood trickling from his nose.

Joshua turned, panting, his muscles burning. He barely had a second to react before another boy rushed him. Joshua ducked low and tackled him to the ground, punching him twice in the side before rolling away.

But then—

CRACK!

A hard kick slammed into his ribs from the side, sending him sprawling. He groaned as he hit the dirt, pain flaring in his chest.

He tried to push himself up, but before he could, a heavy foot stomped down on his back, pinning him in place.

"Stay down, orphan," the leader growled.

Joshua gritted his teeth. He refused to give up. With all his strength, he twisted his body and kicked upward, his foot slamming into the leader's knee. The bully yelped and stumbled back.

Joshua rolled away, scrambling to his feet. He breathed hard, sweat dripping down his forehead.

But it was five against one.

Before he could react, two boys grabbed his arms, holding him in place. The leader, his face twisted with rage, stepped forward and drove his fist into Joshua's stomach.

Pain erupted in his body. He gasped, his legs nearly giving out.

Another punch—this time to his face. His vision was blurred.

A third blow slammed into his ribs, sending him crashing to the ground. He tried to get up, but a sharp kick to his side knocked the air out of his lungs.

Everything ached. His breath came in ragged gasps.

"That's what you get for interfering," the leader spat. He glanced at the others. "Let's go before someone sees us."

Laughing among themselves, the bullies turned and ran, disappearing from the alley.

For a long moment, Joshua just lay there, his body screaming in pain. His face throbbed, his ribs ached, and every breath sent sharp pain through his chest.

But he wasn't the only one hurt.

Slowly, he pushed himself up, wincing as he moved. He turned his head and saw the boy he had tried to protect still curled up against the wall.

Joshua staggered toward him and knelt beside him. "Are you okay?" His voice was hoarse.

The boy hesitated before looking up. His face was bruised, his lower lip split, and his eyes were filled with fear. But there was something else—relief.

"I... "I'm fine," the boy whispered.

Joshua reached out and helped him up. "What's your name?"

"Nyamewero David," the boy said, rubbing his bruised arm. "Thank you… for helping me."

Joshua managed a weak smile. "I couldn't just stand by and watch."

David looked down, his expression troubled.

"Why were they bullying you?" Joshua asked.

David sighed. "They always pick on me. I… I don't have any family left. My parents died when I was little, and I lived with my uncle, but he didn't really care about me. The other kids say I don't belong here, that I'm just a burden. They like to remind me of it every chance they get."

Joshua clenched his fists. He knew that pain too well. He looked David in the eyes and said firmly, "Don't worry. You have me now. I'll always have your back."

David's eyes widened as if he wasn't used to hearing those words. Then, slowly, a small, genuine smile appeared on his face. "And I'll have yours."

Joshua grinned despite the pain. Then it settled. We will look out for each other from now on."

As they stood there, bruised but not broken, a new bond was forged—one that would change both their lives forever.