"The hopeless one in class," a girl whispered. "He's such a loser. Even when we mock him, he just stands there being the 'nicest' guy. It's pathetic!"
The classroom erupted in laughter. I didn't fight back. I simply ignored the stinging insults and passed a small, quiet smile. It was the only defense I had left.
Suddenly, Ryan, our class leader, stood up. He glared at the group and shouted, "Please! Stop it! You shouldn't hurt the feelings of our classmates like that!"
The room went quiet. For a second, I felt hope. Ryan turned toward me and offered a warm smile, but as he leaned in, his expression shifted. Behind his kind eyes was a mocking, cold gaze that only I could see. He was the mastermind.
My name is Carl. I was the school's favorite punching bag because I was "too nice." I never complained... but that was only because I had no family left to go home to.
After school, I saw a little boy chasing his dog onto the busy road. A massive truck was rounding the corner, moving too fast. My body moved before my mind could think. I ran.
I reached the boy and shoved him to safety. But there was no escape for me.
CRASH.
The impact was a roar of pain that turned into cold numbness. As my vision blurred into darkness, I didn't feel fear. I felt relief.
"Finally..." I gasped, my lungs filling with blood. "I can escape from this hellish life."
I closed my eyes, letting the darkness take me...( To be continued )