New Day, New Challenges
The morning sun was sharp as Marcus walked to school, hands in his pockets, earbuds faintly humming. A voice then called out:
Zack Lee: Yo, Marcus! Hold up!"
Marcus stopped and turned, looking in surprise. Zack Lee — tall, sharp features, athletic build — jogged toward him with a crooked smile.
Marcus: "Uh, hey Zack."
Zack: (falling into step beside him) "That thing with Logan… the 'animal attack'? Everyone's talking about it. You alright?"
Marcus: (avoids eye contact) "Yeah, I'm fine. Just trying to stay out of trouble."
Zack: (smirks) "That's the thing. Nobody messes with you anymore. Might be the safest I've felt in a while."
They exchanged a glance. Despite the brutal reputation that had started to form around Marcus, Zack offered a nod of quiet respect.
ZACH: "Whatever happened, you're doing something right. Stay sharp."
Marcus: (small smile) "Thanks. You too."
Meanwhile… a new monster awakens
Across town, in a cramped, cluttered room, **Logan Lee** pulled the bandage from the bite mark on his neck. What he found stopped him cold.
It was gone, the deep, ragged gash replaced with smooth, completely healed skin. That wasn't all: over the past two days he'd felt… different. Stronger. Faster. His punches came harder; his breathing felt deeper. Even the sting of running was a faint whisper.
Logan: (clenching a fist, voice shaking) "What the hell is happening to me?"
He punched a fist into the concrete wall. The plaster cracked like dry paper. Logan pulled his fist back, eyes wide.
Logan: (smirking slowly) "He didn't just beat me… he gave me something."
A feral grin split across his face. Whatever was happening, he liked it. The sting of defeat was burning into a flame — and that flame was going to consume Marcus Lane.
Logan: (growling) "Marcus… I'll find you. You're going to pay for making a joke out of me."
The Confrontation Brews
As the day drew to an end and Marcus stepped out of the school gates, he felt the faint prickle of unease crawl down his spine. The beast within him was alert, taut. Somewhere out there, another beast was waking up.
Marcus: (narrowing his eyes) *Why do I feel like… something's coming?* He tightened the straps of his bag and set off down the street, completely unaware that soon—very soon—he and Logan would collide again, but this time as something far more monstrous.