After being discharged from the infirmary, I leave the Sentinel grounds and walk without direction.

  Eventually, I stop.

  An abandoned park stands before me. Mold clings to the swings. One rusted chain creaks softly as it sways in the wind.

  I turn

  And freeze.

  I’m staring at myself.

  Smaller. Thinner. Standing still.

  Then I see them.

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  The kids from back then, walking toward my younger self with familiar grins.

  My hand curls into a fist as I watch the first punch land.Then another.And another.

  “Why…” I murmur.“Why didn’t you fight back?”

  My gaze drops

  One of them pulls out a knife.

  There’s a flash of movement. A sharp gasp.

  My younger self collapses, blood soaking into his clothes.

  They don’t stop.

  I watch as they kick him again and again, laughing as he curls in on himself.

  I try to move.

  My legs refuse.

  The sky darkens. Rain begins to fall, heavy and cold, but I remain frozen forced to watch.

  “Why didn’t you do anything?” I whisper.

  Their laughter echoes. Words follow.

  Weak.Disgrace.

  I clench my jaw.

  “You could’ve tried,” I say quietly.“But you didn’t.”

  I take a step forward still unable to reach him.

  “You’re pathetic,” I continue.“No strength. No courage. Just empty dreams.”

  My chest tightens.

  “No friends. No one who cared.”“This is why you’ll always be alone.”

  The rain grows heavier.

  I look down at the child bleeding in the dirt.

  “…You were a mistake.”