Chapter 17: Troubled Romance & Family Bonding

Brad’s and the twins’ re-entry into the living room caught not just Damon’s and Hazel’s attention, but that of the other four present.

"Now it’s just us, cousin," Brad said, the corner of his mouth curving upward as he took measured steps toward Damon, who was resting on the sofa by the tempered glass windows—

Hazel sprang into action from her position, her balance leaning due to her limp, an injury she had sustained during the earlier scuffle.

Cautiously alert, she stepped right in front of Damon, coming between him and Brad; her tone stern and expression dire as she voiced—

"What the hell do you want, Brad?"

She had never expected that this person would come to find trouble again with Damon after his attendants had left. She had only expected to remain alert and help Damon in case of any sudden mutant surprises, no matter how unlikely—

But now, here comes Brad, her classmate who appears to harbor a particular grudge against his own cousin.

"This isn’t the time or place for these childish shenanigans, Brad..."

"Look there...look outside the window right now. The world is burning— and you are hell-bent on picking on your cousin who’s already in such a bad shape."

Hazel admonished, gesturing through to the large windows, down out at the burning building, wrecked and abandoned vehicles.... A crashed plane hanging from a skyscraper in the distance, billowing in torrents of smoke and fire....

And countless mutants prowling through the streets, feasting on corpses, with a few people who hadn’t managed to find shelter in these horrifying four hours still running for their lives from one hiding spot to another—

Some people still desperate to leave the city, driving and drifting through a sea of mutants to escape to government shelters or wherever they felt would be safer; all meeting unfortunate ends as they were swarmed from every corner.

It was carnage... and Brad only took one glance at the scene below before returning his attention to the young lady standing on guard in front of him, his smile stretching further as he voiced, spreading out his arms dramatically as they erupted in wild, searing flames.....

SWOOSH

"So what if the world was burning, Hazel?...."

"Hehe... I am the chosen. The protagonist of this new world."

"Damn straight, boss!... hahaha"

"Tell them, boss!"

The twins chorused in unison from behind, snickering from behind. These two had always been Brad’s henchmen since the start of College, along with two others. Though Brad’s family wasn’t on Damon’s level in terms of wealth, they were above average when compared to the general masses.

There was also Brad’s type of lifestyle, which was flashy and drew a lot of attention, as well as his general disregard for rules. These were both things that made him stand out in college but also made him overbearing to most. And, as they say, like minds attract.

The twins were barely affected by Brad’s flames because of their warrior physique, but it caused Hazel to take steps back from the heat... her expression turning even more anxious.

This wasn’t the classmate that she remembered; this person was drunk on power, dangerous, and was clearly itching to harm his cousin for reasons she wasn’t clear on.

But Hazel had made a promise to Mildred, and she also liked this strange young man who seemed special in ways different from the rest of them.

"What do you want, Brad?...."

"You gain nothing by doing this, and making enemies of Harvey and Mildred also isn’t a good idea. You are strong now... but you aren’t invincible."

"Remember... we’re all still classmates here."

Hazel tried persuading, gesturing around to the other four in the living room.

The boy who was cowering in fear earlier was now nervously watching the unfolding confrontation.... The other male stunned in the living room looked in their direction with cautious interest... while the young lady with the hoodie was still fiddling with a console from the sofa where she lay stretched, seemingly uninterested in what was unfolding.

Out of nowhere, the curly-haired girl, Tessa, was suddenly standing in front of Hazel, her reddened eyes looking at Brad with hurt and anger, before yelling with tears slowly building in her eyes....

"What the hell is wrong with you, Bradley.... So this is who you truly are?!"

"Seven of our friends are dead!.....dead, Bradley!."

"And you.... You don’t even care?!"

"You....you aren’t human... "

"You are worse than those monsters out there"

Tessa’s outburst quieted the room. The twins were no longer snickering, and most present were enraptured by the young lady’s emotional outburst.

The relationship between Tessa and Brad was known to most, with Brad always trying to woo her and make Tessa his girlfriend. For this reason, no one even dared to come around Tessa in college since everyone was cautious about Brad.

It was a troubled romance, and all present knew Tessa’s opinion held much weight with Brad, who could be argued as the most infamous in college.

Presently, none in the living room seemed more affected than Brad by Tessa’s words; his hands slowly came down to his side, the ferocity of his flames lessening, as if afraid his flames would hurt the person now standing in front of him.

His expression was somber but sharp as ever, and all of a sudden, his face slowly drew into a faint, pained smile before uttering in a mellow, somber tone.....

"Even now, Tess..."

"You choose this person over me."

"W....what ?" Tessa voiced in a stutter, watching Brad speak in such a grave tone. She was getting a bad feeling.

"The world has changed, Tess... "

"And I am destined as this world’s protagonist."

"Soon, I will make you see me... see me truly."

"You are mine, Tess...and I will keep you safe in this dangerous world..."

"Whether you like it or not."

"Wh...what the hell do you mean by that..... Bradley?" Tessa murmured, instinctively taking a step back.

"Tessa looks a bit tired from stress—take her in to get some much-needed rest."

Brad uttered, and before anyone knew what was happening, the twins were already dragging Tessa towards the bedroom as she kicked and screamed her lungs out.

"BRADLEY, YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" ℯℯ𝑙.

"Stop this right now, Brad!. Are you really kidnapping your classmate in broad daylight?!"

Hazel yelled in anger; she was conflicted about whether to go help her friend or remain guarding Damon, yet she was anxious and nervous ... she was bewildered; she couldn’t believe this was happening....

Yet, in the end, she chose to remain where she was for two reasons. One because she doubted she could do anything to the twins, and two because she didn’t believe Brad would actually hurt Tessa.

"This is not kidnapping Hazel, but protection— protection even from herself. Hehe" Brad intoned in justification as Tessa’s screams and curses kept pouring out from the room.

"Now step aside, Hazel— "

"All I want is a quick word with my dear cousin. You have no right to intrude on family bonding," Brad said sternly as the flames on his hands flared more violently.

"Sorry, Brad..." Hazel began to say with an anxious but determined expression, her body shifting into a battle-ready stance, fists clenched, center of gravity lowering as she looked Brad dead in the eyes....

"I can’t let you do that."