Leon Mercer was dead.
But in another place, in another time…
A boy was laying down on a hospital bad
Who is this boy,
What connection does he have with Leon Mercer
and what is his story
The bright begging before the misfortune
The first day of high school should have been a fresh start. A chance to meet new people, explore new possibilities. But for Ethan Graves, it was the beginning of a slow descent into darkness.
Ethan wasn't like the other students at Neo-Tokyo High School. He was quiet, reserved, and rarely socialized. His past had left scars, both seen and unseen. After losing his parents in a tragic accident at the age of ten, his older sister, Isabelle "Izzy" Graves, had taken on the responsibility of raising him. She worked tirelessly at the Neo-Tokyo Café & Diner during the day and helped her best friend run a food truck in the evenings. Ethan knew how much she sacrificed for him, and the last thing he wanted was to be a burden.
His childhood best friend, Oliver "Ollie" Kade, had been his light in those dark times. They had been inseparable—until Ollie's father got transferred to another city. Ethan still remembered that day clearly, standing outside Ollie's old house.
[Ollie] "Don't be sad, idiot. Let me leave already. How long do I have to take care of you, crybaby?"
[Ethan] (sniffling) "You don't get to say that just because you're leaving. You're the crybaby—I can see your eyes are red."
[Ollie](flustered) "Wha—What?! You little brat, I'll—"
They had laughed after that, but the laughter was short-lived.
[Ollie's MotherRebecca] "Ollie, it's time to go."
[Ollie](grinning) "Guess that's it, huh?"
[Isabelle] "Bye, Ollie. Take care."
[Ethan] (muttering): "Bye, stupid."
Ollie had turned to leave but paused after a few steps. He looked back, smirking.
[Ollie] "Hey, idiot. This isn't goodbye. We'll meet again. After all, we're best friends."
Ethan wiped his tears and nodded. "Of course, stupid."
That memory was one of Ethan's most precious treasures. He had clung to it, believing that one day they would reunite. But for now, he had to face high school alone.
Neo-Tokyo High School – The Beginning
The first month was tolerable. Ethan kept his head down, avoided unnecessary attention, and focused on his studies. But Neo-Tokyo High School wasn't a place for the weak. The system was rigged in favor of the rich and influential, allowing those with money and power to get away with anything.
It started small. A shove in the hallway. A missing textbook. A crude remark thrown his way. Ethan ignored it, thinking it would pass. But it didn't.
Jayden "Jay" Carter, the son of a wealthy businessman, was the self-proclaimed king of the school. Alongside his group—Eric "Rick" Dawson, Damian Holt, Adrian Sinclair, Leo Vasquez, and Noah Bennett—he ruled through fear and influence. Teachers turned a blind eye. Principal Eleanor Marsh barely acknowledged complaints. The school protected its rich students, dismissing any claims of bullying with a mere slap on the wrist.
The first real confrontation came when Ethan accidentally bumped into Jay in the cafeteria, spilling juice on his expensive jacket.
[Jay] (mocking) "Oh, great. Looks like the peasant ruined my clothes. What are you gonna do about it, Graves?"
[Ethan] "I-I'm sorry. It was an accident."
[Rick] (grinning) "An accident? You hear that, boys? He says it was an accident! Maybe we should teach him to be more careful."
Before Ethan could react, Jay tripped him, sending him crashing to the ground. The cafeteria erupted in laughter.
[Coach Brandon Wells] (Gym Teacher) "That's enough, Carter. Get to class."
Jay smirked. "Of course, Coach. Just teaching our friend some manners."
'Jay and his crew left'
No punishment. No consequences. Just another day at Neo-Tokyo High.
Ethan told himself he could endure it. That they would get bored eventually. He was wrong.
The Bullying Escalates
Over the weeks, the bullying became relentless. His locker was vandalized. His schoolbooks were stolen. They tripped him in the hallways, spread rumors about him, made sure he had no peace.
Megan Rios, Jake Tanner, and Emily Cho, though not directly involved, laughed along, reinforcing the idea that Ethan was alone.
His grades began to slip. His nights were restless, haunted by the fear of what the next day would bring. Isabelle noticed the dark circles under his eyes, the way he barely ate, but Ethan always smiled and told her he was fine.
She was already working herself to exhaustion. He couldn't add to her burdens.
But then, something changed.
The Return of a Friend
The second semester began, and a new student was introduced. Ethan barely paid attention, too tired and drained to care—until he heard the voice.
[Principal Marsh] "Class, we have a new transfer student. Please welcome Oliver Kade."
Ethan's head snapped up. His breath caught in his throat as Ollie stepped forward, looking almost the same, just a little taller, a little more mature. His sharp eyes scanned the room before landing on Ethan.
For the first time in a long while, Ethan felt something other than fear.
Hope.
Fading Light
Ollie's return should have made everything better. At first, it did.
He wasn't the same boy who had left years ago. His presence alone was enough to keep the bullies at bay—at least for a while. Jay and his gang didn't seem eager to mess with Ethan while Ollie was around.
[Ollie] "You really let these idiots push you around?"
Ollie asked one afternoon, watching as Ethan hesitated near his locker.
Ethan forced a laugh.
[Ethan] "You don't get it. You weren't here."
[Ollie] "Yeah? Well, I'm here now. Let's see them try something."
For a few weeks, Ethan felt like things were turning around. He and Ollie fell back into their old rhythm, hanging out after school, laughing about stupid things. But he should have known it wouldn't last.
Jay wasn't someone who let things go.
The Trap
One evening, Ethan received a text from an unknown number.
[Unknown] "Izzy's in trouble. She needs you. Come to the old gym. Alone."
Panic flooded his veins. Without thinking, he rushed out, not stopping to question why Isabelle would be at the abandoned gym after hours.
The moment he stepped inside, the door slammed shut.
Laughter echoed in the empty space. The fluorescent lights flickered, casting eerie shadows across the cracked walls.
Jay stepped forward, flanked by Rick, Damian, and the rest.
[Jay] "Did you really think we'd let you off that easy, Graves?"
Ethan's stomach dropped. He had walked straight into their trap.
Ethan barely had time to react before the first punch landed. Pain exploded in his ribs, knocking the breath from his lungs. He stumbled back, but they didn't give him a chance to recover. Another blow, then another. Kicks rained down, each one stealing a bit more of his strength.
The taste of blood filled his mouth. He tried to get up, but a boot pressed against his back, shoving him down. Laughter surrounded him. Distant. Fading.
He thought of Izzy. Of Ollie. Of the life he wanted to have. But as darkness took over, only one thought remained.
There was no way out.
No Way Out
Ethan woke up to pain. His entire body ached, bruises covering his arms and torso. His vision blurred, and for a moment, he forgot where he was. Then the memories hit him all at once.
The gym. The beating. The laughter.
He was still lying on the cold, dusty floor, alone. His hands trembled as he pushed himself up. It took all his strength just to stand. Every step sent sharp pain through his body, but he forced himself forward. He needed to leave before they came back.
Stumbling out of the gym, he reached for his phone. It was cracked but still working. Several missed calls from Izzy. One from Ollie. His fingers hovered over the screen, but he couldn't bring himself to call them.
What would he even say?
He limped home in silence, his mind a storm of emotions. The weight of it all pressed down on him—the bullying, the fear, the feeling of being utterly alone. Even with Ollie back, even with Izzy working so hard for him, he still felt trapped.
That night, as he lay in bed staring at the ceiling, the thoughts crept in.
Maybe it would be easier if I just disappeared.
The next day at school, the whispers followed him. News of what had happened spread fast. Some students looked at him with pity. Others laughed behind his back. Jay and his gang smirked whenever they passed him in the halls, daring him to say something.
Ollie noticed the change. [Ollie] "Ethan, what the hell happened?"
[Ethan] "Nothing," Ethan muttered, avoiding his gaze.
[Ollie] "Bullshit. Who did this to you?"
Ethan shook his head. [Ethan] "Just drop it, Ollie. It doesn't matter."
But it did matter. It mattered to Ollie. It mattered to Izzy. He knew they would never stop trying to help him, but the damage was already done. The walls were closing in, and he couldn't see a way out.
That evening, Ethan sat by his window, looking out at the city lights. His hands clenched into fists. His thoughts spiraled deeper into the darkness.
Then his phone buzzed.
[Ollie] "Idiot. I'm coming over."
Ethan hesitated, then typed back.
[Ethan] "Don't. Please."
But it was too late. A few minutes later, there was a knock at the door. Izzy opened it, surprised to see Ollie standing there.
[Ollie] "Hey, Izzy. Is Ethan home?"
Izzy glanced toward his room. "Yeah, but—"
Ollie didn't wait. He pushed past and knocked on Ethan's door. "Open up."
Silence.
[Ollie] "Ethan, come on. I know you're in there."
Still nothing.
Ollie sighed and leaned against the door. "You don't have to talk. Just listen. I don't care what those assholes did to you. I don't care how bad you think things are. I came back, didn't I? You're not alone, Ethan. You never were."
A long pause. Then, slowly, the door opened.
Ethan stood there, eyes red, face hollow. But for the first time in weeks, he let himself believe that maybe—just maybe—he wasn't as alone as he thought.
Maybe there was still a way out.
A Bond Shattered
Ollie refused to leave Ethan alone after that night. He made it his mission to keep Ethan close, acting as both a shield and a distraction. Izzy, too, was always there, keeping a watchful eye. For a while, Ethan started to believe that maybe—just maybe—things could get better.
But fate had other plans.
It was a rainy evening when it happened. Ethan and Ollie were walking home together, cutting through a side street to avoid the main roads. They didn't notice the black SUV until it screeched to a stop beside them.
Three figures stepped out. Damian Holt. Eric "Rick" Dawson. Jayden "Jay" Carter.
Ethan froze. He knew what was coming. He grabbed Ollie's arm, ready to run, but Ollie—never one to back down—stood his ground.
[Ollie] "What do you want?" Ollie demanded.
Jay smirked. [Jay] "Just a little chat."
Then they moved. Faster than Ethan could react. He was shoved against the alley wall while Ollie was dragged to the ground. Fists and boots struck flesh. Ethan struggled, but Damian held him still, whispering in his ear.
[Damian] "You keep your mouth shut about everything, or your sister's next."
Ethan's blood ran cold.
Ollie, bloody and bruised, still had fight left in him. He spat blood at Jay's feet. "You think you're untouchable?" he coughed. "You're just cowards."
Jay's face twisted in rage. He stepped back and nodded to Rick.
The next moment changed everything.
Rick grabbed Ollie and slammed his head against the curb. Once. Twice. A sickening crack filled the air. Ethan screamed.
Ollie stopped moving.
Jay crouched next to him, pressing two fingers against his neck. After a few seconds, he stood.
[Jay] "Let's go," Jay said, wiping his hands.
They left Ethan kneeling next to Ollie's lifeless body, his hands shaking, his mind unable to process what had just happened.
Ollie was gone.
Ethan wasn't able to do anything he was frozen his body mind everything went blank he can hear the voice of people nearby "call the ambulance " ambulance came and took both of them to St. Helena General Hospital.
Ollie lay motionless on the hospital bed. The doctor checked his pulse, then examined the bruises covering his body. He turned to Ethan and asked,
[Dr.] "What happened to this boy?"
Ethan couldn't speak. His hands trembled, and his face was pale. Seeing his fear, the doctor placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
[Dr.] "It's okay," he said gently. "Tell us what happened."
Just as Ethan was about to say something, two police officers entered the room with another boy Jayden. One of the officers spoke to the doctor.
[Officer 1] "It was an accident. This boy witnessed everything. He saw Ollie slip and hit his head on the curb."
The other officer shook his head.
[Officer 2] "Kids these days don't pay attention," he muttered as he placed a firm hand on Ethan's shoulder. Ethan flinched and looked at Jayden. Their eyes met, Jay Smirked at him and in that moment, Ethan knew if he stayed silent, the truth would never come out.
The first officer continued,
[Officer 1] "We've called the boy's parents. They should be here soon."
The doctor frowned. He knew something wasn't right. The bruises on Ollie's body tells a different story, but without Ethan speaking up, he had no proof. He glanced at Ethan again—the boy looked unwell himself, as if he were barely holding it together.
Moments later, Ollie's parents rushed into the room. The moment his mother saw her lifeless son, she collapsed, screaming in agony. His father, tears streaming down his face, clutched Ollie's hand, begging him to wake up.
Ethan stood outside the room, his body shaking. Tears welled up in his eyes as he clamped his hands over his ears, trying to block out the heart-wrenching cries of Ollie's parents.
A few days later, they held Ollie's funeral.
TO BE CONTINUED....