The Pendant
Ishin sat in class, staring at the blackboard but his mind wasn't on the lesson. It was trapped in a whirlwind of other thoughts.
Despite his best efforts, he was unable to concentrate.
The terrifying nightmare.
The voices he heard.
His own reflection that wasn't truly his.
His hand moved to his chest, encircling the tiny pendant dangling from his neck with his fingers.
It was simple, a silver charm. Though it looked old, it felt smooth and strangely new. Despite the scratches and worn surface, it was priceless to him.
He couldn't remember where he got it or who gave it to him.
But he believed no, he knew it was a gift from his parents.
A fragment of something bigger.
Something that still reminded him he belonged somewhere. even if he couldn't remember where or what it was.
He held it tightly, exhaling a shaky breath.
---
Bullies and Broken Things
"Take that off his neck!"
They yanked the pendant, the chain digging harshly into Ishin's skin.
Ishin's head snapped up from the pain and the shock.
Laughter surrounded him.
Ryo stood there, holding the pendant like a stolen treasure.
A smirk curled on his lips.
"Oh? What's this, Ukasaki?" Ryo twirled it lazily. "Some kind of lucky charm?"
Ishin's heart pounded painfully in his chest.
His breath burned with anger.
"Give it back."
Ryo laughed. "Relax, man. It's just a piece of junk."
Daiki, slouching nearby, snorted.
"Looks like something you'd find in a trash pile. What is this? Something your mommy gave you before she ditched you, or what?"
More laughter.
Ishin's fists clenched tight. His knuckles turned white.
"I said, give it back."
Ryo's eyes gleamed.
"Give it back? You want it that bad?" He raised the pendant high, dangling it out of reach.
"It's worthless junk "
CRACK!
He dropped it.
Time slowed.
Ishin wasn't fast enough to catch it
CRUNCH!!
Ryo's shoe stomped down hard on the pendant.
The sound of metal breaking echoed, sharp and cruel.
Silence.
The classroom fell deathly quiet.
Even Ryo looked unsure now.
And then—
---
Chains Unleashed
BOOM!!
Ishin lunged forward, his desk crashing against the wall.
Before anyone could react, Ryo was in his grip, his wrist locked tight in Ishin's hand.
His red eyes burned, and Ryo's smug expression twisted into one of fear.
"W-what the hell" Ryo stammered.
But Ishin's voice was low and dangerous.
"Shut up."
Ryo's breath caught. His face turned pale.
Ishin's body trembled but not from fear.
From rage.
Something inside him roared to be let out.
Daiki stumbled back, his chair clattering to the floor.
"W-What the hell! Look at his eyes!"
"They're glowing!" someone else gasped in fear.
Panic spread like wildfire.
Beneath Ishin's skin, veins pulsed and glimmered faintly like carved, molten-red lines.
"He looks like a demon! Is he losing it?!"
"Run!"
Chairs toppled.
Books scattered.
Within seconds, the classroom was empty.
Except for Ishin.
---
A Hollow Victory
He stood there, chest heaving.
The glow beneath his skin faded, leaving him cold and exhausted.
His fingers slowly uncurled, shaking.
Ryo was gone.
They were all gone.
His tear-filled eyes glanced down.
The pendant was still there.
Broken. Shattered.
He dropped to his knees, running his fingertips gently over the fragments.
His throat tightened painfully.
Why did this happen?
Why did it feel like he'd lost something again?
Quietly, he picked up his bag, stuffed the bits into his pocket, and left the room.
---
The Doorbell
The night was heavy.
Ishin sat alone in his dark room, staring blankly at the ceiling.
His mind replayed everything on a loop.
Their fearful eyes.
The choking.
His own hands around Ryo's throat.
What's happening to me?
The broken pendant rested on his desk, glowing faintly in the pale moonlight.
And then
Ding-dong.
The doorbell rang.
Ishin blinked.
He checked his phone.
11:38 PM.
Who the hell?
Moving cautiously, he approached the door.
He slowly opened it.
No one was there.
Cold night air swept inside.
But at his feet
Something glimmered.
He knelt down.
His pendant.
Whole. Untouched.
As if it had never broken.
His breath hitched.
A chill ran down his spine.
He glanced out into the empty street.
Nothing.
Only silence.
Only shadows.
He picked up the pendant carefully, turning it over in his hand.
"Who?" he whispered.
A soft wind stirred the trees.
Someone or something watched from the darkness.