~~~~~ABYSS: THE RISE~~~~~

Chapter 2: ...and effects

AN - I wish to thank a good friend for writing this chapter, they may end up helping write the whole story. Now, onto the chapter!
Huffing out a sigh, Max pulled out one of his earphones and nonchalantly looked towards Daman.
"Do you need something Daman?" Dismissively Max addressed the man in front of him, acknowledging his taller and more muscular build. He'd have no chance in a fight against him. Daman was infamous in the school for his aggressive tendencies and not-so-charming attitude towards the female students.
"Do you think you're clever or something? You know what I want." Daman's expression hardened, brows knitted together in anger. His friends began to surround Max, trapping him in fake intimidation. He knew it was all a bluff, only Daman had the guts to act against the moral laws.
"Oh you mean what happened earlier? I must say your face looks great now that I rearranged your jaw a little." Smirking to himself, Max retorted. He wasn't riled up enough to act on his impulses, but his smart tongue remained in his favour. For a while.
Daman's jaw clenched, his hands closing into tight fists with his knuckles turning white. Scorching blood sped through his body, relaying anger to every muscle. Max couldn't help but feel satisfied with the effect his words made on the boy, snorting lightly to himself in amusement.
"You piece of shit" Daman raised his clenched fist, gripping Max by the collar and pulling him upwards, pushing him against the wall. "Who the fuck d'you think you are?" Venom dripped off his tongue, biting into the surrounding silence. Not even the subtle buzz of surrounding conversation could cut through the tense atmosphere.
"Well, according to official documents, I'd say-" A strong force connected with Max's stomach, knocking the air from his lungs. Gasping, he drew in a deep breath, desperately trying to regain his composure and replenish his oxygen supply.
"I didn't say you could talk" Daman spat out, pushing Max harder against the wall. Coughing, Max thought his next actions over carefully. He knew that nothing good could come from his confrontational personality, but that never stopped him in the past.
"You asked me a question dickhead" Another punch directed towards his stomach hit, before another slugged him across the jaw. Spluttering, Max winced in pain. The grip on his collar loosened as he dropped to the floor, panting and coughing.
"Don't try and mess with me again, okay?" Daman finished with a kick to Max's stomach, hitting a lot lighter than he made it out to be. Was he going easy on him? His expression seemed troubled, the anger in his blood replaced with something more innocent, only subtly showing on his steel features.
Bewildered and winded, Max watched as Daman and his group walked away, leaving him on the floor trying to collect himself. Hearing a gasp of horror, Max turned towards the noise to see a girl rushing towards him.
"Oh my goodness Max!" She called, sliding down to her knees next to him. Only now he realised his blurred vision as he struggled to catch his breath, but he could just make out the familiar long hair and emerald eyes. He could see the worry twisted in her pupils, concern dripping off the ends of her hair and splashing onto his defeated body. Then, darkness.