Static

~Feels like I'm destined~

I turned my head to look at Bruce. His face was tight with anger, but he didn't say anything. I could tell he wanted to step in, but I wasn't going to let him. This was mine.

Moose stepped closer, his face twisted with contempt. "You think you're tough, huh? Little fag with a hero complex. I'm going to enjoy breaking you."

Before I could react, I felt Bruce grab my arm, pulling me back a little.

"Stop it," Bruce muttered under his breath, his voice tight with frustration. "This isn't worth it."

But Moose wasn't done. He wasn't going to let this go so easily. "You're both weak. This isn't how the world works. You think you're special? You think I care?"

Then, out of nowhere, I felt a sharp shove from behind me. And for a second, everything slowed down as I teetered on the edge of losing my balance. Bruce's grip tightened on my arm, but it was too late. I stumbled into the street.

Just as quickly as it started, Moose's laughter echoed around us. "That's right, fag. Get out of my face."

I shot a glance at Bruce, who was looking at me with a mix of concern and helplessness. But the thing that was really bothering me? Moose had made sure I didn't get away unscathed.

"I'll deal with him," I said, pushing my back off the curb and brushing myself off.

Bruce shot me a worried glance. "You sure?"

I nodded firmly. "Let's get out of here before I lose my cool."

We were halfway down the block when it happened. The instant I thought we were finally getting away, I felt a sudden shove from behind, and before I knew it, I was face-first on the pavement.

"Finney!" Bruce shouted, already moving toward me.

But it was too late. Moose was already on me, his weight pressing down, and I could barely catch my breath before his fist connected with my stomach. The air rushed out of my lungs, and all I could do was try to curl into myself, to protect something, anything, from the blow.

Bruce was beside me in a heartbeat, but Moose pushed him away with a single shove. "Stay the hell out of this," he snarled. "This is between me and him."

"Moose, stop!" Bruce shouted, voice cracking with frustration.

I barely heard him over the blood rushing in my ears as another punch landed, this time to my ribs. The pain shot through me like a bolt of lightning, and I couldn't help the grunt that escaped. I had been in fights before, but this... this was different. It wasn't just the usual rough-and-tumble; this was pure hatred in every hit.

I tried to push Moose off, but his grip on me was too strong. Every move I made felt like I was fighting through a wall, but then another fist came at me, catching my cheek with a sickening thud. I winced, my body instinctively recoiling, and that's when I felt Bruce try to grab me again.

"Don't you fucking da-!" Bruce shouted, but Moose shoved him once more. Bruce's feet slipped, and he stumbled back, his eyes full of helpless fury. He was standing, but it was obvious I was taking the worst of it.

"Stay down!" Moose growled at me, a twisted grin forming on his face as he delivered another sharp punch to my stomach.

I couldn't breathe. My vision blurred. My mind was a mess of pain and panic. I tried to fight back, tried to make Moose stop, but I couldn't get my body to move in time. His fist was unrelenting, landing blow after blow as I gasped for air.

I felt Bruce hesitate, his voice strained. "Please... stop! Moose-" He sounded like he was about to lose it.

I managed to raise my head enough to look at Bruce, barely able to meet his eyes through the haze of pain. He wasn't doing anything. He was watching me take every hit, his fists clenched by his sides, but not stepping in.