Noah watched Daniel's eyes burn with anger. The intensity there made Noah smile a little. He rolled his shoulders and felt his muscles loosen up. Sure, these guys were weak, but they might give him some fun.
"You really think wrapping that shirt around your arm will help?" Noah asked. He slipped his hands back into his pockets and tilted his head. "That's your big plan?"
Daniel's face lit up with a wild grin. His eyes went wide, like a kid who just found his favorite toy. "Let's find out!" he shouted.
He charged forward. Noah didn't move a muscle.
When Daniel got close enough, he threw his shirt straight at Noah's face. The fabric flew through the air like a curtain. Noah took one small step back, calm as ever.
But Daniel wasn't done. His fist shot through the falling shirt, aiming right for Noah's chest. Noah shifted to the side. The punch hit nothing but air.
"Cheating already?" Noah's voice was flat, like he was asking about the weather.
Daniel stopped and burst out laughing. "Cheating? This is a street fight, man! No rules here!"
Before Noah could respond, Daniel kicked his leg up. His shoe flew off his foot and smacked Noah right in the nose. Blood started dripping immediately.
Daniel's eyes went wide with excitement. This was working! He rushed forward and threw a punch at Noah's chest. This time it connected.
It felt like punching a brick wall.
Daniel's hand throbbed. He stepped back, shaking his fingers. 'What is this guy made of?' he thought. 'My punches aren't doing anything. It's like I'm giving him a massage.'
Noah wiped the blood from his nose with the back of his hand. He looked at the red smear, then at Daniel. "You know what? That shoe was actually the best hit anyone's landed on me today."
Daniel looked around. His friends were scattered on the ground, groaning. Noah was being honest. This was the first time he'd bled since this whole mess started.
Something burned in Daniel's chest. He reached for his belt and pulled it free from his waist. The leather made a soft whisking sound as he wrapped it around his hand.
"Round two," Daniel said. His smile looked different now. Darker. "Let's try this again."
He ran at Noah, swinging the belt like a whip. The leather cut through the air with a sharp crack. Noah moved his body just enough to let it pass by. Daniel swung again, faster this time. Noah stepped to the side.
But Daniel kept going. The belt moved faster and faster, making angry sounds as it whipped through the air.
Crack!
The belt found Noah's forearm. A red line appeared on his skin. Daniel's grin stretched wider.
"Yes!" Daniel shouted. He swung again and again. Each crack of the belt echoed off the school walls.
Other students started gathering around them. They formed a circle, watching Daniel attack Noah with the belt. Noah dodged most of the strikes, but the belt caught him several times. Red marks appeared on his arms and shoulders.
"More! More! More!" Daniel screamed. His eyes were wild now, like he was drunk on the sound of the belt hitting flesh. Sweat ran down his face, but he kept swinging.
The belt came down again, aimed at Noah's head.
Noah's hand shot up. He caught the leather in his fist.
Daniel froze. His mouth fell open.
"Are you done now?" Noah asked. There was something in his smile that made Daniel's stomach drop.
"How... how did you..." Daniel's voice shook. He tried to pull the belt back, but Noah's grip was like iron.
"This thing?" Noah looked at the belt in his hand. "It wasn't hard to catch. I just let you hit me so it wouldn't be unfair."
Daniel's face went pale. All that excitement, all that hope... Noah had been letting him win. Playing with him.
"Fifty-six," Noah said.
"What?"
"You hit me fifty-six times with this belt." Noah yanked the leather from Daniel's hands in one smooth motion. Daniel's palm burned from the friction.
"Don't worry," Noah said, stepping forward. "I won't mess up your face. But you won't be walking for a while."
Daniel tried to back away, but Noah's arm was already moving.
The belt cracked like thunder. The leather bit deep into Daniel's shoulder, opening a wound that immediately started bleeding.
"Ahhhh!" Daniel screamed.
Noah didn't stop. The belt sang through the air again and again. Each strike found a different spot on Daniel's body. His legs, his arms, his back. The leather left angry red welts that would turn purple by tomorrow.
Daniel fell to his knees, then to his side. He curled up, trying to protect himself, but Noah's aim was perfect. Each strike landed exactly where he wanted it to.
The crowd of students watched in silence. No one moved. No one spoke.
When Noah finally stopped, Daniel lay on the ground, breathing hard. His shirt was torn and bloody.
Noah dropped the belt next to him. "Fifty-six," he said again. "Now we're even."
***
We're finally back after a long time, we're finally back! Ik I'd have lost some fans but we can only get so far and I was thinking of dropping it but the fact you're seeing this means I didn't.
Stats will continue next chapter