Chapter 1 : The Night of the Attack
The streets were quiet, lit only by the weak glow of the flickering lamps. James adjusted the strap of of his worn bag, feeling the groceries shift inside. The night air was cool, but his shoulders ached from the long day at the market. His mind drifted to his little sister and her journey to college tomorrow and the thought of her safety tightened a knot in his chest. If she weren't going tomorrow, he might have been home by now, enduring another round of his stepmother's harsh words.
A sudden scream cut through the silence, sharp and desperate. James froze, his heartbeat thunder in his ears. From the shadows ahead, a woman struggled against a group of men. Their faces were hidden beneath dark masks, but their intent was clear. Without thinking,James dropped his bag and ran.A rusty pipe lay near a trash bin; he grabbed it, swinging at the nearest attackers. His first strike barely connected and a sharp pain shot through his arm as he was shoved backward. But he didn't stop. Fear was there, yes but something stronger drove him forward. Courage, stubbornness and the desire to protect someone helpless.
The attackers turned and charged towards him. Their confidence faltered as he swing connected with one of the men's arms. James legs burned, his chest heaving, but he refused to back down. Then just as the fight seemed endless, headlights flashed down the narrow street. A sleek black car came to a stop and a team of armed bodyguards emerged, moving with precision and authority. The masked men scattered,leaving the woman free and James gasping, bloodied and bruised.
The woman's eyes widened as she saw how badly hurt he was. " You risked your life," she whispered, her voice a mixture of awe and concern. James tried to smile but the world spun around him. His arm throbbed, his ribs ached and he knew he wouldn't have lasted much longer. The woman knelt beside him. "Get him to a hospital quickly, he needs medical attention." They lifted him gently but firmly and as he drifted into unconsciousness, James had no idea that this night would mark the beginning of a life he could never have imagined. Something had stirred within him, Something unseen, something that would one day make him more than just a boy from the market.