The Monstrous Hero

The next morning was cold, the kind of cold that bit at your skin but never fully woke you up. Xian pulled his thin hoodie tighter around himself, stepping out of the apartment building with his usual routine—head down, shoulders slouched, walk fast, don't make eye contact. If he was lucky, he'd make it to school without any bullshit.

That hope lasted about two blocks.

Because right up ahead, standing near a rusted metal fence, were the last two people he wanted to see—Chen Tao and Zhou Wei.

Xian's stomach twisted.

Those two were the worst kind of assholes. Not the ones who just whispered behind your back or gave you nasty looks. No, these guys were the type to enjoy making people miserable. The type who would wait until a teacher wasn't looking before shoving someone into the dirt, all while laughing like it was the funniest thing in the world.

They kept Xian close—not because they liked him, but because they felt it would make them look cool

He slowed his steps, keeping his distance. Maybe if he turned onto a different street, he could avoid them entirely. But then he noticed something.

They weren't just hanging around. They were doing something.

A low, pained whimper echoed through the empty street.

Xian's brows furrowed. He tilted his head slightly, just enough to get a better look.

That's when he saw it.

A dog.

A small, scruffy mutt—probably a stray—cowering against the fence, its thin body trembling.

Chen Tao and Zhou Wei loomed over it, laughing as they kicked dirt in its face.

"Come on, stand up!" Chen Tao sneered, nudging it roughly with his foot.

Zhou Wei crouched down. "What's wrong? You were barking so much earlier. Where's all that energy now, huh?"

The dog let out another weak whimper, trying to scoot backward, but it had nowhere to go.

Xian's hands curled into fists.

His first instinct was to keep walking. To pretend he didn't see anything. To act like this wasn't his problem.

Because getting involved? That was dangerous.

But then Zhou Wei picked up a brick.

"Bet I can knock it out in one hit," he smirked.

The dog let out a pitiful yelp, as if it somehow understood what was coming.

Xian moved before he could think.

"Oi!" His voice came out sharp, angry. Louder than he intended.

Chen Tao and Zhou Wei froze.

Slowly, they turned, their grins fading into something closer to confusion.

Xian had never spoken to them like that before.

"What's with the tone?" Chen Tao frowned.

Xian ignored him, his eyes locked onto the dog.

Its fur was matted with dirt and blood. One of its legs was twisted in a way that didn't look right. It was breathing hard, its ribs visible beneath its thin coat.

Something in Xian's chest tightened and he took a step forward. "Leave it alone."

Zhou Wei laughed. "What, you some kinda dog lover now?"

Xian didn't answer.

He just took another step.

It was a stupid idea. A really stupid idea.

But something in him couldn't just stand there and watch.

Chen Tao's grin returned, slower this time. "Huh. Never thought you'd grow a spine." He rolled his shoulders, stepping forward like he was itching for a fight. "What are you gonna do, freak? Electrocute me?"

Xian stiffened.

Zhou Wei snickered. "Shit, maybe we should back off. Wouldn't want to get zapped, right?"

The way they were laughing—so casual, so confident—it made his skin crawl.

Xian exhaled slowly, pushing all his anger down.

He turned his gaze to Zhou Wei—the one still holding the brick. "Put it down."

Zhou Wei raised an eyebrow. "Or what?"

Xian clenched his fists. He was not a fighter. Never had been. He avoided trouble as much as possible. But right now? Right now, he wasn't sure if he could keep his temper in check.

Zhou Wei smirked, clearly enjoying the tension. He tossed the brick up, caught it again, like he was daring Xian to make a move. "C'mon. Show me what you got, lightning boy."

Xian's fingers twitched.

For a brief second, he felt it—the spark.

That familiar hum just beneath his skin.

The streetlamp above them flickered.

Zhou Wei's smirk faltered. Just a little.

Chen Tao noticed too. His eyes darted up to the light, then back to Xian. "Tch." He scowled and shoved Zhou Wei's shoulder. "Forget it. The dog's not worth it."

Zhou Wei hesitated. Then, with an annoyed grunt, he dropped the brick.

It landed with a dull thud next to the dog's paw.

The poor thing flinched but didn't make a sound.

Xian didn't move until they walked away.

Only when their voices faded into the distance did he let out a shaky breath. His hands were still clenched so tight that his nails had left red marks on his palms.

He turned back to the dog.

It was still curled up, breathing heavily, its dark eyes locked onto him.

Xian crouched down. "…Hey." His voice came out softer than he expected.

The dog didn't move.

He hesitated, then carefully extended a hand. The dog flinched, but after a moment, it sniffed his fingers.

Xian exhaled.

He had no idea what the hell he was supposed to do now.

He couldn't take it home—his father would probably throw it out the window.

But he also couldn't just leave it here.

"…Shit." He rubbed his face. "What the hell am I supposed to do with you?"

The dog just stared at him.

Xian sighed.

And just like that, his already shitty morning had gotten a whole lot more complicated.