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Chapter 28
(Into the Past: Part 3)
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Retard.
.
.
.
Oh, how he hated that word.
It was hateful enough when spat at anyone—but when directed at his innocent little sister, it became something unforgivable. In an era where mental conditions like autism were still labeled as "sickness," society offered only two solutions: electric therapy or expensive medications. Neither option was remotely affordable for their struggling family.
But Nikolai believed—he had to believe—that she could be cured one day. That she would grow up to live a normal life, laugh with friends, maybe even go to school like the other kids in the village.
So no—she was not retarded.
She was just sick.
And now this filth of a human dared to utter that cursed word. As if condemning her to rot forever in an asylum. As if defining her entire life with a single, cruel slur.
'SHE'S JUST SICK! I WILL MAKE SURE SHE GETS BETTER!'
Everyone's eyes were already fixed on the three boys causing drama in the cafeteria. Nobody moved. Nobody intervened. They all knew the routine. Most of them had been bullied by Vadim before. And they'd learned the hard way that confronting him only made things worse. Ignoring him was the safest option—they waited him out like a storm. Eventually, he'd get bored and find a new victim.
But today was different. Today, Nikolai did something no one expected.
"What did you just call my sister?"
A chill rippled across the room. Every student froze.
Something bad was going to happen—unless Vadim shut up immediately.
But Vadim, full of arrogance and stupidity, thought Nikolai was trying to challenge him.
"You deaf or somethin', chernomazyy?" he sneered, his grin widening. "I said, take your mentally retarded sister back to the asylum where she belongs."
.
.
.
Rage
.
.
.
Nikolai's head filled with static. He clenched his fists so tight that blood began to drip between his fingers. His jaw locked. His teeth ground together. Then—
.
.
.
SNAP!!!
"BASTARD!!! I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
Vadim was knocked off his feet with a single punch that slammed him to the floor like a ragdoll. Nikolai pounced onto his chest and began raining fists like a storm, his face twisted into something inhuman.
"FUCKER!!! BASTARD!!! SCUM!!! DIE!!! DIE!!! DIE!!!"
Screams erupted in the cafeteria. Students scattered in every direction, terrified of the boy they had never seen like this before.
Every blow was fueled by pure fury. Nikolai's mouth foamed, his growls turning feral, inhuman. He wasn't even forming words anymore—just snarling and roaring like a wild animal.
Then, he paused.
Vadim's face was pulp—unrecognizable. Nose smashed. Teeth missing. Eyes swollen shut. Blood oozing from a gash on his forehead.
.
.
.
But it wasn't enough.
.
.
.
Not enough.
He needed him to suffer.
That's when Nikolai saw the metal spoon on the floor beside him.
He reached for it, gripped it like a knife, eyes flicking from the spoon to Vadim... then back again.
He raised it high.
"NIKOLAI, STOP IT!!!"
Mikhail crashed into him from behind, locking his arms around Nikolai's chest and dragging him away.
"That's enough! You've done enough!"
"LET ME GO! I'LL KILL THAT BASTARD! HOW DARE HE CALL MY SISTER A RETARD!!!"
Nikolai thrashed like a beast in a snare, trying to break free. Mikhail strained to hold him—barely managing to keep control.
Then—an elbow caught Mikhail in the ribs. His grip faltered.
Nikolai surged forward.
But he didn't get far—he tripped. Mikhail's leg had extended just in time.
Nikolai hit the floor but kept crawling, dragging himself toward Vadim with murder in his eyes.
Mikhail scrambled after him, dove on top of him, and wrapped an arm around his throat in a tight chokehold. Nikolai clawed at the grip, trying to pry him off. But Mikhail wrapped his legs around his friend's waist and rolled them over, pinning him completely.
Nikolai bucked, growled, twisted like an animal in a trap...
But the strength drained from his limbs.
His hands went limp.
And then—silence.
He was out cold.
.
.
.
Mikhail waited. One second. Two. Then three more.
Only when he was sure Nikolai had gone limp did he release the hold and collapse beside him, gasping for air.
"Thank you, Uncle Boris…" he muttered between pants. "I swear… I'll never complain again about training…"
Uncle Boris(Nikolai's father) had insisted on teaching them combat sports—said that if they were going to serve the Motherland, they'd better start early. The training had been brutal for kids their age. But now?
Now it might've saved someone's life.
Mikhail rolled onto his back, exhausted.
His stomach let out a low growl.
"And now I'm hungry too."
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Back at home…
Aroha was outside chopping firewood and pondering what to make for dinner.
"Borscht might be good," she said aloud, nodding thoughtfully. "Hmmm… maybe Nikolai and Anahera can help too. Boris would love that… Coming home to find out his kids made dinner for him. I can already picture it—he'd be all smiles, giving them hugs and headpats... And then I'd pout and say, 'What, I don't get any kisses?'"
She giggled softly at the daydream.
The thought of her husband and children happy, warm, and safe—it filled her chest with light.
"Maybe I'll invite Mikhail too," she added. "Those two are like brothers, always together…"
She paused.
.
.
.
A chill ran up her spine.
It came out of nowhere—an instinctual, primal shiver.
"No," she whispered. "It can't be…"
Her breath caught in her throat.
"He shouldn't be able to use it yet. Not at that age…"
Her hands trembled. The axe fell from her grip.
"He shouldn't be able to enter the state of Maori Madness."
The words left her mouth in disbelief.
But her heart knew the truth.
And if she was right—
Everyone at that school was in danger.
She didn't waste another second. She took off running toward the village.
' I must not be late! My child needs me! I can't let him turn into a monster—'
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Author's Note:
Yeah… sorry for the late update. No real excuses this time, just battling my own procrastination habits.
I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. Things are starting to get intense.
Please drop a comment, powerstone, and review if you can—it really helps keep me motivated!
Thanks again! 🙏
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Let me know if you'd like this chapter expanded even further, or if you'd like to continue with the next chapter!