The storm outside was merciless. Wind howled through the shattered windows of Hyosan High, rattling the broken glass that clung stubbornly to its frames. Rain poured in from the gaping holes in the walls, soaking the bloodstained floor. But none of it compared to the sound. The thunder. It tore through the sky like an explosion, every crash sending sharp, unbearable pain ripping through Gwinam’s skull.

He sat hunched on the floor, back against the teacher’s desk, fingers digging into his temples as if he could claw the agony out of his own head. It was like a drill burrowing into his brain, vibrations shaking him to his core. His breathing was ragged, shallow. His body trembled, though not from fear. From rage. How the hell had he ended up like this—curled up like a wounded animal, barely able to move? He was stronger than this. More powerful than any of them. He wasn’t supposed to feel pain anymore. And yet—

The door suddenly swung open.

Gwinam’s head jerked up, his muscles tensing, prepared to lunge if it was another useless idiot who thought they could take him down. But when his vision adjusted to the dim light, he stilled.

Her.

She stood frozen in the doorway, dripping wet from the rain, chest rising and falling rapidly like she’d been running. Her hair clung to her face, eyes wide as they scanned over him. He didn’t need to see his own reflection to know what he must have looked like—his unnatural eyes burning in the dark, body curled in on itself, vulnerable.

Something flickered across her face. Not fear. Not the way others looked at him, like he was a monster about to rip their throats out. No, her expression was different. Calculating. Understanding.

His teeth clenched, rage bubbling under his skin. He hated it. Hated that she was seeing him like this. Hated that she wasn’t afraid. Hated that he wasn’t sure if he wanted her to be.

“What the hell are you looking at?” His voice was rough, strained. It hurt to talk, but he forced the words out anyway.