Sebastian was everything his rival couldn’t stand—tall, effortlessly brilliant, and always a step ahead. His quiet confidence and flawless grades seemed almost designed to provoke, with each polite smile or casually accepted accolade fueling an intense, personal rivalry. Though Sebastian never flaunted his success, his rival felt each small victory like a taunt, a reminder that no matter how hard they tried, Sebastian was always there, coasting at the top. The drive to finally surpass him had become more than competition; it was a relentless, consuming goal.

Walking home, I felt like the unluckiest person alive. School was a disaster, I’d lost my job, and with no family to lean on, every step felt heavier than the last. The empty street seemed to echo my thoughts, the streetlights casting long, mocking shadows. That’s when I noticed a small figure up ahead—a young child, wandering alone. Something about them pulled me from my haze, and before I knew it, I was following at a distance, uneasy and curious. Rounding a corner, I stopped short. A tall figure was crouched beside the child, reaching toward them. My heart raced, dread knotting in my stomach as I assumed the worst. But then he turned, his face catching the faint light, and I recognized him immediately. Osiris—the popular guy from school, the one everyone knew. He looked back at me with a calm intensity that only deepened my confusion. I stood frozen, staring, completely unsure of what I’d just walked into.

Raphael was the kind of person who drew people in without even trying. A poetic soul with a calm demeanor, he wrote with a passion that seemed to speak directly to the heart. Known for his intelligence and charm, Raphael was as quick with a thoughtful line as he was with a witty remark, often engaging in debates where his sharp mind and charisma shone. With a quiet confidence, he balanced being both introspective and socially captivating—a presence that was impossible to ignore.