Adrenaline.
A state of pure impulse, triggered by extreme rage or overwhelming excitement.
During this state, rational thought collapses. Focus disappears.
The body acts on instinct alone — releasing everything it has kept bottled inside.
That was Julie's state right now.
But because of her curse…
What she released wasn't just her own.
Every emotion she had felt since waking from the dream surged wildly, colliding and intertwining — forming a chaotic aura around her body. Invisible to most eyes, yet crushing in presence.
The pressure was overwhelming.
Miracle's friends felt it immediately.
Their breaths hitched. Their chests tightened. They staggered back, coughing violently as they rushed toward Miracle.
"Arrgh!!" Miracle shrieked in pure agony.
Her body writhed helplessly as she struggled to break free from Julie's grip. Her mind strained — pushed far beyond its limits.
Emotion after emotion poured into her endlessly.
Fear.
Guilt.
Rage.
Regret.
Her strength faded.
Her consciousness slipped.
Julie's hands remained firm — unrelenting.
Her eyes burned crimson, filled with an insurmountable rage. No one could get close to her. The pressure she unknowingly emitted repelled them all.
Miracle's peers instinctively retreated, clutching their chests as they gasped for air.
To them, it felt like drowning.
Yet there was no water.
No river.
"…Is she really… a witch?" one whispered shakily.
"There's no doubt," the other replied, voice trembling. "This girl na witch."
They turned and ran — desperate to get help.
Julie stood there, relentlessly pouring everything into someone she once called a friend.
She didn't stop.
She couldn't.
Her rage had opened a door that refused to close.
The world narrowed.
The only thing she could feel — see — hear —
Was anger.
"Julie!"
The voice rang inside her mind like a bell.
She blinked.
Her grip loosened instantly as a warm hand pressed gently against her shoulder.
Then she felt it.
A single emotion.
Firm.
Unwavering.
Calm.
Warm and beautiful —
Love.
"Julie," the voice called again, softer this time.
She turned.
Standing before her was a gray-haired girl, smiling gently despite the chaos.
"GiGi?!" Julie cried.
Her knees gave way as she collapsed forward, wrapping her arms around her.
"I'm sorry… I'm so sorry," she sobbed into Gift's shoulder. "I… I couldn't control it…"
Despite everything.
Despite what she had witnessed.
Gift never looked at her with fear.
Only love.
"It's okay, Julie," Gift whispered, gently stroking her back. "Everything's going to be fine now."
A thin trail of crimson slipped from Gift's nose.
Blood.
Touching Julie in that state had inflicted mental strain — pain no child should have been able to endure.
Yet Gift endured it.
Shielded by nothing but love.
"…It's not your fault," Gift said softly, wiping the blood away.
The teachers arrived late.
After sprinkling water on Miracle's face, she eventually woke — trembling, eyes wide with fear.
Miracle's friends claimed Julie had done something to her.
But after investigations, every witness said the same thing.
Julie had only held Miracle.
Then Miracle fainted.
Nothing else.
With no proof, the teachers issued a warning to both sides and closed the case.
But the damage was already done.
Rumors spread through Primary Three like wildfire.
And everyone —
Everyone except Gift —
Now knew Julie as a—
Witch.
A FEW DAYS LATER — KEVIN'S SCHOOL
FREE PERIOD
"Hey! Oga—here, take this."
Nazy dropped two notebooks onto Kevin's desk casually.
"Umm… Nazy," Kevin said nervously, gesturing to the mountain of books piled before him. "C-could you help me with some of these? Please?"
"Hmph." She puffed her cheeks. "How much you go pay me?"
"Abeg, I no get money," Kevin begged. "Just help me as a friend na."
Nazy's eyes widened, then narrowed.
"Fine. Just this once."
She grabbed four books. "…I'm only doing this because you helped me the other day. If not, you for pay me."
"Thanks!" Kevin said, a little too loudly.
A small smile tugged at his lips as he watched her return to her seat.
[…She always liked money. Even in the dream. Even now. She'd never do anything illegal for it — but she worked hard for every naira.]
Kevin glanced down at the remaining books.
Copying wasn't a problem.
With an adult mind trapped in a child's body, he could finish everything in hours.
But he had his reasons.
[…I need to get closer to Nazy. The visions are getting worse. I have to stay near her… to protect her.]
"Hey! New guy!"
Kevin didn't respond.
[…To do that, I can't act suspicious. I need to blend in. Be normal. So I don't scare—]
Woosh! Waam!
A hand swept all the books off his desk.
"I'm talking to you, stupid."
Kevin looked up.
A polite smile formed.
"Can I help you with something…" He paused, smile thinning. "…fellow classmate?"
"Help me?" A tall, light-skinned boy sneered. "Teacher said I should dust the board. Since you're tall, you'll do it."
"Oh?" Kevin calmly picked up his books. "I'm afraid I can't. I have work to do. Or has your near-albino nature rendered you incapable of sight?"
"Pfft—HAHAHA!"
Nazy burst out laughing.
A few sharp students joined her.
Kevin had meant to insult him subtly.
Unfortunately for the bully, they understood.
"How dare you—!"
Baam!
The punch flew.
Kevin caught it effortlessly.
"Hm." He tilted his head. "You punch like a girl too?"
He swatted the fist aside.
[…Bullies, huh? I've been too quiet.]
Kevin's lips curved into a slow smirk.
"Do you want to see a real punch?"
"What the hell are you—"
Wooooosh!
Kevin's fist shot forward with terrifying speed — stopping a breath away from the boy's face.
The wind alone made him flinch violently.
"What a shame," Kevin said coldly. "I'm busy. Scram."
"Tch!"
Fury twisted the boy's face.
He swung again.
Kevin dodged.
Crack!
The punch slammed into the wall.
"Aaahh!" the boy screamed.
Kevin only stared at him.
Smiling.
Like a beast playing with its prey.
—To Be Continued.