Symbiosis

Rédaction

Chapter 1 — Two Days Earlier

November 13, 2015…

In a small, isolated cabin deep in the forest, a young boy named Ryan Morgan found himself trapped inside as flames consumed the building.

Smoke slowly filled the room, making every breath more difficult.

— Jezon… Marc… he whispered weakly.

He coughed, desperately trying to remain conscious.

— Oh… why?

His vision began to blur, and his strength gradually faded.

Just when everything seemed lost, something strange happened.

A mysterious silver liquid, glowing with an unusual light, appeared beside him before slowly entering his flesh.

— Ha… ahhhh!

Ryan cried out in pain.

Then, slowly, everything went black.

To understand what really happened that day, we have to go back two days earlier…

November 11, 2015

Ryan Morgan was a young high school student who was deeply devoted to his studies. His exceptional grades constantly attracted the attention of the other students.

Because he consistently achieved some of the highest scores in school, the students had given him a nickname:

“The Genius.”

But his reputation came with a price.

Some students, jealous of his abilities, regularly threatened him and forced him to do their homework for them.

Among them, however, there was one student whom everyone in the school feared.

His name was Jezon Voss.

But almost nobody called him by his real name.

To the students, he was known by another nickname:

“The Terror.”

That day, after Ryan had once again completed the homework for several students, the test results were announced.

Jezon looked at his paper with a satisfied smile.

— Oh… magnificent, he whispered. I got the highest grade.

Ryan remained silent.

It was extremely frustrating for him. For the first time, someone had managed to surpass him.

The teacher had noticed something as well.

After class, he quietly approached Ryan.

— I know you're the one behind this, the teacher whispered. That's why I gave you a lower grade than him, even though all of your answers were exactly the same.

The teacher paused before adding:

— I hope you've learned your lesson.

Those words made Ryan realize something.

As long as he continued doing other students' homework, things would always end the same way.

And he didn't like that.

For the first time, Ryan made a decision:

He would stop doing their homework.

November 12, 2015

The next day, as Ryan was leaving the classroom, a familiar voice called out behind him.

— Ryan… am I dreaming, or you didn't do my homework? Jezon asked angrily.

Ryan didn't answer.

He simply continued walking as though he hadn't heard him.

Furious, Jezon grabbed Ryan by the arm and struck him in the face.

— Ah…! Ryan cried out.

But after his cry, a faint smile appeared on his face.

He looked Jezon directly in the eyes.

— I'm not your brain. So if you keep doing this, I won't hesitate to report you to the school administration.

Consumed by anger, Jezon tried to attack him again.

But his friends stopped him.

— That's enough, Jezon…

— It's better to stop before we get ourselves into trouble.

Jezon eventually backed away, giving Ryan a furious glare.

That day, Ryan had finally found the courage to stand up to his bullies.

But he had no idea that his decision would have consequences far greater than he could imagine.

Later that day…

As Ryan was getting ready to leave school, Marc, one of his closest friends, approached him.

— Ryan, you really can't miss this…

Ryan turned toward him, intrigued.

— Miss what?

Marc explained:

— Tomorrow, we're having a meeting at the abandoned cabin.

Ryan frowned.

— What for?

— You should know that Jean's birthday is on November 18. That's why we're organizing this meeting—to decide what surprise we can prepare for him.

Ryan finally understood.

— Oh… that's what it's about.

— Yeah.

Ryan thought for a few seconds before answering:

— Alright. Since we don't have school tomorrow, I'll have plenty of time.

Marc nodded.

November 13, 2015…

The day had finally arrived.

Ryan made his way into the forest, toward the abandoned cabin where the meeting was supposed to take place.

But when he arrived, there was no one there.

He looked around, confused.

— What… what does this mean? he whispered.

He waited for a while, expecting the others to arrive.

Then, suddenly, footsteps echoed through the forest.

Marc appeared.

But he wasn't alone.

Behind him stood Jezon.

Ryan stared at them in surprise.

— Oh… Marc… he whispered. You came with Jezon?

Marc didn't answer.

Instead, he lowered his head.

Ryan began to realize that something was wrong.

— Marc… tell me the others are coming too, he said.

Jezon crossed his arms and replied coldly:

— No, little genius… We're the only ones here.

Ryan looked at Marc, growing increasingly worried.

— Marc… what does this mean?

Marc remained silent for a few seconds.

Then he slowly turned toward Jezon.

— I did what you asked me to do. I just hope you won't hurt him…

A heavy silence fell over the forest.

Ryan stared at his best friend.

For the first time, he realized that the meeting had never been what he thought it was.

He had walked straight into a trap.