By Samanvi Vitta
It all started on an ordinary Tuesday when Nicholas Douglas, the infamous school bully, decided to pick on Stan Stilton, a quiet and unassuming classmate who never really bothered anyone. The atmosphere in the hallway was tense, as usual, whenever Nicholas was around, but this time something unexpected happened. Alithea, the new kid in school who had only recently transferred to Falcon Middle School, decided she couldn’t stand by and watch this injustice unfold. With surprising confidence and a determination that belied her new-student status, she stepped up to Nicholas. In a moment that seemed to defy the laws of physics, she delivered a single, swift slap that sent Nicholas Douglas flying across the hallway, much to the astonishment of everyone present.
Before I delve deeper into this extraordinary event, let me properly introduce myself. I’m Kit Cunning, and I was a close friend of Alithea—or at least, I used to be. You might be wondering why I’m speaking of our friendship in past tense. Before you judge, please hear my story in its entirety. I first met Alithea not long after she arrived at school, as I was assigned to be her school helper. It was at Falcon Middle School where our paths crossed. Alithea was unlike anyone I had ever met. Her appearance was striking, with jet blue, wavy hair interspersed with strands of pure gold that shimmered in the sunlight. She stood taller than most of our classmates, even for an 8th grader, and there was something about her presence that drew people in.
From the moment I met her, I felt an immediate connection and an instant liking for her. We quickly became friends and, over time, our bond grew stronger until we were best friends. Those were some of the happiest days I can remember, filled with laughter and shared secrets. But, as it often happens, happiness can be fleeting. One day, without warning, everything changed. Alithea received a mysterious message on her phone, and from that moment, she became a different person. She withdrew from the world, choosing to isolate herself with her phone as her only companion. No matter how hard I tried to reach out—whether through calls, texts, or even emails—she ignored me and shut herself off from everyone.
Her transformation was baffling and painful to witness. She avoided any interaction with living beings, and it seemed like nothing could break through the barrier she had erected around herself. Until, that is, the day she witnessed Nicholas Douglas bullying Stan Stilton. I knew that Alithea had a deep-seated hatred for bullies, but Nicholas had never dared to act out around her before. However, when she saw him tormenting Stan, something snapped within her. She couldn’t stand idly by, and in a moment of righteous anger, she struck Nicholas with a slap that sent him sprawling across the hallway. The force of her action was astonishing, and the look on her face oscillated between worry and fear as she glanced from her hand to Nicholas, as if realizing for the first time the power she possessed.
Deep down, I had always suspected that Alithea was not entirely ordinary. There was an aura about her that hinted at something more, something extraordinary. And that day, her actions confirmed my suspicions. Alithea was different, and her uniqueness went beyond her striking appearance or her mysterious withdrawal. She possessed incredible power, and witnessing it firsthand left me with more questions than answers. Our friendship had changed forever, and though I no longer stood beside her as a friend, I couldn’t help but be drawn into the mystery of who she truly was.
