Shadow venom - The Alchemists of Pain

"Sorry... I got carried away," Izaan said, lowering his head in embarrassment.

Aniruddh chuckled softly. He placed two files and an iPad on the table.

"Here... some more details. So whenever a decision needs to be made urgently — you're ready."

Izaan nodded quietly and began going through the files.

Aniruddh walked out of the room, leaving Izaan alone.

The room was now still — just the soft glow from the iPad and the sound of Izaan's breathing.

He read every line intently...

Until his eyes stopped on a news article headline:

"Chaos in School as Gang of Hell Members Create Panic"

His eyes froze. The words blurred... and memories flooded back.

Izaan opened his eyes.

A bright, harsh light stung his eyelids. Slowly, he realized he was lying on a hospital bed.

Two boys sat nearby — one slicing an apple, the other scrolling through his phone.

Izaan tried to sit up...

Pain surged through his chest — his breath faltered.

"Ah, so you're finally awake..."

The boy with the apple approached him.

Izaan tried again to sit up, but the boy gestured, "No... lie down."

"You...?" Izaan stared at him.

A sweet smile formed on the boy's face.

"Hi, I'm Yugant Singh Rawat. You can call me Yug," he said, pointing to the boy still glued to his phone.

"That's my friend — Aniruddh Rana."

Aniruddh briefly glanced at Izaan... then returned to his screen.

"Did you... bring me here?" Izaan asked softly.

Yug nodded and extended the apple slice to him.

Hesitating, Izaan asked, "Thank you... but... where are my friends?"

"They're outside," Yug said, then turned to Aniruddh. "Rana, get them."

Aniruddh silently got up and walked to the door.

Yug asked directly, "What's your name?"

"Izaan... Izaan Singhania," he replied, eyes fixed on the door.

After a pause, Yug's voice turned cold.

"You're from Middle School, right?"

Izaan's face turned pale.

Nervous, he looked at Yug. "Y-Yes... why?"

Just then, the door opened. His friends rushed in — fear visible on their faces.

As they saw Izaan awake, they ran to him.

"Ah! Easy, you idiots... it hurts!" Izaan winced.

"Are you insane? Taking on those guys alone — what were you thinking?"

Aviral scolded him angrily.

"They had grabbed you..."

"Then let me take the beating! Are you mad?"

Aviral playfully punched his arm.

Izaan laughed and pulled him into a hug.

Then, turning to Yugant, he said,

"Thank you, Yugant... for helping us."

"A 'thank you' won't cut it..."

Yug replied with a grin.

"Oh? Then what should I do?"

Izaan asked, not noticing his friends quietly trembling behind him — they had seen Yugant's terrifying side after Izaan passed out.

"You'll have to become my friend," Yug said, still smiling.

Izaan looked down and replied softly,

"Sorry, Yugant... but we four have a rule — we don't add anyone else to our group."

"You just said no to Yug?"

Aniruddh growled from behind.

"Whoa, bro... you can't just threaten me..."

Izaan said nervously.

"You little—"

"Wait, Rana..."

Yug stopped him. He looked at Izaan and said,

"No problem... but my offer stands. If you ever feel like I could be your friend — come find me."

"I'll be going now..."

He stood and headed out. Aniruddh followed silently.

Izaan's friends stared at him.

"Why are you all looking at me like that?"

Izaan asked, backing up slightly.

"You're amazing, Izaan!"

"Fearless... and cool..."

Nirbhay smiled.

"You've won our hearts, man!"

Kavin jumped.

"Even Yugant — who doesn't like anyone — was impressed by you!"

Nirbhay added with pride.

"You're seriously cool!"

Kavin patted his back.

Izaan blushed slightly, a shy smile forming.

"Aww... it's nothing like that, guys..."

But just then — a cold, hard voice broke the moment.

"Never be friends with him, Izaan."

Aviral's tone was sharp.

Everyone froze.

"What...? But he was so cool..."

Kavin whispered.

"Didn't you see how he took down fifty guys alone?"

"Shut up, Kavin!"

Aviral snapped.

The room fell silent. All eyes were now on Aviral.

"You're our friend, Izaan."

His voice was firm. "We've been together since childhood. And we have one rule — no one leaves, no one joins."

He looked directly into Izaan's eyes.

"For that guy... would you break our bond? Is that what our friendship means to you?"

Izaan paused... then gently replied,

"Aviral... I didn't say yes to him, did I? You heard it too. And anyway... he was kind. He helped us... brought us to the hospital. Why do you have a problem with him?"

"Problem?"

Aviral's voice turned bitter. "Do you even know who he is? His dad's the country's top businessman. His uncle — an underworld don. His aunt — the city's mayor. And his mom — a national athlete. They're powerful people, Izaan... and my dad always says — friendships, love, relations... should be among equals."

Before Izaan could reply, Nirbhay stepped in.

"Avi, we didn't know you were so narrow-minded. I mean, sure, his family might be powerful — but he's just a guy. Like us."

Nirbhay reasoned.

"Judging him by his family? That's not right."

Aviral was fuming now — fear and anger flashing in his eyes.

"Really? He's just a guy to you? Didn't you see what he did at school — alone! He's a monster!"

He spat with disgust.

"He's a manipulative bastard! He uses people like pawns — crushes them with his power. It's in his blood!"

"But Avi..." Kavin tried to interrupt, but Izaan cut in himself.

"Fine, Aviral. I'll stay away from him... happy?"

Then, looking at everyone, he sighed.

"Now please stop fighting and decide who's going to help me back to the hostel. I'm starving..."

For a few seconds, there was a strange silence. Everyone looked at each other, then glanced away.

Izaan raised his eyebrows and glared, forcing Aviral to mutter,

"Fine! I'll take you. Kavin, grab his bag... and you, Nirbhay, go get food!"

"Now that's more like it!"

Izaan smiled, relieved.

"Finally... some peace on my hostel bed."

The three exchanged faint smiles and nodded.