Theo learned years ago that if you curled into a ball and protected your head, the kicks hurt less. If you didn't cry, they got bored faster. If you just took it, eventually they'd leave.But tonight, Blake Morrison wasn't getting bored."You think you can just walk around like you own the place?" Blake's boots connected with Theo's ribs again, and the seventeen-year-old felt something crack. "Your deadbeat father owed my family money. That means YOU owe us!"Theo tried to speak, but blood filled his mouth. He'd already tried explaining three times. The Crimson Fang gang didn't care that his father was dead, or that he'd been working double shifts at the convenience store trying to pay them back. They just wanted their pound of flesh."Blake, man, I think that's enough," one of Blake's friends said, his voice uncertain. "He's not moving anymore.""Shut up!" Blake kicked Theo again, this time in the stomach. "My uncle said to make an example of him. This is what happens when you try

Three hours of internet research had taught Theo that people had no idea what they were talking about when it came to werewolves.He scrolled through another forum thread claiming that werewolves were created by a virus. The previous site had insisted they were cursed by witches. Before that, he'd read a blog post arguing they were actually aliens.'This is useless,' Theo thought, closing his laptop with more force than necessary.The problem was separating fiction from fact. Every movie, book, and TV show had different rules. Some said silver killed werewolves. Others claimed it was wolfsbane. One particularly creative website suggested they were vulnerable to chocolate.Theo seriously doubted that last one.He leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. The sun was fully up now, streaming through his window. He should probably sleep because he'd been awake for almost twenty-four hours but he didn't feel tired at all.Another benefit of Enhanced Physiology, he supposed.A notificat

Theo sat at his laptop staring at $5,000. Just the number that would solve all his problems.That's what he owed the Crimson Fang gang. Five thousand dollars that might as well have been five million for someone who worked minimum wage at a convenience store.He'd spent the past two days trying to figure out legitimate ways to get the money. Extra shifts at work would take months. A loan required credit he didn't have. Selling everything he owned wouldn't cover a tenth of it.Which left illegitimate options.Theo pulled up the search he'd been avoiding "Riverside City underground fighting."The first few results were MMA gyms and boxing clubs. Legal and Safe.'Useless.'But buried on the third page of results was a forum post from six months ago"Looking for REAL fights in Riverside. Not that regulated sports BS. Heard there's an underground scene in The Narrows. Anyone know how to get in?"The top reply was brief, If you have to ask, you're not ready. But if you're serious, go to Sul

Theo woke to sunlight streaming through his window and the smell of bacon cooking.He sat up, momentarily disoriented. His mother hadn't cooked breakfast in months, she'd been too weak to stand at the stove for more than a few minutes.He rushed to the kitchen and found her at the counter, humming softly as she flipped eggs. She looked better than she had in weeks. Her skin had color and her movements were steady."Mom?"She turned with a smile that made Theo's chest tighten. "Good morning, baby. I hope you're hungry.""You're cooking.""I found the money." Her eyes were wet. "Theodore, I don't know what you did, but.....""Don't ask," Theo said quickly. "Just... use it. Get the treatment. Please."She crossed the room and pulled him into a hug. "I already called the clinic. I have an appointment this afternoon." She pulled back, studying his face. "Are you in trouble?""No mom... I promise." It wasn't entirely a lie. The debt was paid, Blake had been scared off, and Grimm was helping

The day after the Council meeting, Theo went to school exhausted but wired.He'd leveled up to 3, which meant his stats had increased again, but it also meant the system was pushing him harder. His daily quests now required even more, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, seven miles of running, and forty-five minutes of meditation.He'd completed them all before dawn, then caught two hours of sleep before dragging himself to school.But sleep deprivation didn't matter much with Enhanced Physiology at Level 3. His body recovered faster, needed less rest. Still, his mind felt foggy as he navigated the crowded hallways."Theo!"He turned to find Sarah Chen walking toward him with determined purpose. She wore jeans and a school newspaper t-shirt, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, and carried a messenger bag stuffed with notebooks.'Not now,' Theo thought. His bloodlust was already at 52/100 from residual anger about Marcus Kane Jr, and dealing with Sarah's questions was the last thing he nee