THE HELLISH SYSTEM

Chapter one

The hallways of Frontale University reeked of expensive perfums, arrogance, and wealth—none of which belonged to me.

I tightened my grip on my worn-out backpack, my knuckles turning white. This was supposed to be my golden ticket, my chance to stand among the elite, to prove that talent and intelligence could break through even the thickest walls of privilege. But that was before everything went to hell.

Before Selena.

Before Frank.

Before I lost everything.

“Hey, isn’t that Ethan Summerville?”

The voice dripped with mockery, sending a cold chill down my spine. I recognized it instantly—Paul Henderson, one of Frank’s lapdogs. A quick glance told me all I needed to know. He wasn’t alone.

I barely had time to react before a shoulder rammed into me, knocking me off balance. My bag hit the marble floor, spilling out its contents—second-hand textbooks, notes scribbled in the margins, and an old phone with a cracked screen.

The students burst into laughter.

“Damn, you still use that piece of junk?” Paul sneered, picking up my phone between two fingers as if it were something filthy. He dangled it in front of my face. “You know we don’t accept relics in Frontale, right?”

I clenched my fists, swallowing the burning anger rising in my throat.

Not now. Not here.

" Are you going to do something?" Paul asked seeing the anger in my face but I tried to hold it in.

This wasn’t the first time. Since my parents’ deaths, since I fell from grace, they had turned me into their favorite punching bag. The boy who had once walked these halls with confidence was now nothing more than an outcast.

A nobody.

“Give it back, Paul,” I said, my voice tight with restraint.

He smirked. “Make me.”

Before I could react, he dropped my phone—face down—onto the cold floor. The screen cracked even more, splintering into a web of fractures.

Another round of laughter rippled through the thin air.

I forced myself to stay still, to swallow my pride, and bend down to pick it up. The moment I did, someone’s foot came down hard on my hand, pressing it against the marble.

Pain shot up my arm, but I bit my tongue.

“What’s the matter, Cross?” Paul taunted. “Not going to fight back?”

The weight on my hand increased. I could feel the bruises forming, the pressure making my bones ache.

I wanted to fight back.

I wanted to smash my fist into Paul’s smug face.

But I couldn’t afford another hospital bill. I couldn’t afford to lose my scholarship.

So I stayed down.

A sharp laugh rang through the hallway, drawing everyone’s attention. I didn’t have to look up to know who it belonged to.

Selena.

Her heels clicked against the floor as she approached, her designer bag slung over one shoulder, her flawless face twisted into amusement. She stopped just a few feet away, crossing her arms.

“Still groveling, Ethan?” she asked, tilting her head. “You used to have so much confidence.”

I didn’t answer.

I didn’t trust myself to.

Selena was the reason all of this started. She was the one who had pulled me into her twisted game, using me to make Frank jealous. And when they got back together, she tossed me aside like trash.

Frank never forgave me for touching his girl.

I could still hear the echoes of that night—the cruel laughter, the whispered insults, the betrayal in her eyes.

“I don’t have time for this,” I muttered, forcing myself to my feet and grabbing my things. My phone screen reflected my broken expression back at me.

“Yeah, walk away, loser,” Paul jeered.

I didn’t stop. I didn’t look back.

But I could still hear them laughing as I disappeared down the hall.

By the time I reached my dorm, my body felt like it was made of lead.

I locked the door behind me, pressing my back against it as I exhaled sharply. The tiny, dimly lit room was the only place I could call mine, though even that was a joke. My roommate, Adam, rarely stayed here. Not that I blamed him—who would want to share a room with the school's biggest loser?

I dropped my bag on the bed, running a hand through my hair.

My phone buzzed.

I didn’t want to look.

I already knew what it was.

The campus forum had been flooded with my humiliation. A quick glance confirmed it—videos, photos, captions mocking me.

“Ex-Golden Boy Hits Rock Bottom!”

“From Top of the Class to Bottom Feeder!”

“Should’ve Stayed in His Lane—Now He’s Just Frank’s Plaything!”

My stomach twisted.

I turned off my phone and threw it onto the bed, rubbing my face with both hands.

This wasn’t life. This was hell.

But what choice did I have? Dropping out wasn’t an option. Frontale was my only hope. My parents had poured everything they had into getting me here. I couldn’t let their sacrifices go to waste.

Even if it meant enduring this nightmare.

Even if it meant walking through hell itself.

A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I hesitated before answering.

The last person I expected to see stood there.

Frank.

A slow smirk spread across his face as he leaned against the doorway, arms crossed.

“Ethan,” he drawled, like we were old friends. “Mind if I come in?”

I tensed. Frank never came without a reason.

“Get lost,” I said, stepping back to close the door.

His hand shot out, stopping it effortlessly.

“I was being polite,” he said, his tone dropping to something more dangerous. “I won’t ask again.”

I swallowed hard.

Frank wasn’t alone. Behind him stood two of his goons, their expressions blank but menacing.

I had no choice.

Stepping aside, I let him in.

Frank took his time, looking around my pathetic excuse for a room. He wrinkled his nose before turning back to me.

“You’ve been a real pain in my ass, Summerville.”

I clenched my fists. “What do you want?”

He smirked. “A lesson.”

Before I could react, his fist connected with my stomach, knocking the air out of me. I doubled over, gasping.

Pain exploded across my face as another punch landed, sending me sprawling onto the bed.

Frank grabbed me by the collar, lifting me up just enough to whisper into my ear.

“You should’ve stayed down,” he murmured. “But don’t worry… I’ll make sure you never get up again.”

The last thing I saw was his fist swinging toward my face.

The total darkness.

I fell to the ground unconscious.