Simon stands in the center of the hall, his eyes cold and calculating. Flanking him are Jake—tall, lanky, with nervous energy—and Ryan, stocky and silent. They wait, glancing at their watches, as the echo of footsteps signals Hunter's approach.
Hunter[/@ch_4], clutching his backpack, steps into the harsh white light, the tension thick enough to taste.]
Jake and Ryan seize Hunter by the arms, pinning him against the lockers. Books clatter to the floor. "You know why we're here, Hunter. Hand over the cash," Simon demands, voice low and menacing. Hunter shakes his head defiantly, jaw clenched.
Simon steps forward, rage flashing in his eyes. "Maybe you need a little persuasion," he sneers before driving his fist into Hunter's face. Blood beads at the corner of Hunter's mouth. Without pausing, Simon lands a cruel punch to Hunter's stomach, doubling him over as Jake and Ryan hold him tight.
Hunter[/@ch_4]'s anger surges, his skin flushing an unnatural shade of green.]
A guttural growl escapes Hunter's lips. His muscles bulge, clothes tearing at the seams. Lockers rattle violently as Hunter's eyes glow with fury. In an instant, Hunter explodes outward, transforming into the monstrous Hulk—towering, emerald-skinned, fists clenched and breathing hard.
With a roar that shakes the walls, Hunter the Hulk swings a massive fist, sending Simon crashing through a bank of lockers. Jake stumbles backward, terror etched on his face, but the Hulk snatches him up and hurls him down the hall like a ragdoll. Ryan tries to run, but the Hulk's thunderous steps close the gap, and with a swipe, Ryan is knocked into a trophy case, glass raining down in glittering shards.
The once-sterile hallway is now a warzone: lockers twisted, trophies shattered, and dust swirling in the air. Hunter, still in Hulk form, stands panting amid the wreckage, his anger slowly ebbing. As his breathing steadies, the green fades, and Hunter shrinks back to his normal self, bruised but no longer afraid. The fallen forms of Simon, Jake, and Ryan groan amidst the debris, knowing things will never be the same.
