A new teacher arrived at the school. His name was Murunda—a man of striking presence, tall

  and broad-shouldered, with piercing eyes that seemed to read into one’s soul. There was an air

  of wisdom around him, a quiet authority that made students listen when he spoke. Yet, beneath

  that kind exterior, one boy—Adir—felt something… unnatural.

  Murunda was no ordinary teacher. He was a scientist in disguise, a man whose name had once

  been whispered in the world's darkest corners. He had spent years conducting cruel

  experiments, twisting nature to his will, and now he had come to this school for one purpose:

  To find the Snake Boy.

  Murunda had seen him before—at the smuggling docks, amidst the chaos, when a boy had

  slipped through his grasp. The only clue he had was a school belt wrapped around the boy’s

  waist. And now, standing in this classroom, he was certain… the snake-blooded child was

  somewhere among these students.

  But who?

  He needed a plan.

  Murunda spent days gaining trust, charming students and teachers alike. He was warm,

  understanding, and always seemed to say the right things. It wasn’t long before the entire school

  admired him.

  And then, when the time was right, he made his move.

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  One afternoon, as students ate lunch in the cafeteria, it happened. They began collapsing—one

  by one—clutching their throats, eyes wide with panic. The air filled with gasps and cries for

  help.

  Teachers rushed in, helpless.

  Then, Murunda stepped forward, calm and composed.

  “I can save them,” he declared.

  No one questioned how he had an antidote. No one wondered why he was so prepared. They

  only watched as he administered the cure, one by one.

  By evening, Murunda was a hero.

  The students trusted him. The teachers respected him. Even Adir—the boy who had once felt

  something off—began to believe in him.

  Days passed, and Murunda’s influence grew. But he was no closer to finding the Snake Boy.

  And so, he devised another plan.

  “There may still be traces of poison in the students’ bodies,” he announced one morning. “For

  their safety, I suggest a mandatory blood test.”

  The school agreed.

  Murunda’s trap was set.

  Adir’s heart pounded when he heard the announcement.

  "Blood tests? No. No, no, no. I can’t. What if they see what’s inside me?"

  He gripped his arm, feeling the veins beneath his skin, knowing that if they tested him… his

  secret would be exposed.

  "I have to find a way out. I can’t let them see my blood. Not him… not Murunda."

  For days, he avoided school, feigning illness. But the fear followed him like a shadow. He lay

  awake at night, staring at the ceiling, thoughts racing.

  "Maybe I’m overthinking. Maybe… maybe Murunda can help me."

  It was a dangerous thought. But Adir had spent weeks watching him—seeing his kindness, his

  intelligence. Maybe, just maybe, he was someone who could understand.

  And so, one evening, he made a decision.

  The science lab was empty when Adir stepped inside. Murunda stood at the counter, carefully

  pouring a dark liquid into a vial. He turned, surprised to see the boy.

  “Sir, I… I have to tell you something,” Adir said, voice unsteady.

  Murunda set the vial down, watching him. “Go on.”

  Adir took a deep breath. His hands clenched into fists.

  “I’m… different,” he finally admitted. “My blood is not normal. I have venom inside me.”

  Silence.

  Murunda didn’t react—not at first.

  Then, slowly, he smiled.

  Adir felt relief flood his chest.

  "He believes me. He understands. Maybe… maybe I was right to trust him."

  Murunda placed a hand on Adir’s shoulder. His grip was firm, almost too firm. “You can trust

  me,” he said. “I’ll keep your secret.”

  Adir exhaled, feeling a weight lift off him. He had been so afraid, but now, finally, someone

  knew the truth.

  He didn’t see the hunger in Murunda’s eyes.

  He didn’t hear the silent whisper in the scientist’s mind.

  "With your blood, I will create something greater than you can imagine. I will make humans

  evolve beyond their limits. And you... you will be my masterpiece."

  Adir had just given himself away.

  And Murunda’s experiment was about to begin