New Era – Episode 3: Cycle Break

It was a quiet evening. The soft hum of a passing car echoed outside as Mikey returned from a quick gas station run, a small plastic bag crinkling in his hand. He balanced an energy drink under his arm, juggling his keys before stepping back into the house. He glanced at the clock—past ten.

Noticing the light still on under Victor’s bedroom door, Mikey walked over and gave a light knock.

Mikey: (knocking) Yo, Vic. I brought back some energy drinks. You still up?

There was a pause before the door creaked open. Victor stood there, eyes tired, a half-full coffee cup in his hand.

Victor: I’m up.

Mikey: (grinning) Yeah, I can see that. Looks like you’ve been glued to that coffee mug for a while now.

Victor gave a small, weary smile and stepped aside.

Mikey: (handing him a can) Here. Might do better than that stale cup you’ve got.

Victor: Thanks… but it’s not about staying awake. I’ve just been… thinking.

Mikey: Ah, classic Victor. Deep thought mode activated. So, what’s got your gears grinding tonight?

Victor: I got a call earlier. From an old acquaintance. It started off alright, but it turned into an argument. He and his girlfriend had a fight, and he asked for my opinion. I pointed out where he went wrong, and he didn’t take it well.

Mikey: Man… some people just can’t handle the truth. If he asked for your opinion, he should’ve expected honesty. That’s on him.

Victor: Yeah, but he’s not a bad guy. He’s just… misguided sometimes.

Mikey: What do you mean?

Victor: He’s a godly man—tries to do better when he knows he’s messed up. But the way he grew up… his family, especially his parents and siblings, didn’t just point out his flaws. They’d shame him for them. So now, anytime someone calls him out—even gently—he reacts like he’s under attack. Like it’s all criticism, not care.

Mikey: Wow… that’s heavy. But don’t you think it’s kind of a double standard? I mean, he can admit his own mistakes, but if someone else points them out—he flips out?

Victor: A little, yeah. But I get it. Honestly… I used to be like that.

Mikey: Wait—you? No way. I’ve known you for four years and you’ve always seemed pretty grounded.

Victor: True. But we didn’t really get close until year three. Before that, I kept most of my struggles to myself. Two years ago, though, I learned something that changed me—something my old mentor told me.

Mikey: Alright, now I’m curious. Lay it on me.

Victor: It’s about animosity. Most of the time, when we react with anger or bitterness, it’s not about the moment—it’s about the past. Somewhere along the line, someone hurt us. Someone made us feel small. So now, when something feels familiar to that hurt, we strike first—thinking it’ll protect us.

But it doesn’t. It just continues a cycle. One person hurts another. Then that person, still bleeding, goes and hurts someone else. It’s like hyenas eating each other—over and over.

Mikey: A cycle of pain…

Victor: Exactly. But the moment I realized that, I made a choice. A choice to stop reacting with hate… to turn the other cheek. To walk away instead of continuing the damage. It was the most freeing decision I’ve ever made.

Mikey: Sounds like something your mentor would say. He always had a way of cutting deep with his words.

You know, Vik… you’re a lot like that old man.

Victor: (chuckles) No way. I’m not mentor material.

Mikey: Why not? You’ve got real wisdom. The kind that only comes from going through the fire and coming out the other side. You’re always talking about becoming the best version of yourself—but maybe you don’t have to wait for that. Maybe God makes us into our best selves through the people we help.

Victor: (quietly) That’s a heavy thought…

Mikey: I’m serious, Vic. You could be the start of someone else’s cycle breaking. And maybe… that starts with calling your friend back. Maybe he needs you more than he realizes.

Victor: You really think I could make a difference?

Mikey: I know you can. Don’t wait for perfection. Don’t wait for the world’s permission. If God gave you something to share—then share it. Believe in that. Believe in you.

Victor: (soft smile) “Knowledge doesn’t belong to one, but to the world.” That’s what the old man always said.

You’re right. I’ll give him a call. Apologize. Try again… and maybe, help him take the first step.

Mikey: That’s what I like to hear. I’ll be praying for you, Vik.

Victor: Thanks, Mikey. Seriously. For everything.

Mikey: Anytime, man. That’s what brothers are for.

As Mikey walked out of the room, Victor stood still for a moment—holding the energy drink in one hand, and the weight of new purpose in the other.

Victor: (whispering to himself) Maybe… this is where the new era really begins.