Chapter 4

I struggled with all my might, shouting for Mike, but it was useless. For the first time, I saw how twisted and ugly his face could be.

In my panic, my hand brushed against a hard stone beside me.

Using every ounce of strength I had, I struck him.

Once, twice...

Each time, I put all my force into it, my hands stinging from the impact.

Something warm splattered across my face. The person on top of me let out a strange yelp and ran off, pulling up his pants as he fled.

I stared blankly, mechanically repeating my action. I wasn’t sure how long I kept at it.

It wasn’t until Mike lay motionless in a pool of blood that I snapped out of it.

Pulling up my pants, I stumbled home. I scrubbed my body over and over, rubbing my skin raw. I couldn't stop, though.

My mom noticed something was off and quickly asked what had happened.

At that moment, I couldn’t hold back any longer. I burst into tears and stammered out the whole story.

She cried, too, as she held me tightly. Her vo