The lights flicked on, and the bullies gasped. Sora's hand left Nari's wrist and she looked up through her tears. She never thought she would have been as happy to hear this voice as she was right then.
"What are you doing?"
Hyunjin slowly stepped into the room, his eyes darkening dangerously as he caught sight of the girl on the floor.
Sora tried to cover. "U-um, nothing! Nari was having a panic attack, but we helped her, right Nari?"
Said girl flinched as the bully reached for her, another tear slipping down her red, blotchy cheek. Hyunjin's knuckles turned white, popping as he fisted his hands, and he shifted his eyes to the three girls. "Get out."
Sora blinked. "Wha- "
"Get. Out," he snarled, eyes flashing. The bullies quickly obeyed, scurrying out of the room like cowards. Silence filled the room. A moment later, he glanced back at Nari. "Are... are you okay?" he asked awkwardly.
She looked up at him with bloodshot eyes, her lips trembling. "No," she whispered, bursting into tears. Her sobs echoed through the room hollowly. Nari wiped at her face, but it was no use; more tears flooded out of her. She wrapped her arms around her middle, yelping as they squeezed the spot Sora had kicked.
A gentle hand touched her shoulder, pulling her up slowly. Nari cringed away but softened when she realized who it was. Hyunjin carefully enveloped the frightened girl in his arms. She pressed her face into his chest, hiccuping.
"It's okay," he murmured, patting her back. "You're okay."
Finally, she pulled away, Hyunjin's hands still on her shoulders. His hand brushed her jaw, turning it this way and that, examining her bruises. Eyes full of anger, he sighed heavily. "They did this because of us, didn't they." It didn't sound like a question.
"It happened a lot before you came, don't think you're so special," Nari said matter-of-factly, a hesitant smile forming.
A surprised laugh came out of Hyunjin's mouth as he looked at her in amazement. "How are you taking this so calmly? They - they beat you," he growled.
Nari looked up. "Why do you care so much?"
Taken aback, Hyunjin quickly released her shoulders and stepped back, his face smoothing into a neutral expression. "I would have stepped in if it was anyone else being bullied. Don't think you're so special," he mocked, turning on his heel and leaving the girl alone.
Ouch. Nari rubbed her chest as if that could get rid of the pain the harsh rebuke had left. Oh, well, she reasoned, at least he will stay away now.
And he did. For the rest of the day, Hyunjin refused to make eye contact or speak to her. But it was for the best.
At the end of the school day, Nari walked her friend home. They said their usual goodbyes and she moved on to her own home.
Nari opened her front door and stepped inside, taking her shoes off. She began to walk to her room, but was pulled back by a strong hand around her bicep.
"Where are you going?"
Heart pounding, Nari tried to swallow the dryness in her throat. "To my room. I have homework to do."
She could hear the bottles clinking together in his free hand. "Is that so? You know... we haven't had some bonding time in a while." The grip tightened. "'Suppose now is as good a time as any," her uncle slurred.
But Nari was out of his grip before the first blow could come. She slipped out of his hand like an eel and sprinted away. Her uncle yelled out for her, but she didn't look back, locking her door right as it shut behind her.
The terrified girl dug through her school bag until her grasping fingers closed around what she was looking for.
Nari pulled up Jisoo's number on her phone, her fingers trembling. Her uncle began to bang on the door, shouting her name, and each thump made Nari's heart beat faster.
Nari Emergency. It's my uncle
Jisoo Omg hurry come over
Jisoo Pls get away from there
She stuffed the device into her pocket and grabbed her duffel bag, throwing random items of clothing in.
When it was full, Nari ran to her window, pulled it open and peered down at the ground. Her second story room was right next to a huge oak tree, perfect for climbing. Or escaping.
Having left her house in this manner many times, Nari slung her bag over one arm and grabbed the tree with the other. She began to climb down, but was a bit too eager to get away. As her foot touched a branch five feet from the ground, she slipped, a silent shriek escaping her lips.
Her back hit the ground, causing her lungs to spasm, and she struggled to draw a breath in as she carefully sat up.
"That was stupid," she muttered, taking stock of her sore body. Nari gasped as her fingers trailed over her right ankle. Pain started to pulse in her leg as she lifted it up. A deep, rough scrape was dripping with blood, and the tight skin around her ankle was already starting to bruise and swell. The fabric of her jeans began to dampen from the blood.
Stop looking at it, just stop.
Swallowing her pain, Nari hauled herself up and began to hobble away from her nightmare, hopefully to safety.
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Ouch
Abuse and bullying are not light subjects; if anyone needs help or someone to talk to, I'm here
Also thank you to everyone who is taking the time to read this book
