Back in the dorm, Eric corners me as soon as I walk in, and hits me in the jaw. Everyone else surrounds us like a pack of wild dogs hungry for violence, shouting, "Fight! Fight! Fight!"
I look Eric in the eye. "I don't want to fight, man. Don't do this." Eric smirks. "Oh, we won't fight. I'll just watch you bleed to death." He takes out his knife and it glints in the low lighting of the dorm. This is it. This is how I die.
I'm trapped and I have no weapon. My fists are no match for his small but deadly blade. Before I can do anything to defend myself, he thrusts the knife into my stomach. "This," he hisses, "is for stealing Cassandra from me." I moan. He rips out the blade and stabs my shoulder.
"And this is for taking my rightful spot in the rankings! I told you to stay out of my way, didn't I?" I can't think. I can't move. I drop to the floor.
And
I can't
feel
anything
anymore.