It was not until I was tortured to the brink of death, barely clinging to life, that I finally understood the truth.
My parents.
Valerie’s parents.
Lucas, my so-called best friend.
They were all the ones who had pushed me into the abyss.
I closed my eyes, my chest burning with hatred and rage.
When I opened them again, I saw Valerie being dragged into a back alley.
——
“Marcus, doesn’t that look like Valerie?”
“Yeah, that really is her! Are they dragging her into the alley?”
“Marcus, you’re good at fighting. Hurry up and save her!”
“I heard that girls around the school have been getting assaulted lately!” Lucas’s voice exploded in my ear.
This moment felt unreal.
Was this the very day Valerie had been dragged into the alley?
Could it be that I had been reborn?
“Let go of me! Help! Someone help!” Valerie’s desperate screams rang out almost immediately.
There were plenty of people nearby, yet not a single one dared to step forward.
“Marcus, what are you doing?!” Lucas shouted angrily. “Can’t you see Valerie’s in danger? You’re so good at fighting. Why aren’t you going after them? Why are you still on your phone?!”
He was my childhood friend.
The brother I trusted more than anyone.