Reality

Her legs trembling, Bella got up with difficulty. Her aching body protested with every movement, but she ignored it and approached Morgane, who was lying on the ground.

— Morgane? she murmured, her voice barely audible.

No response.

Worry rose within her. She knelt down and hesitantly placed a hand on Morgane's shoulder before gently shaking her.

— Morgane, wake up!

But the young woman remained unconscious.

Bella was about to insist when the sound of footsteps echoed in the distance. Her heart skipped a beat. Panic surged through her as she glanced around. Despite the pain, she forced herself to stand up. She quickly grabbed her belongings, made sure she hadn't left anything behind, and looked for a place to hide.

Concealed in the shadows, she watched as the figures approached.

Little by little, she could make out their faces. They were students from her high school, probably on their way home. One of them let out a cry upon seeing Morgane's motionless body.

— Hey! There's someone on the ground!

The others rushed over, and after a moment of confusion, they began to carry her.

Bella held her breath until they disappeared around the corner. Once she was certain they were gone, she stepped out of her hiding place and, without hesitation, hurried home.

Every step was an ordeal. Her muscles burned, her joints ached, but she clenched her teeth and kept moving forward.

When she finally arrived at her apartment, she closed the door behind her and leaned against it, out of breath. Then, without delay, she headed to the bathroom.

She turned on the faucet and let the water fill the bathtub. Once it was full enough, she undressed and slowly entered the warm water.

The pain was immediate.

Countless cuts covered her body, remnants of the fight with Morgane. The water seeped into her wounds, making her grimace. Yet, it wasn't the physical pain that weighed on her the most.

A deeper pain radiated through her chest.

Reality was hitting her hard.

Until now, she had wanted to believe that things would get better, that everything would eventually return to normal. Caden had given her hope with his reassuring words.

But tonight… everything had crumbled.

She had no other choice.

She had to leave.

When she got out of the bath, she wrapped herself in a towel, put on clean clothes, and, in a mechanical gesture, grabbed her phone. Her fingers trembled slightly as she dialed Zetch's number.

After two rings, a familiar voice answered.

— Bella? Zetch said, surprised. Are you okay?

She took a shaky breath.

— No, Zetch… I'm not okay.

The silence that followed was heavy. Then, in a more worried tone, he asked:

— What's going on?

She told him everything. The fight with Morgane and the troubles of the past few days.

When she finished, Zetch remained silent for a few seconds, as if searching for the right words.

— Damn… he finally muttered. Are you hurt?

— Nothing serious, but… I can't stay here anymore. It's not safe.

She paused before adding in a lower voice:

— You were right, Zetch. I shouldn't have insisted.

— Don't say that, Bella, he cut in immediately. I understand why you wanted to stay. You hoped for a normal life, a simple life, with your friends…

His voice broke slightly before he added, more softly:

— I hoped for the same thing for you…

A weight settled on Bella's chest.

— But alas… he murmured.

A silence stretched between them, heavy with regret.

Then Bella pulled herself together and asked:

— Give me your address. As soon as I settle things here, I'll join you.

— Okay.

He quickly dictated the address.

— Be careful, Bella.

— You too, Zetch.

They stayed on the line for a moment, as if hesitant to hang up.

Then she ended the call and, as soon as she set down her phone, the tears she had been holding back came rushing out.

Leaving everything behind, once again…

Why was life so unfair?

She cried in silence, her heart clenched, then slowly wiped her tears and took a deep breath.

Tomorrow was going to be a long and difficult day.

And she had to be ready.