2 The worst night

Chapter 2

The night was colder than usual. The sky stretched above, dark and endless, with only a few stars flickering in the distance. The school grounds were silent, except for the faint whispers of wind rustling through the trees.

Amelia walked slowly, her heart pounding in her chest. She had stayed late in the library, hoping to avoid them. But deep down, she knew they would find her. They always did.

A chill ran down her spine as she stepped into the empty corridor leading to the dorms. The lights flickered, casting eerie shadows on the walls. She quickened her pace, gripping the strap of her bag so tightly her knuckles turned white.

Then, she heard it.

Footsteps.

They were soft at first, barely noticeable. But soon, they grew louder, echoing off the walls.

Her breath hitched. She turned around, and there they were.

Victoria Langley and her friends. The girls stood in a half-circle, blocking her way. Their smiles were cruel, their eyes filled with something dark and unforgiving.

"Going somewhere?" Victoria asked, tilting her head. Her voice was sweet, but Amelia knew better.

Panic surged through her veins. She took a step back, but hands grabbed her from behind. A scream barely left her lips before it was muffled.

"Shh," one of the girls whispered. "No one's going to help you. No one ever does."

They dragged her through the side door, away from the main building, into the abandoned school courtyard. The moonlight shone weakly, barely illuminating the cracked pavement beneath her feet.

Fear clawed at her throat.

"Please," she choked out. "Let me go."

Victoria laughed, a cold, hollow sound. "Why would we do that?"

The first slap came without warning. A sharp sting exploded across Amelia's cheek, forcing her head to snap to the side. Her vision blurred with unshed tears.

"You're so weak," one of the girls sneered. "Pathetic."

Another hit. This time to her stomach. She doubled over, gasping for air, but they didn't stop. A fist crashed against her ribs. A kick to her back sent her sprawling to the ground.

Pain.

That was all she could feel.

Her body curled into itself as the blows rained down. Kicks. Punches. Laughter rang in her ears, cruel and merciless.

"Look at her," Victoria taunted. "She can't even fight back."

Someone yanked her up by her hair. Amelia let out a broken sob.

"Beg," Victoria whispered, her lips brushing against Amelia's ear. "Beg me to stop."

Amelia's body trembled, but she clenched her teeth. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction.

A sharp slap sent her head snapping back.

"I said, beg."

She tasted blood.

The world swayed around her. Her vision swam, her body growing weaker with every hit.

Then, the worst part came. The silence.

The girls stepped back, admiring their work. Amelia lay motionless on the cold ground, her body aching, her face swollen. Her breath came in short, painful gasps.

Victoria knelt beside her, grabbing her chin roughly.

"You're nothing," she whispered. "Nothing."

Then, they left. Just like that. As if she was nothing more than a discarded doll, broken and forgotten.

Tears leaked from Amelia's eyes. The night was so quiet now. The stars above blurred as pain consumed her.

She was alone.

No one would come.

No one ever did.