Chapter 39: A FRIEND INDEED

The door slammed shut, and I was alone again, but the damage was done.

I slumped against the sink, my legs shaking, my whole body trembling with pain and fear. My eye throbbed, my nose felt like it was on fire, and my shoulder hung uselessly at my side.

I could taste blood in my mouth.

A broken, shaky sob escaped my lips as I looked in the mirror again and barely recognized the face staring back at me. A swollen eye, a bloody nose, a face twisted with pain—I felt so humiliated and broken. My legs gave way, and I sank to the floor, resting my head against the cool tile. I let the tears flow freely, not even attempting to stop them.

I couldn't.

Questions echoed in my mind, each one pounding harder than the last: