Chapter 3: Chapter 3: The Feeling of Getting Your Teeth Kicked In

I spent the rest of the day thinking about the strange events that had happened. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something wasn't right about the truck incident. Why would someone try to hit Emily? And who was Sarah to harm Lily like that? I couldn't understand why people would be so cruel.

As I was packing up my things to go home, Emily approached me. "Hey, are you okay?" she asked with concern in her voice. "You seemed a little out of it during class."

I sighed. "I just can't stop thinking about that truck. It was like someone was trying to hurt you on purpose."

Emily's face paled. "I know, it was really scary. But I'm just glad you were there to save me." She smiled at me, but there was a hint of darkness in her eyes that I couldn't quite place. "You're really brave, you know that?"

I felt my face warm at the compliment. "I just did what anyone would do," I mumbled, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Well,I think you're amazing," Emily said with a grin "I'm really glad we met."

I was about to reply when we were interrupted by Lily. "Hey, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked, looking at me.

"Uh, sure," I said, a little surprised.

Lily led me to a quiet corner of the classroom. "I just wanted to thank you again for standing up for me earlier," she said, her eyes shining with gratitude. "You really surprised me.”

I felt my face warm again. "It’s fine. You don’t need to thank me again. It’s not a big deal."

Lily nodded. "I know it's not a big deal to you, but it meant a lot to me. Sarah can be really scary when she doesn't get what she wants. And I'm not the only one she does that to. She's done it to lots of people."

I frowned. "Why doesn't anyone stand up to her? She shouldn't be allowed to get away with that kind of behaviour."

Lily sighed. "It's not that easy. Sarah's family is powerful and influential in this town. No one wants to cross her or her family. They'll make your life a living hell if you do."

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. "That's not right. People shouldn't have to put up with being hurt just because of someone's family connections."

Lily nodded. "I agree. But it's just the way things are around here. You have to be careful who you cross. Which is why I want to warn you, Sarah can be pretty vindictive. She might try to do something to get back at you."

"Thanks for the warning," I said, feeling a little uneasy. "I'll be careful."

Lily nodded. "I'm sure you will be. You seem like a smart guy."

I couldn't help but feel a little surprised at the compliment. I wouldn’t say I’m very smart. "Thanks. You seem pretty smart yourself."

Lily chuckled. "I have to be. It's the only way to survive around here."

I couldn't help but wonder what she meant by that. Was this town really that dangerous? 

As I settled into my seat next to Emily, she turned to me, a surprised expression on her face. "You know Lily?" she asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. Why? Is there something wrong with that?"

Emily shook her head. "No, not at all. It's just that Lily is usually pretty quiet. She doesn't have many friends. I was just surprised to see her talking to someone new."

I frowned. "I thought she would have more friends. She's so kind and smart. I can't believe people would ignore her."

Emily sighed. "It's not that people are ignoring her on purpose. It's just that Lily is really shy. She doesn't talk to many people. But I'm sure she would appreciate your friendship."

I nodded, determined to be a good friend to Lily. "So, what did you guys talk about?" Emily asked.

I sighed. "She warned me that Sarah might try to do something to get back at me. Apparently, her family is also pretty important around here. So, in conclusion, I’m mega screwed.”

Emily's eyes widened in concern. "Oh no, that's not good. Sarah can be really cruel when she doesn't get her way. You have to be careful, John."

I chuckled lightly while feeling a sense of unease wash over me. "Don’t worry, I won’t let her scare me. I mean, what’s the worst she could do?”

Hopefully, I won’t eat my words later.

As the school day came to a close, I gathered my things and said goodbye to Emily. "Are you sure you're going to be okay going home alone after what happened with the truck this morning?" I asked, still feeling a little worried.

Emily nodded. "I'll be fine. I have club activities after school, so I'll be going home with some friends later."

I felt a sense of relief wash over me. "Okay, good. Just be careful, alright?"

She chuckled. "I will. Don't worry so much, John. You're starting to sound like my mother."

I couldn't help but laugh at that. "Sorry, I just don't want anything to happen to you. You're a good friend."

Emily smiled. "And you're a good friend too. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine. See you tomorrow!"

I waved goodbye as she headed off to her club. As I made my way to my locker, I noticed something strange. There was a letter sticking out of the vents.

You are reading story A Cycle of Death and Rebirth at novel35.com

I frowned and pulled the letter out, wondering who it could be from. It wasn't sealed, so I unfolded it and began to read. 

"John, I know you're probably busy, but I really need to talk to you. Can we meet up near the storage room at the back of the school? It's really important. - Lily"

I felt a sense of confusion and concern wash over me. Why did Lily want to meet me? And why did she seem so desperate to talk to me? Maybe it’s about the town? I knew I had to find out.

With a heavy heart, I packed up my things and headed to the back of the school, my mind racing with thoughts of what could be so important that Lily needed to speak to me in such a hurry.

I approached the storage room, my heart racing with anticipation. Lily had promised to meet me here after school, but as I got closer, I saw no trace of Lily. "Maybe she's inside?" I thought to myself, but as I looked around the room, I realized that it was completely empty.

Suddenly, the door behind me slammed shut and I heard the sound of a lock clicking into place. I turned around to see a tall, blonde-haired boy standing in front of me, his piercing blue eyes fixed on me with a mixture of anger and hatred. He bore a striking resemblance to Sarah. 

"You're the one who hurt my sister," the boy sneered. "Sarah told me everything. You're going to pay for what you did to her."

I shook my head, confused. "I don't know what you're talking about," I said, holding up my hands in surrender. "I didn't do anything to Sarah. I swear. She must be lying to you."

The boy's eyes narrowed. "Don't try to deny it. I saw the bruises on her body. She told me how you attacked her and left her bruised and battered."

Bruises?

I felt a surge of anger rise up inside of me at the thought of Sarah accusing me of something like this. "That's not true!" I protested, taking a step towards the boy. "I would never lay a hand on her!"

But the boy was having none of it. "You're a liar!" he shouted, lunging at me with fists flying. I tried to defend myself, but he was too strong. He punched me in the face, threw me to the ground, and kicked me repeatedly, all the while shouting insults and accusations at me.

As the blonde boy's fists rained down on me, I could do nothing but try to cover my face and protect my body as best I could. He was a blur of motion, a whirlwind of anger and hatred that seemed determined to pound me into the ground.

I felt the first blow connect with my cheek, a searing pain that sent me staggering backwards. I tripped over a stack of boxes and fell to the ground, my head ringing with the impact.

The boy didn't let up, though. He was on top of me in an instant, his fists pummeling my body with brutal efficiency. I tried to fight back, but he was too strong. He was taller and heavier than me, and he seemed to have an endless supply of energy and anger.

I don't know how long the fight lasted, but it felt like an eternity. The boy's blows came faster and harder as the minutes ticked by, and I could feel myself getting weaker and weaker. My body was battered and bruised, my face swollen and bloody.

I tried to get up, to crawl away or at least defend myself, but it was no use. I was too weak, too battered and bruised to do anything but lay there and take it.

The boy snarled in disgust and kicked me in the stomach, his boot connecting with a sickening thud. I groaned and doubled over, the pain shooting through my body like a white-hot blade.

But the boy wasn't done yet. He kicked me again, this time in the head, and I heard a sickening crunch as my teeth broke under the impact. I tasted blood in my mouth, and I knew that my face was a mess. The bastard had kicked my teeth in.

The boy stood over me, panting and sweating, his chest heaving with the effort of the fight. I looked up at him through swollen, bloody eyes, and I saw the hatred and disgust in his gaze.

Finally, the boy seemed to tire of the fight. He stood up, panting and sweating, and glared down at me with a look of pure venom. "Stay away from my sister, you hear me?" he snarled, before turning and stalking out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

I lay there on the floor, my body aching and my mouth full of blood, and I knew that I had lost. It wasn’t even a fight. It was a one-sided massacre. The boy had beaten me, and he had made it clear that he would do it again if I dared to cross him or his sister. 

Shit… I feel so useless.

I was alone and battered, shattered by the violence of the fight. All I could do was wait for the pain to subside, and hope that somehow, someway, I could find a way to make things right.

"I can't believe it," I thought to myself as I lay on the floor, my body aching and my mind numb with shock. "That Sarah would go so far as to give herself bruises and accuse me of attacking her. She must be out of her mind. And that brother of hers, yikes." 

I paused for a second and thought about everything that happened today. And only one question seemed to rise in my mind.

“What am I even doing here?”

 I took a moment to reflect on everything that had happened, wondering why I was even in this storage room. It was then that I remembered Lily had asked me to meet her here, saying she had something important to discuss. But clearly it wasn't important enough for her to show up.

The thought crossed my mind that this could have been a trap set up by those two blond bastards to get their revenge on me. It wouldn't be a stretch to think that Lily might have been in on it, given that Sarah bullied her. Maybe she was forced?

Just as these thoughts were running through my head, I heard a familiar voice speak. I turned to see Lily standing in the doorway, her long black hair and red eyes on full display as she looked down at me with a smirk.

"Hmm, you're still here? He must have really gotten you good," she said.

I scowled up at her, asking, "What do you want, Lily? Come to mock me?"

Her smile faded as she replied, "Not at all. I told you I had something important to show you. They're all gathering in the forest tonight."

Gathering in the forest? Tonight?

“Who?”

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To Be Continued ⇒ Chapter 4: Horrors

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