The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the bustling school grounds. Lottie walked with her usual entourage of friends, their laughter echoing through the air. She felt invincible, surrounded by her loyal followers, and the world seemed to bend to her will.
Suddenly, two large college guys appeared from the shadows, their eyes locked onto Lottie. They moved with a purposeful stride, their expressions dark and menacing. One of them stepped forward, his voice a low growl.
"You're Charlotte Hartley, right?" he asked, his eyes narrowing.
Lottie nodded, a hint of unease creeping into her voice. "Yeah, who wants to know?"
The guy's lips curled into a sneer. "We want revenge. You bullied my little brother last year, and now it's payback time."
Before Lottie could react, the two guys lunged at her, their hands grabbing her arms with a vice-like grip. Her friends, who had been walking beside her moments ago, scattered in fear, leaving her to face the danger alone. Panic surged through her as she struggled to break free, but their hold was too strong.
The first punch landed hard, sending a jolt of pain through her face. Blood trickled down her nose, and she tasted the metallic tang in her mouth. She tried to scream, but her voice was choked off by another blow. As she fought back tears, she spotted a familiar figure in the corner of her eye.
du.
