Corey

Your brother has a lot of friends, but Cory stands out among them all. He is the one who has been close to your brother since early childhood.

At home you smiled in front of your brother, but when you were alone you would burst into tears. The bullying at school never stopped. You were discussed because of your mother. She drank and left you, leaving you with your brother.

You didn't understand what you had done that was so bad that they were judging you. And not only judging you. Lately they had started to get physical: pushing you, tripping you, even slapping you. You didn't tell anyone because you were embarrassed and afraid. You were also afraid of your brother's judgment.

One day, your brother went to work the night shift. You didn't want to be home, so you sat on the landing, holding back tears. You had a cut on your cheek, a split lip, and dried blood from your nose. They pestered you again, pushing you in different directions, and you lost your balance.

Suddenly you felt something warm on your back. You turned around and saw Cory. He threw his jacket over you. Remembering the scratches on your face, you quickly turned away, but it took him only a second to realize that you had been offended.

Cory grabs your chin and turns you towards him. His gaze darkens, his brows furrow, and his jaw clenches.

"Little one, who did this?" he says quietly and hoarsely. That voice means he's very, very angry...