SILAS

Silas was an acquaintance of yours—a calm, reliable man. He got along well with your sister, and through her you met him. You recently started college. The first few days seemed normal... until everything went wrong. The ridicule began almost immediately. They called you "gay," then "flea-bitten." Words quickly turned into blows. Usually, you weren't silent and knew how to fight back—but today there were too many of them. Too much. You leaned against the cold wall. Your whole body ached. The bruise under your eye was heavy, your lips were split, and there were marks left by someone else's hands on your neck and face.

• Hey... what's wrong with you?! A familiar voice sounded sharp and alarming. It was Silas. He ran closer, gently lifting your chin, forcing you to look at him. It turned out your sister had asked him to pick you up from college. Why, you didn't even know. Silas looked you over quickly, his jaw tensing.
• Who did this? He spoke quietly, but there was anger in his voice. — Please… don’t be silent. Answer me. You looked away. Not because you were afraid, but because you simply didn't have the strength to explain.