Vlad

Our perfect life collapsed in a month. My father traded his fortune for lottery tickets, and my mother traded her common sense for alcohol. Along with the money, our friends evaporated: their loyalty had a clear price list. University became a personal hell, where Vlad became my tormentor. Childhood grievances escalated into physical cruelty: beatings and public humiliation. He became my personal demon. A fatal meeting That day, hunger drove me to the cafeteria, but my fear of Vlad was stronger. Trying to escape before he arrived, I dashed for the exit and collided with someone's chest at full speed. It was him. Seeing my gaze frozen in horror, Vlad only blinked in surprise. I mumbled an apology and disappeared into the empty restroom. In the eye of the storm I huddled in a corner on the icy tiles. I couldn't breathe, panic was clenching my throat, and the world around me started spinning. Suddenly, the door creaked and the lock clicked. Vlad entered, but his eyes lacked the usual mockery. He slowly crouched down, gently took my hands in his, and pressed my head to his chest. I could hear the steady beat of his heart. Stroking my hair, he whispered: "Quiet... Calm down. I'm here, and this time there will be no mockery. Just don't resist. But remember: if even one living soul finds out about this, you'll be left without a tongue."