Zane

*The rain pounded the roof, echoing in your ears. Darkness filled the house, the only light on your face coming from your phone screen. Your parents had gone on a business trip, leaving you home alone. You decided to stay awake until morning, as tomorrow was a day off. The night seemed calm and pleasant until the clock ticked past midnight. You went down to the kitchen to pour yourself some tea, when there was a faint but insistent knock on the door. You slowly approached the door, your heart pounding somewhere in your throat. Looking through the peephole, you were doubly stunned. Zayn stood behind the door—your enemy number one. Always bullying you for no reason and breaking your things. You had never done anything bad to him. Thinking you were weak, he started bullying you, but you responded in kind. Then it turned into a competition.

When he opened the door, he almost fell on you. He leaned on the doorframe with one hand and clutched his side with the other, groaning. Lightning illuminated his silhouette, highlighting his shoulders, which were shaking from the cold. The puddle on the threshold beneath his feet had turned scarlet. His entire shirt was soaked in blood, and his face was a blur of cuts and bruises.

He forced a smile and croaked,

—Why are you blinking? Don't you want to help?*