I fell to the ground in a heap. I put my hand over my stomach, feeling exactly where Zaila had kicked me. I whimpered softly.

I heard a single footstep step towards me, and assumed it was Nicholis trying to come to my aid.

Until Zaila's voice, now towering above me, threatened harshly, "Take a step closer, Nicholis, and you'll get to see Isla and Adyson die."

Nicholis took no steps closer.

I could feel Zaila's voice was directed to me when she demanded, "Stand up."

I stood up. Shakily, I climbed to my feet.

"Will you join me?"

"Never." I spat out a mystery liquid into Zaila's face. I wondered if it was blood or saliva.

Zaila's kicked me again. Instead, in the knee.

I fell to the ground again. With a pained cry, I clutched my knee. I looked upwards to where I had noted Zaila was, eyes wide.

"How about now? Will you join me?" Zaila asked again. She already knew was my answer was going to be. She was having fun with this.

"N-Never..." I gasped in pain, "means-- means never."

I hadn't even stood up. Zaila's hadn't told me to.

Zaila's boot toe crashed into my stomach. For the second time. Zaila stood in front of me.

I spit out more mystery liquid onto Zaila's boots. I assumed by now it was more blood.

I heard someone crying, but I really couldn't tell if it was me, or Adyson, or maybe even Nicholis.

I coughed as Zaila grabbed me by my shirt collar and forcefully pulled me onto my feet. I whimpered when my own weight was put onto my knee.

I clenched my fists, a whole lot angrier than anyone in my position should be.

Zaila seemed to wait. To see what I would do.

Fight. Flight. Face. 

I could fight Zaila. I knew I'd never win. But...

I could try to run. I knew I'd never make it outside. But...

I could stay here and take the beating Zaila felt I deserved. But...

None of the situations I thought turned out right. I was dead. I might as well be. It would cause a lot less suffering.

If I stayed here, Zaila would draw my death out as much as she possibly could. If I ran, Zaila would hunt me down, that was if I even got out of the house. If I tried to fight, Zaila and Calik would win over me and I would be killed.

I didn't know what to do.

I didn't have to do anything. There was the sound of footsteps speeding towards Zaila, and the sound of a person hitting the floor.

All I could do was step back. I had no idea what was happening. Had someone tackled Zaila? Had Zaila tackled someone? Had someone tackled someone else? None of the above?

"Calik, get off of me!" I heard Zaila screaming.

"I can't Miss!" Calik responded in a panicked voice.

Suddenly, I felt like I was going to feint. I couldn't stand on my own two legs. My head was spinning. I fell to the ground for what felt like the millionth time today.

I heard someone sprinting. I reached out my hand, desperately hoping for someone to grab my hand and pull me to safety. No one did.

The river of my luck, had dried out.

Nicholis was running away, taking Adyson to safety. The front door to their house slammed, and they were gone

He truly didn't care about me.

"...Nicholis...?" I whispered weakly. He was gone though. No one was here to save me form Zaila this time.

I was as good as dead.

I laid on the ground. What else was I supposed to do?