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[Sympathy is a knife] - [Charli xcx]

The setting sun bathed the classroom in a warm, golden hue, casting long shadows across the desks. Vienna sat hunched over her books, her focus absolute as she absorbed every word of her study material.

Sakura, ever the bundle of energy, couldn't resist the calm scene. She plopped down beside Vienna with a dramatic sigh.

"You know, if you keep this up, you're going to become a permanent fixture in this room!"

"I'm almost finished."

As the evening deepened, Sakura invited Vienna to her home for a quick break. Vienna followed her, curious and eager for a change of scenery. Sakura's house was a picture of warmth and cheerfulness.

The living room was decorated with family photos and cozy cushions, and the scent of homemade cookies filled the air.

Sakura's room was even more inviting, a true reflection of her personality. It was filled with soft, pastel colors and scattered with plush toys and cute trinkets.

Vienna couldn't help but feel a pang of envy as she took in the scene. She imagined what it would be like to have such a warm, supportive environment—a place where she could feel safe and loved.

By the end of the visit, as Sakura and Vienna walked back to the main road, Sakura kept up a lively stream of chatter, effortlessly shifting from one topic to another. She listened, her spirits lifted by Sakura's infectious enthusiasm

"Remember, if you need to escape your books again, just give me a call. We'll have another laugh session."

Vienna waved goodbye smiling to herself, only to realize she was only two streets away from her house, she suddenly spotted Hana emerging from a side alley. The sight of Hana sent a jolt of fear through Vienna, her heart pounding in her chest.

Without a moment's hesitation, Vienna turned on her heel and sprinted in the opposite direction. Her legs moved faster than she'd thought possible. The familiar streets blurred past her as she darted down alleys and side roads, her breath coming in ragged gasps.

The chase began in the narrow confines of the alley.

Amidst the bicycles, pedestrians, and roadside stalls, no one was aware of the young student's plight or the malicious intentions of the group pursuing her.

The girls behind her were like a whirlwind—swift and ruthless, leaving no trace of their pursuit.

Bursting out onto the main road, Vienna narrowly avoided being hit by an oncoming car. The driver slammed on the brakes, his voice full of frustration as he shouted, "You want to die?!"

Vienna risked a glance back and saw Hana and her gang crossing the road, their determination undeterred. They were relentless, showing no sign of giving up the chase.

Panic surged through her as she pushed herself to run faster, her only thought being to escape the grasp of her relentless tormentors.

Vienna scrambled to her feet, her breath ragged and eyes wide with panic. She dashed towards a small, dilapidated condominium, only to find the backdoor locked tight!

Desperation flared in her eyes as she shook the heavy metal door with all her strength. The door remained immovable, a barrier she couldn't break. Behind her, the voices of Hana and her gang grew louder, their approach relentless.

Without a moment's hesitation, Vienna hurled herself into a nearby rubbish bin, the foul stench assaulting her senses. She clamped her hands over her mouth and nose, trying to shield herself from the nauseating odor. The summer heat made her uniform cling to her sweat-soaked skin.

In her frantic escape, Vienna had momentarily ignored the fear that gnawed at her. Now, as she lay hidden among the refuse, the terror seeped into every pore, gnawing at her with an insidious persistence.

"Where is that bitch?!"

"Did she run to the east block?"

"Damn it! When I get my hands on her, she'll regret ever crossing me!"

Vienna's heart raced as she heard the angry shouts. She clamped her hands tightly over her mouth, determined to stay silent.

The sweat streaming down her face mingled with the rancid smell of the rubbish bin, making her eyes sting with each drop.

In the midst of her fear, her thoughts drifted to Mei. Vienna had been just like everyone else—turning a blind eye to the bullying and torment that Mei endured. Now, she found herself in the same desperate situation.

She held her breath, her chest tightening as the voices grew fainter. She tried to stay as still as possible, her heart pounding in her ears. Just as she began to hope that they might leave without finding her, her phone rang with an ominous buzz.

Panic surged through her, and she stifled a gasp. The sound of the ringtone was deafening in the silence of the trash bin. Before she could even think of silencing it, the lid was lifted. A girl with a psychotic smile peered down at her, her eyes glinting with malice.

"Oh, you're lucky I found you before Hana," the girl sneered, her voice dripping with sadistic glee.

Before Vienna could react, the girl yanked her out of the bin. The other girls, who had been searching for her, quickly surrounded her. The girl's mocking smile turned into a grimace as they began to beat her.

Fists and feet rained down on her, each blow fueled by their anger and enjoyment of her suffering. Vienna curled into a ball, trying to protect herself, but the pain was relentless.

Through the haze of pain and fear, Vienna spotted a small gap between the girls. Summoning every ounce of strength she had left, she pushed herself up, shoving her way through the crowd. The adrenaline coursing through her gave her a burst of speed.

She darted past the stunned girls, her heart racing as she sprinted down the alleyway.

The chase resumed.

Vienna dashed around corners, her legs burning with exertion. She leapt over obstacles and narrowly avoided a few passing pedestrians. Her lungs felt like they were on fire, but she couldn't afford to stop. She could hear the angry shouts and footsteps behind her growing closer, spurring her on.

Finally, she spotted a narrow passageway that led to another alley. Desperation gave her an extra burst of speed, and she burst out onto the street, where the crowd of people provided a temporary shield.

She weaved through the pedestrians, her eyes darting around for any sign of her pursuers. Her breaths came in ragged gasps as she finally managed to lose them in the sea of faces.

Vienna trudged through the alley, her steps heavy and deliberate, as if she were a soulless entity moving through a fog of despair. The familiar streets, once her sanctuary, now felt alien and menacing.

She had no intention of returning home or venturing along her usual routes, fearing that the tormentors might be lurking around every corner.

As she wandered aimlessly, a faint, comforting scent wafted through the air. It was the aroma of freshly baked bread—a reminder of simpler, happier times.

Vienna lifted her head and found herself standing before the steel rolling mill.

The rough, bumpy walls and rusty emergency stairwell looked familiar. It was the same place where she had seen a certain black haired youth scramble over the window just a while ago.

Feeling utterly defeated, Vienna sank down onto the narrow cement ledge. The setting sun cast a golden hue across her grimy face, illuminating the exhaustion etched into her features.

As the warm light touched her skin, Shotaro's words echoed in her mind, "I hope that you will not lose hope in society, and that you will not lose hope in humanity."

Her face remained expressionless, but the words struck a chord deep within her. Vienna stared into the distance, her thoughts a jumble of confusion and weariness. After a long pause, she managed to whisper through cracked lips.

"Please..."

The spring night was thick with a swarm of mosquitoes, their bites a constant, maddening irritation on Vienna's exposed skin—her arms, legs, neck, and face all stung incessantly. Despite the discomfort, her focus remained unbroken.

Over and over, she repeated the single word that had become her mantra: "Please..."

Then, she heard it—a loud clang reverberated through the alley. The shutter door of the steel rolling mill was being lifted, and a sliver of dim light spilled out into the darkness. The sound of the door being opened was like a beacon in her desolate world, a glimmer of hope amidst her despair.

Raising her head, Vienna's gaze fixed on the window as the dim light from inside offered a semblance of safety.

Ni-ki, standing just inside, stared back at her, his expression a mix of shock and concern.

Vienna's voice, though barely a whisper, carried the weight of her desperation. Without hesitation, she pleaded, "Please protect me."

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this is a space open for critisizm you can tell me what you dont like about this ff and what things you want to see next