Don't Run

Escalating

Alona was hopeful that involving the Wolf might speed things up. She liked that they were hesitant to fully take her. It meant they weren't ALL bad... in a way. But still, they started all this. And they can't wuss out now.

She was sitting in her desk chair as Pat and Minwa stood over her. They'd come to check on her after getting back from the field trip. She'd avoided looking at them for a moment but eventually they saw her face.

Minwa stood with her arms crossed. looking frustrated. And Pat kneeled, holding Alona's hand, comfortingly. She stared at the rabbit with concern. The Hickey on the side of her mouth wasn't a good sign at all. Neither were the forming hand mark bruises on her forearms.

"Alona. I know it's hard. But you can tell us. We can help you.... Whoever is doing this, Michelle can take care of them." The Cat nodded and squeezed her pale fingers gently. Minwa nodded too, her brows crumpling with worry.

Alona shook her head. She looked so scared. Pat reached up to touch her face and the bunny flinched. It broke their hearts to see her so jumpy. Pat knew she shouldn't have left her here alone, but she did. And regretted it.

Alona had tried to say she did it to herself by accident, but it wasn't at all believable. It was a clear mark.  Someone was claiming her. But who would do that? Most people feared Michelle here. Yet it was always when Alona was alone. So, she had her doubts that everyone was staying in line.

She wished the rabbit was just being beaten up. But it was clear now that they had abused her in other ways. It was sickening. Even if their social system was based on violence. It was dominance through fighting. It was never sexual. This was almost unheard of.

Then again, most girls here could put up a fight. They had claws or fangs to defend with. It wasn't worth the struggle when you could just hook up normally.

Alona was different. She was powerless. And when no one was around it would be easy to push her down. Minwa squatted down in front of the bunny as well. She twirled a strand of white hair in her hands and spoke softly.

"This isn't normal Alona. People don't do that here. What are you so afraid of?" Her voice was filled with worry. The bunny just shook her head again, her face contorted into a mess of emotions.

"I...I can't tell you." She scrunched her mouth down sadly, pressing her lips tightly together. And pulled away from them.

The girls didn't understand. They were blind to the one fact they dreaded the most. Not wanting to fully realize the situation. So, they didn't even dare think of the worst possible culprits. A veil of willful ignorance shrouded their minds.

Minwa sighed and stood. Pat standing with her. The Fox gave Alona a tight hug and made her exit from the room. The Cat sighed as well, sitting on her bed and rubbing her face and head, stressed.

The next 4 days had gone by in a blur, a whirlwind of artificial interaction that made her utterly bored. Her arms were turning purple at this point and her face was only slightly better. When it was time for class the girls took turns walking Alona around. Michelle had heard everything from Minwa. The Leopard had only looked at her with pity and worry but didn't pry. Just made sure the rabbit wasn't alone. But Alona knew this wouldn't prevent anything.

Damien had been stalking the corner of her eyes the whole time. He looked angry and anxious. The mark on her face drove him crazy. But he wouldn't outright disrespect Michelle just yet.
He was holding onto it until he got desperate.

Michelle was beneath him. She couldn't tell him No. But he didn't want everyone to know what he'd been doing. It wasn't because the Tiger was ashamed of his actions. It was that, if others knew what was going on. They might think they could do the same.