𝐐𝐔𝐄𝐄𝐍~ 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐎 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐉𝐈𝐑𝐎

~Prologue~

Year 2002

Third point of view.

The late afternoon sun hung lazily in the sky as you strolled through the neighborhood, hands shoved deep in your pockets. A sigh slipped from your lips.

Damn, I'm bored. And hungry on top of that...

"That looks like a cake."

You tilted your head back, watching a cloud drift slowly overhead.

"Come on! Let's hear you squeal!"

A sudden shout cut through your daydream. Your brows knit together in annoyance as you turned toward the noise. A little further ahead, three boys stood in a loose circle, laughing out loud. 

Your eyes flicked down just in time to see a small cat dart out from between their legs and vanish into the bushes. That was enough to tell you what they had been doing.

"Cut that out! What's so fun about that?"

The voice came from behind the group. A girl with light brown hair stood there, fists clenched, glaring at the boys. She looked about your age, maybe a little younger. Brave, but you could see the way her shoulders tensed, the way her eyes darted nervously as the boys turned their attention on her.

"Who's this brat?"

"Mind your own business."

"Hey, the cat's gone!" Another complained, noticing too late.

The leader scoffed. "Then I guess you'll have to take its place." He stepped closer to her, smirking down at her small frame. "I hate kids like you, acting all goody-two-shoes and shit."

You could see how frightened she was, but she didn't run. She stayed rooted, trembling, but standing her ground.

"You gonna cry?"

"Think we'll let you off 'cause you're crying?"

That old familiar feeling crept into your chest, helplessness. You knew exactly what it was like to be in her position, cornered with no one to step in.

The sting of it never really left.

But this time, it was going to be different.

"Don't you guys have anything better to do?"  You called out.

The three boys turned, eyebrows shooting up at the sight of you. They exchanged glances, then scowled.

"Huh? And who the hell are you?"

"Ganging up on a girl? You guys really are fatherless."

A nerve twitched in the leader's forehead. He stomped over and grabbed your arm hard. "Oh, you want some of this too, huh?" His grip was tight enough to bruise, his eyes glaring into yours.

Most people would've bolted at a time like this. And maybe you should have too. But unnecessary violence wasn't your thing and running away never sat right with you either. So you just looked at him, blank faced and unbothered. Your silence made his eye twitch in irritation.

"Who do you think you are? Acting like you're not scared."

You frowned, glancing at his hand squeezing your arm. "Let go."

He sneered. "Drop the act. We both know you're terrified right now."

"I said let. Go."

With a sharp twist, you grabbed his wrist and shoved it off you. His eyes widened at the strength behind it, staring at his own hand like he couldn't believe it.