SHADOW

Violence

Every step Sha took through the deserted corridors sent shivers down her spine. She could feel the weight of an unseen presence bearing down on her, lurking in the shadows. The air grew heavy with anticipation, and she held her breath, listening intently to the eerie silence that enveloped the empty campus building.

As she rounded a corner, a creaking sound echoed through the hallway, making her heart leap in her chest. The hairs on the back of her hand stood on end, a primal instinct warning her of imminent danger. The sound of fast-paced footsteps followed her, growing louder and more relentless with each passing second.

Fear propelled her forward, her heart pounding like a drum, her pulse racing with adrenaline. She sprinted down the corridor, her feet pounding against the cold, tiled floor. The temperature seemed to drop as if the very air around her had turned frigid, sending chills through her body.

The corridor seemed to stretch endlessly, the walls closing in on her. Her breath came in ragged gasps, mixing with the sound of her own footfalls. Every shadow seemed to morph into a lurking threat, dancing at the edge of her vision.

In her mind, a torrent of thoughts swirled like a tempest. What was chasing her? Who were these malevolent beings? The suspense of the unknown gnawed at her, fueling her determination to escape.

As she reached the top of the staircase, she collided with another figure, sending them both sprawling to the ground. Sha's heart skipped a beat until she recognized the familiar face of Nena, the school bully. A mix of relief and apprehension washed over her, grateful that it was only Nena but wary of her presence.

Nena smirked, her strident makeup accentuating her menacing expression. Her short uniform skirt revealed strong, muscular legs that seemed out of place in the school environment. Sha's gaze flickered to the two girls following Nena down the stairs, their eyes filled with a sinister glint.

"What's your business, Nena?" Sha's voice wavered, a mixture of caution and defiance. "Why are you following me? I'm not looking for any trouble."

Nena's surprise at Sha's composed demeanor quickly turned into a cruel smile. One of the girls behind her, a small redhead named Dina, sneered and revealed her missing tooth, a consequence of an alleged incident involving Sha.

"You're the one who left soap in the shower, causing me to fall and break my tooth," Dina hissed vengefully. "Now, we're going to make you pay."

Sha's eyes widened in disbelief. "I don't use solid soap, just herbal liquid soap I prepare myself," she retorted, her voice tinged with desperation.

"Liar!" Dina spat, her face contorted with anger. "The girls from your class told us you did it."

As the screech of a nearby door echoed through the corridor, it sliced through the tense atmosphere like a knife. In that split second, Teacher Sana rounded the corner, her commanding presence towering above Nena and the rest of the girls. Her gaze swept across the group with an intensity that sent shivers down their spines, a potent mix of sternness and scrutiny that left no room for defiance.

"Enough!" Teacher Sana's voice rang out, her authoritative tone cutting through the air. "You all need to compose yourselves. The Annual Presentation Ball is in two days, and you need to look presentable."

Nena's gaze faltered under the teacher's stern gaze. Teacher Sana continued, her words carrying a warning tone, "If anything happens to Sha's face, both Nena and you will be held responsible and excluded from the ball."

With Teacher Sana's departure, tension hung heavy in the air, ready to explode. Nena's eyes locked with Sha's. A wicked smile spread across Nena's face, her expression brimming with sinister satisfaction.

Suddenly, Nena's fist struck with merciless force, delivering a cruel blow to Sha's  stomach. The impact reverberated through Sha's body, stealing her breath and momentarily paralyzing her with pain. She stumbled backward, her vision swimming as the world spun around her.

Gasping for air, Sha crumpled to the unforgiving floor, her body curling in a protective instinct against the searing agony. 

Sha doubled over in excruciating pain, collapsing to the floor and curling up instinctively to protect herself.

Through blurred vision, Sha saw Nena's triumphant sneer. "The teacher only told me about your face," Nena jeered, her voice dripping with malice. She delivered a final blow, kicking Sha in the back with her foot, sending waves of pain crashing through her body.

Sha's cries of anguish mingled with the sound of her tears hitting the floor. The cold tiles beneath her seemed to intensify the pain, reflecting the harsh reality of her loneliness and vulnerability.

Physically and emotionally battered, Sha struggled to stand, tears streaming down her face. She longed for the comfort of a friend, someone to shield her from the cruelty that surrounded her. The heavy feeling in her gut reminded her of her isolation, the weight of despair threatening to consume her.