The Prince's Guard

Chapter Eight - Foes

The rest of my day went fine. The last period was PE, which I had with Koa. Later in the year, boys and girls will be separated, but for the first term the games are fine to play unisex, so we ran track together.

Although Koa is quite well built, he definitely isn't a runner like me, I was holding myself back to keep in pace with him. Haddy and Asher both had science class at the same time and they had to go out to look at plants in the school's garden. They both spotted him and gave me a quick cheer before running off. It was the first time today I saw either of them and seeing their big smiles while I ran beside Koa made me feel warm inside. Maybe I'm going to be okay here.

I was the last to leave the locker room because I took a quick shower. Now I'm looking at the map again trying to remember where the bus stop is. The school is pretty empty now, there are still a few people walking around, but not many at all.

I keep walking, my shoes tapping against the pavement as I head toward what I think is the right direction. The setting sun casts long shadows across the courtyard, and I pull my bag higher onto my shoulder, suddenly feeling uneasy.

Just as I round a corner, I hear footsteps behind me—closer than before. Too close.

I whip around, but it's too late. Three guys step out from the shadows, blocking my path. One of them I recognize from earlier, one of Luken's "dogs." He smirks at me, his eyes glinting with something dark.

"Lost?" he sneers, stepping forward.

I narrow my eyes, backing up instinctively. My pulse quickens, but I refuse to let fear show. "What do you want?"

Another guy, broader than the first, cracks his knuckles. "We just want to talk."

I don't believe them for a second. "Yeah, right."

Before I can react, they lunge.

I swing my bag, hitting one of them in the side of the head. He stumbles, cursing, but another guy grabs my wrist, yanking me off balance. I kick out, my foot connecting with his shin, but he holds on, twisting my arm painfully behind my back. "Get off me!" I scream, kicking out wildly, my heart pounding in my chest. But it's no use. The third guy grabs my other arm, forcing me down. I scream out in pain as my knees hit the ground, a sting going through both my legs. Fear spikes in my veins as I struggle, but their grip is too strong.

They push my face hard onto the ground, two hold my arms down, while the other stands back, before kicking hard into the side of my stomach. Pain explodes through my side as the kick lands, knocking the wind out of me. I gasp, trying to pull in air, but it feels like my lungs have shut down. My face is pressed into the cold, rough ground, and the weight of the two guys pinning me down makes it impossible to move. My heart races in panic, and a sharp fear grips me, stronger than before. This is bad.

I try to breathe in, when another kick, this time to my ribs, makes me cry out, the sound strangled. I thrash against their hold, my mind desperate to fight back, but my body is failing me. Everything hurts, and the more I struggle, the weaker I feel.

The rough pull on my hair sends a sharp jolt of pain down my spine, and my face presses back into the cold ground. My exposed skin feels raw and vulnerable, and fear takes a firm grip in my chest. I kick out, thrashing wildly, but it's no use—their hands are like iron clamps on my limbs.

"Thought you liked putting on a show while fighting?" the guy laughs again, mocking me, before slamming my face back into the dirt. My nose throbs painfully, and I can taste blood in the back of my throat. My vision swims as he drags me by the legs, my body scraping painfully against the rough ground.

I scream, twisting and kicking, desperate to break free, but the grip on my arms is too strong. Panic starts to rise in my chest as my breath comes in ragged gasps. I can feel myself losing the fight.