Ningning and Chenle spent the next few days quietly gathering proof. Ningning recorded the yelling and threats whenever she visited Ara's house, hiding her phone carefully in her pocket. Chenle managed to catch video of Ara's parents shouting, insulting, and trying to control her. It was exhausting, painful work, but they knew it was the only way to protect her.
Then, one evening, things took a frightening turn.
Ara was sitting at the kitchen table, working on her homework with Ningning and Chenle beside her. Suddenly, the front door slammed open.
"You ungrateful brat!" Ara's mother's sharp voice cut through the room like a knife. Ara froze, heart hammering in her chest as her parents stormed inside, anger written all over their faces.
"You've been sneaking around, haven't you?" her father growled. "Plotting against us?"
Ara's throat tightened. "What are you talking about?" she asked, trying to sound calm.
Her father stepped closer, his eyes dark. "Don't act dumb! You think we don't notice your little friends here all the time?"
Ningning quickly moved in front of Ara. "She's not doing anything wrong," she said firmly.
Her mother scoffed. "Stay out of this. This is family business."
Then it all happened so fast. Ara's father grabbed her arm roughly. "Maybe we need to remind you who's in charge."
Chenle jumped up, stepping between them. "Let go of her."
But her father shoved him hard. Chenle stumbled, tripping on the rug, and hit his head on the corner of the table with a loud thud.
"Chenle!" Ningning screamed.
Ara struggled to break free, but her father held on tight. "See what happens when you go against us?" he hissed.
Something inside Ara snapped. She ripped her arm free and shoved him back with all her strength. "I'm not afraid of you anymore!" she yelled, voice shaking with anger.
Her mother raised her hand to strike, but a loud bang suddenly shook the house.
"Police! Step away from the girl!"
Chaos erupted. Officers rushed in, pulling Ara's parents away. Her father shouted, her mother screamed, but the police didn't listen. They had evidence. Ningning had called them during the fight, and the recordings and videos were proof.
Ara stood frozen, finally free... for the first time in years.
Her eyes darted to Chenle, lying still on the floor. "Chenle!" Panic rose in her chest as she dropped to her knees beside him.
Paramedics arrived quickly, lifting him onto a stretcher. "Head injury, but he's breathing," one said. "We'll take him to the hospital."
Ara's hands shook as they wheeled him away. Ningning squeezed her shoulder. "He's going to be okay."
Ara nodded weakly, though her chest felt heavy with fear.
At the hospital, Chenle woke under the bright lights, groaning as pain throbbed in his head.
"You're awake!" Ningning cried, rushing to his side. Ara stood beside her, pale and tear-streaked.
Chenle blinked, trying to make sense of everything. "Did we... win?" he mumbled.
Ningning laughed through tears. "Yeah, dummy. We won."
Ara stepped forward, twisting her fingers nervously. "I'm so sorry, Chenle. This happened because of me."
Chenle gave a crooked smile despite the bandage on his head. "Worth it."
Tears filled Ara's eyes. "Thank you," she whispered.
With Ara's parents facing charges for abuse and assault, she was finally free. Authorities arranged for her to stay with Ningning's family while they worked out a more permanent solution. For the first time in years, Ara felt like she could breathe.
As they sat in the hospital room, waiting for Chenle to be discharged, Ningning took Ara's hand. "We're here for you, Ara. Always."
Ara smiled softly. "I know. Thank you, Ningning. And you too, Chenle. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Chenle rolled his eyes playfully. "That's what friends are for."
For the first time, Ara felt safe.
A little boy sat in the backseat of a car, happily playing with his stuffed bear. Everything felt fine... until a loud scream shattered the air.
Then darkness.
The car jolted violently. Metal screeched. Glass shattered. His head hit something hard. Pain spread across his forehead, warm blood trickling down.
"Mom... D-Dad?" His voice was weak, shaking.
No answer.
Tears filled his wide eyes. He couldn't move. He just wanted someone to answer, to save him.
Then someone appeared.
An older boy, face slightly blurred, arms strong and steady. Safe.
"Come on, kid," the boy murmured, lifting him up gently. "You're going to be okay."
The little boy clung to him, hands gripping his shirt, until his vision went black.
When he woke again, he was in a hospital bed. Everything felt strange. His body ached, his head throbbed, and the room was empty. His parents weren't there.
He began to cry.
"Hey, little guy."
A soft voice came from beside him. A boy, maybe ten or eleven, with a gentle, comforting smile. He seemed older somehow, mature beyond his years.
"You're safe now," the boy said kindly.
Behind him stood a couple, watching with worry in their eyes. The woman brushed back the little boy's hair gently. "You're going to be alright. We'll take care of you."
The boy sniffled. "W-Where are my mom and dad?"
The couple exchanged a glance. The man knelt down, voice heavy. "We'll talk about that later. Right now, you need to rest."
The older boy stepped closer, his eyes warm. "You're brave. What's your name?"
The little boy wiped his tears. "Z-Zhong Chenle."
The boy smiled softly. "Nice to meet you, Chenle. I'm Qian Kun. And I promise... you're going to be okay."
For the first time since the crash, Chenle believed him.
A.N : –
How are you all? I hope you're doing well, and thank you so much for reading this story <3
