The bruises on Bada's body were still fresh. Her ribs ached every time she breathed, her arms felt heavy, and her face throbbed where Saeles's fists had landed. Her friends noticed her limp and her paleness, but Bada waved them off with forced smiles, hiding the truth behind shaky words.
"I… I'm okay," she said, voice cracking. "Really. I just… had a hard day."
By the time school ended, the pain in her body had not dulled, but her determination had hardened. She limped down the street, gripping her backpack tightly, eyes fixed on Saeles's house. Each step was a reminder of yesterday's punishment, each breath a sharp stab in her ribs—but she pressed forward anyway.
The house stood at the end of the street, dark and oppressive. Bada crouched behind a bush, small and trembling, but she couldn't tear her eyes away from the shadow inside. Saeles was training again—fists pounding the bag, shoulders tense, sweat glistening on her forehead.
Bada's lips trembled. "I… I'll always be here… I don't care if she hates me… I don't care if she hurts me… I'll protect her…"
Even with pain wracking her body, she couldn't stop herself. Her obsession was deeper than logic or reason—it was unshakable, consuming, relentless.