Ling entered the classroom, the wooden door creaking as it closed behind her. She looked around, confused. The room was empty, eerily quiet. It was already evening, and the faint orange light of sunset filtered through the windows."Hello?" Ling called out, her voice uncertain.Before she could step back out, the girl who had brought her there suddenly shut the door with a loud slam. Ling spun around, rushing to the door, but it wouldn't budge."Hey! What are you doing? Open this door!" she shouted, banging on it with her fists.There was no response. Her heart started to pound. She screamed for help and banged harder, but the sound seemed to vanish into the empty corridors. The light outside dimmed as the sun disappeared, leaving the room bathed in darkness.Ling's breathing quickened. She hated the dark-it reminded her of being trapped as a child during a blackout. She swallowed hard, trying to calm herself, but her fear was growing with each passing second.Suddenly, the door creaked open, and two figures stepped inside. Ling couldn't make out their faces in the dark, but when the boy spoke, she recognized the voice immediately."Ling," Phon said, his tone cold.Ling tensed. "Phon? What's going on?""You really thought you could humiliate Orm in front of everyone and get away with it?" Phon said, stepping closer.Ling backed away instinctively, her fear replaced by rising anger. "I didn't humiliate anyone. She's the one who tore up our work!"Behind him, the girl stood silently, but Ling could tell from her silhouette that it was Orm.Phon grabbed a nearby chair, lifting it in the air. "You don't get to insult her like that!"Ling's eyes widened as he swung the chair down toward her. She moved quickly, raising her arms to block it. The force of the impact sent a sharp pain shooting through her arms, but she stood her ground."Are you insane?!" Ling shouted, shoving him back.Phon sneered. "What's the matter? You can talk big, but you can't take a little payback?"He lunged at her again, throwing punches this time. Ling ducked, her instincts kicking in. She wasn't just a straight-A student-she'd taken self-defense classes and was faster than she looked. She managed to dodge most of his attacks, landing a quick jab to his side to throw him off balance.But Phon wasn't backing down. He was stronger, an athlete with more stamina. He grabbed her wrist and twisted it, forcing her back against the wall. Ling gritted her teeth, refusing to cry out, but the pressure was overwhelming."Enough, Phon!" Ling shouted, struggling to free herself. "This is ridiculous! Are you seriously doing this over her?"Phon's eyes burned with anger. "You don't get it, do you? You don't mess with Orm. She's my-"Before he could finish, Ling kneed him in the stomach, forcing him to let go. She stumbled backward, breathing hard, her mind racing. She couldn't win this fight outright-Phon was too strong. Her only option was to escape.Ling's eyes darted to the window. Without thinking, she bolted toward it, but as she dodged one of Phon's swings, which accidentally collided with Orm, who had been standing frozen in the shadows. Orm yelped as she fell backward, hitting the desk hard.Ling hesitated for a split second, guilt flickering across her face, but she didn't have time to stop. She climbed out of the window and jumped down onto the campus grounds, landing awkwardly but unhurt.The rain from earlier had made the ground slippery, and Ling's shoes skidded as she ran toward the front gate. She didn't look back. She just ran.But as she rounded the corner, a small vehicle-one of the campus delivery carts-appeared out of nowhere."Watch out!" the driver shouted, slamming on the brakes.It was too late. The cart hit Ling, knocking her off her feet.Sia and Tina paced anxiously around the living room. It was late, and neither Orm nor Ling had returned home. They were already worried, but the call from Orm's parents had made things worse."I can't believe this," Sia muttered, running a hand through her hair. "Why is Orm's phone switched off? And Ling isn't picking up either!""Calm down," Tina said, though she sounded just as tense. "They probably just got held up somewhere."The door suddenly swung open, and Orm walked in, looking disheveled."Finally!" Sia exclaimed. "Where have you been? And where's Ling?"Orm shrugged, avoiding their eyes. "How should I know? She probably went home before me.""She didn't," Sia said firmly. "Her phone, she's not answering anyone. Are you sure you didn't see her?""I told you, I don't know!" Orm snapped, though her voice wavered.Sia and Tina exchanged a worried glance. Orm's behavior was unusual-she was avoiding eye contact and fidgeting nervously."I'm calling Phon," Orm said abruptly, pulling out her phone.But Phon didn't answer either.Orm's heart sank. Something was wrong.Without a word, she grabbed her bag and headed back out the door."Where are you going?" Sia asked, following her."To find Ling," Orm said. "Come if you want."When they reached the university, the campus was nearly empty. It was dark, and the rain from earlier had left puddles glistening under the streetlights.Orm's anxiety grew as they searched for any sign of Ling. As they passed by the back of the building, Orm suddenly froze."Phon..." she whispered, spotting him standing by the dumpsters. His shirt was stained with blood.Before Sia or Tina could react, Orm grabbed their arms and pulled them away, her heart racing. "Let's go," she said urgently. "Now."They hailed a cab and went straight to the hospital, where they finally found Ling.Ling was lying on a hospital bed, her school uniform soaked in blood. Her face was pale, and blood dripped from her chin as the doctors worked to clean her wounds.Orm felt her stomach drop. Her knees buckled, and she clutched the doorframe for support. Tears filled her eyes before she even realized she was crying."Ling..." she whispered, her voice breaking.Inside the room, Ling slowly turned her head to look at her. Their eyes met, and Orm felt a wave of guilt crash over her. Ling looked fragile, vulnerable in a way Orm had never seen before.Orm didn't move. She just stood there, tears streaming down her face as Tina and Sia tried to process the scene."This is my fault," Orm said suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.Sia turned to her, frowning. "What are you talking about? You didn't do anything wrong.""Yes, I did!" Orm cried, her hands shaking. "I'm the reason she got hurt. If I hadn't been so stubborn-if I hadn't..." She trailed off, unable to finish."Orm, listen to me," Sia said firmly. "You didn't drive the car. You didn't hurt her. This isn't your fault.""But-""No buts," Sia interrupted. "Blaming yourself won't help anyone, least of all Ling. Just pull yourself together, okay?"Orm nodded weakly, but the guilt in her chest didn't ease. She slumped into a chair outside the room, burying her face in her hands as her tears continued to fall.Inside the room, Ling stared at the ceiling, her own emotions swirling. She didn't know how to feel-about Orm, about what had happened, or about the pain that radiated through her body.For the first time, both girls were silent.