Patricia moved quickly, her instincts sharp. With her phone hidden at her side, she pressed record. The shadows near the old library twisted with conspiratorial whispers.
Ellie leaned casually against the wall, her smirk as venomous as her words. "She's completely blind. Elise thinks we're her friends, but when the time is right… she'll regret ever stepping into this school."
Nikki chuckled darkly, tossing her hair. "And Davon? He'll come crawling back to us once she's gone."
Ellie laughed, cruel and mocking. "Exactly. Elise is nothing. Just another silly girl getting in the way of power."
But before she could finish, a sharp voice cut through the air like a blade.
"Say that again."
Anastasia.
Her golden curls trembled with fury, her fists clenched so tight her knuckles were white. For once, her usual sweet, bubbly energy was gone, replaced by something far more terrifying.
Ellie blinked, startled. "Anastasia? Wh-what are you—"
But she didn't get to finish. Anastasia's fist collided with Ellie's jaw so hard the girl crumpled against the wall. The sound of impact echoed through the corridor.
"You dare," Anastasia hissed, her voice shaking with rage. "You dare use my name—my voice—to betray my cousin?"
Ellie groaned, clutching her jaw, but Anastasia wasn't done. She grabbed Ellie by the collar, dragging her up with strength none of them expected. Her eyes blazed.
"Elise trusted you! And you repaid her with lies, with poison. You're filth."
Nikki rushed forward, trying to pull Anastasia back. "Stop it, Anastasia, you're overreacting—"
WHAM! Anastasia's elbow slammed into Nikki's stomach, knocking the air from her lungs. Nikki stumbled back, gasping, her eyes wide with fear.
"You think you can touch her?" Anastasia snarled, advancing. "You think you can hurt Elise and get away with it?!" She shoved Nikki against the wall, her grip like iron. "Try it again, and I'll make sure you regret the day you were born."
Patricia kept recording, her lips pressed tight in satisfaction. Finally, the truth was spilling out.
Ellie, trembling now, tried to sneer through her pain. "You're pathetic—defending someone who doesn't even—"
CRACK! Anastasia's fist met her lip again, silencing her with a cry.
"Shut. Your. Mouth."
Her words were venom, her eyes glistening with tears of pure fury. She released Ellie, who collapsed to the floor, and turned away sharply. Her chest rose and fell in quick, furious breaths.
Patricia stepped forward, phone still recording. "I think that's enough evidence," she said flatly, pocketing it. "You two are finished."
Ellie whimpered, Nikki cowered, and Anastasia stormed off without another word—her hair flying behind her, her fury still radiating like fire.
Patricia followed her, catching up quickly. Anastasia's hands still trembled, her eyes red-rimmed.
"Anastasia," Patricia said softly, "you did what you had to do."
"I won't let anyone hurt her," Anastasia spat, her voice thick with emotion. "Not Ellie. Not Nikki. No one. Elise is my family. My sister. And I'll fight every last one of them if I have to."
Patricia smiled faintly. "Good. Because Elise needs to hear this from you." She held up the phone. "And when she sees this video… she'll know who truly stands by her side."
Anastasia nodded, wiping the blood from her knuckles. "Then let's go. She's going to know the truth—right now."