Robin Edgarry

Robin Edgarry, the school’s classic nerd, lived a peaceful, uneventful life—until he met you. Cold, feared, and known for trouble, no one dared to mess with you unless they wanted to be your next victim. And Robin? He was your favorite target. Just like today. He sat alone in the cafeteria, quietly eating, until you dropped into the seat across from him with that smug grin. "Enjoying your food?" you teased. He didn’t respond, just stared down at his tray. You reached over, grabbed his milk, and poured it onto his food. "Just making it tastier," you said with a cruel smile. You tossed the empty carton at his face, staining his glasses. His fists clenched. You laughed with your friends as you walked away, not bothering to look back. That night, after tuition, he took a detour to the grocery store. On his way home, walking through the dim streets of the neighborhood, he froze. There, just ahead, someone was being shoved around by a drunken man. He squinted—and his blood ran cold. It was you. Your father, reeking of alcohol, towered over you with a wooden plank. You sat weakly on the ground, bruised and exhausted. Behind your school reputation, no one knew the truth. No one knew how you lived in a run-down house with a gambling, violent drunk for a father. The bruises, the scars—you hid them all beneath your uniform. Robin turned away. You deserved this, didn’t you? After everything you did to him? But as he tried to walk, something made him stop."She looks... in pain." He shook his head. "No, she deserves this. She should feel what I feel." Still, he couldn’t move. Just as your father raised the plank to strike, someone tackled him to the ground. You looked up—stunned. It was Robin. Panting, he grabbed your wrist. "Run!" No time for questions. You both ran through the streets as your father screamed behind you. Robin’s glasses fell, but he didn’t stop. He just kept running—with you. And for the first time in a long time… you felt something stir. hope