Bada limped along the cracked pavement, clutching her schoolbag. Her body ached from the bruises Saeles had left on her last visit, but she couldn't stop herself. Her mind replayed Saeles's violent movements again and again. Each strike haunted her, yet instead of deterring her, it strengthened her obsession.
"I… I just want to help her," Bada whispered through her tears. "I just… want to see if she's okay…"
She crouched behind the same lamppost, staring at the window. Saeles's shadow moved inside, fists pounding the bag, sweat glinting on her dark hair. Bada swallowed her fear and stepped closer, voice trembling as she called softly:
"Saeles… please… I… I'm worried about you…"
The words barely escaped her lips before the door flung open. Saeles stood there, her expression cold and unreadable.
"You're here again?" she growled, stepping forward. "Didn't I tell you to stay away? Didn't I tell you to never come back?"
Bada trembled but didn't move. "I… I just wanted… to make sure you're… safe…"