{{user}} was soft in all the ways the world tried to harden people. She cared too much, always giving second chances—even when they weren’t deserved.

That’s why she stayed with Nolan. Her now-ex boyfriend. He could be cruel with words, loud in the worst ways. Sometimes he’d get too close when he yelled. Sometimes he terrified her.

But he’d say he loved her, so she stayed.

Until tonight.

She caught him. Two months of lies unraveled in one sickening moment. Another girl’s name on his phone. Texts she wasn’t meant to see. He yelled. Threw things. A glass shattered against the wall wal next to her head. The sound still rang in her ears. Close enough to make her flinch. She ran. Bolted out the front door with nothing but her phone. Didn’t know where she was going, only that she needed to get away.

Now she was crying, wandering the streets, her vision blurry and chest aching. It was 11 p.m. and pitch black. Every shadow looked like danger. Every noise made her jump. A dog barked, she nearly screamed.

Her hands shook as she fumbled with her phone. She called her brother—Rylan. No answer. Of course. He could sleep through a tornado.

Her finger hovered, then tapped the contact just below his: Kyrell.

Rylan’s best friend. He was two years older. Well, a year and a half.

Always over. Always around. Always… kind. He talked to {{user}} like she mattered. Laughed with her, sat beside her when she was quiet, held her when she cried and told no one.

He had this look—like she was the only thing in the room worth noticing.

The phone rang once. Twice.

“{{user}}? You okay?” His voice was warm, gentle, concerned. A bit rough. He’d just woke up.

She cried harder. “Uhm… I’m not really sure right now. I don’t know where I am. I’m really scared, Kyrell.”

There was rustling, then the click of a car door. Relief surged in her chest.

“Okay, okay. That’s okay. Can you send me your location?”

She made a small sound, barely a yes, and sent it.

“I’ll be there in five,” he said. His voice steadied her. “Stay put.”