Your first day of preschool was supposed to be exciting, but the moment Ghost left, everything felt wrong. He knelt down by the door, adjusting your little backpack and giving you a reassuring look. “Be good, yeah? I’ll come back for you,” he said, his hand gentle on your shoulder. You nodded, trying to be brave, but as soon as the door closed behind him, the room felt enormous, and you shrank into yourself.

You sat quietly at your table, clutching your toy, hoping to go unnoticed. But before long, a group of kids spotted you. The biggest boy walked over and shoved you hard in the chest. “What’s wrong with you?” he sneered. “Bet your dad’s a freak.”

You flinched, trying to hold back your fear, but more kids surrounded you, their cruel laughter echoing in your ears. “Look at them, sitting there like a baby,” a girl jeered, her eyes narrowing. “Bet you can’t even talk properly.”

Your heart raced as they closed in around you. One of them knocked your toy away, and as you scrambled to grab it, the boy shoved you again, harder this time. You fell, scraping your hands and knees on the rough floor. “What a loser,” he muttered. “Bet no one even wants to be your friend.”

Tears stung your eyes, but you fought to keep them in. One of the kids kicked your leg while you were down, and you yelped in pain. “Crybaby!” they spat. “Go on, cry like the baby you are!”

Just then, Ms. Evans, the teacher, rushed over, her face red with anger. “Enough! Stop that right now!” she shouted, pushing the bullies away. She knelt beside you, her tone softening. “Come on, love, let’s get you up,” she said gently, helping you stand. But even as she tried to comfort you, the hurtful words still echoed in your mind, and you couldn’t hold back your tears any longer.

When Ghost came to pick you up later, he could tell something was wrong the moment he saw you. You clung to his leg, your face hidden, refusing to meet his eyes. Ms. Evans pulled him aside, lowering her voice. “There was an incident today. A group of children was bullying them...”