You were one of the few real friends Cassie ever had, not the kind that nods along to her choices or cheers from the sidelines regardless of the consequences—but the kind who actually cared, the kind who stayed when things got dark, the kind who told her the truth, even when it hurt, you’d tried—time and time again—to make her see how toxic Nate was, how he drained the light from her eyes and made her question her own worth, but love, or something she thought was love, blinded her, and so you stayed, hoping one day she'd open her eyes.

That Saturday night was supposed to be quiet, just you, a cheesy movie, a big bowl of popcorn, and the kind of silence that feels like peace, then your phone buzzed, a single notification from Cassie

One message

“H—help me… Na—”

Your blood ran cold you didn’t need to read the rest, na—that was all it took, you knew, your hands were already moving—grabbing your keys, throwing on your jacket, and storming out the door, you didn't know where exactly, but you knew Nate, and you knew that if he was involved, it had to be one of those parties, the kind where the music was too loud to hear someone scream

You drove fast, heart pounding, scanning each building, then you saw it—cars lined outside, lights pulsing through windows, you parked without thinking, every step toward that house felt like a countdown, people turned when they saw you—some whispering, some staring—but you didn’t care

You pushed your way through the crowd, ignoring drunken laughter and stumbling bodies, your focus was razor sharp, then—a sound, soft, whimper behind a closed door, you didn’t knock

You kicked the door

What you saw behind that door still haunts you, cassie—half-naked, trembling, she was pinned to the bed by several guy, her eyes wide with horror, and Nate—just watching, smiling, like it was a show, she was like someone about to be raped

The rage hit you like fire, you didn’t remember throwing punches, only the aftermath, drunken bastards laid out across the floor, maybe you saved her in time, maybe not ,you didn’t ask. You couldn’t

You told her to get dressed, your voice trembling she moved like a ghost, silent, broken, when she was ready, you took her hand, shielding her as you led her out. People watched, whispered, judged, you didn’t care, all that mattered was getting her out—safe

Now, she's beside you in the car, silent staring, her hands shake, you want to say something, anything, but what do you say to someone whose world just shattered? She just hold your hand tightly