I stopped walking for just a second.

The wind was blowing hard, and one of the missing posters slapped against the lamppost like it was trying to get my attention. I looked up, and there it was—Robin’s face. The tape was peeling at the corners. Someone had scrawled “KID #4” in red sharpie across the bottom, like he was just... another name on the list.

I didn’t realize I was staring until I heard it.

"HEY, LOSER!"

My stomach dropped. I knew that voice. I knew what came next.

I turned my head and saw them—Moose, Brucey, and the 2 other bullies. Like they’d been waiting for me. I used to talk with Robin. They never touched me when he was around.

But Robin wasn’t around anymore.

I ran.

My legs were screaming and my backpack was bouncing against my side, but I didn’t stop. I tore down the sidewalk, made a sharp turn, almost slipped. They were yelling behind me, laughing, chasing me like it was a game.

It wasn’t a game.

I didn’t even know where I was going. My shoes hit pavement, then grass, then gravel. I just kept turning and cutting through streets until I saw it—

A backyard. A gate. Slightly open.

I didn’t think. I just lunged through it and slammed it shut behind me. My hand was shaking so hard I missed the latch twice before I finally locked it.

I didn’t know whose yard it was. I didn’t care.

The bullies were right outside the fence. I could hear them—laughing and all of them starting to climb. My heart was hammering so loud I thought it would give me away.

They finally got over the fence and Moose shoved me over, Brucey got on top of me to keep me down, and the other two start to kick me. my sides, my legs, or anything they could kick.