Chapter 3Cross Me, Pay the Price

Just as the world was spinning into darkness, a sleek sports car screeched onto the field, pulling to a halt nearby.

It was Vivian. I was about to call out her name when I realized she hadn't even glanced in my direction, or Michelle's. In that moment of distraction, I managed to pull out my phone and send a quick text to my father.

She ran straight to Chad, kneeling beside him and taking his arm. "Chad, Cody, are you two alright?"

Seeing her, Cody immediately threw himself into her arms, wailing dramatically. "Mommy, they were bullying me! I won first place, but that girl Michelle got mad and tried to push me! She fell down herself, and then her dad attacked us and hurt my daddy so bad!"

Chad, clutching his ankle, sighed with practiced weariness. "Vivian, honey, I didn't want to bother you with this, but they were just… awful. It was an accident when Michelle fell, and we were willing to pay for her medical bills, but her father just came out of nowhere and started hitting me…"

Vivian's expression grew darker with every word. She finally turned her head, her gaze landing on me and Michelle for the first time. A flicker of shock crossed her face when she saw the blood on my forehead, the red marks on Michelle’s cheek, and the cast on her leg. But it was instantly replaced by disgust.