ANNA'S POV (Continuing):
I didn't even blink.
Instead, I turned my head slightly and glanced at Mia over my shoulder.
"What happened?" I asked, my voice softening just a little for her. "Who are they?"
Mia swallowed hard, clearly shaken.
"They're… they're accusing me of stealing their girlfriend's money…"
I frowned.
"Accusing?"
The boy in front let out a mocking laugh.
"Not accusing," he said, emphasizing the word with a sneer. "She did steal my girlfriend's money."
He jabbed a finger toward Mia like he was some kind of prosecutor.
"Tell her to pay it back. Right now."
Behind me, I felt Mia shake her head desperately.
"N-no," she stammered, her voice trembling. "I didn't… I didn't take it…"
The boy's face twisted with anger.
"You little..."
He suddenly lunged forward, reaching toward Mia like he was about to grab her.
Big mistake.
I moved before he could touch her.
I stepped in front of him again, blocking his path completely.
His hand stopped inches away from me.
The hallway seemed to go quieter around us, the tension thickening in the air.
I tilted my head slightly, staring at him with an expression so calm it clearly unsettled him.
"How about this?" I said evenly. "What if I pay you… instead of her?"
His expression changed instantly.
The anger faded.
Something uglier replaced it.
His eyes slowly dragged over me from head to toe, shameless and disgusting.
I felt Mia stiffen behind me.
The boy smirked, clearly liking whatever twisted idea had entered his head.
"Sure…" he said, voice dropping lower. "If that's what you want."
He took a step closer.
"But I don't want the money anymore."
Another step.
"I want something else."
The way he looked at me made my skin crawl.
Lustful. Filthy. Predatory.
I already knew what he meant before he even finished the sentence.
And judging by the sick grin spreading across his face, he thought I'd be scared.
I wasn't.
"I know," I said simply.
For a split second, he looked confused.
Then I moved.
Fast.
One smooth step.
A pivot.
A sharp spin.
And then...
CRACK.