Mia watched from a distance, too afraid to move but unable to look away. She needed to see what was happening to her friend, Iris, even though dread sat like a weight in her stomach. Finally, after gathering her courage, she peeked out—and what she saw sent her running toward Iris.
"Are you okay? What happened?" Mia's voice trembled as she reached her friend, who clutched her throat, coughing and gasping for air.
Iris forced a weak smile. "He… he just wanted to talk."
Mia raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. Then, as she looked closer, she noticed faint but unmistakable marks on Iris's neck.
"Iris," Mia whispered, horrified, "what happened to your neck? Are you okay?"
Iris attempted a dismissive wave, her voice shaky. "It’s nothing, Mia. Just a… a little scratch."
But Mia wasn’t having it
