The streets were quiet… too quiet.
Nelly walked with her head down, still hearing her mother's voice in her head. That call had drained her — but for the first time in a long time, it had also filled her with something new:
Hope.
Then she heard it — the thud of fists against flesh.
She turned the corner.
Jimmy.
He was on the ground, surrounded by three older boys — all taller, broader, meaner-looking. One had his collar. Another was kicking him in the ribs. The third had brass knuckles on.
> "Think you can act like a big man, huh? Mess with our turf?!"
Jimmy didn't respond — blood running from his mouth, his eye swelling shut.
Nelly froze.
Her instincts screamed run. But something… something stopped her.
The memory of Mr. Benson's hands.
The sound of Jimmy's voice, yelling at his father.
The way Jimmy stood in front of her like a shield.
> He didn't have to save me that night.
But he did.
Before she even knew what she was doing, Nelly charged.
> "HEY!"
The boys turned, surprised.
One of them laughed. "Look at this — another hero."
> "Leave him alone!" Nelly shouted.
> "Or what? You'll cry on us?"
That was the last thing he said.
Nelly punched him — hard, right in the nose. Something cracked.
The boy stumbled back screaming, blood gushing from his face.
> "What the hell—?!"
The others hesitated. She stood protectively over Jimmy, fists up, trembling — but not backing down.
> "Touch him again and I'll scream this whole street down!"
They looked between each other — the bleeding one now groaning on the ground — and backed away.
> "She's crazy. Let's go."
With a few curses and threats, they ran off into the shadows.
Nelly dropped to her knees beside Jimmy.
> "Jimmy… hey. Can you hear me?"
He didn't answer.
His face was bruised, lips split, his shirt torn and bloody. But his chest… it still moved. Barely.
He was alive.
---
Nelly flagged a passing cab and shouted at the driver.
> "Please! Help me get him home! I'll pay, please!"
The driver hesitated at the blood but saw the urgency in her eyes. Together, they lifted Jimmy into the back seat.
---
By the time they reached the house, Nelly's uniform was soaked in blood — most of it Jimmy's. Her hair was messy, her knuckles bruised, and her whole body shaking from adrenaline.
She banged on the gate until someone opened it.
Inside, the siblings were all lounging — Luna, Clara, Bella, Kylie, and Juan — talking and laughing. When they saw her dragging Jimmy's limp body, their expressions twisted — not into concern… but annoyance.
> "What did you do to him?!" Clara snapped.
> "Why is there blood on you?" Bella added.
> "How could you let someone beat up our brother?" Luna hissed. "Were you just standing there?!"
Nelly's eyes flared.
> "I saved his life. That's what I did."
They blinked.
> "You?!"
> "Yes," Nelly snapped, her voice sharp now. "I carried him, called a cab, paid from my own money, and brought him back here while you all sat here doing nothing."
Kylie stood. "Don't talk to us like that—"
> "No, you don't talk to me like that anymore," Nelly said, stepping forward, blood staining her collar. "I'm the reason your brother isn't in a coma right now. So maybe say thank you instead of running your mouths."
The room went silent.
Then—
> "Enough," said Julie, finally stepping in from the hallway. Her face was pale.
She came forward, eyes flickering with panic as she looked at Jimmy's condition.
> "Help me get him to his room."
Together, Julie and Nelly lifted Jimmy and took him upstairs. His groans were soft, barely audible. They laid him gently on the bed.
Julie moved quickly to the telephone on the wall in the hallway and dialed the doctor's private number.
---
Thirty minutes later, the family doctor arrived, carrying a black medical case.
He didn't ask questions.
He treated Jimmy quietly, cleaning wounds, stitching a deep cut on his arm, bandaging his ribs. Nelly watched, still trembling slightly, her clothes stained.
When the doctor was done, he handed Julie a small bottle of pills and instructions.
> "He'll be fine. But he needs rest. And someone to watch him."
Julie nodded. "I will."
But as the doctor left, his eyes met Nelly's — and softened.
> "You did well," he said. "He's lucky someone cared."
Nelly didn't respond.
---
Later, she stood alone in the hallway outside Jimmy's room.
Her bloodstained uniform hung heavy on her shoulders. Her fists still ached from the punch.
She looked at her bruised knuckles… and smiled faintly.
> They hurt… but they made a difference.
She had saved someone.
And maybe — just maybe — she was no longer the girl they could break.
*******************
Nelly stepped out of Jimmy's room, quietly closing the door behind her. Her body was drained, but her spirit? Still burning.
Then—
> "Well, well… look who suddenly thinks she's the queen of this house."
Kylie.
Leaning against the hallway wall like she'd been waiting for her moment. Her arms crossed, lips curled into that usual mocking smile.
> "You've got guts now, huh?" she said, stepping forward. "Talking back. Punching people. Carrying Jimmy like you're his wife or something."
Nelly didn't flinch.
> "I did what none of you would do," she said coldly. "I saved your friend's life. You should be thanking me."
Kylie laughed — loud, sharp, full of venom.
> "Thank you? For what? You think dragging him home with blood all over you makes you important? Makes you special?"
She moved closer, her eyes narrowing.
> "Let me guess… you think because you saved him, Jimmy's going to fall for you now?"
Nelly didn't reply. She didn't need to.
Kylie's voice dropped to a hiss.
> "Keep dreaming. I've loved him for years. Years, Nelly. And you think one act of charity suddenly makes you his savior?"
> "Love?" Nelly raised a brow. "Is that what you call watching someone get beat half to death while you paint your nails with his sisters?"
Kylie's face darkened.
> "You really have a sharp tongue these days. You better learn your place before someone cuts it."
> "I've known my place for too long," Nelly said, stepping forward now. "Now it's your turn to learn mine."
A second of silence passed — thick and heavy.
Then Kylie raised her hand.
> "You ungrateful little—!"
But Nelly caught her wrist midair.
Held it.
And then — without blinking — she slapped Kylie across the face so hard, the sound echoed through the hall.
CRACK.
Kylie stumbled back in shock, her hand to her cheek.
> "You… you hit me—?!"
Nelly's voice was cold and steady.
> "Try it again. I dare you."
Kylie didn't answer.
She turned and ran down the hallway, clutching her face, her voice high and trembling.
> "Luna! Clara! Bella!"
Her footsteps faded as she disappeared into their room, slamming the door behind her.
Nelly stood still.
Her heart was racing. Her palm still tingled from the slap.
But she didn't feel regret.
For once, she felt tall.
---
The house was quiet again.
And even though a storm was surely coming… Nelly knew something for certain:
She was done being the victim.