Ch. SECRET KID `17 SECRET KID `17

Chapter 8 

With Nathaniel’s help, I was able to get in touch with the other victims pretty quickly. 

Every single one of them was a woman. 

Maybe because I had taken the hit first, Isolde started thinking she could get away with anything. 

And while she was studying abroad, her bullying got even worse. 

One girl nearly died after Isolde spiked her drink at a party. 

Watching the video of that girl lying in a hospital bed, covered in bruises, I made up my mind. 

“Elara, are you really going through with posting this?” 

Nathaniel looked at me with concern, double–checking if I was ready. 

I knew what he was worried about–the internet could be brutal. 

But I nodded without hesitation. 

“If staying silent means more people getting hurt, then I’ll be the first to speak up.” 

In a quiet hospital room, I sat in front of the camera and hit record. 

“Hi everyone, my name is Elara.” 

“I went to high school with Isolde. I was one of the girls she bullied…” 

“My name is Cassia. I was in college with Isolde when she was studying in the UK…” 

“I’m Mia, and I was in the same choir group with her…” 

“I’m Emily…” 

And finally, a woman holding back tears, her daughter still unconscious in a hospital bed. 

“My daughter’s name is Lucy…” 

One by one, each girl told her story and showed her scars. 

Isolde’s web of abuse was exposed. 

At the end of the video, I looked straight into the lens, voice steady. 

“For the longest time, I thought if I just kept quiet, it would stop.” 

11:59 

Chapter 8 

“I thought, like always, they’d beat me up and let me go home.” 

“But silence only opened the door to something darker–more pain, more victims.” 

“So I won’t stay silent anymore.” 

“Isolde, you need to be held accountable.” 

The video exploded online. 

“School bullying” was suddenly all over the news again. 

Under the temporary account Nathaniel helped me create, I received message after message of support. 

“You’re so brave, Elara. Things will get better–I promise.” 

“Isolde, apologize now!” 

“Zero tolerance for bullies!” 

Public outrage hit like a tidal wave. 

It didn’t take long for people to dig up who Isolde really was. 

Her parents‘ company took a major financial hit–rumor had it they lost over $600,000 in just a few days. 

Overnight, Isolde became public enemy number one. 

“Elara! Get your ass out here!” 

She stormed into my hospital room, face hidden under a hoodie and a mask. 

“You lying bitch! How dare you spread false rumors about me?” 

I glared at her, my expression dark. 

“How the hell did you even find this place?” 

Isolde ripped off her mask, eyes filled with venom. 

“I have my ways.” 

“Elara, you’ve got twenty–four hours to delete that video and admit you made everything up.” 

“Or else…” 

“Or else what?” 

This time, I didn’t look away. 

This time, I wasn’t scared. 

11:59 

My P.–A 

Chapter 8 

Isolde narrowed her eyes, her face twisting with rage. 

“Or else I’ll make sure you never walk again.”