chapter755

"Even if I beat you to a pulp today, nobody's coming to save you.

Fred spat out the threat as he reached down and grabbed a glass beer bottle from the pile of trash at his feet. The two guys with him didn't hesitate, each snatching up their own bottle and moving in on Luke, faces twisted with aggression.

Just as all three of them lifted their hands, ready to smash the bottles over Luke's head, a sudden, frantic ringing broke through the air from behind them. It was the jangle of a bicycle bell, sharp and impossible to ignore.

They spun around, and there she was. A girl in a face mask, barreling toward them on a bike, not slowing down at all.

Lydia was moving so fast, they barely had a second to react. But right before she would have plowed into them, she slammed on the brakes, stopping on a dime. For a split second, Fred's heart just about stopped. It was only a bike, but when any sort of vehicle comes straight at you, your brain just blanks out.

By the time Fred snapped out of it, he was already cursing. "What the "

He didn't even get to finish. Lydia hopped off the bike with a smooth, confident move, grabbed the handlebars with both hands, and with one hard swing, sent all three guys crashing to the ground.

Fred and his friends were left reeling, their heads ringing.

Luke gaped as Lydia suddenly appeared, Connor trailing right behind her. A glimmer

of relief and surprise flashed in Luke's eyes. Lydia?"

Fred, still nursing his bruised pride and probably a few new bruises, scrambled up and shot Lydia a murderous glare. Even with her mask on, he recognized her eyes, cold and sharp as stars.

"Lydia? You're Lydia-the one who went back to the Norwood family?"

In their small town, every little thing spread like wildfire. Fred knew Luke, so of course he'd heard about Lydia. From what everyone said, she'd moved back in with the Norwoods, who lived out in some run-down part of the countryside. According to the gossip, her real family was dirt poor. There was an old, sick grandfather, four brothers who still weren't married, and parents who couldn't keep a job between them.

People whispered that Lydia had to do all sorts of shady things just to help her family get by. Honestly, it sounded like a nightmare.

Fred always thought he had it rough, but Lydia's life made his problems look small.

Lydia didn't even remember who this guy was. She scowled, clearly annoyed. "Your filthy mouth doesn't deserve to say my name."

Fred sneered, glancing at the bike lying abandoned nearby. "Who do you think you are? You should be honored I even bothered to call you by name.

He tried to copy the cocky way Luke spoke, thinking it made him sound cool.

Connor stepped up, his expression dark, and kicked Fred square in the

knee Fred let out a groane

and dropped to one knee right n front of Lydia. ?wnovels

Lydia looked down at him, calm as ever. "Good, now you know you're wrong. But

you still don't get to call me by my name, so..."

She slapped him-hard. Once, then again, the sharp sound echoing in the air. Fred's head snapped to the side and he saw stars. There was no time for him to react

"You"

Another slap.

"Are you kidding me "

And another.

After a few more hits, Fred was completely dazed, stumbling back with a look of pure rage. He glared at Lydia and Connor, practically shaking with anger. "You think you're so tough riding around on that junk bike? Just wait. I'm calling my mom. When she gets here, you'll be begging me for mercy."