"Hey Iris, did you miss me?" John smirked cruelly.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I snarled, trying to keep as much distance as possible between the two of us.

"Just to deliver a message," John replied, "you may think that now your with your family you're safe from me. Well, let me tell you," he took a few steps closer, "you aren't safe. You will never be safe. No matter where you are or who you're with, I will find you."

I lifted my head up high, "listen to me, John," his name felt like acid on my tongue, "you're just a typical playground bully, the one who likes to hurt others just because you feel weak. You act all tough and high and mighty. Sure you beat me up for the past few years, but I'm not that same girl now. I'm not scared to fight back."

John chuckled coldly, "wow... what have these people done to you, Iris? Have you finally grown a backbone?"

"Why do you hate me?" I asked, "I've done nothing to you. You killed my mother and made my life Hell."

John shook his head and laughed mirthlessly, "you act all innocent and naive, but your just like the rest of your pathetic family."

"Don't say a word against my family," I said sharply.

"Ooh! Have a touched a nerve?" John taunted, "today's a very special day, isn't it? Alex's death... isn't it?"

I tensed and John laughed.

"Don't go there," I warned.

"Well, as lovely as it is to chat with you," John clapped his hands, "I better get going. Wait, there was something else..."

Without warning, he quickly walked to me and punched me multiple times in the stomach and face. I grunted and doubled over. I kicked John in the shin and punched his stomach. He swore and pushed me. I crashed into the wall. Shaking, I stood up and faced John. He looked slightly surprised, but quickly covered it up.

"You've gotten better!" He praised, "well, I'm going to go," and he quickly ran out of the door.

I felt really woozy. I sat down on chair and rested my head on the cool table. I stayed in that position for a few minutes until I heard the bell ring. Even then I didn't move. I felt exhausted and scared. How did John get into the school so easily?

Sighing, I stood up and dusted myself off. I straightened the stuff in the classroom and checked my reflection in the mirror. My face was swollen so I pulled my hood up. I checked my phone and saw a tsunami of messages from Jax.

The other messages were similar to that.

I typed out:

I put my phone back in my pocket and exhaled. I walked back to my classroom, careful to keep my head down and sat down quietly. Fortunately, the previous teacher never takes the register, so I'm quite sure no one noticed I was gone.

Throughout the entire lesson, I ignored everyone and desperately waited for the bell to go. When it finally did, I grabbed my bag, texted my brothers and left.

"Hey, Iris, are you okay?" Grace asked.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine," I said, keeping my head down, "I just need to go somewhere. See you guys tomorrow!" My friends said goodbye and I left.

I walked quickly to the graveyard. I walked along the path that I'd walked on many times the past few years. I sat in front of Alex's grave and sobbed.

"Why did you have to die?" I whispered, "why did you leave me? I miss you, Alex. Everything is so... confusing and I don't know what to do. John actually came to my school and I've got an offer from members from DK."

I wrapped my arms around myself and closed my eyes, "I'll do anything, Alex. Anything. Just please don't be dead. It's stupid saying that after four years, but..." I trailed off. I got to my feet and dusted myself off.

I cast one last forlorn look at the grave, "I love you, Alex and I miss you. Forever and always."