flashback;

i could feel every bits of pain resonating throughout my body. hissing as i feel a shooting ache whenever i move, coughing blood as i try very best to stand. but somehow, in the midst of everything, my arms and legs seems to give in, pushing me back down on cold concrete.

"what puny kid," i hear one of them say, followed by a kick on my shin, earning a low whimper to escape the barriers of my lips. "you useless !" their laughs and insults rang loudly against my ears, tears slowly cascading down my cheeks.

"p-please stop," i begged, curling into a ball as i try to shield myself away from their attacks. "i-i'm sorry...please.." suddenly, i found myself apologising, not knowing what i did wrong.

"pathetic piece of ," i hear one of them say before i felt a piercing ache on my head. "c'mon kid, try and fight back, you lousy bastard." but i could only shook my head. i was never a fighter. if anything, i am weak, scared and all the things they just spat at me.

"i'm sorry..." i cried, eyes squinted together as i await for yet another attack coming from my bullies. and a few moments later, i felt a piercing pain on my cheek. it didn't take long for me to realise that my bully just landed a slap across my face, cowering back on the ground as i shield myself.

where the is he when i needed him?

"you're no fun, kid." i hear another voice yell as a kick landed straight to my stomach. "– ing stand up and fight!"

i open my eyes to see three boys glaring down at me, disgust and enjoyment written in their faces as they spat insults after insults. as usual, the only words that could escape my mouth are apologies, earning either a punch or a kick with every apology i utter. they laughed, their filthy voices invading my ears, combined with my muffled cries and pleas.

these were the times where i question my worth and just my whole existence, having an abusive father and another merciless bullies. having to hear such words from their mouths just felt like a million stab in my heart. i hate this.

i hate myself.

just then, the familiar shade of orange came to view, his posture stern and guarded as his face remained cold and void of any emotions. he remained calm and collected yet his eyes spoke of so many things. murder and rage was what written in his every piercing stares. his hands were hidden beneath his pockets but based on his complexion, i could pretty much tell his knuckles were clenched together.

"i already warned you, kiddos." he mutters. "i thought i made it prett