---- tripped over a plastic ball. I crashed heavily to the ground with a heavy thud. The noise in the room stopped abruptly. Lying facedown, I could feel my ankle twisted at an unnatural angle. The pain was so intense that I nearly blacked out. "Kayla!" Samuel shouted, rushing out in disheveled clothes. He then turned toward the shadows and snapped, " Don't come out!" Panic and helplessness filled his face as he picked me up. I didn't know why, but I genuinely wanted to hear what excuse he would come up with. "Twas just heading to the bathroom. I didn't mean. to..." I said. Relief visibly washed over Samuel's face. "What are you doing here?" I asked. He gave a vague reply, as if it were nothing. "I came to find something. Don't move-I'll take you to the hospital." ---- As I listened to his lie, I unconsciously loosened my grip on his wrist. My ankle was badly sprained. Tears welled up in Samuel's eyes as he held me tightly, murmuring apology after apology. His body trembled, and even his voice was shaking. "I'm sorry, Kayla. I failed to protect you. This is all my fault..."