The orphanage garden was a place of solace for many children, but for August, it was a battlefield of memories and emotions. She often found herself there, sitting under the old oak tree, lost in thought. The other children played nearby, their laughter a distant echo in her mind.
Like all the other weekends, August was sitting in the garden on her own.. as the sun cast long shadows across the garden, a group of older girls approached her, well 11 years abd bellow... They had always been wary of August, her silence and intelligence making her an enigma they couldn't understand. They misunderstood her intelligence for pride.
"Hey, August," one of the girls called out, her tone mocking. "Why don't you come play with us?"
August looked up, her eyes narrowing. She could sense the insincerity in their voices. She shook her head and returned to her book, hoping they would leave her alone.
But they didn't. The leader of the group, a girl named Syra, stepped closer, her hands on her hips. "What's the matter? Too good for us?" she said winking at her group.
The other girls giggled, and August felt a familiar surge of anger rising within her. She tried to ignore them, but Syra wasn't done. She snatched the book from August's hands and tossed it aside.
"Oops," Syra said with a smirk. "Didn't mean to do that."
August stood up slowly, her eyes locked on Syra's. The other girls took a step back, sensing the change in her demeanor. August's fists clenched at her sides, but she forced herself to stay calm.
"Give it back," she said quietly.
Syra laughed. "Make me."
'ooo just perfect' August thought in her mind... Another troy in female form..
In a flash, August moved. She grabbed Syra' wrist and twisted it, forcing her to drop the book. Syra yelped in pain, and the other girls gasped, unsure of what to do and mostly amazed by August's strength.
"Don't touch my things," August said, her voice steady and cold.
Syra pulled away, rubbing her wrist. "You're crazy," she spat, backing away with the other girls.
August watched them go, her heart pounding. She picked up her book and sat back down under the oak tree, her mind racing. She knew she had to be careful. Her intelligence and strength were both her greatest assets and her most dangerous traits.
As the sun set, casting a golden glow over the garden, August made a silent promise to herself, anyone who messes with her will soon feel her wrath...