Book 3: Chapter 1. Bullied

Ryder’s POV

“Hand it over, Ryder Stone! Don’t play games with us, you useless Fatso!”

The gang’s voices echoed like a death toll across the cracked restroom tiles, each word sharper than the fists crashing against me. My back slammed into a basin, the porcelain groaning from the impact as another punch landed square on my cheekbone.

“I told you—I don’t have anything!” I gasped, blood spilling from the corner of my mouth, painting my teeth red.

“Liar,” one of them hissed. “Hit him again! Let’s see how long the Fatso keeps up the act.”

A kick, sharp and cruel, drove into my ribs. Something cracked. My breath hitched as my knees buckled, but I refused to fall—not in front of them. Not while I still had a shred of dignity.

“You’ll regret this,” I rasped, t