Chapter 2

My brother's face had gone dark too. He looked at me, his eyes full of disappointment and disapproval.

"Flora, move."

My chest tightened. Out of the corner of my eye I'd already caught a few students lifting their phones, starting to film.

I knew that if I kept blocking him now,

the two of us would be branded as cold-blooded, heartless people who'd watched someone die and done nothing,

and in the end we'd walk right back into the same fate as last time, the harassment online, the abuse hurled at us.

I clenched my teeth and steeled myself.

Under everyone's stunned stares, I dropped into a crouch,

reached into the loose fabric of Gail Butler's training uniform, and unhooked the back clasp of her bra.

Last time, it was exactly that unfastened bra clasp that Gail had used as evidence, refusing to let go of the claim that my brother had molested her.

This time, I'd unhooked it right in front of everyone.

I wanted to see what she could possibly use now to smear my brother.

"Flora Mason! What are you doing? You pervert!"

May Cannon, standing closest, shrieked and rushed at me, shoving me away.

I staggered back a step and looked at her coldly, raising my voice.

"It's this hot out, and she's wearing a bra that tight."

"The pressure was probably restricting her breathing, and that's what made her suffocate and pass out."

"I unhooked it to help her breathe again. That's basic first aid!"

May had nothing to say to that.

I ignored her and turned to my brother.

"John, you do the first aid."

"But you have to face the crowd, so everyone can see clearly every single thing you do."

Last time, it was because my brother had his back to the crowd and no one could see what he was doing

that Gail had all the room she needed to lie through her teeth and twist black into white.

My brother paused. He didn't understand, but he nodded anyway.

Then I took out my phone, opened the video function, and pointed the lens straight at Gail and my brother.

"To keep the first aid professional and transparent and avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings, I'll record the whole thing."

My move left everyone there stunned.

May was shaking with rage. She jabbed a finger at me.

"Flora Mason, you are seriously sick! How filthy is your heart? "

"A senior helps out and you treat him like a thief you have to guard against? You think Gail's going to hurt your brother?"

I looked at her, cold laughter in my chest.

Afraid she'd hurt my brother? It was far more than that.

Last time, this was exactly how my brother lost his life.

This time, there was no such thing as too careful.

A few minutes later, after one firm compression, Gail slowly came to.

She opened her eyes, and this time she didn't do what she'd done last time, waking up and crying out that my brother had molested her.

Because while she'd been faking her faint, she'd heard everything I did.

She knew everyone had watched with their own eyes as my brother saved her, proper and correct, without the slightest thing out of line.

Now no one would believe an accusation.

Gail looked at my brother, grateful tears in her eyes.

"Thank you for saving me. And thank you too, Flora."

Her act was flawless.

The students around us relaxed too and began praising my brother's skill.

The drill instructor thanked him as well.

I put my phone away and turned off the recording. The huge stone hanging over my heart finally settled a little.

"I'm all right now, just still a bit dizzy. I'd like to go rest in the lounge next door for a while."

Gail said it weakly, standing up with May supporting her.

The drill instructor nodded and gave his permission.

Just then my phone buzzed. It was a message from the campus doctor.

"Here."

Everything inside me eased at last.