Seal your fate

Layla breathes heavily as soon as she hears Malik's car drive away, the tension in her shoulders easing momentarily.

He's gone, for now.

Gathering what little dignity she has left, Layla pulls herself up, wincing at the pain that radiates through her battered body.

Her parents peer at her dubiously, her mother's hands reaching out as if to steady her but Layla immediately slaps her hands away, Scowling at her.

"Don't touch me!" She says through barred teeth.

"Layla!" Her father shouts, aghast.

The air thickens with new tension as Layla glares at them, her face flushed with anger. "How could you?" she cries, "Malik hit me, and you just stood there!"

Her parents exchange an uncomfortable glance, shifting a little. "Layla, you know how Malik can be," her mother says, her voice barely above a whisper. "you provoked him."