THE SLAP THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

“I am not who you think I am.”

Joy’s breath caught.

Before she could react—

Voices echoed from outside.

“JOY! JOY!”

It was Tracy.

She had followed the same path.

And now she stood at the entrance of the compound, breathing heavily.

“Joy, are you here?!” she shouted, stepping inside.

Then she saw them.

Joy.

And the old woman.

Tracy frowned immediately.

“So this is where you are wasting time?” she snapped. “Are you mad? Do you know they are waiting to punish you in school?”

Joy tried to speak. “Tracy… something is not—”

“Shut up!” Tracy shouted.

She turned to the old woman angrily.

“And you!” she barked. “What is wrong with you? Why are you disturbing students?!”

The old woman said nothing.

She only looked at Tracy quietly.

That silence… made Tracy even angrier.

“I’m talking to you!” Tracy yelled.

Then—

SLAP!

The sound echoed through the compound.

Joy gasped.

“MADNESS!” Joy cried. “Tracy, what have you done?!”

The old woman didn’t move.