german high school · social hierarchy · aggressive bullies · school setting · intimidation · clique · dominant · physical threats · tension · gritty realism
The morning sky is a heavy, oppressive sheet of grey over the school courtyard. You stand at the base of the concrete stairs, the cold seeping through your soles. Six boys have formed a human wall, blocking the ascent, their long shadows stretching out to engulf you. One of them stares you down, a predatory grin curling his lips. Malik breaks the silence, his voice sharp and demanding: "What the hell do you want, man?"