Prologue
1600 Words
Adjusting the strap of my bag on the shoulder, I stepped down the bus and glanced around the place. The cold wind hit my face and I, automatically, hugged myself tightly. The bus moved and I took the remaining two steps to mount on the sidewalk.
“Phew” I let out a deep breath, the air turning into smoke as soon as it touched the environmental air.
The place was colder than the one I lived in.
My head snapped in all directions, feeling lost and scared. The long black-hairs threatened to cover my face in the process but I tucked them in time. As I rocked on my feet, I tried to figure out where to head.
Where should I go?
The bitter memories that forced me to leave my home abruptly rushed to me and damped my mood. I found myself nearing a break down but controlled inhaling sharply with eyes shut close.
‘You’ll be okay’.
Muttering to self, I opened my eyes and exhaled taking in the dimly lit city.
Apart from the bone-chilling cold; this place was clean and the area looked wealthy. Everywhere around me were polished buildings and high skyscrapers. You can see modern touch at every other building unlike my place and there was this sign at the bus stand displaying the name.
‘Faith City’
I snorted in sarcasm.
Wish it could boast mine.
And finally with no other option, I slumped down on the bench offered for the waiting passengers under the shed of the cabin.
Leaning my head back, I wondered what could have happened if my parents were still alive. The mere thought reminded me of their blood staining the palms of my hand while their dead bodies lay beside me.
A chill ran down my spine and I instantly jerked up, straight. The fear and anxiety kicked in and I needed to walk!
As I stood up to my feet, the bag adjusted again; I glanced around and decided to head to an eatery first before running out of the money.
Judging from the darkness slowly getting dense; it was nearly seven-ish.
My blood went cold seeing two officers in blue walking in my direction. I could feel my heart palpitate; it was running fast and I couldn’t even count how much pulse it resulted in.
As a result, my breathing went ragged and despite my brain screaming for me to run; I stayed put. I couldn’t help!
My feet were glued to the same place while inwardly, I was screaming, shouting and yelling in fear; breaking things that never existed in reality.
Something about the officers has always scared me but right now; I knew my reasons.
The fear of them knowing what I did—are they going to arrest me?
I was able to snap out from my frozen state and decided to walk past them.
Not before have I taken a step; I flinched hearing one of them called me out.
“Miss, stay right there.” I was shivering and trembling in fear.
Mind was taking me on trips to unknown lands of doubts.
I stiffened feeling a hand grasp my shoulder and close my eyes as a reflexive action. Soon, the two officers stood in front of me; eyeing me up and down. Defensively, I pulled my bag in the front to cover up my body and strangely enough; the place seemed deserted.
“New to this city?” The one named ‘Eric’ asked.
He sounded friendly so I found myself nodding. It was not worth lying now because if they asked me for the ID; I was bound to be caught, anyway.
“Please present your ID.” He asked and I regretted it instantly.
“Any friend or acquaintance?” the other one who has a serious look ‘Jarred’ asked and I shook my head.
I was deliberately trying to slow this process by fumbling with my bag’s content. Regardless of the countable items inside; I acted like there was too much and it was becoming hard to find the ID.
I watched them shift their weight impatiently from my periphery unless one of them sternly grabbed my bag.
Eric procured my ID and I sweated visibly, even in this cold climate. He squinted at my ID and shook his head in disappointment.
“Accompany to the police station, please.” He announced and handed the bag to Jarred before shoving my ID in his pocket.
“Sir, please…” I started but he showed me a palm before signaling me to follow them.
My stomach churned in apprehension. It was late and I wonder if this was even legal to head to the police station without any female officer accompanying.
“Officer, shouldn’t there be a female constable—”
My words died in my mouth when Eric glared at me.
“Who is the Law in-charge here?” he seethed and I nodded my head while crying inwardly.
I don’t want to go and I cannot help!
Soon, we approached the police booth where they ushered me and instead of taking a seat behind the desk; the officers stood beside each other and crossed their arms across their chest.
They gave me an overall as I clenched my fists tightly near my sides.
“An underage and runaway.” Eric stated and Jarred licked his lips eyeing me.
I instantly lowered my head not liking it, at all!
They make me uncomfortable.
“So, what made you run away? Boyfriend?” Jarred asked while walking towards me.
Instinctively, I took backward steps.
They laughed and I was suddenly alerted. My eyes searched for the exit but maybe they read my mind.
Eric yelled for some ‘Michael’ and in a flash, a fatherly aged man appeared at the entrance before wolf whistling.
“Not from this city, right?” he enquired and they chuckled.
“Obviously, do you think we would be stupid?” Jarred laughed and it was dangerous.
I can sense what their intention was and felt my legs weaken. As I stepped farther back; I stumbled and tripped over a chair, setting me down with my head hitting the ground.
Groaning, I opened my eyes feeling the pain shooting through my back muscles and skull. I fear my skull had cracked and soon there will be blood.
My thoughts ended and I quickly scurried to my side when I found the two officers standing, with a smirk, at my feet.
“Innocent white panty. Mmmm…” Jarred said licking his lips while I sobbed in the immense fear gripping my heart.
It clenched and twisted; I tried to run but was pulled back by my leg. I hit my jaw in the process and cut my tongue; doubling the pain outside and inside.
I could feel air hitting against my hidden back and regretted ever wearing the damn skirt! But who knew I would end up here!
Weakened, I slammed the floor with my fist doing no good but then decided to scream when their hands crawled over my calves and thighs.
“HELLLPPPP!” I screamed at the top of my lungs and heard them curse under their breath.
“She’s a screamer! Don’t want Lucius to hear her. f**k!” One of them shouted, clearly panicking and so, I screamed once again; louder than before.
It came to a halt when I heard my skirt torn apart. My breath hitched and heart jumped in my throat. A hand covered my mouth; making it unable for me to breathe.
I struggled harder but felt them hook the waist band of my panty and pushing it down. Crying and sobbing, I pressed myself more to the floor; not wanting them to remove it.
Unfortunately, they didn’t want to remove it completely.
I felt one of them turn me around and the hand on my mouth was now covering my nose as well. Gasping for breath, I felt dizziness take over as I kicked and kicked; blindly.
I don’t want to die like this…
Not now…
Desperately trying to revive and save myself from this unfortunate night; I struggled not ready to give in.
However, my strength was leaving me slowly.
The force on my body from different angles was heavier than my own and I could see myself losing it.
‘Faith city’
Tears now blurred my vision as I remembered how unlucky I was. The oxygen was cutting from my body and I could feel darkness envelope me.
The impact was too strong that I failed to pick up the sound of the door slam open. I failed to even acknowledge the men scurrying away and being lifted off me; I even failed to realize that the hand covering my mouth was no longer there and I was gasping heavily to regain normal breathing.
“Fa-father Lucius!” I heard a voice in distant.
“We… we…” Another.
“Confession room in the church.” It was a deep, soothing voice that sounded like a lullaby to me.
In the next moment, I was being lifted and pressed against a chest that provided me instant warmth.
Through my heavy fuzzy vision, I found a face staring back at me with concern—an angelic face with handsome features.
The aura he held had a sedative effect and regardless of the fact that he was stranger; I snuggled more into his comfort before letting it all go.
“Don’t worry; no one can hurt you, now.” Was his sweet words that help powerful effect on me.
I believed him immediately but what about my sins? Or the sins people thought I committed? Will he save me from that as well?
Tears brimmed again and I let the intoxicating cologne override my senses.
- Writer
