#storysave

[aj-rivera]

[shsldumbluck]

"Where am I" she wonders.

The girl walked on the broken road leading to the twisted city she lives in. The mangled roads, the bleeding signs that push back visitors but ensnare residents, the home she is afraid to call home because of the small possibility it could be home forever. She travels down desolate and empty streets ignoring the smoke and ash that create a feverish fog, blinding all who honestly believe it resembled the fluff that float and cover the sky.

She turns at all angles and shiver at every eye that locks with hers and every smile blown her way. She picks up the pace not out of fear but of concern of the household she left behind in order to trudge to school. Her mother, she tries she wants to believe, will be asleep on the couch. Her father will continue to not exist. Her little sister will be asleep and hopefully with keep a blind eye to the insidious nature of this city for another year longer. Her brother, well what is to say about him? Is he out drinking? Getting in trouble with the law? He provided all sorts of excitement this family surely didn't need. There were unknown visitors and strange hours. There were constant screaming matches, hurling of plates and silverware and thank god her sister and herself slept as far away from them as possible. It wasn't the most pleasant years of her life but being only seventeen and having a younger sister to protect didn't leave room for something better.

There were days where she wanted to run. There were days where she eyed the knife in the kitchen as she fought through the vicious thoughts that rang in her head. There were times where she crossed the street a little bit too early or take an extra sleeping pill and she felt that it was about to lead up to a place where she would lament oh her foolish mistakes. However that thought seemed to have all but vanish as she decides to walk towards the more desolate park shortcut instead of the brighter and more populated street. What she was looking for was something quick, maybe a slid of the knife, or muscular arms hoisting her towards a trunk. She said she would never kill herself and still believe that this way wasn't by her hands at all. Yet she quickly regretted everything when a tall gentlemen started walking eerily close to her.

"Nice night" he said, eying her up and down as if he was preparing for a meal

She said nothing. She continued down the path. The man followed her.

"Hey c'mon now, I'm trying to talk to you" he whines.

I don't want to talk to you I don't want to talk to you I don't want to talk to you I don't want to talk to you I don't want to talk to you I don't want to talk to you

"Where you going?" He asked but more so demanded.

She said nothing.

"You're really pretty" he said.

She said nothing. She continued walking wondering if the path had gotten longer.

"What's your name hun" he said.

"Diane" she lied. She thought if she kept talking to him long enough she might be able to find a good tome to run, or at least be in the eye of some witnesses.

"That's a pretty name. You know it means "a strong woman" right?"

Bullshit.

"You got a boyfriend?"

"Yes" she lied again.

"I'm sure he treats you right. You're too sexy man, you need a good man"

Her heart was beating and the world was spinning out of control. Did she wished this upon herself? Was this karma? Retribution? She could run now but probably wouldn't outrun him.

"Hey can I be your friend?"

Are you kidding me? No no no no no no no no no no

Anger boiled within her, hatred of the man, herself, her family, of life there wasn't anything real anymore. She didn't feel tangible, floating through space through the sick realization that she was a fly caught in a spiderweb she gladly waltz towards. It made her sick and made her weak. It made her wonder why didn't she go the other way? Why was she talking to this disgusting human being? Why didn't she tell him to fuck off the first time he eyed her? Her hatred grew and she could feel tears starting to form. She wanted to go home, she doesn't want to be anywhere near this man.

"Want my phone number? Put me as James you know? I'll put in Diane" The man continued the conversation oblivious of her discomfort (or maybe he noticed a while long ago and didn't care) and waved a phone infront of her face.

"Common I wanna talk to you beautiful. Diane"

She reluctantly grabbed the phone and input a fake number. Anything to get him off her back.

"Just call me later and I'll get your number" she managed to choke out. So close.

"Can I call you right now?"

Fuck.

"My phone has no batteries" her third lie today.

"I'm gonna miss you Diane I wanna talk to you"

He reached in for a hug and hold her a bit longer than he should've. Luckily that satisfied him as she was able to continue walking towards the brighter city lights. She saw people walking around oblivious to the night and was glad for once in her life to see her house in the distance. She walked towards the deli and browsed around in there for a while in case the man was still watching her. The deli owner eyed her suspiciously but she faked a quick smile and headed out to the apartment building that stood before her.