Untold Truth

Chapter One

                        ~6 years later~

There's something terrifying about being in a damp cold place. When the water particles in the air are so tight, but the air so chilling that you can almost feel death. If it weren't for the sickening florescent lights, I might actually have a hard time believing in my own existent, let alone the company of others. I've been down here many times, the church basement is nothing new, yet the vibe of the room is something different then normal. Perhaps it's because of the unusual circumstances that have brought me here; a note.

Written notes are basically unheard of past 5th grade. The note was simple: Meet me in the basement after the sermon. Although that could mean many things, I decided not to risk it, and not knowing who they are or what they want, led me here.

"Karlie," the voice comes from the stairwell, "I was hoping you'd be down here."

I tense up, suddenly uncomfortable that I'm alone with Bobby Center, but turn around reluctantly.

"You sent the note? Interesting style," I joke confidently.

Bobby buries his eyes deep into mine and no matter the strength of the gaze I don't waver. "I wanted to talk to you about something." He motions for me to sit down. I don't sit down. When he sees my small act of rebellion he smiles a little and instead steps closer. "Karlie, we've known each other since we were young children, my family has always liked yours. In fact, since my return from school, your father and I have been talking a lot. We have similar minds you know. We are both quite keen on what's important and what isn't."

He stops and looks me down head to toe, and back up, pausing at my chest. Instinctively I cross my arms over myself. A few painful seconds pass before he dares to open his mouth again. "You are a very beautiful sought out women, Karlie. I would think it in the best interest for both my father and yours, as well as ours, if we were to come together, as one." My heart pounds, threatening to leave the room without me. The warmth spreads from my ears to my whole face in embarrassment.

Seeing my discomfort, Bobby quickly grabs my upper arm. "Before you say anything, just think on it for a moment. I know you are young, but what really lies out there for you? Our church is one of the most powerful assets in this community, and you could be apart of it."

I shake off his grip and take several steps back. "I find it incredible that you have the audacity to propose to a 17 year old, souly out of the interest of a family name." I shiver at the thought of giving my life to him, to my fathers control for ever.

Again he steps towards me, closing any gap between us. Placing his arm on the small of my back, and pushing himself against me he looks at me with envy. "Oh there's more to it then a family name my dear Karlie." As I try to squirm out of his grip, Bobby forces his tongue into my mouth, reaching his hand to my butt.

Shoving him away, I try not to make eye contact. "Karlie, just relax. Once you see how good I am, how well I'll treat you, you will only want me." He grabs my arm, pinning it behind me, and forces me onto the couch. Before I can call out he plants him mouth on mine again, pinning my down with his legs. He begins to touch my body, making my skin prickle everywhere. I struggle against him, dropping my arm to the side of the couch. My hand fumbles around until it catches on a book. I slam the book onto his head and climb out from under his grip.

"Stay the fuck away from me!" I yell as a chuck the book at him again. The book hits his head and falls to the flour with a thud. A bible, what a coincidence. We both look at the fallen bible, unable to move from shock. Simultaneously we both react. He lunges at me, while I fling myself up the stairs and away from the him. He doesn't follow me, and I consider marching to the Minister and telling him what his son has done, but it wouldn't matter I slowly realize. They are both corrupt. Both in on it and neither to be in trouble.

I run fast, and take the easiest path back to my house, and also the one he'd least likely follow; straight down the mountain. I've been this way many times before, but never when I was in such a panic. I stay focused on the deer trail that criss-crosses down the hill. A yell distracts me for a second, but that's long enough to lead my to my first big mistake.

My foot catches on a root, sending me straight to the ground. The momentum of my fall causes my body to continue rolling. I scream out as I slide down the hill, unable to stop as my speed picks up. Trees lash out at me, and my body rolls over rocks. I grab onto a branch to stop myself, only to dangle from it. Hoisting myself up I carefully edge my way to a less step spot of the cliff, hoping to find somewhere to stand still.

I spot a road I've never been on, and aim for it. The landing jump is met with excruciating pain as the adrenaline wears off. My situation hits me with rapid burst of emotion. Anxiety wells up all around me. I curl my knees to my chest protectively. A few tears fall out of my eyes, and though I wants so desperately to cry and scream, both from pain and humiliation, my body doesn't let me.

I pick myself up, barely able to stand. None of my bones seem to be broken, but I can already feel parts of me swelling and bruising. On a road I've never been on, I limp forward searching for civilization, knowing that the road must come out somewhere at some point. The sun beams down on me, almost as if mocking my very self.

After minutes of wandering hopelessly, a house takes shape in front of me.

"Shit!" I say when I step on a stick. "Great." I mumble before I reach to rub where the stick hit me. No blood. I limp onward knowing that the forest must come out to the highway at some point. The moon slowly rises in the sky and I start to make out my surroundings. The trees are so dense and the ground so untouched.

After several more minutes of wandering, a branch breaks to my left and I go still. Did Bobby follow me? I hold the knife close to me, ready to attack. I turn quietly towards the sound. I think I see a figure but every time I focus on it, it just blends in wit the trees. I stand there staring for what feels like forever. Finally I can tell the definite shape of something that's not a tree. The figure moves forwards only slightly, causing me to back up abruptly.

Suddenly, I'm swooped off the ground and into the air. A scream escaped me and the world swings back and forth. My hands wrap around the surrounding rope in an attempt to support me. I look around quickly figuring out I'm in a giant net hanging from a tree. I seem to be at least 15 feet in the air. I sway back and forth wishing the knife hadn't fallen out of my hands. I struggle and I feel one of my heels dig into my thigh. A frustrated noise escapes me as I lay in this uncomfortable position. I try to climb out but my foot is caught towards the top and one of my arms is stuck near the bottom.

"Haha. What do I have here?" Comes a male voice from below me. He sounds awfully amused which only angers me further.

"Let me down at once!" I yell to him. This is ridiculous. I grab at the high heel only to have it become tangled in the net.

"A girl?" He says quietly and barely loud enough for me to understand. "Who put you in charge?" He laughs again.

"So what, you're just going to let me dangle here forever?" I yell down. This guy is silly. He's not even threatening.

"I'll let you down. Now first tell me, what's your name?"

"Jess. Jess Kevins."I answer without delay.

"Okay, Jess..." he says it like he knows it's fake. "What is a young girl doing this deep in the forest in the middle of the night?"

"Why would I tell you?" I shoot at him.

"Because you're way up there with no way down and I'm down here and can cut you loose." He states matter-of-factly. This guy is actually enjoying this.

"It was just... I kind of got lost. Now will you please let me down?" I ask trying to keep my cool.

"I'll let you down. Then we'll negotiate." Before I can ask what he means by that he cuts the rope and I free fall for a few seconds. I am not scared of death. The feeling of falling races my heart, but out of exhilaration. I feel the heavy impact as he catches me, net and all.