Motherless

Shattered Trust

The last bell rang, and I could feel the weight of the day pressing down on me. My feet felt like they were made of lead as I shuffled out of class, my heart heavy. I kept my eyes on the floor, hoping no one would notice me, but that was wishful thinking. Just as I reached the hallway, I felt a hand on my arm, pulling me back gently.

I turned, already knowing who it was, and my heart ached as I saw Melody's face light up with a warm smile. She looked at me like I was the only person in the world that mattered, her eyes full of love and relief.

"Hey, sweetie," she said softly, reaching out to touch my cheek. Her touch was light, gentle, like she was afraid I might break if she pressed too hard. "I've missed you so much, baby. It's so good to see you."

I stood there, stiff and unresponsive, as she leaned in and kissed my forehead, then my cheeks. Each peck felt like a small weight pressing down on me, making it harder to breathe. Deep down, I wanted to melt into her embrace, to let her hold me and tell me everything was going to be okay, but I couldn't. I just couldn't. I stayed cold, distant, because that was the only way I knew how to protect myself now.

Melody pulled back slightly, searching my face for any sign that I might feel the same way she did. "Did you see the letter I put in your suitcase?" she asked, her voice hopeful, like she was holding onto the idea that maybe, just maybe, I would believe her.

I nodded. "Yeah, I saw it," I said flatly, not meeting her eyes.

"And?" she prompted, her voice trembling just a little. I could see the desperation in her eyes, the fear that she was losing me.

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my voice steady. "I don't believe you'll get me back," I said, my words coming out harsher than I intended. "I'm used to being abandoned and disappointed, Melody. I don't want to get my hopes up again just to have them crushed."

Her face fell, and for a moment, I thought she might cry. She reached out to me again, her hands trembling. "Talia, please, don't think like that. I'm doing everything I can to bring you home. You mean the world to me."

But I couldn't stand to hear it. I couldn't stand the way she looked at me, like I was something fragile and precious, because I knew it wasn't true. I shook my head, feeling the tears welling up in my eyes. "I don't know if I can believe that," I whispered, my voice cracking with emotion. Before she could say anything more, I turned and bolted out of the room, ignoring the way my heart twisted in my chest as I left her behind.

I hurried down the hallway, my vision blurred with tears. I didn't see Becca until she was right in front of me, a cruel smirk on her face.

"Look who's decided to show her face," she sneered, stepping in front of me to block my path. "Thought you could just waltz back in here like nothing happened, huh?"

"Leave me alone, Becca," I muttered, trying to push past her, but she grabbed my arm and yanked me back.

"You think you're better than us now?" she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. "Just because you had some little sob story doesn't mean you can ignore the rest of us. You're nothing, Talia. You hear me? Nothing."

She shoved me hard, and I stumbled, my books slipping from my grasp and scattering across the floor. The hallway erupted with laughter, the sound echoing in my ears, making my blood boil with a mix of anger and humiliation.

"Oops," Becca said with a mock-sweet smile. "Looks like you dropped something, loser."

I crouched down, my hands shaking as I tried to gather my books, but the laughter only got louder. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing in my ears, drowning out everything else.

Then, out of nowhere, Hector appeared beside me, kneeling down to help me pick up my things. "Hey, don't listen to her, Talia," he said softly, his voice full of concern. "Let me help you."

But the humiliation, the anger, the overwhelming frustration all bubbled to the surface, and I couldn't hold it back any longer. "I don't need your help!" I snapped, shoving his hand away. "Just leave me alone!"

Hector looked stunned, his eyes wide with surprise and hurt. "I'm just trying to—"

"I said leave me alone!" I yelled, my voice breaking as I pushed him away and gathered the last of my books. Without another word, I got up and ran, my heart pounding, my breath coming in short, sharp gasps.

I didn't stop running until I burst through the school gates and found myself on the street. I kept my head down, not caring where I was going, just needing to get as far away from that place as possible. But my escape was short-lived.

Suddenly, a car veered onto the sidewalk in front of me, cutting off my path. Panic shot through me as the door swung open, and I recognized the man standing there.

Dagger.

The door to the car opened, and one of Dagger's thugs roughly shoved me inside. I barely had a second to get my bearings before the other guard slid in after me, forcing me into the middle seat. The door slammed shut, and I found myself sandwiched between two hulking men, their presence suffocating. My heart pounded as I tried to think of a way out, but the fear paralyzed me.

"Start driving," Dagger ordered the driver, his voice cold and authoritative. The car lurched forward, and I gripped the edge of the seat, trying to steady myself as the vehicle sped down the dark, empty streets.

Before I could say anything, his hand shot out, slapping me hard across the face. The impact sent a shockwave of pain through my body, and I tasted blood in my mouth. My vision swam as tears welled up, but I fought to keep them from falling.

"You think you can disappear on me, Talia?" he snarled, grabbing the front of my shirt and yanking me closer. "You think I wouldn't find you?"

"I—I'm sorry," I stammered, my voice trembling. "I can make it right. I'll sell for you again. I'll work the corner every weekend. I'll even sell to my friends at school—whatever you need."

Dagger's eyes narrowed, a cruel smile twisting his lips. "You think that's enough?" he hissed, his grip tightening painfully on my shirt. "You think a little bit of selling is going to square you away?"

He shoved me back against the seat, and before I could catch my breath, he nodded to his guards. They seized my arms, dragging me roughly across the seat until I was pressed up against Dagger's side. His cold, menacing gaze bore into mine as he leaned in close, his breath hot against my skin.

"I have clients who like young girls," he whispered, each word dripping with malice. "When I get you the right clothes, you'll be a good girl for them, won't you?"

A sickening wave of dread washed over me as his meaning became clear. My stomach twisted, and I felt bile rising in my throat. I tried to pull away, but the guards held me firm, their grip like iron.

"Please, Dagger," I begged, my voice breaking. "Please don't make me do that."

He chuckled, a dark, sinister sound that sent chills down my spine. "You'll do whatever I tell you, Talia," he said, his tone filled with finality. "Because if you don't, you know what will happen."

He reached out and slapped me again, hard, sending another shockwave of pain through my body. I bit down on my lip to keep from crying out, my mind spinning as I tried to process the horror of what he was asking me to do.

The car came to a stop, and Dagger released his grip on me, shoving me roughly back into the middle of the seat. The guards let go of my arms, and I slumped forward, too stunned to move.

"Get out," he ordered, his voice flat and emotionless. "And remember, Talia—this is your last chance."

One of the guards opened the door, and I stumbled out onto the sidewalk, barely catching myself before I hit the ground. The door slammed shut behind me, and I watched as the car sped off into the night, leaving me alone and shaking with fear.

Tears blurred my vision as I stood there, numb and broken. I had no choice now. I was trapped in a nightmare, and the only way out was to obey. But as I wiped the blood from my lip and started walking, I knew that this was just the beginning of something much worse.