Photograph [on hold]

Kota

I stood around with Victor, shifting from one foot to another. Earlier in the week, someone had spotted a man and a woman abusing a girl around our age, possibly slightly younger. I picked up a book, pretending to be interested in it so we wouldn't look suspicious.

Suddenly, Victor nudged my shoulder. Pushing my glasses up higher on my nose, I swept my eyes over the shopping center, slowly following Victor's gaze.

There was a man and a woman dragging along a girl about our age, who seemed rather frightened. By now, the shop was mostly empty, as was the entire mall. The girl being dragged along was gorgeous, with dirty blonde hair that was tucked in a bun at the nape of her neck. From here I could tell she had green eyes. She was small, with a thin frame, but she was one of the prettiest girls I had ever seen.

The man dragging her had her same green eyes, with light brown graying hair. The woman helping drag her had blue eyes, and straight jet black hair. I could tell from here that she was upset. Very upset. I curled my fist. I was going to put a smile on the girl's face no matter how long it took me.

"Come on." I whisper, and we move to the corner of the aisle they were about to turn, listening in on part of their conversation.

"When we get home you are on your knees for an hour, and I don't want to hear your complaints." The woman said.

I watched as Victor clenched his fist.

"I didn't do it!" The girl cried.

"Stop lying, you can have an hour on the stool as well." The man said.

"I swear I didn't do anything!" The girl sobbed as they rounded the corner. We jumped out.

"Stop right there." Victor commanded and the woman sneered.

"Excuse me? We have places to be."

"You're not going anywhere." I say.

The girl stares at us wide eyed, trembling. Up closer, I see that she has lots of bruises, and some scars. Suddenly, Mr. Blackbourne came up behind us, from his well placed hiding spot.

"You have been accused of abuse. We cannot allow this to continue. I'm going to ask you to step away from the young lady, peacefully, and we can consider shortening the length of your time in prison, no harm done."

Realization crept onto the man's face, and he stepped away, dropping her wrist.

"Excuse me, Ms...."

"Kate. Kate Deppy." She barked.

"You have five seconds, Ms. Kate, to step away from the girl, peacefully." She glared at him, and I shifted my eyes to Victor, who had returned from getting the man escorted to the vehicle that had probably taken him away by now.

She slowly stepped away from the girl, but as Victor came to handcuff her, she punched him in the face, and Mr. Blackbourne engaged in fighting her. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched as the girl started to run away. I ran after her, hoping to comfort her.

Sang's POV

I watched horrified as my step mom threw a punch at the guy that looked my age. Terrified, I made a run for it. What if they were going to take me away too? I ran as fast as I could, hearing footsteps behind me.

"Hey! Wait! I'm not going to hurt you! Hey!" A male voice called, and I willed myself to go faster.

I could tell he was gaining on me. All of sudden, I ran straight into a dead end. Oh no. No no no no. I slammed straight into the wall, letting my shoulder take the impact before sliding down to the floor. Pain coursed throughout my body, fear striking my nerves. My shoulder ached, the pain spreading to my finger tips, and my hands trembling.

I took a heaving breath, pushing it out, shaking. Tears slid down my cheeks, their salty taste slipping over my lips. The guy ran to me, falling to his knees and pulling me into an embrace, full of warmth- I stiffened in his arms. He held tightly to me. When was the last time someone hugged me like this? This guy didn't even know me...

"Are you okay?" He asked, pulling away. He didn't seem the least bit out of breath.

I pulled my head into my knees. "I'm fine." I say, lying.

"No you're not." He says.

It's not a question. More tears slide down my cheeks. He's right. I've never been okay. I choke on a couple of sobs, and he rubs my back gently, "Hey, it's going to be alright."

"Sang." I say, swallowing a couple more tears.

"I'm Kota, and I'm not going to hurt you, okay? I'm here to help you, I want to help you." I didn't know people were so kind... and I felt like I trusted him. I don't trust people. I don't even know him...Kota. "Please, tell me where it hurts, I want to help you."

I trembled, and when I didn't reply, he lifted my face to look at his. He took a sharp intake of breath, then wiped away another tear. "Oh, Sang. Please let me help you."

I gazed into his emerald eyes, full of concern and clouded with hurt and sadness, hidden behind black framed glasses. I sniffed, trying to calm myself.

"M-my shoulder a-and my wri-ists." I stutter, and take a breath.

"Okay, hang on." He pulls out his phone and types something in. He must sense my hesitancy, because he lifts the screen to my face. "I'm texting my friend. He's a doctor, so he can help."

I stared at my hands. I haven't really been to a doctor before... so I'm not sure about this. "He would just look at your bruises, I promise." He pleads.

"Will you be there too?" He nods and gives me a soft smile. "Let's go back to where we were okay?" He asks. I nod, and he helps me off the ground, clasping my hands in his own, and for once in a long time, I felt...safe.

...

September 6, 2015.