Secrets (A Lauren Cimorelli Romance Story)

The Move (Before and After)

**Shawn's POV**

     I strolled through the dark streets of my soon to be old town. A light from 'The Backbooth', a popular concert venue building, shone through it's tinted windows, and I heard muffled voices and the tune of music vibrating through its entryway that stood slightly ajar. 

     I can't believe we're actually getting out of this God forsaken place for good next week. It's about time. My mom and I had to move to Nashville Tennessee from Florida due to a change in my mother's work schedule. We were going to be living with my grandmother who conveniently lives there already. I was deep in thought about the move when suddenly, my thoughts were interrupted by a shriek coming from the ominous alleyway behind the venue area. 

     I froze in my path and listened waiting to hear another scream, but it never came. I contemplated wether I should check it out for a minute or two before finally making my way into the dimly lit alley. I hesitantly crept down the pathway until I reached an opening with a dumpster. This must be the back exit where the workers from 'the backbooth' come to take out the trash. I quickly scanned the area, and to my surprise saw nothing. I shrugged and was about to turn around when I heard a moan coming from behind the dumpster followed by a slight whimper. I strayed over to the source of the noise, and slightly peaked my head around the corner. Suddenly I froze. 

     Behind the dumpster stood a man zippering up his jeans talking to a young girl who sat whimpering on the hard concrete, her knees pressed against her chest. I caught the conversation midway through. The guy spoke in a harsh tone, "congratulations, sweetheart you're officially a women!--and you better not bring this up to anyone. It would just be a mess for the both of us. No one would feel bad for you. Not even you're family. You're just a pretty face. Nothing more. Nothing less."

     The girl let out a slight moan, she seemed to be in pain. The guy looked down at her and spoke again, "Oh, you want more do you?" The girls eyes widened in fright as he said this.

       "N-No." She stuttered in response. But her words seemed to have no affect on him. He crouched down next to her and smirked.

     "Don't fight me this time. It will be less painful," he spoke harshly. Suddenly he roughly grabbed her face between his hands. 

     Blind rage consumed me. I saw the look in his eyes as he stared down at his prey, I recognized that look all too well. They were hungry.  They showed no remorse. They said, ' I only want one thing, and I won't stop until I get it'. He began to lean in, and suddenly I snapped. 

     Everything was a blur after that. All I know is one second I was standing behind the dumpster watching a man take advantage of a girl, and now I am hunched over gripping my swollen knuckles as the man lays on the concrete. Unconscious. 

     "Are you okay? I will call the police now," I questioned as I turned to face the girl, "we won't let this bastard get away with what he just did to you."

     I hadn't really gotten a good look at the girl until now. My heart stopped. She was beautiful. Breathtakingly beautiful. I stared into her gorgeous mesmerizing brown eyes, which I then realized had suddenly widened in more fear then they already were.

     "NO!" she screamed, "You cannot call the police! No one can know about this!" I stared at her in disbelief. Why would she not want anyone to know. This man needed to be caught. 

     "I know you're scared and shocked, but this man needs to get what's coming to him." I spoke in a calm tone. Then I took out my phone and noticed there was no service in the alleyway.