You're Not Alone

Born To Die

(Jen's POV)

I stuffed whatever I could into my oversized jacket pockets.

I looked at myself in the mirror. My blonde, waist length hair was greasy and disheveled. The dark circles under my eyes looked like bruises. That's what three days without sleeping will do to you.

I took a deep breath, and started heading out of the seedy apartment building.

"Where are you going, Jenny?" My mother's voice called out harshly.

I didn't bother replying. I didn't even look at her.

"You little whore. I asked you a question!" She screamed.

I stepped outside into the brisk, Colorado air. We were supposed to expect snow over the next few weeks. Just my luck.

I saw a taxi coming my way, and flagged it down.

I slid into the taxi. I didn't know what my plan was. I had no money.

The cab driver whipped his head around.

"Where to?" He asked.

This guy didn't beat around the bush.

"Denver." I replied quickly.

I saw my mother charging towards the cab.

"Lock the door." I yelled at the confused driver.

My mother stopped in front of the cab window and started down at me. A look of rage consumed her face as she began pounding on the glass with her fists.

"What's your plan little whore?!? Huh?!? Who in their right mind wants to take in a little slut like you! You're not even pretty!" She screamed at me through the window.

"Go! Please!" I pleaded with the scared man in front of me.

The driver sped off, leaving my mom in the distance. I saw her stick her middle finger up at me.

-------------------------------------------

"We're halfway to Denver." He announced. I nodded

He gave me a skeptical look and pulled over the cab.

"Show me the money. Right now." He growled.

I stared into my lap, as the information began to sink in.

He came around to the backseat and yanked the door open. Grabbing my jacket hood, he hauled me out of the cab and threw me to the pavement. And then, he just got back in the cab and drove away. No words were ever exchanged.

He'd gotten me halfway there. I just had to finish it. On my own.

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I looked at a digital clock on the side of a building: 11:30 at night.

My stomach growled. All I'd had to eat was a bag of Doritos I found in the dumpster. It wasn't much, but I couldn't complain.

My eyes were heavy and I wasn't sure how much longer I could keep them open. My legs felt like they were going to snap in half.

I sat down on a curb and leaned against a brick wall. My head fell back and I was close to drifting off, when I heard men shouting excitedly and heavy footsteps.

Immediately I opened my eyes and whipped my head around. Five men were walking towards me. All of them, except for one were, covered in tattoos.

I didn't know what to do. I pulled my jacket tighter to me, somehow believing it would save me from the loud strangers.