The Nobody Chronicals

Chapter 3: Graces story

WARNING: SENSITIVE
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Just like everyone, Grace was normal. She was Skylar’s friends. Grace was an ordinary girl who loved to sing. She was in Advanced Women’s Choir. But Grace never gloated about it like other kids in her class. Grace’s 2 best friends, Skylar and Melody, praise her for her voice. But they don’t know Grace’s story. Grace’s family was in debt after her father was replaced by a robot. After her mom left, Grace’s father tried paying off his school debt and a happy life for Grace. When he was replaced, the bills began to go unpaid. Grace realized her father and her would soon be evicted from their small apartment. Grace realized she needed to help her father with financial problems. Grace took up multiple minimum wage jobs. It was never enough. Grace faced the grim truth. If she was to pay off her father’s debt, she needed a better pay. After getting her applications denied from multiple places, she took to desperate measures. The only job with a better pay was a prostitute for multiple men. Grace was very beautiful for her age. So beautiful, sometimes older men couldn't resist her. She used this to her advantage. She would always let the man lead and charged significantly more for an unprotected night. Grace always had a box of tests and a bottle of abortion pills if there ever was a time she needed them. No one, not her her father, knew about her night job. The day Skylar’s scars were revealed, Grace headed to class, shocked. When Melady entered the classroom, Grace quickly told her about all of it.

    “She had scars all over her arm!” She told Melody.

    “Really? So are you saying she cuts herself?” Melady replied.

    “I-I think so.”

    “That’s so sad! We should all tell our secrets to each other. So when they are revealed, we aren't surprised.” Grace’s face paled as she realized what that meant. “I’m just kidding, imagine how weird that would be.” Grace relaxed a little, glad she wouldn’t have to share her secret. After awhile, Grace and Melody were talking about every and anything. Soon their teacher walked into the class. Most of the their class was normal. It was going fine until the end. Grace’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She excused herself to the bathroom and quickly exited into the quite hall. She pulled the phone out of her pocket and answered.

    “Hello?”

    “Uh, hello. I’d like to make an appointment.” The color in Grace’s face drained.

    “Oh, um, what time?”

    “9:00.” The man’s voice was dead, there was no emotion behind it.

    “Of course. Um, would you like it protected or not?”

    “Whatever’s cheapest.”

    “Alright. That is going to be $150. You can in check when you arrive. We can meet at Holiday Inn, 1362 Main Street.”

    “Thank you.” The caller hung up and left Grace to her regrets. She stood quietly, face in her hands. All of a sudden, she heard a crash in the hall. She ran to where she heard the sound come from. On the floor lay a boy her age, coughing up blood, covered in bruises. Grace ran to his side.

    “Oh my God! Are you okay?” she asked, frantic. The boy nodded and attempted to get up, but ended up falling again. Grace, instinctively, caught him. But when they touched, the walls turned red and the ceiling dripped with blood. Grace screamed. And backed into a wall. The boy with black hair and brown eyes looked at her, frightened. Grace was breathing heavily.

    “Did,” he stated. The boy coughed up more blood instead. “Did you see that?” He said, wiping blood away from his mouth.Grace nodded.

    “I-I did.” Grace, distracted by his appearance stuttered. “What happened to you?” The boy froze.

    “It’s nothing.” Grace stood.

    “Well it’s obviously something!” She held out her to him. Nothing happened. He stood up and leaned against a wall.

    “My father beat me last night.” He said quietly. “Don’t tell anyone. It will only get me in more trouble.”

    “What do you want me to do?” Grace said frustrated.

    “Help me wash off the blood.” He said. “My teachers will get suspicious.” Grace, unable to argue, went into the girl’s bathroom to get paper towels. She handed one to the boy, who attempted to wipe the blood off around his mouth. When Grace saw he was having trouble, she took her own paper towel and helped him.

    “What’s your name?’ Grace asked still wiping away some blood.

    “Zach. Yours?” he asked.

    “Grace.” She stood away from him when she finished. “There.”

    “Thank you Grace.” Zach sad.

    “Anytime, Zach.” Grace proceeded to walk back to her class.

    “Oh, and Grace,” Zach said. Grace turned and looked at him. “Thanks for being the best part of my day.” Grace smiled.

    “No problem.” She said. She walked back to her class, thinking of a story to cover up her long absence.