Painful Secrets

Prologue

Pain.

That was all I could feel.

Pain from what they did to me. Pain from the parts of me they touched. Pain that their words as they did unspeakable acts.

Pain from the fact that there wasn't a single person who could save me.

*~*~*

"Alya, it's going to be fine," I assured my best friend for the millionth time. "I've walked home from your house at least a billion times in the last two years we've known each other. You don't have to stay on the phone as I walk home."

*~*~*

I should have listened to her.

*~*~*

"Alright, girl," she said with a final sigh," but if anything happens, you better call me immediately!"

"I will Alya. See you at school tomorrow."

"Okay, goodnight Marinette and Happy 16th Birthday! I'll see you at school to discuss your party on Friday."

"Thank you, Alya. Goodnight."

*~*~*

I'm a superhero, for goodness sake. I should have been more aware of my surroundings. I never should have just brushed my suspicions under the rug. And I never should have left Tikki at home for what I thought would be a calm night of hanging out with my friends.

*~*~*

"Almost home," I said as I continued walking down the street.

As I took the next step, I felt the hairs on my arms rise. I paused my walking momentarily and took time to listen, but when I heard nothing, I kept walking. The sharp cry from my phone that told me I had a message scared me, and I dropped my bag and let out a gasp before placing my hand on my heart to calm it down. Once it was, I bent down and put my things back into my bag before I stood up with my phone to see that my sister Bridgette had been the one to message me.

Big Sis: Hey, sis! Are you almost home? Mom and Dad are panicking a bit.

I started to massage her back, saying that I was only a block away, but I never got to send that message because halfway through, several black-gloved hands reached out and grabbed me. One around my mouth to silence my screams, and others all over me to drag me back into the abandoned six buildings behind me.

*~*~*

I fought back as hard as I could. I tried my best to get away.

I guess it didn't matter how hard I fought, though.

*~*~*

As I was dragged into the dark room, I noticed one of the men had a tattoo on his wrist. The Chinese symbol for evil. That was all I could see before I was thrown to the ground, hitting my head so hard that I began seeing triple of everything and found it hard to move when they started strapping me to the poles in the ground. I felt powerless and helpless. I knew what they would do, and there wasn't anything I could do to stop them. The only thing I could do was close my eyes and pray that someone would save me before it was too late.

That prayer went unanswered.

*~*~*

You always hear the most horrifying stories about what happens to girls. You always hear how humans can be so cruel to each other. You never think that it could happen to you until it does. You don't know the pain and scars left behind until you have them yourself.