{UNPUBLISHED FOR EDITING & REWRITING.} Her father tells her she's worthless, but she doesn't know what she did to deserve this. She's fierce and strong as a street fighter, but when she's home, she's nothing more than a mute frozen in fear. Because of her father, she's been mute for over ten years. Damien King, leader of the Serpents; he's dangerous but never to her. She may seem fine, but she's nowhere near it. She's broken, constantly hearing her father's voice screaming in her head, but she remains silent. Two years ago, Damien made a choice. Whether it's in reality or his nightmares, it's a choice that'll always haunt him. When he's around, danger follows, but when she's around, darkness does. What will happen? How will it end? Will she let him in, or will he break her more than she's ever been broken? Just because she's silent doesn't mean she's innocent. Warning ⚠️: Mature Themes. {Highest Rank: #1 In Teen Fiction | #3 In Action} *** "I'm not mad at you," he whispered, "for keeping it a secret. I know you have secrets, secrets you don't want anyone to know, besides Zach. I just kept thinking...maybe if you trusted me, you would have told me. I just wish you trusted me to know those secrets." He turned his head to the right, away from me, and looked at the waves. You're worthless! This is why she left...because of you! My father's words tried reaching me again, but I pushed them out, only hearing my thoughts and Zach's. Baby steps. Trust him, Mae. Trust yourself. "I do trust you," I whispered. He turned his head so fast and looked at me with his mouth open and his eyes wide. That was the first time I spoke to anyone that wasn't my brother or my father in over ten years. And it felt so right.

I was just minding my own business, painting the walls outside the high school I went to, with spray paint. Okay maybe it's called graffiti, but I don't care. Either way, the cops came at the worst time, and I did what any rational person would do. I ran to the parking lot, broke into the only car in the lot, and sped out of there as fast as I could. Only problem was, I didn't realize there was someone sleeping in the back seat. • Damien Asher is the most feared Gang Leader to the Asher Noir Gang, so when he wakes up to someone driving his car like a madman, he was to kill them. That's until he notices it's a beautiful girl covered in paint, well that and the fact the cops are currently chasing them. So he does what he thinks is best; he kidnaps the girl who kidnapped him first.

Eight Years Ago "Mom.." I say with a small smile on my face. My sister had passed her first music lesson and we're all so proud of her. "What is it Layla!? can't you see I'm busy?!" She snaps. "Oh.." I say, my smile faltering slightly, as I watch mom cuddle Heidi and give her lots of sweets as reward. "C-can I have a sweetie too?" I ask. Mom laughs coldly. "Why should you? You've never achieved anything, have you?! Lazy little brat." Heidi giggles and I look at her to see a smirk on her face, making my face fall. I watch mom whisper things to Heidi, making her giggle even more. The door swings open, and my dad walks in. I smile again, running to him and hug his knees but he just brushes me off with an annoyed expression, walking towards my mom hugging her and ruffling Heidi's hair. What's going on? "Dad..ruffle my hair too?" I ask hesitantly. All three of them burst out laughing and I sink down in embarassment. "Layla, we always knew you weren't the brightest kid here." He laughs "I just knew you'd be a screw up, right Luise?" He says and she nods. "And I was right. You're a failure" He grabs my maths sheet, crumples it up and throws it at me. "You spend way too much time with your 'friends' never on your education, you ungrateful little brat. We should've got rid of you as soon as we found out you were on the way." He spits out spitefully as my mum nods, still smirking. "Dad I'll do better, I promise!" I sob, tears streaming down my face, but he shakes his head, smirking. I look at my sister and walk towards her giving her a watery smile. "H-Heidi... we're still friends right?" I ask, desperately. Her smirk slowly vanishes. she leans forward and I thought she'd hug me, but instead she pulls my hair and pushes me onto the floor making me scream. She laughs, my parents joining her. "Stupid" she hisses, kicking me, before going to my parents, all of them walking out, leaving me on the floor, crying my eyes out. What have I done to deserve this?

Ashley is basically the Queen of Nerds at her stereo-type filled high school, and being abused at home doesn't really help. But what happens when the most popular boy at school sees her bruises? ______________ "Here let me help." It was Jason. He was in the girls bathroom, the girls bathroom. "That's ok." I mumbled turning away. The bruise was starting to show. "No I insist." He grabbed my arm and turned me around. I winced and looked up at him. He started to dab like I was doing, then he started to rub. He stared at my arm intently. "Is that a bruise?" He asked looking at me then the bruise and back and forth. "Yeah, I, um fell off my um...bike! Yeah my bike!" I said. He rolled his eyes and let go of my arm. "Well whatever just get that checked out." He said smiling. "Why do you care?" I asked. "Because I'm trying to be nice," Then he mumbled, "It's not like you have friends anyway." "Hey! That's not nice." I said furrowing my eyebrows. He held up his hands in a no offense motion. "I'm just saying you could use some friends." He said. -------------- Cover by @QueenCourtneyLynn

Someone walks into the room but I cannot see its face. It looks like a man and by the look of his posture, he seems very important. "Why were you in my territory?" His voice is strangely calm however I think its the calm before the storm. "I didn't know it was your territory! For gods sake how many times do I have to tell you people? Just let me go and I promise I won't say anything to anyone. Not like I have anyone to tell." The last part I said in a whisper. He didn't need to know the situation I was in. I hear the cock of a gun making me raise my head. The all too familiar sound ringing in my ears. "I don't believe you bitch, so you better tell me the truth or your brains are gonna end up on the wall." Ah there's the storm. "A gun doesn't scare me arsehole, I've had way worse things than that!" He steps forward into the light so I can see his features. He is extremely good looking but right now is not the right time to admire his beauty. I stare straight into his pitch black eyes, daring him to try harder than this. He smirks and leans forward searching my eyes. Before I can even register what's happening, he punches me in the face. *** Mature Content