Thunderstorms wrecked through the sky, and a few minutes later, it started to pour. I wasn’t surprised with the change in weather. This was New York City, anyway. Expect the unexpected.
I continued running through the rain, laughing. I could already imagine my parents’ faces when I told them the good news. Best day ever!
By the time I reached home, I was soaked through my bones. Opening the door, I walked inside and called out, “Mom? Dad? I am home!”
The house was silent. Confused, I left my wet shoes at the front door and walked further inside, leaving water puddles behind me.
I froze when I saw what greeted me. We had guests, and everyone turned to stare at me. I almost felt like hitting my head into the wall.
I recognized two older men. I had seen them before, a few years ago. The elder one, probably in his late fifties, stared at my chest. He was the same one who had leered at me the first time we met.
Feeling self-conscious and uncomfortable, I took a step back. My skin crawled, and I shivered. I didn’t like the way he was looking at me.
My mother stood up, blocking my view of the man. Her expression was drawn in, and I saw tears in her eyes.
“Mom…”
She shook her head. “Go to your room, Val. And change your clothes.”
I nodded without saying anything. The air around us felt stale and dark. All the happiness I felt before dissolved because I knew something was terribly wrong.
I quickly went upstairs and straight in my bathroom. My lips parted in a silent gasp at the sight of me. My beige shirt and light pink skirt were so wet and stuck to my body. It almost looked inappropriate. I winced as I remembered that everyone downstairs had seen me like this.
After toweling myself off, I quickly dressed again, this time choosing black jeans and matching blouse.
I made sure I was presentable before walking downstairs again. Except my steps faltered on the top of the stairs.
“I told you I would come for her on her eighteenth birthday. You are lucky, I have come a week later.”
“Please,” I heard my father beg. He sounded so broken, so lost.
“Jacob, this is not the time to beg. You had years to repay the debt you took. You still can’t pay me back. I told you—my money or your daughter.”
My eyes widened, and I plastered myself against the wall, hiding myself from view. Oh God. No.
No. No. No.
This couldn’t be happening.
I covered my mouth with a hand, trying to hold in my shocked cry. My chest tightened, and it felt like I would suffocate.
“I need more time. Please,” my father said again. “I’ll find a way to pay you back. I promise. Just not my daughter.”
I heard my mother sobbing. “She is still so young. Please give us some more time.”
“You were supposed to pay me my debt three years ago!” the voice thundered, and I flinched. My stomach rolled, and I fought against the urge to throw up.
Three years ago—I was fifteen. That was when I met that man for the first time.
“I already gave you more years, you pathetic bastard. She was supposed to be mine three years ago. You asked for some time. You asked until she was eighteen. Guess what? She is eighteen now, and I am taking her with me, whether you like it or not. I don’t give a fuck if she screams her head off—I am going to drag her out of here.”
I choked back a cry, and bile rose in my throat. I gagged and closed my eyes tightly, listening to his words. The more he spoke, the most my heart cracked into pieces.
He laughed maniacally. “Don’t worry. I won’t take her in front of you. But I will warn you now. First and last warning. If you resist, maybe I’ll just fuck her right here, on your floor—take that little precious virginity she kept for so long. Would you like that, Jacob? Huh?”
I didn’t hear my father’s reply. Sinking to the floor, I gripped my head. Pushing my palms against my ears, I desperately tried to forget the words I just heard.
What is happening? Everything was perfect just moments ago.
My head swirled and my body shook with each silent sob.
“Do you want all her virgin blood on your floor?”
Stop!
I scratched at my ears and slapped a hand against my temple repeatedly.
Wake up, Valerie. This is a dream. Wake up. Wake up!
My throat closed up and my chest felt on fire as I fought for each breath.
And then I heard the words—the words that changed me—changed everything.
“A choice. I give you a choice. Valerie or Malory.”
My eyes snapped open, and I lurched forward on my knees.
No!
I almost cried out but quickly clamped a hand over my mouth. My teeth bit down on my lips viciously, and I tasted blood.