My vision was blurred from the never-ending tears that continued to fall. Choking back my sobs as the night seemed to go on and on in a never-ending loop.
I've been here before, like a darkened memory that never ceases to poke its head out whenever I'm at my highest. So that it can knock me down twice as hard as before, but I can't fall, not now. Even if nothing changes, I don't want it all to end. I want to fix it, to let the world know I won't stay down no matter the obstacles thrown my way. But even this was just wishful thinking...
A large hand grabbed the back of my head and shoved my face into the nearest hard surface. Which, in this case, was a brick wall that I've become well acquainted with during my ten years of living here. I could hear my nose snap, but I bit down my lip to keep in my screams of pain. Since screaming for help made the situation worst in the past, not that anyone would pay me any mind in the end.
Even though I was lightheaded from receiving such a heavy blow to the head, I couldn't afford to fall unconscious here. A gruff yet haggard voice resonated from behind me, exhaustion and anger mixed into his tone.
"And where do you think you're going?... Hah... Always running, but never getting far. Fucking weak and pathetic as usual, hu, Tora?"
A booming laugh came from the end of the alleyway as the sickening smell of tobacco quickly filled the air. A fat man in a neat silver suit puffed a thick cloud of smoke from his high-dollar cigar, obscuring his face, but I could still feel his gaze on me. On his sides were two bulky men dressed in similar attire, shades hiding their menacing glares. Each step he took made my heart quiver; This man was the local gangster boss that overruled this small city. He habitually picked on those weaker and inferior to himself to boost his ego.
Many made deals with him throughout the years. However, those deals had a fine print that ended in the other parties suffering. People like me, who had nowhere else to turn, even the current government heads in charge, were under his thumb. However, people like me had nothing to give in return, so he took what he saw as an acceptable trade with whatever was requested.
In a time of great foolishness, I signed such a contract and was unaware of the underlining requirements for his aid. Being misled by his charismatic smile, which made him look more like an old uncle you could rely on. And many of his business patrons called him Great Uncle, giving the pretenses of a considerable family. But only those with any actual worth could remain at his side. I am not one of those people, at least not the way I want to be. This old pervert's first request of me was to attend to his needs in bed, which I quickly refused.
'Why me? I was neither beautiful nor handsome, and my body was weaker and scrawnier than one would seek in a bed partner.'
He took my rejection once and warned me he wouldn't take another, which is how I ended up here. My failed attempt to run away from him only worsened the situation.
My body was still shoved against one of the large, abandoned buildings where many of his dealings were done. I couldn't stop shaking or letting the silenced sobs escape my lips which only seemed to make this older man even happier. Which grew more apparent by the way his smirk nearly reached the tips of his ears. That was heavily inlaid with diamond earrings and other ornaments, showing off his wealth.
"Ah, now, now, Tora. I've once told you that I'm a reasonable man and allowed you to reject me once. But not twice. Like you've just done. I brought you here to help you keep whatever dignity you still had. If any at all."
His words did nothing but make my stomach clench tighter as fear and disgust steadily worked their way up through my throat. The urge to puke only grew as the older man got closer, and the hand on the back of my head released me. Soon my body collapsed in pain and exhaustion and hit the floor with a hard THUMP!
"Plea...Please, Great Uncle... I will do anything... Anything but that. I beg of you..."
I could no longer hold back the sobs as they came rushing out in jumbled pleas and messy attempts at groveling. I hope this sick older man would release me; while knowing deep down that he won't. I know this man all too well. He is a crude businessman through and through. And they won't do anything that involves him getting the short end of a deal—not even donating to a charity without under-the-counter deals for future endeavors with the sponsors and other wealthy patrons. It was all in vain, and I knew it.
"Yes... Those sweet tears. Keep them coming..."
I glanced up in horror as his face twisted into a grotesque expression depicting his perversion and joy at my current predicament. But then, my eyes shifted down where something significant was trying to escape the confines of his expensive suit pants. They were already mere inches from bursting due to his enormous weight, plus this newfound development.
'This... This sick bastard is... fucking hard...'
My mind drew a complete blank as I felt the blood drain from my face, and I couldn't restrain the urge to vomit any longer. My stomach's contents soon fell onto the disgusting floor, adding my grime in with countless others. There wasn't much there but maybe a few chunks of digested bread and water, but it was enough to make anyone feel the urge to follow suit. Even his bodyguards covered their mouths, and the man who grabbed me earlier turned away, trying to keep from following my lead. But not him, he watched, and the perverse expression grew more ugly as if this was something from his wildest dreams. I wasn't interested in finding out what else he was into, so I struggled to stand. With my stomach even more empty than it already was, I might be able to escape if I was quick enough. Once more, wishful thinking...
"How cute... My plaything thinks he can run from me. Unfortunately, I tire of this game and wish to have my main course. Grab him, boys, and bring him around into the building. It would be a waste not to use the lovely arrangements I have made for us, my dear Tora... Hehe"
All three of his henchmen quickly caught up to my flimsy attempt at escape and dragged me back to the building's entrance. I used everything I had to flail and scream, to no avail. No one would hear me, and even if they did, they would ignore a pathetic nobody like me. It's how our world works, and I know it too well. At the same time, my heart burned with hatred for these ignorant people who would see me dragged and raped rather than attempt to help me. I seethed with anger but knew deep down the situation I was in. Even if someone wanted to help, they would be shortly killed by the one with the most power. I despised being weak, but I hated the strong even more, and if being weak would bring them down a peg, then so be it. I will one day bury every one of those bastards till they were still breathing 6ft under, so they knew what it was like to be weak.
I knew my fate was sealed once they finally dragged my body through the doors of the building.
The last thing I saw was a beautiful golden swallow that swooped down before the open doors. It hovered gently in the air and seemed to be watching me. Time seemed to slow down to the point where I could see each flap of its mighty wings. I could almost make out the sorrow in the deepest reaches of its beady eyes. Yet, for some reason, I couldn't help but smile at it, as its woes seemed genuine. Finally, I mouthed out only two words:
'Thank you..."
As if it understood me, it responded with a soft peep. Then turned to fly upwards towards the open sky where it could be free. Did I imagine it? Or was it there? My eyes lingered on the door as it slowly closed, engulfing the remaining light in my heart with complete darkness.