The following short story is purely fictional and therefore everything in the story is based on the author's imagination. The story includes sexual topics, abusive behavior, toxic masculinity, and revenge. The story is heavily restricted to underage readers and anyone under the age of twenty-two.

I couldn't believe that I used to dream of being a student at this academy, without bothering to do research. I was mesmerized by the marble walls, the beautiful interior and exterior I have seen on television, but if only they were as transparent.

My parents and I were thrilled that my intelligence landed me at Seal Bay Academy, but whatever they were willing to show on television about each of the girls attending the school lived lavishly. It was all bullcrap, none of it was true and the truth behind these blue marble walls went back centuries.

I was heading to my class when the voice I dread to hear every morning calls my name; "Ms. Aguirre, you know what time it is?" he said with an amused tone.

I bet he is amused because I sure was not, dragging my feet behind and entering his room. When I was coming here; I didn't even know how to be intimate with men, and my parents were strict with me not having a boyfriend until age twenty-four.

"You know what to do," He uttered.

I did as I was told, but all I wanted to do is to rebel like before. However, I know the punishment would be worse than whatever Mr. Bowers is going to do right at this second; once my clothes were on the floor.

Mr. Bowers laid me on his lap and began hitting me hard; tears forming in my eyes as I didn't consent to any of this. I wanted him to stop right that moment, but when he threw me on the bed, making me bounce up and down for a couple of seconds.

I quickly covered myself with my hands and Mr. Bowers smirked at my weak state; I closed my eyes not wanting to see whatever he was doing. As the pain intensified, my sobs became more audible, though I tried not to cry in front of him.

However, it was no use because I know my tears make Mr. Bowers think I'm weak; I opened my eyes as I heard the door open. However, Mr. Bowers is standing beside me; "I didn't get to enjoy myself because of your crying, so tomorrow you best behave," He said.

"Yes, Sir," I replied.

He strokes my hair, then leaves the room. I closed my eyes, crying harder than I ever did before. I looked at my body; I hated myself for not sticking up for myself but refusing to escape from this school.

However, if I leave now, I don't know what I shall tell my parents; their daughter hasn't been following their rules and is being intimate with a guy. My mother would think I want to sell myself, but it'd be the complete opposite.

"I have bloody endured this pain for another year or so, or if I'm eligible for marriage," I muttered in between my sobs.

***********

The whole day I felt sick and couldn't concentrate on my classes, if you count classes as competing with each other on who shall be the better bride, class? I noticed some of the girls eager to be chosen to be played with, but I kept my resting bitch face on.

I refuse to let these men get me pregnant or worse become sick. I wish the old queen never opened a school or even came with such a thing as this damn bride test. All it did was give more power to men, power over us women to sleep with us, then throw us in the streets when we conceive children.

"Anika, Mr. Barrett is calling you!" Natalie said.

Natalie has been a student at Seal Bay Academy for a year now and still, she can't escape this place. Sometimes I wonder if my time would be as long as hers, or even if I come out of this place in my sane state.

I knocked on the door and with his stupid cold voice; "Come on in, Ms. Aguirre!" He said with an almost excited tone. I despise Mr. Barrett more than Mr. Bowers because his voice and everything about him annoys the shit out of me.

Mr. Barrett gestured for me to come and hit me hard, then the eighth time I let out a screech because of his baboon hands; Mr. Barrett called Natalie to come in; "Ladies, you know what to do! Get on the bed now!" Mr. Barrett said.

"Yes Sir," Natalie replied.

He lifted my chin with his middle finger; "I know you're stubborn, but if you want to succeed in this school, you best corporate," he said.

"Yes, Mr. Barret," I replied.

All I wanted to do was to slap him or even throw him out of the window, but I mustn't do so because we have to remain "prim and proper."

*********

We have a fire drill practice, but I know it was the teachers' way to get the girls in bed with them. However, I managed to escape as I looked for a place to hide, I noticed the black door opened; Mr. Bowers and Mr. Barrett strictly warned us never to enter the place.

While I managed not to let my curiosity heavily pique me; I sneaked inside and locked the door behind me, searching for the light switch. I finally found it and turned it on; it was a library with books ranging from who knows when.

I looked at the books, then, suddenly a particular one caught my eye: it was the story of how Seal Bay Academy came to be and its rules and regulations of it. I opened it and on the front page was a message from the late queen, Roselyn April Mercado.

"From this day onward Seal Bay Academy shall teach young women to be brides and they mustn't ever be susceptible to any cruel punishment nor forced to give themselves away. However, if any of these young women dare to speak up about any cruel misconduct, the perpetrators shall be burned at the stake!"

"Wow, I can't believe Mr. Bowers and Mr. Barrett lied to us about the"obeying " or"we shall never be picked to become brides! They wanted to ruin us and our future," I muttered.

I hide behind the bookshelf as I heard keys rattling, then, when I peeked and saw Ms. Kane; I let out a sigh of relief.

"Ms. Aguirre, Why are you here? Didn't you hear there was a fire drill?" Ms. Kane said.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not going to be susceptible to their trickery anymore!" I replied.

"You discovered the truth, didn't you?" Ms. Kane.