APRIL 19, 1989
I glanced at the clock on the wall in front of the classroom. It's 3:29 P.M; one more minute until the bell rings. The school year ends in two months from now and I'm finally gonna graduate. I would've been more excited for it, but my current situation isn't helping at all.
I was originally from Austin before I moved here in Houston for the operations. Today is just another day of doing the devil's work. I cry every day ever since last month. I want to visit my old friends. I want to see my family. I want to be free.
I'm trapped here. Faking my smile just to do these disgusting and cruel operations for him. I have to do this not for myself, but for my family, even if it's taking a toll on me mentally and physically.
The bell rings. I grab my stuff and head out of class. Walking through the crowded hallway, I look at everyone in the hall; boy or girl. It didn't matter the gender, they said. I stop in the middle of the halls and before my eyes, I find a very gorgeous girl; face full of make-up, nails done, white skirt, and long hair.
She is the perfect girl for this operations. No matter how bad I feel, how bad it hurts me, I have to do this. I move my right leg towards her until suddenly I gasp.
I felt two sharp pokes to my ribs as I flinch and jump, nearly dropping my bag "Damn it! What the fuck, Brent?"
Behind me is my friend, Brent, laughing while roughly gripping my shoulder "Oh my god, you wiggled, man!"
He wears a plain white t-shirt and jeans. His blonde hair is tousled and messy, like always. His backpack and hanging on his right shoulder.
I glare at him, but I couldn't stop myself from smirking "I'll knock your teeth out right now"
"Oh no, I'm shaking" He mocks me.
Brent is like this every day. When I first transfered to this school, he was the first person I met. He was so talkative and annoying, which was basically how we became friends.
Other than that, he has been the only person making me smile truly throughout my rough days. I wish I could tell him what was really going on behind the scenes of my life and in my head, but they were always watching me; those people.
"Shut up, Brent" I elbowed him in the rib, not hard, but enough to shut him up.
Brent gives me a light shove and grinned "Anyways, don't make plans. You're coming over after school" he jabs his index finger into my chest.
"Since when do you give me orders?" I slap his hands away from me.
"Since I got something you're gonna wanna hear. Just picked up the new Guns N' Roses album, Lies" he pulls it out of his back pack and brings it close to my face.
I'm not much of a Guns N' Roses fan; in fact, not even a rock fan. I'm a bit more into synth-pop music, like Eurythmics, or R&B, Luther Vandross. "You're dragging me over for a band I don't even listen to?"
"Trust me, man, it's insane" he leans in like it's the most important thing in the world "We're blasting it; pissing off my neighbors and maybe grabbing some junk food after. Come on, you in?"
I rolled my eyes, but it actually sounded better than dealing with home. It could be a thing to get my mind off of everything.
"Fine. But if it sucks, then I get to punch you" I pat him.
"Whatever. See ya'" he pats me back as we walk opposite directions.
The girl had disappeared "Shit!" I shouted, but quietly.
I must've gotten distracted for too long. I dart my eyes around the hallway until I find a familiar hairstyle; long wavy brown hair.
I start toward her, dodging students around the hall until I reach for her hands. I grab it, and she flinches, turning around.
We lock eyes for a moment until I made a slight smile, going in for the move.
"Hey, you're really pretty. I just wanted to let you know" I said.
I could see in her eyes, she was a bit shocked at what I just said. She smiles nervously "Thank you" she replied while stuttering.
I let go of her hands and now we're standing in the hall while staring at each other. Students walk past us from all around, but it feels like it's just me and her.
"Do you have a ride?" I asked.
"No"
"Do you wanna walk home with me? Maybe grab a few snacks together?"
I believe I have been made into someone who is every high school girl's dream. My hair is done in a middle part, wearing a black bomber jacket and black cargo pants.
She looks down at my foot and back up to my head before answering "Sure"
Later, we walk through the neighborhood while I grip the bags full of snacks in my right hand and my left hand holds hers. I've got to know her pretty well, but that's always a mistake that happens to me.
What they say is true, when you get to know someone and get attached, it's hard to get over them. I take a look at Veronica as she takes a bite of the chocolate bar we bought from the gas station.
She smiles while staring off at the distance. The sky was orange; the night about to take over the sky.
"Almost at your place?" she asks.
"Yeah, just up ahead, around the corner," I say, but it was a lie.
We make the turn, and there's a black van parked on the side of the street. I stop beside it. "Veronica," I call her name.
"Yeah?" she stops with me.
This is the worst part; the part that hurte me the most. Seeing their face turn to fear after gaining my trust and falling in love with me. It isn't something I'm proud of.
I turn to her with my eyes filled with tears and I say "I'm sorry" my voice breaking.
My heart starts racing as I try to breathe.
The van door suddenly slides open, and a group of masked men jump out. They grab her. "Aaaah!! Alan!!" she screams while struggling as they pull her into the van.
Each man grabs a limb, dragging her in as she cries for help, but I just stand there, watching. The man slides the door closes as the van speeds off, turning the corner and disappearing from sight.
Tears continue to fall from my eyes as I stare off into the empty streets.
My name is Vick Cross.
TRAUMA OF '89
VOLUME 1, CHAPTER 1, FREEDOM
It was loud in my house. The sounds of men laughing and making a huge mess outside my room at the dining table. I live in a one-bedroom house, but my home has been invaded by a bunch of thugs. I want them to leave, but they won't.
I didn't choose to move out, but I got forced to. My family lives in Austin still and I bet they're worried sick of where I'm at right now.
I let out a yawn while stretching in bed. The bed that I sleep on was comfortable at least. My room only had a bed, trash can, desk, and my clothes in my closet. There's also weapons in my closet; guns to other melee weapons.
My room door opens as I walk through the door frame and head downstairs. The men were sitting around the dining table playing some card games while drinking liquor.
In the kitchen, I poured some water and took a big sip. I snap my head back at one of the men behind me after I grabbed my ass.
"What the heck" I said.
"Go wash the dishes" he laughed.
As he was walking to the table, the other men laughs. I have no choice but to listen and let them do whatever they want to me. I have lived this way ever since that day.
A month ago, I was kidnapped by a group of men in a black van, the same way as Veronica. I didn't get lured by anyone though, and simply just got taken by the men. When I was in the van, they beat me. They called me names like handsome and cute.
When I arrived at their horrifying basement, I found girls and boys tied up, bleeding from their mouths, and bruised everywhere on their bodies. I screamed for help and I tried to kick the men down and escape, but instead, they beat me.
After a few days of being tortured and sexually assaulted, they told me that they found my younger sister cute and that they're gonna kidnap her and do the things they did to me. I cried for them to stop and leave my family alone, but of course, they weren't going to. When they were about to leave, I offered them something that would change my life forever.
"Please… I'll do anything for you guys! I'll die for you guys! I'll give you what you want!!" I cried "As long as you leave my family alone!!"
Haney, the man in charge of the criminal organization stands tall in front of me "And what is it that we need?"
"People..." I stuttered and cried. The thought of me offering to help them with their operation disgusts me.
Haney smiles "Take him to the shower"
They took me in for a shower upstairs and dressed me up like a handsome badass.
"Spot out anybody young and beautiful, and take them to the black van," the man said.
I felt disgusted and terrified. I wanted to punch the man in the face and give him a taste of his own medicine. Pluck his nails out, gouge his eyes, dissect him alive. I did what I had to do and obeyed their orders. Haney later gave me a document with a new identity to go to school, and that was the day everything changed.
SCHOOL
It's been a day since the disappearance of Veronica. With my backpack hung on my right shoulder, I walk down the path to the school's entrance.
"Alan!" Brent shouted as he catches up to me out of breath "What happened?? You didn't come over yesterday"
"I was busy" I say.
"Yeah, right" he shoves my shoulder, lightly "I waited the whole day. Do you see how sad I am?"
He jokingly makes a sad face as I laugh "I'll come over today this time, I promise"
"Whatever" he rolls his eyes "Hey, how's your search on Emily?"
"I'm..." I bring my attention to a girl with short blonde hair sitting next to the tree. She was the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. She wears a white shirt with a red flannel over it and jeans.
I would never forgive myself for doing what I'm about to do. I walked away from Brent until I'm standing in front of her. I turn to Brent and I couldn't help but smile because of his confused face.
"Hey" I turn back, and she stares at me with those attractive eyes "Hey" she replies with a slight smile.
The wind lightly blew past us, filling in the silence until "You're so gorgeous, what's your name?"
"I'm...April" she stuttered from shock.
I step a little closer "Do you wanna meet up at lunch?" I continue to stare at her, letting her know that I'm interested.
She laughs while scratching her head "I have a boyfriend"
"Oh" I said.
A boyfriend? I've never came across someone that already has a boyfriend. This might be quite difficult to pull off. Maybe I should back off and hit on someone else.
"Okay" I step back "If you change your mind, meet me at the cafeteria door" I waved goodbye.
"Who was that, Alan???" Brent whisper-shouts "She has a boyfriend, you know!? Omar!"
"I know. Nothing wrong with telling her she looks good today, right?" I asked.
"That's wrong!" He says out loud.
"Let's just get to class, blondy" I call him.
Hours later, I waited at the entrance of the cafeteria for April while leaning against a locker, though I'm not actually expecting her to meet up with me. No woman would be willing to hang out with a stranger than her man, right?
I begin to get tired, so I push my back off the lucker and leave, but she appears behind a crowd while waving. I was shocked to see she's actually coming to spend time with me, even when we don't know each other.
I want to back away and run, but I didn't want to be rude. But, in this situation it's to either be rude or...take her.
She smiled "So, where to?" she asked.
Outside the school, we sat on a bench as I unwrap my burger and take out the pickles. I don't care what anyone says, but pickles are nasty, especially on burgers. It has a weird taste to it that I don't like, even when I was younger.
I face her and try to strike a conversation "How's you and your boyfriend?" I ask.
"We're fine. Tomorrow we're going to a concert together" April answers.
A concert? I begin to think to myself if I should un-target this girl and go find someone else. She's too innocent. I face the ground with my eyes fixed on the cracks with greens growing out of it.
"How would you like to go somewhere with me today?" I ask, but then bite my lips.
Regret starts kicking in as I turn away from April, looking at the basketball court next to us. A group of students were having a four versus four game.
As the tallest player dunks on an opponent, she answers "No, I don't think my boyfriend would allow me to. I don't even think he wants me to be around other boys"
"Then why are you here with me right now?" I immediately ask "I think you should stay away from me"
She tried to speak, but nothing came out. I continue to watch the game so she would get bored and leave, but she doesn't. I turn to see her staring at me "Alan..." her sentence begins to break down "I-"
"What is it?" I asked.
"I need your help" she presses her left shoulder with her hand; her face filled with what seems to be guilt "I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time" she looks up at me.
That information stuns me "Huh?" I say "What are you talking about?"
She squeezes her shoulder harder, I can tell by the shaking of her hand "I've been thinking about you ever since you transfered. I know it may seem messed up but...Omar isn't really attracted to me anymore"
"April, what are you saying? You can't. Please. Stay with him"
"No, Alan" she says, and then I give up.
My mind is so lost at the moment and I'm flabbergasted. So, she's been with her boyfriend longer than when I first transfered, and she chooses me? I don't like these types of girls.
"It's okay, then" I said "Let's eat" I peeled the banana and took a bite.
Part of me wants to tell her that I'm dangerous, but I can't do it. I'm always being watched, so I have no choice but to commit these acts.
"What if you come by my place today?" I asked.
"Oooh!!" The group of students shout as April answers with "Okay"
I feel utterly disgusted by the fact that she actually agreed to coming over when having a boyfriend. Even if she isn't loyal to her boyfriend, I still feel bad for what's about to come to her next.
I don't want to do this; I really wish I can just runaway. But, I will continue to think about who I'm doing this for; my family. I'm going to keep fighting through this pain no matter what.
I smile and scoot close to her and we eat together.
NEIGHBORHOOD
When we get to my house, I have to tie her up and knock her out for Haney and his crew. The thought of me being apart of this operation hurts. I have no choice, right? I have to do this, right? If I don't, my family will get hurt. It's either her or my family.
It doesn't seem right still. What do I do? I held my head and began to cry. I turn to April and she's looking straight ahead, not noticing my current state.
Why is she going with me to my house? Why? Why? Why?
At my house, I open the door as she walks in. My house was quiet and cleaned. My guess is the gang made the house look presentable for guests. I lock the doors.
I let out a sigh before I grab her and take her to my room where I pushed her on the bed.
Her face was red "We're doing this...already?"
I lock my doors and turn back as she begins to undress.
"Stop," I said.
"What?" She questioned.
When her pants come off, I look to the side to avoid staring "Please" I said, but not too loud.
Her shirt was gone, but she stopped unhooking her bra "Alan, come to bed"
I take small steps to the bed "Turn around,"
"So you want to see me from the back?" She turns and arches her back, waiting for me "Alan, be gentle"
Suddenly, I can feel my face heating up, but I try to stay focus and grab duct tape. I grabbed both her arms and put them together. The duct-tape wraps around both her wrists as she let's out a moan.
"You're...rough" she comments.
I move onto her legs and tape them together. "Alan" she moaned my name.
"I'm sorry," I apologize.
"It's okay, I want it" she says, softly.
"No, you don't" tears fall from my eyes and touches her skin.
"What is that?" She turns her head, but I push her off the bed.
"Aah! What are you doing!?" She shouts.
I swing the closet door open and reach for the wooden bat.
"I'm sorry!" I swing the bat to her head, but she manages to dodge.
She rolls over to my legs hard and trips me as I fall to the ground. She looks around until finding a pair of scissors on my desk. She quickly grabs it and frees her legs.
I slammed my body into her and hugged her tightly on the ground. I swing my arm and punch her in the head, hoping to weaken her or knock her out.
Her screams echo in my skull as I pull her up and threw her into the closet. I grab the bat and hit her head as she knocks out cold. I breathe heavily while falling into my bed.
I look at April's body in the closet. Her screams from earlier, the fear in her eyes, the pain, haunts me.
I place my hands on my head and begin crying "I don't want to do this"
An hour later, the gang arrives and checks out the girl.
"I did what you asked me to do, now let me go to my family," I said to Haney, exhausted.
Haney laughs "See your family? No"
"Haney, I've been doing this for a month now!" I tried to talk, but Haney grabbed my neck and choked me on the wall.
"You don't raise your voice at me like that, Vick! You'll get to see your family when I feel like it! Okay!?" He shouted.
My tears fall from my eyes and my face turns red from no oxygen.
"Wipe your tears, little bitch" he lets go and slaps me. I fall to the ground and cough, gasping for air.
What would happen if I fought back? What would happen if I didn't agree to do this? What would happen if I didn't help get them the prettiest girls in school? What would have happened to my family? Heck, I can't even see my family. April and Veronica wouldn't have gotten hurt.
Oh, God. The world is so fucking cruel. It's so fucking dirty. It's so fucking shitty. It's so fucking disgusting. It's filled with shitty human beings. I wish I was never born in this world, and I wish everyone that I've kidnapped and killed was never...my victim. What do I do? What would you do if you were in my position? What would you do if you were threatened to do this? What would you do if you were a victim to me?
"Aaaaaaah!!!" I cried out loud while looking up at the ceiling "Fuck!!" I scream louder and louder.
"Vick shut the fuck up!!!" Haney kicks me as I fall on my stomach "Aaaaah!!"
"Drale shut this punk up!!" Haney yelled.
Drale was about to grab me until I slammed my elbow into his face. I quickly got up and ran towards April. They were about to put her in the van; her mouth was duct taped as she couldn't scream. She looked my way as I grabbed a knife out of the man's pocket and stabbed him in the eyes.
He screams and cries in pain as he lets go of April. I grabbed April's hands and began sprinting out of the yard.
"April!!" I screamed "I'm gonna get you out of here!! I'm gonna get you somewhere safe! I'm sorry!! I'm so sorry!!!"
We made it to the police station.
"Woah, woah, woah! What's happening!!?" The officer shouted.
"A gang!! They tried to kidnap April!! I grabbed her just in time to get away from them!!" I explained.
April let's go of me, takes off the duct-tape and shouts "No!"
"What?" I said, "What do you mean no?"
"He kidnapped me!! He took me to his house!! He works for the kidnappers!! He tied me up and knocked me out!! He's with them!! He was with them all along!" She backs away from me.
The officers were stunned and gives me a mean look in their eyes.
"Alright, hands behind your back, boy!" The officer yelled out as I stared at her with my eyes widened like I've just seen a ghost.
But, why? Why am I shocked? Isn't this all my fault? If I hadn't obeyed the gang, she would've been safe. She would've been living a peaceful life without trauma. I understand why she ratted me out. I'm glad she did, but why do I feel so betrayed?
As I snap out of it in my head, I'm already on the floor with handcuffs. The girl had already told them the address of my house.
They're on their way to stop Haney and his squad before it's too late. But, I'm still shocked. I stare off into space as I begin to lose consciousness. To all the people I've hurt and killed, I'm sorry.
TO BE CONTINUED....