Chapter 1: Lost Spark
He kicked my stomach repeatedly and punched my face. Then, he threw me out of the house, bleeding. People passing by barely glanced my way, accustomed to the daily spectacle.
Struggling to stand, I began walking aimlessly. Thankfully, I had my phone. I considered calling Khia but hesitated, unwilling to burden them further. They'd already provided food; I didn't want to cause trouble.
As I was walking, I spotted a girl zoning out. She wore a white dress that was see-through. Her hair was unique—silver-blue with sky-blue tips. Her eyes were red, and there was blood staining the middle of her dress, right around her legs. Blood was dripping down her legs. I sat not far from her.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
She slowly looked at me with teary eyes.
"Go away. Don't take me back," she said.
I was confused, but I decided to give her some space. I was about to stand up when she suddenly stopped me.
"Wait, you're not from there?" She pointed toward the bars and food stalls.
"No," I said.
"Well, I live here, but not here. I live on another street." I sounded weak
"What happened to you?" Her voice trembled.
I turned to her, and she was staring at my legs, which were covered in shattered glass.
"It's nothing. What about you?" I pointed at her stained dress.
"There's a guy who did something to me. He shoved it in really fast." Her voice shook as she told the story.
"Okay, stop. I'm sorry," I said.
"We should call the cops." I pulled out my phone and started dialing.
"Wait, what if they arrest me?!" The girl looked scared.
"Why?" I asked.
"I think I killed him. I—I ran into him, and I hit him. I don't know if he's alive," she said, putting her hand over her face, guilt washing over her.
"Don't think about it. You were just defending yourself," I said, trying to comfort her.
I called the cops. When they arrived, they immediately approached the girl. As they reached out to help her, she slapped their hands away.
"Don't touch me," she said, her eyes full of fear.
She then looked at me.
"Help me" I immediately helped her up and guided her to the police car.
"You'll be safe now," I said.
"Come with me," she said.
I hesitated for a moment.
"No, I'm fine."
"Please, I'm scared." She looked at me with desperation, and I felt pity for her. Reluctantly, I went with them.
At the police station, they called for medical help. Afterward, they offered her candy, but she refused. They also treated my bruises and scratches.
"What happened to you?" one of the officers asked as they tended to me.
"I accidentally rolled down a hill and landed on some shattered glass," I lied.
"What's your name?" The officer turned to the girl.
"Yvaine," she said, looking down.
"Yvaine, can you tell me what happened?" the officer asked gently.
She hesitated before speaking.
"The boss told me I should work in a high-profile area, where all the excitement was. I was nervous but excited. They made me dance on stage and serve the men in the back. They were slapping me, calling me nasty things. Then one day, my boss told me to go to a room wearing this white,
see-through dress."
She looked at me, clenched her fists, and then looked down again.
"I entered the room, and he told me to wait for someone. The room had a red light, a candle, and a big bed. I thought I might be able to sleep for a while. I was excited, so I just jumped on the bed while waiting."
I could see her hands trembling. Her pupils were shaking.
"And then a man entered."
"He licked his lips as he saw me. He was big and bald, wearing a suit. 'Take that off,' he ordered me. I refused, but he forced me, dragged me to the bed, and grabbed my hands. He got on top of me, started kissing my neck, and caressing my legs. And... and..." She was about to vomit. The officer tried to comfort her.
"Okay, calm down. Can you do it?"
"Stop reminding her," I said, looking at her.
"She's already traumatized."
They ignored me and kept pressing Yvaine to continue.
"He tried to touch my private part, but I bit his arm really hard, and he let go. I grabbed the candle beside the bed and smashed it on him. He got a scratch and smiled at me. He cursed me, got off his belt, unbuttoned his pants, and slapped me really hard. I felt dizzy. He then embraced my waist and..." She burst out crying.
"That's enough," I said, trying to stand up and go to her. "Yvaine, tell them the name of the bar."
"For Fun Bar," she said, hugging me.
"Did you get that?" I looked at the officer, who nodded. A boy walked toward us. "Don't worry, miss. We will avenge you," he said with a smile. "Xiao, stop bothering them," a policeman called the boy.
"That man deserved punishment, Dad," Xiao said, going to his dad, who patted his head. Looking at them made me feel alone, never having had a bonding experience with my dad like that.
"Do you have a parent, sweetheart?" an officer asked Yvaine.
"I don't," she said, hugging me. I just caressed her hair.
"How old are you?"
"Nine."
"And you, what's your name?" The woman turned to me.
"Khrizel."
"Where do you live?"
"Juvillia. That's where I saw her, on the other side of the street."
"How old are you?"
"Seven." The officer looked shocked. Suddenly, I felt Yvaine fall asleep.
"Can I go now?" I asked the officer.
"But don't you want to be with her? I think she needs you."
"I can't stay with her, and she's here. I know you guys will take care of her."
I smiled at the officer, who patted my head. She called someone to take me home. They put Yvaine in the ambulance to go to the hospital.
When I got home, my father was asleep, and the shattered glass was still there. I cleaned it up and went to bed.
To be continued...