Chapter 1: First Encounter

[KRISTEN]

I've seen so many of the world's worse sides: greed, lust, anger—almost all the seven deadly sins colliding into my destiny like it was an ordinary day.

Not only that, but I've also experienced almost all of it and later destroyed every single piece of me. This made me think about ending my life as soon as possible.

"Stop! Why are you doing this to me?!"

I could still hear myself shouting those words, crying for help, with no other words to utter but to ask why he would do such a thing.

Back in my mind is a tragic event I vividly remember. The sound of the car rushing somewhere, his mad face as he pushed me onto the bed, his rough touches, the way he raped me, and all.

"Shut the fuck up and just accept your punishment, whore!"

Those words were like a knife digging deeply into my chest—way more painful than how roughly and carelessly he thrust inside me.

"Kristen," I heard someone call my name. The soft voice coming from somewhere behind me later became a figure of a woman with a sweet smile standing in front of me.

Glad she appeared and gave my mind a break from thinking about that nightmare.

I tried to at least slightly curve my lips and greet her happily, but I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I could sense the awkwardness due to me trying really hard to do something as simple as that.

"Sorry, Lynn," That was the only thing I could do to end the unusual atmosphere between us.

I heard her take a deep breath which still ended up with a smile, "No worries. No pressure. I'm not expecting you to smile back, but thanks for even trying, even though you look like a..."

"A what? A fool?" I asked, and then we both laughed.

"Whatever, let's just go get some fresh air. It's been months since you finally got out of your room and called me," she responded, "Now it's time for us to, you know, have a good time!" She added a tone of excitement.

I slowly took my arms from hers and creased my forehead with confusion, "For having a good time, where exactly are you taking me?"

She quickly clings back on to me, and her once seemingly nervous smile turns into excitement once again. Then she told me, "Come on, stop spoiling the fun! You'll know when we get there."

This was the very first moment, as well as the very first day, I would be out of my cage. Ever since the accident happened, and after being hospitalized for a long time, I would end up locking myself inside my room, curling onto my bed, shutting the world out so I wouldn't be able to think about anything worse.

I felt so bad that I couldn't even eat well. I felt mad about my existence and wished I was never born.

"We're here," She said as she took the right turn and stopped her car somewhere near the entrance.

The place looks like an event hall, something like that, but I'm not quite sure. I slowly looked around and saw a couple of pretty flowers arranged perfectly in the hallway, and a huge banner with words written on it finally ended my curiosity.

"You would love it here," she said with excitement.

"And you seem to be really sure about that, huh? Art museum?" I uttered.

She clung onto my arms once again, and we started to walk towards the entrance. In less than a minute, we're finally inside, and even from where we were standing, I could see the perfectly arranged art pieces, and all the classy people who seemed to be enjoying and loving what they were seeing.

"Come on, let's join the crowd." She whispered, and then I slightly nodded my head. We did take our moment walking, staring, and enjoying all the paintings we see.

We were just getting started and stopped in front of the huge abstract painting which seemed to catch my attention the most. As I stared at it, I started to realize something and barely noticed that I was smiling at the same time.

Lynn gently bumped my shoulder with hers and said, "See? I told you, you're going to like it here."

I nodded my head and responded, "I know it's, but I somehow felt relaxed and suddenly forgot about everything."

"I love this artist. He's a man, by the way," she suddenly uttered.

"Why? Is he handsome?" I teased her.

"Not sure, but I think so," She chuckled. I shook my head, smiling, as I looked back at the art piece.

"You know, I bought one of his paintings and displayed it inside your room. A few days after that, you suddenly decided to call me, which is now, and that's what you call a miracle. Really thankful to this guy though," She smiled.

"Anyway," She continued, "let's finish this exhibit up and proceed to the exciting part."

"Exciting part?" I asked.

She nodded with excitement, "The after party!" She almost shouted, knowing the fact that we're inside an art exhibit and noise would easily be heard.

We finished the whole thing up, which I really enjoyed, and everything happened so fast that I couldn't even have a chance to escape from her. It was late when I realized that she's taking me to the bar, which was the last thing I would ever do after recovering from the accident.

Lynn and I rarely make friends; we only have each other. That's why we're inseparable. We joined the crowd right after we got inside the bar, and I kept on asking her if we could stop this and just go home. But the music was too loud, so I gave up and sat back where we were sitting.

I decided to just watch her enjoy her thing while sipping on a glass filled with water. She looks so happy and free, and I can't help but wish I could still be as free as her.

"Hey, gorgeous!" I heard someone approach me. He was a tall man, with a nicely built body, wearing a slightly revealing polo and jeans. He looks like a person whom girls will find attractive enough, but not for me. I hate guys like him.

I didn't want to be rude, but I didn't respond to his greetings either. Then he suddenly took my glass away from me, so I gave him a confusing look.

"What are you doing?" I asked him.

"This is not a drink I would recommend," He smiled.

I raised both of my eyebrows and breathed, "Look, I have no energy to argue, please give it back."

He shook his head, continuously chuckling, "Not until you drink with me."

"Come on, it's just a drink." He winked.

I'm honestly not into flirting stuff; I was never into it, maybe because of what I've been through. Not sure why, I stood up and followed him. Convinced by his words? No, I'm sure that wasn't the case. Maybe because I was too bored, and I'm trying not to think about what happened in the past. Not right now.

"Hey, where are we going?" I asked him confusingly. We were supposed to get some drinks, but then we ended up reaching the other end of the bar from what I guess is where the restrooms are.

He gave me that smile I never wanted to see. I felt goosebumps all over my body, and I could sense that something was wrong about this guy.

"What are you up to? I have no time for this," I nervously uttered, then was about to walk away when I suddenly felt the presence of other men who quickly gripped both of my arms, trying to take me somewhere.

"Don't worry. It'll be fun!" He laughed.

"Let go of me! Where are you taking me?" I shouted as I tried so hard to escape from them, but I was just out of strength.

They ended up cornering me inside the men's restroom. Later on, the two other guys who carried me here went out and shut the door, leaving the two of us alone.

I was scared, slowly taking steps away from him while he consistently wore that creepy smile, which made me even more frightened.

"Please, no," I said as I reached the wall, realizing that there was no way out for me here.

"How can I stop when you're gorgeously hot?" He ripped off my tops, exposing a part of my chest. He then forcefully placed both of my arms at my back and gripped my wrists. He made me face the mirror and said, "I can't even stop imagining how you look as you face the mirror without clothes, while I'm fucking you from behind."

"No, please stop!" I cried.

He didn't even mind my screams and attempts to escape. He continuously tried to kiss my neck, touching me.

I could feel his hand roaming somewhere on my thighs, and then he tried to unbutton my pants, but then a loud thud suddenly echoed and made him stop.

I heard him ask, "Who the hell are you?"

But I couldn't even manage to look anywhere. I fell onto my knees the moment he stopped gripping me.

I cried and cried as memories from the past flashed back in my mind once again. Not only that, but I could feel my hands trembling at that moment.

"Are you alright?" I heard someone ask, the sound of a man's voice who seemed unfamiliar.

"Are you hurt?" He asked once again. He was about to touch me, but due to the fear of being touched by men, I tried to keep myself away from him.

I tried my best to stand up and walk away from that horrible place, but then I suddenly felt dizzy.