"Oof! Hey watch it... Althea?"
Her already large, childish eyes widened. "Katrina? I'm so s-sorry!"
"What are you doing out here?" I cursed at myself for leaving her alone.
"I just wanted to play outside but then this man came up to me and I got scared."
My blood turned as cold as ice. I gulped. "What did he want?"
"He wanted to touch me...but Louis always told me 'stranger danger'... so I ran."
"Did he follow you?"
"I think I lost him over there," she pointed to the nearby grove of trees, "But he's close!"
"Ok, sweetie. Stay with me. I'll get you home." I sounded like I was convincing myself more than her. Whoever was following her is sick...
Unfortunately, I realized quickly that the grove was the fastest way across town and back home. The man must be smart, he knew she'd have to come back this way. I put myself in front of her protectively. It dawned on me how willing I was to put myself on the line for her. But she's the one with a future. I have nothing to look forward to.
We didn't speak as leaves brushed against our bare arms and branches scratched out ankles. I held up branches so she wouldn't run into them, feeling like a safari tour guide. We were so close to the other side of the forest. I could see an opening and Louis' home now. So close to safety.
"Aaaaaaah!"
I spun so fast my head couldn't catch up. The man had found us. His pale arm was wrapped around her waist, almost like a husband would to his wife but with a creepy twist. Althea's breathing added to the tension. My vision focused. I knew this guy. I just saw him the other day.
"Let her go."
"Well if it isn't Jordan's little girlfriend. Or should I say, ex-girlfriend?"
Johnny. "Althea has nothing to do with this. She's--She's just a girl!" My breaths quickened. This couldn't be happening to a child! I could barely compose myself yesterday. This could ruin her for life! Why is this happening? What did she do? What did I do?
You didn't do anything. Neither did she. It's 1955, Katrina, this happened on a daily basis to millions of women and girls like us.
Calm. Calm. Calm. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale. I tried to breathe. Louis' trick wasn't working as quickly as it did before.
"Katrina! Inhale! Exhale!" Althea called to me from Johnny's arms.
She shouldn't have to comfort you. Eve snorted.
Well, she is because I can't control myself! I snapped back. Why don't you just shut up and leave me alone because you're not helping me at all.
"What's wrong with this freak?" Johnny wondered out loud.
"Please... let... her... go." I said between loud, ragged breaths. My throat closed up around the dry, sandy air. I swallowed hard.
"But she's my buddy." His hand caressed her. She squirmed at his touch. "It's really an empowering experience. On my end at least."
I wracked my mind trying to figure out his weakness. Anything for Althea at this point. "What would... your friends think... if they found out about... your little fetish?" I was still struggling but my anger towards him was about to override my anxiety. I really was starting to hate this guy.
He clenched his jaw. "It's not a fetish."
"Yes, because small black children are the new 'tall, blue eyed, blonde bimbo'?"
YOU ARE READING
Broken
General Fiction"What year is it?" "1955." "Thank you." I turned around, my fears confirmed. I understood why the world seemed so different now. So hostile towards me for no reason. I was black. I was a girl. I was in rags. And it was 1955. ...
