Prologue

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    Help me…

    Please, someone help me. Anyone.

    He swallowed against a raw, ravaged throat, eyes swollen shut and numbed from the pain that had throbbed there for hours. Not even his tears could pour through the puffy red and purple skin. His hands clenched into fists, drawing them close to his chest as he choked on a sob in pure agony. He curled into himself, trying to seek heat in his own body to no avail.

    Please… God. Someone. Please… it hurts so much… 

    The sound of rain fell in a soft symphony of hums against the slanted roof over his head, barely a roof at all as a round dark spot formed on the underside of the smoke-damaged ceiling. A drop of water fell through and landed on his nose. He sucked in a sharp breath at the icy bullet that struck his skin.

He rolled over onto his beaten, bloody back, struggling to part his lids to stare up at the ceiling that oozed another drop of water down onto his face. The cold tear ran down the side of his face, caressing a bruised cheek, a broken jaw. He sniffled, despite the pain it caused him to do so, and reached up a trembling small hand to the ceiling.

    Please… if there’s anyone out there… please. I can’t take it anymore. I can’t do this for much longer…

    He choked on another sob as a drop of water landed on his finger and slid down his arm, and he tried to imagine someone’s touch as anything, but lethal. What would it feel like to truly be held with love, real love?     The love he was shown was not the one he heard about.

    His love was violent and cruel. His love was twisted and vile. It made the boy’s stomach churn as he swallowed again, this time tasting blood running over his tongue. He ran said tongue across his teeth, feeling a few that’d been loosened during his previous beating. He sniffled again, more pain lacerating his skull and busted nose. He whimpered in agony and dropped his arm to his side, ignoring the bolts of agony that spread through it. He pursed his lips, trying to quiet his sobs.

    If he heard, he would come back.

    “Are you fucking kidding me?”

    No! The boy thought in agony, unable to suppress another wracking sob as he scooted as far back into his box as he could, body screaming in protest the whole way until he smacked into the back wall, as if the two feet made a difference. A light flashed on beneath the door, slicing through the box and making the boy turn away in panic as he choked on another sob.

    Please, no.

   “I told you what would happen if I heard one more fucking peep out of you!”

Please, someone, anyone, please! Help me! I’ll do anything!

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