Chapter 1: The Man in the Hood

There was a rumor going around back when I was in high school. I couldn't tell if it was an actual rumor or just a folklore. Thing is apparently while I was in high school, there was man going around town, stopping crime, like a superhero. Except he wasn't, he made a message. His message was that Freedom Falls, my city, was off limits for crime. Every mob boss, gangster, thug, etc. feared him. He didn't just stop at beating them up, no he brutalized his victims. He killed the ones that couldn't take his beatings. He was known as, "The King." And Freedom Falls was his city. Kind of unbelievable right? A vigilante? A real-life vigilante? He disappeared three years ago. Now crime is at its all time high. It seems the criminal underground has decided not to fear a story, that's all he is, isn't he? A make-believe story.

            My name is Jessica May Roberts, everybody calls me Jess for short, and I am a second-year student at Freedom Falls Tech along with my childhood friend and best friend Arthur. Well he could've got his bachelor's by now but can you believe him, he said he would return to school once I recovered from my accident. Which reminds me, I forgot to mention it, but yeah, I was in a terrible car accident that caused me to be bedridden for two whole years. Then admitted in that same hospital for another year, crazy right. Anyways, back to my day. Today was going to be the first day of the spring semester. I was excited, mainly because I've finally healed. I no longer needed to wear that giant boot cast thing. I looked in the mirror and noticed that I was actually in pretty decent shape. A little bit of muffin top but that could be easily fixed. My bust got a little bigger too. I was now sporting a C cup instead of a B. My long blonde hair in a pony tail that extended to down to my mid-back. I had just recently got pink highlights too, and let me tell you, when they light shine on my sapphire eyes, I am the definition of angel. Kidding of course, I'm just complimenting myself here. I was feeling it, my summer body of course, although my height was still at a 5' 2".

"Hey Jess!" Arthur called outside, "Hurry up or I'm leaving!"

            I peeked out my window and saw him, annoyed of course, "Coming Arthur." Arthur, was surprising well built, for someone so lazy and brainy. He always hated his height of 5' 11", mainly because according to him, he's definitely six feet. Like I said, he was well built, like not like fit, no Arthur was muscular and toned. He says he spends his spare time working out, and it shows. He doesn't like bragging about it however, even though I tell him all the time that his body can "woo" all the girls at the club or beach. He has short black semi-shaggy hair. His eyes shone a hazel honey brown. He has a square jaw, that was quite prominent. Literally, if he wasn't such a nerd or lazy, he could be somewhere in the world, but I'm glad to have him as my best friend.

"Oh my god woman," Arthur's impatience grew, "You made me get up to pick you up, the least you can do is be on time."

"I am. I am!" I responded I was ran down the stairs. "DAD! I'm heading out." This may be weird, but yes, I live with my father, as a college student nonetheless. Home was a mansion, or a modern mansion. My father is the CEO of Falls Construction, a very successful construction contractor company. He paid for all of my treatments, and drugs out of pocket. "Okay sweetie, take care of her Arthur you hear."

"Yeah sure no probs Mr. Roberts."

"Have fun at school!"

"Dad, I'm 20 school wasn't fun for a while now." I joked. I ran outside and met up with Arthur. "Alright Arthur good toooooooo go."

"Whatever, get in the car." Arthur complained, "I could be getting much needed sleep right about now."

********

"And that is the principle of atomic theory. Do I have any questions?" Professor Langston waited for a few seconds. "No? Great. Now can somebody wake that lazy bum up." He hinted at Arthur, who always fell asleep during any lectures. Honestly, nobody knows how he's such a smartass, since he never pays any attention at all. "Arthur," I nudged him, "wake up."

"Nnnngnngnnn."

"Arthur."

"Nnngnnfivemornnnn."

I sighed, "Well you did this." I raised my right hand and SLAM, right on his face.

"OH MY GOD!!!" He bellowed. He looked around as he slowly began to become aware of his surroundings again. He glanced up and realized who it was who committed this act of terror upon him. He uttered a very disappointing, "Oh, it's just you Jess." He rubbed his cheek in pain. "God, do you have to hit so hard."

"Yes I do, Mr. hnhnnhFive-More-Minutes." I mocked.

"That's a terrible impression." He moseyed his way up to his feet and stretched so hard, I swore I felt my own my muscle's being pulled. "You gonna go home?"

"Nah, I'm gonna go cram for a few hours in the library." He stared at me with a distrusting look. "What?! I promise I'll be okay."

"Aight. Well, call me if you need anything."

"Like I'm gonna need a nerd."

"A buff, lazy nerd," he corrected.

            It was dark by the time I finished studying. I really got carried away. The campus at night had an odd beauty to it. The Greco-Roman inspired buildings illuminated by the orange glow of the dim campus lights, it was as if it was trying to capture the essences of those old oil paintings.

            I was on my way home, but then something struck me, as if it was my body's mechanism for something defense. A sixth sense. Someone, or something was watching me. A chill went running down my spine. I have to get home, I thought to myself. I was walking along the school mural when the chill returned. I was certain this time. Something is following me; however, the question was, what? I called Arthur, my breathing, unbeknownst to me, was frantic and out of control. "Arthur," I panted, "come pick me up at school right now."

"What's wrong? You sound like you're being chased? Are you okay?"

"Something is following me." My breathing was getting heavier.

"Did you see it?"

"No, but I can feel it. It doesn't feel right. Hurry."

"On my way."

            Arthur hung up. I could always rely on him for times like this. Even when we were little, Arthur was always there when I was scared, sad, angry, etc. He was always there. I knew he was coming as fast as humanly possible, but still, I could not shake the feeling. The comfort that I got knowing that my best friend was on his way, was overshadowed by this growing fear that clawed its way onto my back. I kept glancing over my shoulder. Was somebody behind me? No. Was I really just imagining it? I took a deep breath and calmed myself. There was no way somebody was here, on school grounds, not at this time. There's no wa-

"Well, well, seems like we got a beauty here in these woods." A gruff voice spoke out, from in front of me, I was looking the wrong way. The danger, was in front of me. "What are you doing around here this late at night little princess?" I stopped dead in my tracks, frozen in fear. My voice trembling, "I…I was studying."

"Studying eh?" The man walked out of the corner in front of me. Compared to me, he was a hulk. Every aspect of his body was twice my size.  I smelled the alcohol and tobacco on his breath from where I was. His body odor, gave a slight kick of must. He slowly stalked towards me. I took a step back and flinched. "Hey now, I'm not gonna hurt you. Aren't I guys."

Guys?! There's more than just him?!

"Nah boss," another voice this time from behind me, "we gon treat her real good tis one." He had a heavy cockney accent. Although only one voice spoke out from behind me, I clearly heard more than one set footsteps. I glanced behind me. Three. There were three more men behind me. I had to run. The wall was on my left, to my right, the courtyard. I turned and dashed across the courtyard, running as fast as I could, using the adrenaline that was in my body. "Oi! Get back here!" The man with the cockney accent yelled out.

"Don't just stand there! After her," the man with gruff voice ordered.

            I couldn't tell if they were catching up to me. All I could think about was one foot in front of the other, faster. I had to be faster. I made a turn where I could. I had to lose these men.

            I can't tell how long or far I ran. All I know, is that it wasn't enough. I tried to circle around them with the natural arts building, but with their numbers, they cut me off by sending one of their goons to my destination before me. I stopped in my tracks and turned around, only to be met with the guy with the accent. "Ello love." He smiled creepily at me. I tried to turn around and avoid him, but he grabbed my shoulder and threw me against the wall. "That's enough runnin now yeah?" He pinned me against the wall and eyeballed my body with drool. "Oh, you're a hot one ain't ya." I whimpered. My body was shaking.  

"Hey, now, I'm first." That gruff voice once again.

"You got it boss."

The hulking man strolled over and licked his lips. "Damn, you are one fine thang."

            I had to escape. I had to get away. With one final, last ditch effort, I kicked the man that was holding me against the wall in his groin and pushed him off of me. His "boss" however, restrained me once again. I kept kicking and screaming. Somebody had to hear me, anybody. He tried to muffle my voice with his hand but I bit in retaliation. He screamed in pain. In a fit of anger, he struck me, and from just him backhanding me, a jolt was sent to my body. Blood dripped from mouth as a hit the deck. My body was limp. "Ah, she's feisty." He pinned me to the ground and came closer and whispered in my ears. "I love it when they fight back." He giggled menacingly to himself. "I love savoring it, when I break them." Then, the reality hit me. I could not escape. I was left to their bidding, to his bidding. No, I thought to myself.

"Ah, what's wrong giving up so soon?" Tears, began to swell up in my eyes. He sat on top of me. "You see," he slowly caressed my cheek. I shut my eyes and looked away. The only form of escape I had left. "If you didn't run, I wouldn't have had to hit you." He traced a circle on my cheek. I whimpered. "Now, time for a meal." I couldn't see it, for I didn't want to open my eyes, but I could tell. He was wearing a smile, a maniac smile. His finger went from cheek and down to my breast. "No," I softly cry.

"Hehehe, yes." He grabbed my shirt and ripped it away. "Awwwhaha, yes."

Somebody! Save me! HELP ME!

"Nobody's coming little princess." He cackled, "Let's just enjoy the night." He brought himself to my ear, "You're going to be so sweet." He smiled as if he were a child that won a life time supple of candy.

            I couldn't think. I couldn't feel. This had to be dream. Somebody save me. I bit my lips and said his name. "ARTHUR!"

"Arthur? Who's that? Your man? Ahahahaha! I'ma show you a real man righ here. Don't worry sweetie. You won't remember him again." He laughed and kept laughing at my pain.

Hurry Arthur! Save me!

"Hahah-" WHAM! He was cut short. I opened my eyes again and looked at why. This time I didn't see that monster on me. I saw a man in a hood. I couldn't see or make out his face, but I felt something from him. Anger, rage. This man was mad at what they were trying to do to me, yet despite all that I felt some sort of comfort from him. It felt so familiar. Somebody came to save me. He clenched his fist and looked at me. His voice, I don't remember his voice before blacking out. All I could remember from the rest of that night was him telling me, "It's okay now. I'm here now J-" What was he trying to say? I don't remember. Everything went dark after he arrived.