1.

I was sleeping peacefully when my phone rang at around 3a.m.. Usually, I'd be mad but this phone call is from an important person. The time zones also add up to the huge problem. Plus, had I received it in the middle of the day, it be inconvenient for me.

I close my eyes again after taking the phone call. I sigh contently as I wait for sleep to come back to me. My eyes flicker open when I feel someone pull at my hair. It's him, my boyfriend.

I smile and pull my covers off, looking at my wristwatch. He offers me his hand which I happily take and we walk outside to a car. I get in without question and he sits beside me, telling me how much he missed me.

The car is speeding but I don't mind that right now. I always feel safe when I'm with him. The car comes to an abrupt stop and he gets out, pulling me behind him. It's pretty chilly for a Spring night. I'm only in my pyjama shorts and shirt while he's wearing black pants and a black polo shirt.

He takes my hand and leads me to the woods, talking about what had time and devotion lately. I get a hint of hurt in his tone but chose to ignore it. Shouldn't I be happy he's spending some time with me?

We stop in front of a tree, very old with dry barks. The cracking sounds of fallen twigs fill the air around us as I look around. I cannot see which way we came from. There's no sign of light and I forgot to bring my phone.

"What are we doing here?" I ask and he looks at me with wide eyes. He take my hands and kisses my knuckles, avoiding eye contact.

With a breaking voice, he speaks. "Pain is only in your mind."

Is he crying?

"What are you talking about?" I get a chill running down my spine and I look around, suddenly feeling scared.

He clenches his jaw and gives me a cold look, "I'm sorry, but I never share."

I turn to look behind me but a strong hard object beats me to it. It feels like I was hit with a hockey stick on my head. He lets go of my hands as I fall to my knees, feeling dizzy. The ground is spinning behind me and I grip onto my head for support. My hands feel wet and I bring them to my eyes.

Dark red.

Liquid.

Flowing down the side of my face.

Some down my forehead.

I feel it in my mouth and some stains my pink shirt.

One.

I try to look up, to look for him, but my eyes hurt badly. I lean against the tree and it pierces my back. The new pain is somehow dimming the first one. He leans down and kisses my forehead. I start hiccuping when he moves back and four figures move forward.

One steps forward and pulls out what looks like a pocket knife. He crouches down and in a swift motion, he connects the blade to the side of my waist, cutting the skin closest to my right breast. I cry out in pain and cover my wound with my free hand.

Two.

Another one steps forward but this time he doesn't crouch down. He sucks in a breath of air before punching my nose; a fucking leftie. I fall to my side and blood is oozing out of my nose.

Three.

I try inhaling some air but my body shakes in pain. Twigs crack and I try to look up but before I even get the strength to, a boot makes contact with my stomach. I cough and whizz, spitting out blood.

Four.

The thought of death comes across my mind and this time I don't let it pass. Death feels comforting. It promises me a better feeling than what I'm going through. I'm pulled out of my trance by the sound of a gun.

Maybe my wish will come true after all. I look at the thoughtful person and our eyes lock. His eyes show no emotion and I smile.

At least he's the stronger one between us.

He lowers the gun to me and I hold my belly tighter. He looks more determined than my will to die. The metallic bat and knife are dropped to my feet but I don't look away. I watch his finger closely. He pulls the trigger and the sound comes half a second after.

Five.

I didn't flinch.

'Pain is only in your mind,' I replay his words as pain creeps up on me. First in the pit of my stomach before spreading every where like a deadly virus.

I move my hand over my fifth infliction and concentrate on the feeling I'll never experience again.

I slowly close my eyes and relax my body. I hear them leaving. 'Please turn around and look at me one last time,' I want to shout but my soul I slowly leaving my body.

They disappear and now I'm left all alone. My mind is a blank and I feel everything closing in on me. Then everything turns dark.

Few years later: Leigh-Ann's POV

The last couple of hours before I really had to get up was spent just lying in bed thinking. How was I going to complete my studies? How would mom manage without me? Where was I going to get the funds for a another year?

Beep! Beep! Beep!

I let out an irritated sigh as I pulled the cotton covers from me and sat up straight. I look around my room still half dazed. I have a relatively small bedroom. When you open the door and look ahead to the opposite wall there is a built-in semblance of a shoe locker but I use it for my books instead.

On the right there is a window frame with two openings and directly in front of it is my bed, standing at a rough 045° bearing from the door. I don't have a nightstand, but I do have an organized study table and chair though

There is a pink carpet which is along my bed, supported by both the left legs of my bed to hold it in place.

Beep! Beep! Beep!

My phone goes off again and I reached under my pillow to find it. I notice that I have a few notifications. They must be wrong numbers or the phone company. I don't have any friends. I chose not to socialize after what happened.

"Are you already up?" Claire's voice comes through the door and I sigh before getting up and opening the shower. I get in and lather myself with coconut shower gel. After stepping out I moisturize myself and wear some black skinny jeans paired with a basketball t-shirt that was lacey at the back, revealing my garment. Not that I care at the last bit.

I finish my look with a pair of black Vans and grab my jewellery from the hook next to my door: seven rings, four leather bands, six elastic bands and two metal wristbands.

I grab my backpack and toss it over my shoulder as I pull my bedroom door behind me. On my way to the kitchen I could smell that Claire was making scrambled eggs. "Morning," I say as I kiss her forehead.

"Morning dear," she replies before briefly giving me a shoulder hug because her hands are occupied with the batter.

"I won't stay for breakfast," I inform her as I reach for a water bottle from the freezer and head towards the door. I glance over at her when I didn't hear her respond.

She is standing still, staring at the frying pot that's on the stove plate and lost in thought. That doesn't smell so good now, given that it's overcooking. She quickly recovers and turns to me.

"Be back before seven."

"Will try."

We are living in a separate penthouse away from the main house, although both houses were in one yard. I usually leave through the back gate and walk to school for a good 8 minutes.

I arrive on campus with a minute to spare. I walk towards my locker and get my books out. The bell rings shortly after and I have my first three classes: English, World History and then Spatial Science. I am majoring in English Literature and Applied Science with a minor in Archaeology.

*~*~*~

I always go to the library during lunch because I have no-one to sit with in the cafeteria. And I've learnt to use the books, peace and silence offered here to my advantage.

I walk in and go straight to the back where there are single desks. I always occupied the desk by the window because the view outside is magnificent. The vibe I get when I'm sitting besides the window with a good romance novel while its raining outside is what I live for.

I drop my bag by my chair and go through the fictional books on display. I pick out one I haven't read yet.

Everything, Everything.

I return to my table and flip the hard cover over, the 'new book' smell instantly hitting my nose. I have exactly 55 minutes of lunch left so I should be halfway through by the time my next class starts.

*~*~*~

I don't sleep late on Saturdays like most people my age do. I woke up at 6a.m. and went for a weekly jog around the block. After 12 minutes I take my shower and wear a sports bra, a baggy shirt with cotton shorts and a pair of flip flops. I put on a single anklet and a necklace before going to the kitchen.

I prepare muesli with whipped cream and sit at the porch. After I finished my breakfast I start sweeping when Lu, Ms Miranda's maid, came to knock on our door. Our house is behind the main house with only the large pool and well-maintained garden acting as a barrier. I open the door to a panting Lupita and I smile as a greeting.

"Morning," she said trying to calm her breathing. "Ms Miranda is asking for you. She said you must come quickly because she has somewhere else to go."

"Alright," I say as I close the door behind me. I tried to catch up with Lu but she was already so far ahead of me. She opened the main house's back door, that is in the kitchen, and showed me to the living room. I don't really come into the main house but whenever I do I am always impressed by it.

The living room had a large, freshly dry-cleaned carpet with a glass coffee table in the centre. There are two steps of stairs going all the way round to mark the area of the room. The floor is covered in white marble tiles and the room has an ocean mist scent.

Ms. Miranda turns her head in my direction when I clear my throat. "Darling," she exclaims with a smile as she stands up and walks towards me. She's always calling me 'darling' or 'dear' or some other word. She never calls me by my name. A thought of whether she knows my name comes to mind and leaves just as fast.

"Morning Ms Miranda," I greet her back. She gives me a look I'm well too familiar with. She gave up long ago on insisting I don't call her 'Ms' but I never listened. I just feel more respectful towards her if I call her like that.

"Come on," she says, gently pulling me on one of the white large couches. She sits besides me and lays her hands on her laps.

"So, as you may or may not know, my son's due to return." I nod. "I was thinking, would you mind cleaning his room before he comes? I'll wire your payment into your account tonight." She looks at me and I can't help but give her a tight smile.

"Yeah, sure. When?" I ask her.

"Any day you find yourself free. He's returning on Friday so it'd be best before then."

She is a very gorgeous lady. Her wrinkles are definitely defined because of all the smiling she does. She always has her hair in a high, tight bun. Not even one loose strand of hair have I seen for as long as I've known her. Except if her hair is down altogether. A very rare occasion.

She's wearing a cream dress that is tight around her cleavage and waist but becomes loose from the lower back downwards. She finished her look with light brown gladiators and matching pearl earrings and a necklace.

Her phone rings and interrupts my thoughts. She gives me a confirming look before getting up and grabbing her handbag. Her phone is still ringing in her hand but she doesn't answer it until she is outside. I watch through the glass door as she her chauffeur drives off.