Abuse

Perhaps it seemed easier for men to earn money, but for a woman, it was like holding a cactus—painful and challenging.

Vanessa, still a teenage girl, found herself thrust into a world where earning money was no longer just a daunting prospect but a harsh necessity.

Regardless of her mental strength or fragility, the reality was clear: making ends meet was incredibly difficult. It had been 30 days since Ryn and Raiden's untimely deaths.

Each passing day added to Vanessa's growing dizziness, a constant reminder of the financial responsibilities that now fell on her shoulders.

While Heidi managed the household chores, the pressing need to earn money loomed large, overshadowing every other concern.

The modest savings Raiden had left behind were quickly depleted, spent on household necessities and Elysia's medicines.

Elysia's health, which had briefly shown signs of improvement, had deteriorated once more.

The pantry shelves were nearly empty, the last remnants of their cooking supplies dwindling.

Mental instability could perhaps be managed with time and support, but their financial situation demanded immediate attention and resolution.

Vanessa felt the weight of their circumstances pressing down on her, the urgency of their plight inescapable.

With no clear path forward, she faced the harsh reality that without financial stability, their already precarious situation would only worsen.

Vanessa was searching for the box that contained all the money Raiden had saved for the future. Although it wasn't a significant amount, it was all they had. In the kitchen, she retrieved the little black box.

Leaning against the kitchen table, she opened it, only to find a mere 23 cents left. Holding the note in her hand, she stood there speechlessly.

She didn't know what to do to support their living. Neither could she afford to remain idle at home.

She looked up, her eyes meeting the sight of Heidi, who was gently helping Elysia drink water. Her sister and her mother—these two people were all she had left in her life.

After them, there would be no one she could call her own. But had she ever truly had someone to call her own?

Vanessa felt overwhelmed. She knew little about the outside world, and as a teenage girl, how could she possibly know enough to navigate this daunting situation?

She bites her lip harshly with her front teeth, the pain a mere distraction from the pressing realities.

It was the start of a new month, and she had to pay the house rent, electricity bills, and numerous other expenses.

Suppressing the pity within her heart, Vanessa headed to Elysia's room and stood there, staring at them. Suddenly, Heidi noticed her elder sister's tense demeanor and said worriedly, with a hint of panic in her voice.

— "Sister, mum's health is worsening again. Please, can you bring fever medicine?"

Vanessa held her breath, her voice monotone, drained of emotion. She felt as if she lacked the words to express her mounting despair.

— "The fever has increased again?"

— "Yes, it has. Please bring the medicine; it's really important."

Heidi replied without looking up, fully absorbed in caring for their mother, Elysia. Vanessa, meanwhile, stood motionless, watching her sister's earnest efforts to comfort their ailing mother.

She felt an overwhelming sense of guilt for her inability to provide for them adequately. It was the worst feeling, knowing everything depended on her yet she couldn't meet those expectations.

Her vision blurred as tears welled up. She began walking backward, her gaze fixed on Heidi, who remained diligently by Elysia's side. Turning around, a single tear escaped, trailing down her cheek.

Vanessa moved forward, locking the main door behind her. It was afternoon, and the sky hinted at the approaching sunset. Vanessa continued to walk, her steps slow and deliberate, like a tortoise.

As she made her way down the street, the passersby—men and women—noticed her, their eyes filled with unexpected curiosity and concern.

The weight of her responsibilities and the uncertainty of their future bore heavily upon her, making each step feel like a monumental effort.

Vanessa walked down the street, lost in her thoughts, oblivious to how far she had wandered from the market.

The calm breeze brushed against her face, but she remained unaware of her surroundings until she realized she had strayed from her intended path.

When she finally noticed, a wave of panic set in. It seemed as though her life was spiraling further into chaos with each passing day.

To make matters worse, she turned to find a man standing ominously behind her. Her heart raced as she took in his presence, her expression one of startled surprise.

The man did not appear trustworthy. His gaze lingered inappropriately on her chest, making her skin crawl.

Vanessa sensed the lecherous intent in his eyes and the oppressive air he exuded. Her legs trembled as she attempted to walk past him, but he blocked her path with a smirk.

Fear gripped Vanessa. She wanted to demand what he wanted from her, but her voice failed her. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she guessed the man to be in his thirties based on his attire.

Desperation filled her as she once again tried to sidestep him, but the street was eerily empty, devoid of any potential help.

There were no other people in sight to lend her courage. Vanessa's mind raced as she searched for an escape.

She could feel the weight of the man's predatory gaze and the oppressive silence of the deserted street.

The situation was dire, and Vanessa knew she had to act quickly to avoid whatever nefarious plans he had in mind.

As the man drew closer, Vanessa's screams erupted without pause, echoing through the desolate street. Each cry seemed to fuel the man's laughter, a chilling sound that reverberated in the empty night.

He found amusement in her terror, knowing that there was no one around to intervene or hear her desperate pleas for help.

Vanessa's breaths came in rapid, uneven gasps, her chest heaving with fear and exertion.

She was transfixed by the sinister amusement in the man's eyes, a harbinger of impending danger that sent shivers down her spine.

Her eyes betrayed a tumult of emotions – fear, confusion, and a profound sense of vulnerability that words alone could not capture.

It was as if her very soul was laid bare, exposed to the malevolent intentions of the man before her.

Tears streamed down her cheeks unchecked, mingling with her cries in a torrent of anguish.

She questioned the source of her tears, unsure if they were born from the immediate threat she faced or the deep-seated trauma she had carried since childhood.

But her cries fell on deaf ears, unable to penetrate the callousness of the man's heart. His grip on her hand only tightened, dragging her mercilessly along the unforgiving pavement.

With each step, her body scraped against the rough surface, leaving behind a trail of physical and emotional scars.

Lost in a whirlwind of terror and despair, Vanessa had no inkling of the man's intentions or where he was leading her.

She continued to scream and cry, her features contorted in agony, as the darkness of the night enveloped her like a suffocating shroud.

She tried hard, she did. Really!

But sometimes, destiny becomes the true villain of our life, and we cannot complain or bear it without making a sound.

Vanessa was a child who had little knowledge of the outside world. She had never idea that under a man, this much worse emotion might also work.

But that day, everything—her body, her heart, and her emotions—was taken from her.

She was unable to stop the man, and for a sixteen-year-old girl who had just made a valiant effort to take on the responsibilities of a family of three, this sensation cannot be so simple to endure.

The scent of the unidentified man's body and every word he said at that moment resonated with her and will continue to do so.

— "God truly works very hard to create you! Darling, let the world see it. The taste of it will make this planet feel incredibly blessed, and you may truly fulfil a man with little effort—just lay down and allow everyone to touch you. He-he!"

He gave a sour laugh and whispered something to her that she didn't understand.

In a moment that shook her to the core, he let out a cruel laugh and uttered a word she didn't recognize.

— "You're destined for the streets and prostitution is totally created for you!"

He declared with a callousness that pierced her heart. Those words shattered her completely.

An unknown man had just revealed something about her she hadn't known, yet the implication behind his choice of words cut deep.