Alone

Prologue

I remember they left me there. In the behavioral ward with those sick-minded psychos. If not for the nurses, doctors, and security officers, I would have been the victim.

As I appproached the single table where everyone surrounded in seats, middle-aged men of all demeanors eyed me, twitching with excitement as I meekly sat down in a lonely chair. I suppose not many young women ever had a nervous breakdown, but I felt uncomfortable in the single hospital nightgown I wore. For the four later years of my adolescence, I had learned to never trust a male stranger, because I suspected that they would lust over women, wanting to deflower and make an unfortunate female their own slave subjected to their pleasure. Dominance, possessiveness, temptation, frequent sexual encounters with foolish tramps. I didn't know the reason they acted the way they did.

But I knew that I was their target. And that many women around the planet were trapped in the clutches of sex trafficking, rape of any age, and domestic violence.

Why didn't I shut up when I had the chance!? I would have been at the college, studying criminal justice like I had planned in the beginning, instead of being in this evil yet tranquil asylum of possibilities!?

I had to remain calm. At the shocked, confused state that I was in, the doctors were convinced that any more outbursts would result in more medication and extension of my time here in this hell of predators. I had no clue what their backgrounds were or why they landed into treatment and observation. I didn't give a damn about them.

I gave a damn about me and my safety.

The older women who were also staying in the behavioral ward also eyed me, but with anger. A factor which I couldn't understand. Did these women hate me? But why? I wasn't beautiful. I was chubby with flawed facial features.

Yet, I was younger. And men wanted that.

I didn't get much to eat because a woman began to complain that I was getting all of the attention. She created a scandal which made me fear for my life, because she was throwing chairs and thundering aloud. The doctors called for security.

That's when an old pervert stood close to me and tried to get me by striking a conversation. Yet I wanted nothing from him or what he intended.

I remember the night of karaoke in the ward, and how he began to straddle me while I stood in fear. Every ill-minded patient, even the foolish nurses, estatically jeered while I suffered in discomfort. Instead of kicking him, I moved away. I had no choice.

For the remainder of my stay, he tried every approach to be physically close. The hospital staff knew of my awareness and moved me to a more peaceful location. He followed.

And every night, I lied awake, listening to the screams, yells, and calls of the men on the other side of the behavioral ward's walls. And I never slept. For he stood there in the doorway, waiting for his chance.

My aunts had betrayed me.

No one believed me.

Except my father.

Who saw my predicament.

And wanted to save me from them.