Chapter 1

Rain

Daddy was kneeling at the end of a long hallway, his arms open wide. "Baby Girl." He called out. I wanted to run to his arms so badly. Something or someone was holding me back.... My uncle. His hand rested on the sway of my back, a smile plastered on his face.

My mother then appeared in the distance. She looked sad in a way. She came up to my father, her green eyes glistening. My father's arms dropped to his side. They both began to fade. "Mommy? Daddy?" I yelled finally able to run to them, but they were gone.

"You're my baby girl now" my uncle whispered in my ear creepily.

My eyes shot open to the lowly lit room. A small tear rolled down my face. I was laying on my back with an arm draped over my torso, keeping me in place. The man next to me, who is snoring loudly, would soon be the death of me. I believed that to be true.

"Rain?" Raiden, my brother whispered from the small opening of the door. "Hush!" I warned him. I looked over at Uncle Tom to make sure he was still asleep. I moved his arm from around me and replaced it with a pillow. Then I left the room.

"What's wrong?" I whispered to Raiden ,who was crying. He wrapped his arms around my waist and cried into my stomach. "I'm scared" he croaked, squeezing me tighter.

I walked him over to the pull out couch where we normally slept together unless Uncle Tom wanted something. "Lay down." He did what he was told and I did the same. Immediately wrapped his small hands around me placing his head on my chest. "Stop crying okay. I got you."

I really don't talk much unless I'm spoken to. I always thought, if I just stay quiet and stay out of people's way, I won't get hurt along the way. I learned that quickly living with my uncle. Just say what was necessary or there will be consequences.

It's been that way since my mother and father never came back from their anniversary getaway.

Katy

Today is the first day back teaching at Cobwell Junior High. Teaching kids is everything to me. Knowing that I could inspire young adults by teaching them something they might need in the future, brings joy to my heart. Even though I work at a school where the kids are labeled as "future gang members", I know I'm teaching a somebody.

I walked down the graffiti covered hallways towards my class. Once I got there I got situated before the students arrived. Moments later the bell rang and students started to come in.

"You our teacher?" One of the boys asked me, looking at me up and down. "Yes" I answered him mentally rolling my eyes. "You fine" he said.

" Boy sit your narrow behind down" I laughed. I pay students like him no mind. They all are sweethearts at heart. They just need someone to notice.

" Let me sit in the front so I can get a good look at ya." the boy sat down licking his lips. Nonsense like this, I can't help but laugh at.

Ignoring his comment, I began introducing myself to the class. " Good morning class. My name is Katy Wills and I will be your teacher for this year."

A student in the back raised their hand. " Mrs.Wills..."

" Call me Katy." I said cutting her off. I hated being called by my last name. I know I'm a teacher and all, but since I'm the only teacher these students will see for the school year due to lack of staff, I feel as if we should form some type of friendship.

" Cool. I was just letting you know someone is at the door."

I looked at the door and there was a girl with the most beautiful eyes I ever seen. " Come on in sweetie."

...

Rain

I can't believe Uncle Tom let me go to school. I haven't been to a school in forever. I watched Uncle Tom as he parked in a Illegal parking space. " Hurry up and get out." He said dryly.

I looked around and there were no kids outside letting me know I was late. " Gone now." he rushed.

I quickly got out of the car and nervously walked up to the double doors. Once I opened them a foul smell of wet pencils and feet swept across my nose. I walked up to the front office and stared at the beat up door before going in.

There was a lady, sitting at the desk in the far corner. She sat there eating her potato chips and flipping through her People's magazine. She looked like she didn't want to be bothered, but it seems like I will have to since she was the only one in the room.

" Excuse me? I'm new and I don't know where I'm supposed to be, could you help me please?"

I tried to be as polite as possible like my Uncle taught me. Please and thank you, yes sir and no sir were always spoken when I spoke to him and he expected the same respect with others.

" What's your name?" She asked with a bored tone.

"Rain"

" Rain what?"

I gave her a confused expression. She asked me my name and I gave it to her.

" your last name."

" oh, I'm sorry. My last name is King." I apologized, embarrassed.

" 364"

The lady went back to her Potato chips and dismissed me before I could say thank you. I finally got to my classroom and looked through the window before going in. The room looked like the complete opposite of the rest of the building. It was bright and colorful. A woman sat on a desk in the front of the room facing the students. She smiled as she spoke and moved her hands around with expression.

Suddenly her attention was now on me as I stood there looking through the window. She ushered me in with a smile.

" Come on in sweetie." I came into the room and immediately I was greeted with laughter.

I was confused but I didn't let that show.

" What's up with her clothes?" Somebody snickered. I looked down at what I was wearing but I didn't see anything wrong with it. I wore and old sweatshirt that belonged to my uncle and some jeans. Sure there were a couple of holes here and there but I didn't see the matter. My shoes were regular shoes, I can't really explain them.

" Settle down class. Sweetie, just pick a seat anywhere."

As I looked around the room, I opted to sit in the back so I wouldn't have as much attention on me.

_______

Later on that day, I made it just in time to greet my little brother off the bus.

" Hey Raiden, how was your first day of preschool big boy?" Raiden gladly jumped off the bus and ran to give me a hug.

" It was okay. I made a friend." He said excitedly. He held my hand as we walked towards the house. " I'm hungry," he announced.

" Didn't you eat lunch?" I asked him. I was hungry too but I wasn't worried about me.

" No. My teacher said I needed money. She is nice. She gave me some apples and half of her weird sandwich but I'm still hungry." He complained. " She said that a guardian needs to sign some forms so I can get free lunch."

" Okay I'll find us some food." We Walked into the house. Before I went to the kitchen, I made sure my uncle wasn't around. I searched the cabinets for something to eat. Luckily, I cupped noodles in the cabinet. I heated up and called Raiden to come eat.

"Thank you." He thanked me before digging in.

" your welcome. Hurry and eat before he gets home." I started to do my chores.

"You're not going to eat?" Kaiden asked as he took a big bite of his noodles.

" Don't worry about me."

I heard the door open and close. I got scared. Normally we wouldn't eat unless Tom told us it was okay. Something about minding our manners

"What are you doing eating my food? Did I tell you can have that?" Uncle Tom yelled at Kaiden. He began to cry at the sudden yelling.

" I told him he can have it. He was hungry."I immediately defended

" Did I ask you?" Tom snapped.

" Sorry. I was just saying..."

" And you still talking" Uncle Tim looked at me with his fiery blue eyes and I immediately shut my mouth.

" Go put that in the trash. And shut up with all that crying before I give you something to cry about" he told Kaiden.

" Yes sir" He did what he was told and scurried out of the room. I cursed myself for getting Raiden in trouble. I should have waited a little longer. I continued to clean the kitchen as Uncle Tom sat at the table watching me. I said nothing, not wanting to say the wrong thing. His staring became a bother so I asked if he wanted something to eat but he declined.

"You know better Rain. You eat when I tell you to. Just because you going to school doesn't mean you don't have to mind your manners. This is still my house. You understand?" Uncle Tom fussed. His demeanor demanded respect in his scolding.

" Yes sir."

Once I finished the kitchen, I went on to clean the living room. Soon there was a knock on the door, I paused for a moment wondering who it was.

It wasn't any of my business so I went to sit with Kaiden until whoever was at the door left. I was waiting to hear the front door close but it never did. After a few minutes, Uncle Tom called for me.

" Yes sir" I answered walking into the living room. There was a man and a woman there. That looked at me and back at Uncle Tom. The man said something to Uncle Tom but I couldn't hear him.

Uncle Tom nodded his head before getting up and taking me to the kitchen.

" I need you to do something for me," Uncle Tom said simply. He poured himself a drink in a shot glass. I waited for him to tell me what I needed to do. He never did, he just handed the shot glass to me.

" Drink it." He told me.

I obeyed him and took a sip. I didn't like it. The burn trickled at my throat as I began to choke. I rejected the drink only for Uncle Tom to push it back towards me.

" Dink all of it" I hesitated but eventually I did what he told me to do. My throat burned as I swallowed. Before I could recover, he grabbed my arm and led me back to the living room but the man and woman were gone. Nonetheless, Uncle Tom continued toward his bedroom.

" Don't screw this up." I didn't know what he meant. Once we got inside the man and woman were there half naked, waiting.

Tears began to fill my eyes as I realized what was going to happen next. It's been a while since this happened. I looked at Uncle Tom, pleading with him with my eyes.

The man handed Uncle Tom cash.

" we'll pay the rest when we're done"

Uncle Tom nodded before closing the door behind him. For the first time in a while, I wanted him around.

The man roughly pushed me on the bed. The woman pulled off my clothes with just as much force. Then I knew it was going to be a long night.

_________________

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