Imagine. Close your eyes. Tightly now; Tighter.
Now think.
'Who is it I care for most?'
What was your answer? If you answered 'Relative', or 'Sibling' then your a very generous and kind person. Though, I said those same words once... I'm neither 'kind' nor 'generous'.
Those people I found most dear, closest to my heart, all ran. Those who I believed would catch me when I fall, or shelter me from my fears, weren't there when duty called.
I know, I make it sound as if it was their job, though, isn't that just it? Isn't it a mother or fathers job to protect their child, no matter the circumstance?
Believing in this is what brought me down to dirt level. When I finally realized I was in too deep, it was too late.
I'm Harper. I have a debt to a gang on the west end of this dusty, old ghost town; Meorotoa.
Since the time I've gotten involved with this Kouhai gang, nothing has been but bad news.
I'm not the most colourful crayon in the box, but I know that its the only way a kid like me; Fourteen going on fifteen; is going to make any money for his family, and its dried up business.
A Lot of people say I'm brave, though, Mother and Father think otherwise. Since the day I've made my choice, my family has been shunning me; Excluding my sister Rai. Rai is the only family I have left, though, I never think of it like that. Mother and Father are in it for the money, knowing its the only way their going to survive through the seasons.
Little Rai doesn't understand it quite yet, but she keeps me in a sane mind. One that would be long gone by now if it wasn't for her. I give her all my thanks, along with respect. Having an eight-year old by your side can be quite reassuring in times like this. I never feel alone with Rai, nor do I ever burden her with my troubles.
Oh yes. The story? Well, it begins in Meorotoa; My obvious hometown. It was a summer day hotter then boiled molasses, though, the rain that came later on that day sure fixed that. It stopped the burning crops and- Wait. I'm rambling again; Talking to myself really has to stop.
Get up. It was a light push, I stirred.Get up... It was another one, harder though, more force.
Shooing it away I lay my head back to the pillow, trying my hardest to weave back into my mental narrative story.GET UP! Thump. I hit the floor, falling off the bed completely; I brought all linen bed-sheets and pillows down with me.
My eyelids peeled away from each other and, I blinked as to try and comprehend where I was and where I had ended up. Looking at the floor underneath my bare chest, I realized that; Because of such fine hard wooden floors; that I was not in my own home.
Surprised, I sat up quickly, more awake then anyone has ever been in the town of Meorotoa. I looked at the pillow, detaching myself from it and flinging it against the wall; As if it were diseased.
My eyes darted to the clock that ticked away on the velvet red wall near the nightstand. That's when I realised I had blurred vision; Either that or tape had been placed over my eyes.
I felt uncomfortable, my body was hot and my hands were clammy. Where was I? The question repeated itself over and over.
My blood pressure rose, higher and higher, I looked around frantically...That's when I saw him.
Body made of chocolate brown skin, looking as if it were sculpted by angels. Hair, darker then the night sky. Though his eyes weren't visible, and every time I strained my own eyes to see, they would betray me and hide the colour behind their distorted vision.
In all the excitement, I hadn't taken in the fact that I was completely naked. Though, the man made it quite clear with a low chuckle, and a point of his index finger...My nether regions were awakening.
Shocked for the umpteenth time this morning, I grabbed for the pillow again and covered myself; A feverish red enveloping my face.
I heard the bed squeal in detest. Was the man moving towards me? My presumption was correct.
As I tilted my head up, the face of an older man appeared before me.
No. We're not talk forties or fifties kind of old, we're talk two or three years older then myself; Ew, sicko people with your pedophile imagination.
I hid my face again before I could see his eyes. That's when I heard this voice; Luscious and seductive, masculine but with a feminine touch. This melody flowed into my ear like a breeze through the autumns leave-less trees. The whisper carressed my thoughts and my tenstion eased, he stated; "I'm guessing-By your reaction-that you don't remember..." There was a light chuckle from the mans throat, his arms snaking around my waist. I couldn't move.
