Extract from Chapter Eleven of
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Then came the nights.
Night after night her father would come into her bedroom.
Night after night.
Lila closed her eyes but the memories were still there.
Soon she felt no pain.
He just came in.
She knew what he wanted. She just pulled back the bed sheets and waited.
There wasn’t anything else.
(When did it change?)
(How?)
She ran away. She was barely eleven.
(Eleven)
She ran away to a new chapter in her life.
A man who promised he would protect her. A man? He was still only a boy. Eighteen? Nineteen?
But he was just the same.
Night after night.
She knew what he wanted. She just pulled back the bed sheets and waited.
A man to be her boyfriend.
Lila frowned.
(How did he die?) A blur. The drugs clouded everything.
His gun.
(He didn’t want her anymore?)
(Did he think she was holding back some money?)
(She wasn’t working hard enough?)
His knife cut her face.
Oh, she cried. She crouched over his body and cried. Blood dripping on his chest, mixing with his blood.
She took the knife and held it against her chest.
Lila remembered.
The Devil came.
He held up a mirror and she saw her torn face.
He held up a mirror and she saw her aging face.
He held up a mirror and showed her how she could look forever.
He crouched by her and offered his hand.
She held his hand and together they pushed the knife in deep.
Now she was wanted for all time. Now she had a new boyfriend.