“I’m sick!” She screamed. “I’m fucking sick and tired of people like you telling me what I should do, how I should feel!”
“You’re being ridiculous, and making a scene, let’s go home, little one.” He smiled through it all, but his eyes warned her to be silent. To be a good little girl and do as he says. The eyes of the crowd are drifting away from the older man, possibly this young woman's father. They wonder why she’s acting out. The man seems to be kind and gracious even!
“No! I’ll never go back to that hell hole. You’ll kill me sooner than I’d go willingly.” Her arms flailed, causing more people to slow and watch the scene unfold. The man noticed this and became angrier.
The man growled at her, but she remained strong in her stance. He won’t scare her anymore. He’s had too much power over her life and today was the last night he would hurt her.
“Enough! You really don’t want to do this, Anya. Now let’s go home before something really bad happens.” With each exhale his face looks more agitated. Any longer and he’ll show his true colors amongst strangers. She is pushing him to a point in which survival is near impossible. If she leaves with him now, she’ll die by his fists.
As loud as she can, the young woman yelled out, “I’m doing this for me because I want to! It doesn't matter that you’ll kill me, at least I’ll be free from your abusive ass! You can’t threaten me anymore.” Her hands quake from the exertion, but if needed, Anya is ready to fight her way out. Hopefully the people around can help her get away. She has no money, food, housing or anything essential. As long as he’ll never find her again, it was worth it.
All at once, as if the heavens finally found grace upon her, people started to yell at the man. They demand him to leave this girl alone. Chasing him away like angered baboons, the man is forced to run, but not without a deadly glare.
An unspoken promise: I’ll find you again. This time, you won’t have a savior.
An old woman with tanned leather skin grabbed her left arm, pulling her down to meet her level. “Child, let’s get you out of here before that bastard comes back.” Something about her makes Anya feel uneasy. Her eyes are too bright against the rest of her. The elderly woman standing before her looks harmless, but those eyes… Anya reluctantly followed the woman down the street.
“What’s your name?’ Anya’s voice rings out. The woman glanced her way, but no response came out of her. Warning bells alert Anya. Something isn’t right. Anya wasn’t sure if it was the way the elder looks as her, as if she was a stack of money or the fact that the woman has ungodly strength.
“You won’t be missed will you? You have nothing, nobody?” Anya tried to get away, but the woman held on to her arm, dragging her into a shack nestled between two large buildings. Against the rusted buildings, the small house screams danger. Nothing about this place has comfort nor happiness. Life ends here. Anya felt the hundreds of spirits begging her to run away, pulling at her other limbs, causing a tug-of-war with her body.
The old woman whispers in another language.
The spirits let go, leaving Anya alone with a terrifying woman.
“Answer the damn question and it’ll be a lot easier on everyone.” Her voice deepens with every word she speaks.
“Please let me go! I just left my father from his years of abuse! Please! I’m finally free!”
“That’s exactly why I want you, my dear. True freedom tastes so much better. Freedom of pain, regret, abuse, addiction, they’re so good for this old soul.” Fear erupted in Anya’s body. This witch! Whoever this person is, they will not take her without a fight!
With all her might, Anya punches the witches back, bruising the kidney. The force of the hit caused the witch's hand to leave Anya’s arm. If this hag wants her freedom, she’ll die fighting for it! She just became free and this… this thing will not take it! Not ever!
The witch turns with a wicked grin. Anya realized too late that this is how she feeds. The old witch gains life by taking another. Fighting against her is a mistake. The Witch of Death is not one some mere child can go toe to toe against.
Seeing a pipe rusted from the years of mud and rain glinted in the light. Diving for it, Anya gets to the pipe before the witch can see what’s about to happen. With all her might, Anya swings the weapon at the hag.
“I have nothing and no one! But guess what, you ol’ bitch?! I’m done being a coward taking the hits from my father while my mom hides in the corner. I’m done being fed on! My life is not yours to take you fucking leech!”
Although Anya was never allowed to do sports, the years of abuse made her strong. Her survival instincts kicked in and with everything she has, Anya swings the pipe at the woman again and again. She missed every time, but with each swing the witch looked increasingly worried. This young thing is not as weak as she once thought. No matter! This fight will make this meal that much more delicious!
Finally a blow hits her on the spine, forcing the old woman down to her knees. Anya saw it as a chance. More and more strength is added to each blow. Exhausted and looking at the mess she made, white wisps of smoke grabbed Anya’s feet and pulled her down to her knees.
The bones of the old woman set back into place, loud cracking sounds through the now night air. “Poor little Anya. You did everything, but now you’re mine!” The hag leaned down, inspecting her next meal closely
With one last act of freedom, Anya takes the pipe and bashed the hags head one more time. The smoke stopped holding her down. She stood up slowly, carefully watching the witch.
After several minutes of nothing, she sprints down the alleyway. Twists and turns, but fortunately not lost, she gets back to the street.
Freedom!
Loud horn.
Bright lights.
A forceful shove from behind.
Then… darkness.