mystery.
I was so focused on my drawing that I jumped when a hand landed on my shoulder. I looked up to find one of the faculty members frowning at the paper in front of me.
“You’re being a little heavy handed with the charcoal don’t you think? I can barely make out any features of your subject. It’s no longer shadowed, its black.”
I pursed my lips to prevent from snapping at her. When she walked away I sunk down in my chair, resting my chin in my right hand. “ Stupid judgmental bitch.” I thought resentfully as I racked my brain for another idea. I drew him again, this time from the back. He was half naked and his face was turned to the side, displaying his impressive profile. The lines were still blurred but she felt the need to add details to the drawing. In the horizon I drew three dark shapes, obscured by the shadows of a honey locust tree, their forms almost flitting in and out of the dark.
It brought back memories of the night I was attacked less than a month ago. I was cornered in the park by some thugs who felt the need to harass me about the occupy movement.
***
“Hey you’re one of those Occupy bitches.”
I ignored him, tightening my grip on the shopping bag in my right hand, prepared to swing it at his head if he came near. I was brought up short as one of his buddies came in from my left.
“Here’s a tip you fat bitch, if you don’t want to live in poverty, why don’t you get a fucking job!” I fell sideways, hitting my knees hard as he pushed my shoulder. I came up swinging my bag hard at his head, knocking him face first to the cement. I turned to run for it when I was picked up from behind. I kicked my legs out, trying to connect to my assailant but he avoided my strikes. I took a huge inhale, prepared to scream when a fist connected with my side, knocking the wind out of me. I gasped for breath as a hand gripped the hair at the back of my head and pulled my gaze to his.
“You’re going to pay for that you fucking bitch.”
Panic engulfed my system and I wanted to scream but all I could manage was a whispered “No”
His grip switched to my throat as he squeezed, making even harder to breathe. He looked over his shoulder at his buddy on the ground. “You ok man?”
Thug Two swiped at the corner of his mouth and muttered “Fucking whore.” He stood up and backhanded me with a loud crack. With Thug #1’s grip on my throat, I felt like Linda Blair, my head spun so fast.
Bile rose in my throat as Thug Three shifted his hold around my body so he could clumsily grope my breasts. “You know I’d be willing to pay her for the use of her body.” His other hand gripped my crotch painfully “How does five bucks sound?”
His buddies laughed loudly as I fought the urge to puke, my stomach churning at the prospect of what was to come. Blood dripped into my eye from the laceration in my eyebrow and I tasted blood from when I bit my tongue. I stilled in his arms, not wanting to show my fear. I thought quickly, trying to find a way out of this situation.
“Yeah bitch, we’d be happy to give you money, but you’re gonna have to work for it. Get her on her knees, I want her to suck my dick.”
I bit back a groan of pain as I was roughly shoved to my knees again. With the lower position, I regained control of my arms and took the opportunity to wipe the blood from my eyes, glaring at the man in front of me. He grinned down at me as he pulled at his belt and fly. “Open wide slut and I better not feel any teeth.”
“Fuck you.” I spat.
“Now is that anyway to talk to a paying customer?”
I clenched my jaw in defiance.
“The hard way then?” His hands clamped my head, thrusting his thumbs into the sides of my jaw and causing me to open my mouth in order to avoid the pain of the pressure point.
A blurred figure flew out of the shadows and tackled him to the ground. I turned onto my hands and