For Virginia

She would wait for a more opportune time, and if he offered it, she would make him pay for his sadistic obsession.

She could feel the tension in his body, his arms shaking as if the room was twenty degrees. He put his other arm beneath the covers and explored the details of Virginia's body. Virginia cringed when he touched her bare skin.

"Don't act like that with me," he snarled, glaring down at her. His full weight was pressing down and Virginia found it almost as difficult to breath as when his hand covered her nose. "You've spent most of your life in foster homes. I know you've been with others before this."

As hard as she tried, Virginia couldn't keep the tears from spilling out of her eyes. Kaleidoscopic images of brutality boiled in her head, and she thought for a moment that she might vomit. Hell yes, she thought, fighting back the intrusive memories. I've been with other guys. There was the group of boys last week at the shelter. They took turns and even filmed parts of it. There was the counselor, from the state. He even promised money if she didn't tell. And then there was dear old dad, her first encounter with a man. Yes, I've been with others, she thought. You won't be the first to hurt me.

He started groping freely now, and with the ease of someone who had done this before, he quickly maneuvered himself under the covers. He kept a hand over Virginia's mouth but pulled her close to him with his free arm. He reached to remove her panties and Virginia suddenly began to struggle and kick as if her life depended on it. He tightened his grip on her face, but continued with his evil work. He quickly became lost in his pathetic lust and forgot that he had covered Virginia's mouth and nose.

Virginia turned her back to the cold wind and pulled the lavender scarf tightly around her neck. She pushed back the sleeve of her coat and glanced at her watch. The bus was fifteen minutes late. She thought for a moment and couldn't remember a time when this bus had ever been on time. She made a mental note to buy a car  maybe a blue convertible  as soon as providence turned a favorable eye her way.

Rather than be late for the interview, Virginia started up the sidewalk toward downtown. She couldn't afford to miss this interview. It was the one chance that she had to get her life back on track. So much had gone wrong, so many wrong turns. So many, in fact, that Virginia could no longer remember the starting point of this ugly journey. But finally, an opportunity had come up that promised to change everything. If all went well, by the end of the day Virginia would be on the path to a new life.

As she walked, a sharp pain shot up her toe, through her foot and raced like a bolt of lightening to her brain. For a moment she thought she scream, but she held it in check. Her eyes were suddenly full of bright light, and she had to reach for a signpost before continuing on her way. In a matter of seconds, she was okay. The pain had passed and she could see clearly again. At least she didn't have to fight the wind.

Virginia had not been in town for so long that she could scarcely remember the way. She came to a corner and had to stop for she did not remember which direction to go.