VENDETTA: TAMING THE UNTAMED

TAMING T

LOG

leaked onto the cold floor, her vacant eyes staring into nothingness. Blood dripped from between my thighs, my swollen lips quivered, and my hands

aped. My parents

rator asked, her voice clear and calm

ered in a voice that felt foreign, detach

ry or scream. It was over.

ak louder? You said your

voice a shaky monotone. "I'

k echoing in my head. "Miss, I'm so sorry. How old are you? Where are y

many. "It's not an emergency. I'm

please stay on the line. Help is coming. I just need your locatio

till burning on my skin. "Brutally, I guess. Three men took turns." M

ns to me? I don't remember

ne softening. "But I need your name, age, and

don't kno

be twelve?" she ventured, her v

! I'm fifteen. You're terrible at

lowed from her end,

ease, just tell me where you ar

me, distant and meaning

? Vendetta," I lied, the word

could almost hear her d

but at that moment, I adopted a new one: Vend

I wasn't. Determined to reach her again, I dialed repeate

e blood on my legs dried, the metallic scent fading. I taste

arrived, I didn't

fighting against their hands as they restrained me. They said I w

ared me sane. They sent me to foster care, and gave me a scholarship to some prest

ut of control on