The Color of Vengeance

By Brett Hosmer

Cherina Chambliss was your typical All-American girl: blonde hair, bright blue eyes, a calm, peaceful and gentle demeanor, with two loving parents living in a middle-class neighborhood. That all changed one terrible night in the metropolis of Crane City, as an unspeakable attack has left her body ravaged and her parents murdered.

One year has passed. Emotionally and psychologically devastated, Cherina has undergone a radical transformation. Her hair now a shade of hot pink, her body now a lethal weapon, her mind filled with thoughts of rage and vengeance upon the gang of criminals who violated her and the justice system which has failed her.

Living in isolation and with trust for no one, Cherina soon finds herself at the center of attention from her next door neighbor, Craig, who has developed an interest in her. Despite her obsessive, impulsive behavior, the soft-spoken, mild-mannered and peaceful Craig seems undeterred as he hopes to find a way to unlock Cherina's complex personality and discover a way into her heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brett Hosmer
• Release date: Aug 28, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476235387

Brett Hosmer

I am 35 years old and live in Lansing, Michigan. Since I was a child, writing has been a passion of mine and I am thankful for the opportunity to share with all of you my creative visions and hope that each of you will enjoy my work. I appreciate any feedback that any of you have to offer.

Book preview

THE COLOR OF VENGEANCE

By

Brett Hosmer

The Color of Vengeance

Brett Hosmer

Copyright © 2012 by Brett Hosmer

Smashwords Edition

This book is a work of fiction and any similarities to actual people, living or dead, places or events, is strictly coincidental.

This book should be classified as Adult Reading material due to strong language, violent and sexual themes. Please utilize proper discretion as you read this book.

Many thanks to my mother, Margaret, for her continued support of me through some difficult times, and for not allowing me to give up on my dreams. Without her, this book would not be possible. Thanks also to Ryan Marquardt for his artistry in the cover design. Much thanks as well to Danielle, Kyra, and many others who have stood patiently by me and supported me as I practiced my writing.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

******

THE COLOR OF VENGEANCE

******

Chapter 1

Life, for most people, is a long, windy road through a forest at night. It is full of twists and turns, never short of surprises. Sometimes these surprises are pleasant and can send a person onto a path of harmony and joy. Sometimes these surprises are unpleasant and can lead a person down a different path entirely, toward darkness and despair. Life can be beautiful for some and cruel to others. It has forever been a mystery as to why it is this way. Some people believe that the paths in life are predetermined by fate or destiny. Others believe it to be the work of God. Others still believe it to be a simple case of right place in the right time or wrong place in the wrong time. Whatever the reason, life’s twists and turns dealt one of the cruelest hands imaginable to the world of Cherina Chambliss.

Cherina was twenty years old on that horrific night. A shy, quiet, smart, attractive blonde, Cherina was your typical All-American girl, with her most striking physical feature being her ice blue eyes. She was a sophomore in college, with designs on one day being a professional photographer. She was much of an introvert in school and often wore unflattering clothes to detract unwarranted attention. At home, she had a close relationship with both her parents. The only child of Doug and Rayna Chambliss, Cherina was showered with all the love and affection from the couple. Even as her childhood years came to an end, Cherina still accompanied her parents on trips and vacations when she was not in school. On this occasion, the three of them all decided to take a trip to the metropolis of Crane City for a week’s stay. On the third night, Doug decided to take Rayna and Cherina to a late-night movie in a theater that was situated a few blocks from their hotel.

The movie ended around one-thirty in the morning, and Doug, Rayna and Cherina started to walk the street’s sidewalk toward the hotel. Unbeknownst to the family, however, members of a notorious street gang known as the Crane City Icemen often gathered in the dark alleys near where the hotel was located. As the family began to pass the alley, suddenly, two men in hooded jackets and jeans stepped in front of Doug.

Can I help you? Doug, a banker of twenty years, asked the hooded men. Directly behind him, Cherina, sensing something troubling was about to happen, grabbed a hold of her mom’s hand and squeezed it tightly.

You sure can, said one of the men, removing his hood to reveal a scarred, swollen face with a pair of gold teeth. Maybe a couple of hundred dollars?

Doug held his hands out in front of him in a defensive posture. I only have twenty on me at the moment. But our hotel is just up the street. If you let us go, I can be sure to get you plenty more.

Suddenly, two more men appeared behind Cherina and Rayna. What do you think, Shorty? one of the men said as he began to curl his dirt-covered hands through Cherina’s long blonde locks. I kind of like this one.

Doug turned to him angrily. You keep your filthy hands off of my daughter, you sick son of a bitch.

At that moment, the other three men, including the one named Shorty, drew switchblade knives. Take ‘em, Butch, said Shorty, and with that, the one that had a hold of Cherina’s hair took a hold of her arm and began to shove her deeper into the darkness of the alley. He held a knife to her throat as another man did the same to Rayna. You scream and you’re dead. Comprende?

Cherina shut her eyes tight and tears began to swell down her cheeks as she prayed the nightmare would end.

Instead, it only got worse.

Doug had spent a few years in the military before taking the banker’s job, and he knew a few self-defense tactics. He leaned forward and flipped Shorty over his head. But just as he did so, the second man that stood by him lunged with his knife and stabbed Doug in the stomach. Rayna gasped and covered her mouth as the man that held her pressed the knife tighter to her throat. Don’t you dare scream, lady, the man hissed.

Doug held his bleeding stomach in pain as Shorty stood up and shook his head in disgust. You shouldn’t have done that, man. He then thrust the knife forward into Doug’s throat. Blood spurt out of his neck as he tried to take in air. Doug clutched as his throat for a few seconds while the horrible gurgling sound of a man choking on blood echoed into the night. Doug then fell backward onto the concrete. His body convulsed three times then went limp.

Cherina was sobbing heavily but Butch held his knife to her and hissed again in her ear. Don’t scream, pretty girl.

Rayna couldn’t control herself upon seeing her husband’s lifeless body and let out a blood-curdling scream. Right as she did, the man holding her yelled I warned you, bitch! and at that moment, slashed open Rayna’s throat. She clutched at her throat for a moment gasping for breath before she fell forward onto the concrete.

God damn it, Jensen, Butch yelled to the man who cut Rayna. Why didn’t you get a better hold of her?

Jensen shot back. I had a hold of her. Didn’t think she’d be stupid enough to scream.

Butch held Cherina by the hair as she was trembling with fear, whispering Please. Butch turned to Shorty. Should I do the honors?

Shorty shook his head. Not yet. This one looks pretty ripe. Let’s have some fun with her first.

Butch smiled. Hell yeah!

With that, the four men dragged Cherina even deeper into the darkened alley where they proceeded to rip and tear at her clothes like a pack of wild animals. Butch and Jensen held her down while Shorty and the fourth man began to pull her jeans off of her. Cherina held her eyes shut tight and was crying as he felt Shorty begin to penetrate her.

Damn, Shorty said with a crooked smile from his front gold teeth. I just broke in this one! as the other three men laughed and whooped it up.

Jensen then said Don’t take too long, Shorty, I want mine.

Oh I won’t need long. This one’s good and tight.

The horrific attack continued for the next ten, maybe fifteen minutes. In Cherina’s mind it felt like ten to fifteen hours. She began to slip in and out of consciousness as the faint sound of police sirens in the distance slowly began to increase in its volume.

Shit! yelled Shorty. Finish up, Crank! The cops are coming!

Crank stood up immediately and pulled up his pants. What about her? What if she blabs?

There’s no time! Let’s get the fuck out of here or we’re going to get busted.

With that, the four Icemen- Shorty, Butch, Jensen and Crank, fled the scene. About two minutes later, a police car arrived at the front of the entrance to the alley. With his flashlight on, he quickly discovered the bodies of Doug and Rayna Chambliss and radioed for backup.

A few minutes later, an ambulance arrived on the scene along with three more officers. Two of the officers examined the alley. It wasn’t long before Cherina was discovered. My god, one of the officers said. Get a medic here on the double! There’s a live one back here. And get her a blanket too.

Cherina’s naked, unconscious body was wrapped in a blanket and rushed to the hospital. After an hour, she woke up, screaming and sobbing uncontrollably. A doctor and nurse held her down to give her some sedatives.

What’s your name, love? the doctor asked softly.

Cherina shut her eyes and continued to sob, her body trembling, broken and torn.

******.

Through the glass paned windows of the patio of her fourth floor highrise studio apartment, Cherina Chambliss watches silently, as a tear rolls softly down her cheek. From her window, overlooking 32nd Street, across the road a view can be seen of the very alleyway in which the attack took place, the night which changed her life forever, the night which would be one year ago the following evening.

She sits quietly on the floor, looking out the window, with one leg stretched in front of her with the other bent, her right arm over her knee. She stares at the alley, which serves to her as a constant reminder of the horror she experienced. As the gentle rain falls outside on this morning, Cherina can see her reflection in the window. The long blonde locks are gone, replaced by hot pink colored hair that traveled three inches past her shoulders. The baggy sweatshirts and dress pants she used to wear have been replaced by skin tight dark red sleeveless shirts and jeans. She has a ring in her navel, a tiny ring in her lip and another piercing on her tongue. She glances over at her bookshelf, lined with several books about martial arts, self-defense tactics and shootfighting holds. She looks out the window again, reflecting, remembering, the events of the past year.

******

Cherina, she whispered softly to the doctor through her traumatized body.

The doctor nodded. Cherina. He paused and smiled. I have to say, you are one very lucky girl.

Cherina turns away from him. Lucky? I lost everything tonight.

You still have your life, and your health. You have suffered no physical injuries, other than the obvious as a result of the attack. I must ask you though, were you on birth control?

She turns back to him, in complete shock and disbelief that he would ask her such a question. What?

The doctor took a deep breath. Cherina, I’m not sure all that you remember, but you were sexually assaulted by multiple individuals. We have found seminal residue by at least four different men on your skin and clothes. There is a possibility that one of them may have impregnated you. If that is the case, we can provide you with what is commonly known as the ‘morning-after pill.’

Cherina closes her eyes tightly and sobs. Why? Why?

The doctor looks down briefly. I’m really sorry. However, I need to know if you were on birth control. We can stop it right now.

She shakes her head through her tears. No. No, I wasn’t.

The doctor turns to the nurse. Liz, get her some Plan B. He turns back to Cherina, who is trembling and shaking. You’re going to be all right, Cherina. I promise.

Cherina shakes her head. No, I won’t. I’ll never be all right again.

******

Cherina continues to gaze out the window, her arms folded over her knees now as she glances over at her stereo, where a picture of her standing next to her mother and father on the day of her high school graduation stands. She stands up and walks over to the photo and lifts it up to look at it. In the photo, the three of them all have wide smiles on their faces. Cherina’s mind flashes back to that day, only a little more than two years ago.

******

Doug Chambliss places his hands on the shoulders of his daughter. I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. An honor student. You see, this is why for all those years watching you grow up, I always told you to avoid peer pressure, to stay away from all the bad stuff that’s out there. Good things happen to good people, Cherina. Always remember that.

******

Cherina sets the picture back down as tears form in her eyes, and her expression turns to anger. If that were true, you and Mom would still be here, and those bastards would never see the light of day again. A look around her apartment shows the white walls covered entirely by a shade of disturbingly dark pink wallpaper, from ceiling to floor. Dark red and black rugs adorn portions of the planked wooden floor. The assortment of colors tends to offer an unsettling mood throughout the room. This is by design, as it reflects the past year of Cherina’s life, which can only be defined as entirely unsettling.

She walks over to her stereo, and flips the switch on. A CD begins to play intense, speed metal music. She grabs a set of fingerless gloves and places them on one at a time, before stripping off her jeans to reveal gym shorts underneath. She turns around to where she has a heavy punching bag hanging from the ceiling. She begins to punch and kick at the bag, the loud music seemingly fueling her intensity as she hammers away at the bag with rapid punches and roundhouse kicks.

Outside her apartment, down the hallway, a man and woman in their early twenties are walking over to an apartment next door when the girl hears the music blaring. She turns to the man she is with. Is that your neighbor blasting that crap?

The man nods his head as he starts to unlock his door. Yeah. Some weird girl lives there I think. I knocked on her door once about a week ago when she had that music blasting. I don’t know if she just ignored me or couldn’t hear, but I just gave up. It’s none of my business what she does.

The girl looks at him. Who is she? Do you know her?

He shakes his head as he opens the door. Nope. I’ve never talked to her. I saw her once come out of her apartment when I was coming in. She didn’t speak to me or even acknowledge me. All I know is she’s maybe about five foot two, kind of athletically built and has hot pink hair. Like I told you, pretty weird.

She follows him into his apartment as he locks the door behind him. Well, Craig, aside from having a noisy neighbor, you have a pretty nice apartment.

Craig sets the keys on a table and smiles. Thanks, Ashley. I know it’s not in the greatest part of town, but it’s all I can afford for right now.

Ashley walks over to the window. Nice view of a building, she says with a laugh.

I told you it’s not in the greatest part of town.

Ashley looks back at him and smiles. I’m just kidding.

He smiles and puts his hands on her shoulders. She looks back at him and then looks over to the wall, where the loud music is coming from. I really wish she’d turn that down, she says. I just hear growling and drum beats.

On the other side of the wall, Cherina is pounding the bag with a ferocity that would make a professional boxer envious. As the song comes to its conclusion with a heavy guitar and drum riff, Cherina throws punch and kick combinations at the bag trying to time them with the beat. The next song begins to play which is almost as intense as the first one. She lies on her back on the floor and starts to do sit-ups.

Ashley and Craig are sitting on the couch. Ashley sighs as she hears the loud music continue to play. How do you put up with this? she asks him.

He shakes his head. She doesn’t do it all the time, maybe a couple of times a day. I could go over there and try to knock on her door if you want, but I doubt she’ll answer.

I’m sorry Craig, but I just can’t handle it. I can’t even have a conversation with you without hearing that noise. She stands up and starts to head to the door.

Craig stands up as well, looking upset. Wait, you’re not going to leave, are you?

Ashley opens the door. I’m sorry. It’s driving me crazy. I was hoping for a quiet and peaceful evening. It’s not you, Craig. Call me later tonight, okay?

Craig sighs and nods his head meekly. He shuts the door behind Ashley as she leaves. Then after a moment, he opens the door back again and walks over to the front door of Cherina’s apartment, number 48. He holds his fist in front of the door for a moment before finally knocking.

One eighty-eight, one eighty-nine, one ninety… Cherina counts out loud the number of sit-ups she does as the music continues to blare.

Craig reaches into his pocket where he has a folded up piece of paper. He grabs a pen and writes on the paper, then slips the paper underneath Cherina’s door. He then returns to his room and shuts the door behind him. He sits on the couch and begins talking to himself.

Maybe I made a mistake moving in here. I don’t want to be a snitch and call the landlord, but damn is that annoying. I’m still trying to get to know Ashley, and here I finally get her to come and see my place. I get maybe five minutes alone with her and she gets up and leaves. She won’t even stick around because of that damn music.

One ninety-nine, two hundred. Cherina springs to her feet, breathing heavily, and shuts off the stereo. She walks back to the window and looks out, staring at the alleyway which forever changed her life.

******

The doctor looks at Cherina and is holding a clipboard. Well, Cherina. All the tests have come back normal. Physically, you’re at one hundred percent and I see no reason for you to remain here. We’ll be discharging you within the hour.

Cherina looks up at him with fear in her eyes. I don’t have anywhere to go. My dad had the hotel key with him. I didn’t have one.

The doctor shrugs. I’m sorry. There’s not much else I can do. I can have the nurse bring you some flyers where they provide counseling for rape victims.

You don’t understand. I’m not even from around here. My parents were murdered. I came here with them. I can’t just go back home. I didn’t drive here. I’m completely on my own.

Do you have any other relatives you can contact? Any brothers? Sistes? Aunts? Uncles?

Cherina sat up in her hospital bed and covered her face, crying. No. I have nobody. I have nothing.

A moment later, two police detectives entered the room. Good morning, Miss. I’m Detective Ron Stanton of the Crane City Police Department. This is my partner, Detective Jessie Carlson. We’d like to talk with you about what happened.

Detective Carlson sits down at the side of Cherina’s bed and begins speaking softly. She smiles slightly. How are you feeling today, Miss?

Cherina sniffles. I don’t know.

Carlson continues. Everything’s going to be okay. First off, can you state your name for us, please?

It’s Cherina.

How is that spelled? S-h..?

No. With a C.. C-H-E-R-I-N-A. My middle name is Renee and my last name’s Chambliss.

Thank you, Cherina. Now what exactly do you remember from the night of the attack?

My mom, dad and I are vacationing here. We all live out by Kensington.

Carlson looks at Stanton. That’s about three hundred fifty miles west of here I think. Stanton nods as Carlson continues. Sorry, Cherina. Continue, please.

Cherina rubs her forehead and struggles to look at the detectives as she is clearly distraught. We just went to see a movie. When it was over, we started to walk back toward our hotel, and then… She begins crying. They came out of the alley. There were four of them.

Stanton leans in. Did you see any of them?

Cherina shakes her head. I know I’d remember their faces if I ever saw them again. I’m not good at giving descriptions though. One had two front teeth that looked like they were gold. Another had a beard. They were all smelly, dirty, like they hadn’t showered. They asked my dad for money. My dad tried to say he had only twenty dollars on him, but we had more back in the hotel if they’d let us go. And then, they attacked him. They stabbed him. One of them grabbed me and another grabbed my mom. They said not to scream or they’d cut our throats. My mom screamed and they killed her. Then… then they dragged me into that alley where it was almost pitch black, and they… she began to sob.

Carlson places her hand gently over the back of Cherina’s hand. It’s okay, Cherina. I know it’s hard to think about, but we can’t bring these people to justice if you can’t help us. Did you hear any of their names?

Cherina continues to sob as she tries to speak. One was named Shorty. Another was named Butch, I think. I don’t remember the others. After a while, I just blacked out. I don’t remember much after that. I don’t even remember the police finding me.

Stanton looks at Carlson. Shorty and Butch. Do you think it’s Icemen?

Carlson nods. Most likely Icemen. They’re difficult to track though, since they only seem to hang out at night and in random places. I don’t know how well we can go on based on this information alone. Apparently, there were no other eyewitnesses, and although a few people in the vicinity reported hearing the screams, nobody else actually saw anything.

Cherina looks at both of them with fear and sadness in her eyes. You don’t believe you can find them? My parents are dead. Murdered! I have nothing left. I don’t even know where their car is. I can’t go home.

Stanton looks at her. Miss Chambliss, did your parents have a will?

Cherina continues to cry. I’m sure they do. My dad was a banker. He made good money and saved it well. He always kept on top of those sorts of things. God, I don’t know what to do.

Carlson sighs and squeezes Cherina’s hand. We’re going to do all we can to find these men and bring them to justice.

******

The soft rain drops continue to splatter against the window pane as Cherina stares blankly outside. Her mind flashes back again to a time when she was a teenager and her mom walked with her through a park.

******

Rayna Chambliss has a bright white and light blue colored spring outfit on as she breathes in the air. Cherina, honey, don’t you love the scent of the spring breeze? Everything feels so alive, so pure.

Cherina smiles as she picks a daisy out of the grass. It’s beautiful, Mom.

Rayna smiles and places a hand on Cherina’s back. Life can be the most beautiful thing in the world. You just have to share it with the right people and be sure to make the right choices.

Cherina looks up at Rayna. I know, Mom. You always tell me not to smoke, drink, do drugs, any of that. And I won’t. I want to make you proud.

Rayna smiles a loving smile as she touches Cherina’s chin. You already do, sweetheart. Your father and I adore you, ever since the moment you were born. Your whole life is ahead of you. We’ll always be at your side to help you make the most of it.

Cherina embraces her mom tenderly. I love you, Mom. I know as long as I have you, my life will always be beautiful.

******

A tear rolls down Cherina’s face as she angrily throws down her gloves. If I ever find those men, they are going to pay with their lives.

Chapter 2

Craig Jennings is relaxing on his couch, playing some peaceful new age music as it helps calm his mind. A twenty-three year old lifelong resident of Crane City, he was the lone occupant of Apartment 47 in the East Side High Rise complex on the corner of Clairmont Avenue and 32nd Street downtown. His parents Susan and Richard had divorced when he was thirteen, and Craig’s life hadn’t been the same since. He spent his teenage years going back and forth between his parents’ houses, as they had joint custody of him. He always secretly wished for them to be back together one day, although he knew in his heart it would never happen. A fun-loving child at heart, Craig was forced to move out onto his own a little more than a year ago, and the change was unsettling. Although he enjoyed the social freedoms he now had by living away from his parents, suddenly being responsible for paying his own rent and bills each month was a difficult concept for him to endure. It didn’t help matters that neither of his parents seemed to want much to do with him since he went out on his own. They barely spoke to him, and Craig often felt isolated and alone.

Working at a local restaurant but receiving only part-time hours, Craig often found finances to be tight and quite often he found himself depressed with his situation. He did his best to keep those feelings hidden, however, and outwardly he came across as a friendly, likeable guy who enjoyed sports, music and video games.

He met Ashley Benson about a month ago. She was employed as a part time waitress at the restaurant where he worked, and full time student at Crane City University. Being the summer months meant that Ashley was more available, and so Craig began talking to her and getting to know her little by little. He was shy to an extent though, and hadn’t yet found the courage to officially ask her out. There were times when he wondered if asking her out would even be a wise decision, as he knew school would be starting up again soon, and once it started, the little free time Ashley would have wouldn’t be much at all.

He also questioned just how much Ashley really thought of him, as she often only seemed mildly interested in him whenever they spoke, and Craig at times would get the impression that she merely wanted to be friends. Just now she seemed extremely annoyed by the overly loud music being played by the girl in the apartment next door and didn’t even offer to have him take her anyplace else. She simply left and asked him to call her later. If she were truly interested in him, he figured, why wouldn’t she insist on going someplace else?

He looked down at his cell phone and debated on whether or not to call Ashley back, when suddenly, there was a knock at the door. He sat up from his seat, a little confused, since nobody could just show up at the door without hitting the security buzzer, unless it was another resident of the building, or they were allowed entry by a resident.

He opened the door to see his next door neighbor, the girl with the pink hair that he had earlier described to Ashley as weird, standing in front of him. She was slender, rather skimpily dressed, wearing a tight top that cut off at the stomach and short tight gym shorts, with no shoes or socks. He tried his best not to stare at her, although he was finding it quite difficult not to.

Are you Craig? the girl asked in a rather sassy tone as she held a piece of paper in her hand.

Craig nodded. Yeah. I’m sorry if I bothered you with that. I tried knocking on your door a couple of times but you didn’t answer.

She handed him the paper which read Hi. Could you PLEASE turn down your music? I can hear it through the walls and it’s really hard for me to relax. Thanks. Craig in #47. He took the paper back and looked at her, rather sheepishly.

Thanks for turning it down, he said, sounding slightly embarrassed.

She eyed him for a moment and shook her head. I turned it down because I was done listening to it. Not because you wanted me to.

Craig immediately detected the sassiness and aggressiveness in her tone and replied back, defensively. Okay. Again, I’m sorry if I bothered you.

It’s fine. She began to walk back to her apartment. Craig watched her take a few steps before he asked, Well, hey, I guess you know my name now. What’s yours?

She looked over her shoulder back at him with glaring eyes. Craig locked his eyes on hers and stood there, almost in a trance-like state, until she finally responded, Cherina.

Craig smiled. Well, Cherina, it’s nice to meet you.

Cherina didn’t say another word as she returned to her apartment and locked the door.

Craig went back inside his apartment and sat back down on the couch. Cherina. Where have I heard that name before? he asked himself. He shook his head and took a deep breath. She certainly looks good. I don’t know about her music, but… he shakes his head and pats his cheek twice. Ugh. I better quit thinking those kinds of thoughts. I should call Ashley.

Cherina walked over to her kitchen and opened a cabinet, where she pulled out a bottle of rum. She opened it and took a swig directly from the bottle. Hopefully that shithead will learn not to put any notes under my door next time. She took another big swig. I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being a bitch. He seemed kind of nice. She took a third swig then set the bottle on the counter and sat on one of the stools positioned around the counter. But what does it matter. I was sweet and kind all my life and it got me nothing. Good things happen to good people. My ass it does. She picked up the rum bottle and looked at it. My mom always would tell me that drinking and drugs would lead you down a dark path. Then she chuckled. Funny how doing all the so-called right things only made my life turn down the darkest path of all. The drugs and the drinking seem to give me clarity.

She stepped into her bathroom and took a shower. As she showered, more thoughts of past events entered her mind.

******

It is recess at school, and ten-year-old Cherina is sitting by herself, picking flowers out of the grass. Another girl, the same age as her, with light brown hair and brown eyes, approaches her.

Hi, Cherina! What are you doing?

Cherina doesn’t look at the girl and continues to pick at the flower. Just picking some flowers, Amy. What are you doing?

Amy looks at Cherina and laughs. Why do you always play by yourself? Are you a loner?

Cherina turns to her. What does that mean?

Another girl named Rebecca, who was considered the most popular girl in the school, with long brown hair and dark brown eyes, walks over beside Amy. It means you have no friends, stupid, she said coldly to Cherina.

Cherina shakes her head and picks the flowers some more. I bet I know a word that you don’t.

Rebecca laughs. Oh, really? What word is that?

Cherina turns to her and smiles.It’s called karma. I heard it in a movie once. My dad always tells me it means what goes around comes around. So if you’re nice to people, good things will happen to you. If you’re mean, bad things will happen to you.

Amy and Rebecca laugh as they take the flowers that Cherina has collected in the grass in front of her and toss them away.

******

Cherina’s mind flashes to seven years later, her junior year in high school.

A crowd gathers to the high school gymnasium for the homecoming awards. An announcer takes a microphone.And boys and girls of Kensington High, this year’s homecoming queen… Rebecca Lincoln!

Cherina looks on in shock as another girl close by shakes her head in disgust. I can’t believe that little bitch won it, Cherina overhears the girl say. Just because all the boys think she’s so pretty.

Cherina looks solemnly up to the stage as Rebecca takes the crown. I’d like to thank all of you who voted for me, Rebecca says with a phony-looking smile. Just more proof that Kensington High really does have the smartest students in the entire state. And that good things really do happen to good people. Like me!

As Rebecca celebrates, Cherina looks at her, in disbelief over what she has just heard, and walks out of the ceremony in disgust.

Later that same night, Cherina comes home with tears in her eyes as Rayna and Doug are there to console her.

Cherina, honey, what is wrong? Rayna asks.

Was it Billy? Did he do something to you? Doug asks, sternly.

Cherina shakes her head. Billy never even showed up to the dance. I thought he liked me. Why would he ask me to the dance and then not even come?

Rayna embraces her daughter tightly. I’m so sorry, sweetheart. I’m sure there’s some sort of an explanation. You did nothing wrong.

That wasn’t even the worst of it, Mom. You remember Rebecca Lincoln, right? The girl that has been a bully to me since elementary school? She won homecoming queen! And to top it all off, in her speech, she used the line that you and Dad always use. Good things happen to good people, saying she was a good person.

Doug sighed. Cherina, I truly am sorry, honey. But you have to understand. This is high school. You’re seventeen years old. Your whole life is ahead of you. Let me tell you a story. When I was your age, a long time ago obviously, there was this boy named Fred Hopkins. Now Fred was the class bully, picking on anyone who wasn’t his size and making them feel small and pathetic. He was captain of the football team in high school and all the girls loved him. Where’s Fred now, you ask? He’s in prison for drug trafficking. Believe me, honey, Rebecca Lincoln should enjoy her homecoming crown, because one day that will be all she has going for her, while you, my dear, are going to be a success story.

******

Cherina leans forward in the shower toward the faucet, feeling the water run down her neck and back. She turns off the water and stares at the drain, watching the water slowly pour down it. She then wraps a towel around herself before approaching the corner of her room where she has a large mattress on the floor as her bed. She opens her dresser and looks through some outfits. She comes across a black leather miniskirt with fishnet stockings and a skin-tight red top. She holds it up to herself as she looks in the mirror. I’m not even sure why I bought this outfit, but I’d think I’d have anyone’s attention in this, she says with a sultry look in her eyes. Not that I’d truly want it, she says as the sultry expression immediately shifts to one that could nearly be described as bitter. She tosses the outfit down. The only two people who ever cared about me are dead. She dresses in black jeans and a dark pink top before placing on her knee-length high heeled boots and leather jacket. She walks into the kitchen and grabs one of the knives. She slowly runs her finger across the blade, testing its sharpness, and then places it inside her jacket. She heads to her door and opens it. Stepping out into the hall, she goes to lock the door, when the door to apartment 47 opens and Craig steps out.

Oh, hey, Cherina, he says with a smile upon seeing her. I thought I heard somebody out here so I figured I’d see for myself.

She locks the door and approaches him. Well… she says, with a sort of annoyed expression on her face, did you?

He looks at her eyes for a moment then shyly looks away when he notices she is looking back at him rather coldly. No, he says softly. Just you. That’s all.

She nods and starts to walk past him to the elevator leading to the main floor.

So where are you going? Craig asks, trying to make more conversation with her. Who’s the lucky guy?

She stops in her tracks for a moment, then smiles and begins to walk back toward him. He notices now she has a bit of a seductive smile on her face and the expression seems to freeze him in place. He can’t take his eyes off of her.

She motions up and down him with her eyes. Would you like to be that lucky guy… Craig? she whispers sensually.

Craig’s eyes grow wide. Would I? I… Well... um… are you serious?

Cherina takes a step back from him and laughs. Not in the least. See you around.

Craig watches her leave and exhales deeply. Ouch. That didn’t go too well. He steps back inside his apartment. She’s probably a stripper, with that look and that body. Hell, she wouldn’t be interested in a guy like me. He splashes some water on his face. I should probably call Ashley. She’s probably waiting for me to call her. At least, I hope so.

******

Cherina enters a convenience store and approaches the counter, where a middle-aged man is there to greet her. What will it be, Miss?

A fifth of rum.."

All right. I’ll need to see some ID.

She hands the clerk her ID and looks to her right as two men enter the store, one is wearing a hood.

The clerk glances over to the men and then back to Cherina. Are you sure this is you? You’re a blonde in this photo.

Cherina glares at the clerk. I dyed my hair last year. You don’t know how tired I am of hearing that question, she says, harshly.

The clerk nods. Okay, okay. I can definitely tell it’s you by the color of your eyes.

Cherina sighs. Would you just give me the damn total already?

He nods. Yes, ma’ am. That’ll be $16.95.

Cherina hands the clerk some money then takes her stuff as the two men nod at her.

Hey, I like your hair, girl, the one without the hood says with a smile.

She looks back at him cautiously, keeping a hand near her knife that she kept inside her jacket. She examines his face. Realizing his face is not one of the attackers, she starts to turn away.

What’s your name, sweetheart? the guy yells.

Piss off, Cherina snarls as she leaves the store with her cigarettes and alcohol.

That girl was pretty cute with the pink hair, the man said to the hooded man. She had a bit of an attitude, but I kind of like that. What do you think, Shorty?

The hooded man, Shorty, glances out the window but sees Cherina is long gone. Yeah, she was pretty hot, Snake. I didn’t get a good look at her face though.

On her way back to her apartment, Cherina walks, thinking about her encounter at the store.

I know that was one of them, she says as she reaches into her jacket and looks at the knife again. It wasn’t one of the ones that attacked me, but he was one of their gang nonetheless. I should have coaxed him into that same alley and cut his fucking throat out.

She walked up the steps to her building and unlocked the door. In the doorway, a middle-aged Hispanic lady stood there.

Hola, senorita, the lady said as Cherina quickly turned her head to ensure that nobody else was watching before reaching into her purse and handing the lady some money. The woman looked around and handed Cherina a plastic bag containing cocaine in exchange.

Cherina said Gracias, Rosamaria, then headed upstairs to her apartment. As she approached her door, she suddenly dropped the keys as she went to unlock the door. As she bent down to pick them up, Craig, who was coming back to his apartment, slowly