Chapter 8: Harriet

“What the hell!” I squeal out as my knee glances off a rock on the way down. My cheek bounces off the dust covered ground and I groan in frustration and pain. I can sense someone is there, watching me, but no one speaks or offers me aid, so I push myself up. A foot presses in the center of my back, pushing me down to the ground again, this time pinning me.

I can feel the vibrations of feet coming toward me, multiple sets just before the kicks land. One after another raining down on my body as I try like hell to fight against the foot holding me flat. My instincts are screaming at me to protect my vital organs. Curl into a damn ball, anything to lessen the places they can hurt me. My arms fly over my head as the tears fall, wetting the ground beneath my cheek as I accept that there is nothing I can do.

I steel my resolve, promising not to cry out loud or make a peep. There is no way in hell I will allow them that satisfaction. My body jolts with every blow, each hit taking me further