Skye was walking home from school, just the way she always did. It was after five, so her mother would have dinner ready at home. She had stayed after school, like she did every Tuesday, to read in the library. It was always quiet and calm on Tuesday nights, but this night was different. From the moment she stepped out of the school building, and was enveloped in that comforting darkness that could make even a city feel more natural, she had felt uneasy. Watched. Hunted.
She started walking again, her boots making soft "tmp tmp" noises on the pavement. 'It'll be time to switch these out for my moccasins soon,' she thought to herself. Summer was coming fast, and with it would come the free time she craved, and the boredom she loathed. Without the challenge of schoolwork, she would have virtually nothing to do besides read and talk with her friends online. And those things, while fun, can only be interesting for so long.
Skye peeked over her shoulder again, certain that she had seen something move in the shadows, certain that she had heard soft, hidden footsteps stalking her. But, just like before, there was only darkness and quiet.
Skye turned forward again, to continue on her way, when a thick, grubby hand grabbed her from behind. Her cries were muffled by a second hand, and she was pulled into a nearby alley.
Someone blindfolded her with a greasy rag. Another rag was used to gag her. They were damp and smelled sweaty. Her hands were tied behind her back with a length of rope. When she tried to kick out, her leg was grabbed. The person pulled it, and Skye landed roughly on her back.
Skye tried to keep under control, but it was growing more and more difficult. Her legs were being tied, and panic started to sweep over her as she started to wonder just what would happen to her...
Suddenly, and without warning, something hard and smooth hit her stomach, hard. On the second whack, Skye guessed that it was probably a baseball bat, and realized, with some relief, that her initial fears were not what this person had in mind. At least she hoped not.
Skye tried to roll away, but the person grabbed her. He kept beating her with the bat, right in the stomach. She struggled, but her attacker had a firm grip on her. It went on for what felt like hours, but was only about five minutes. The blows stopped as abruptly as they had started, and she heard footsteps going off in the distance. She was tired, without enough energy to struggle with her bonds. The last thing that crossed her mind that night was 'I wonder what was for dinner...' And with that, she fell asleep.