Author's note: This chapter (although not graphic) does have a more mature theme. If you are under the age of 16, I would ask you not to read this and skip to Part 19. This Chapter does stand alone so you won't miss anything. Thank you.
Kyle arrived home from work and looked for Lyddia he found her sitting in the living room. "Hey, honey, I'm home." He said grinning widely. She didn't so much as smile.
Kyle sat down in the chair beside her feeling uneasy. Lyddia had been strangely quiet the last two days. He wasn't sure what was going on with her. Lyddia clasped her hands tightly in front of her. Kyle could tell she was stressed out. "I need to talk to you, about everything. I'm ready." She said nodding with resolve. Kyle stood up. "Kyle, please-"
Kyle sat next to Lyddia and pulled her close. He knew this was hard for her. He felt slightly sick. He had a feeling whatever she had to tell him was going to be bad. Lyddia began her story.
I had just arrived in the big city and didn't have a simoleon to my name. I tried getting a job but no one would hire me because I didn't have a home address. I tried playing the guitar for tips but only got enough from that for a meal sometimes. I would sleep on park benches and tried to keep clean in public restrooms but things continued to get worse.
Eventually I was digging through dumpsters looking for food and odds and ends to sell for food. I was at an all time low. "I already dug through that one, nothing in there." I jumped in surprise!
I saw a well dressed sim in a suit and felt embarrassed. I was filthy, covered in garbage, and tired of trying to make it day to day. I hopped out of the dumpster.
"I normally don't dig through dumpsters. I mean, I never used to..." The man raised a hand. "Been there and done that, sister. Its hard to make it out here." He gestured for me to draw closer.
"The name is Kane. Gage Kane." I nodded. "Lyddia Engel." I bit my lip. He was the first person to talk to me in a week. And actually talked to me like I was a person. "You seem a bit down on your luck." He observed. " Tell you what, I'll let you stay a few weeks at my apartment until you get on your feet then you can pay me back." I shook my head. I didn't take hand outs from strangers. "Okay, how about this...You could go out on a date with me. I'm meeting my friend at a lounge later." I laughed. "Yeah, I reek of garbage but thanks." He grinned. "I have a shower at my apartment and you could just borrow my ex-girlfriend's dress." I thought about it. I couldn't remember the last time I had a shower. "Okay, sure." He clapped his hands. "Great."
We arrived at a small apartment and Gage instructed. "There's a dress in the top drawer of the dresser and the bathroom's to the left. I stepped into the shower and sighed in relief. It felt so good to be clean again!
The dress was a little short for my taste but I was too happy to care about how it looked. I had showered and felt reborn.
We went to a lounge that had a decent band playing. I felt almost like I was in a dream. I was in a lounge with people! I wasn't trying to mask body odor, or dig through trashcans in hopes of finding something to eat! Gage seemed a little distant when I attempted to draw him into conversation.
Gage's friend finally arrived. Gage smiled at him easily. I tried not to interrupt their conversation.
His friend looked at me and I felt slightly grossed out. I didn't know the man and he didn't even say hi to me but just his gaze alone felt wrong.
Gage held up a glass for a toast. "To old friends and new friends." Gage winked at me and I blushed.
His friend asked me to dance. I agreed and felt awkward when he pulled me in close. I didn't even know this guy! After a few rounds of energy drinks Gage thought we should head back to his place.
When we arrived back at the apartment and his friend still hadn't left I grew alarmed. "So does your friend live near by?" I asked. Gage turned to his friend. "Give us a minute alone?"
I felt panic build in me. "What is this?" I demanded. "This is you paying for that dress your wearing, that shower you took, and the drinks I bought you." He snapped. I finally understood what was going on here. "I'm not that kind of girl! I will not-"
"You really think I care what kind of girl you are?" His hand hit my face so hard I nearly fell backwards.
I started to protest but he interrupted. "Look, I don't know what kind of guy you think I am but I will not hesitate to kill you if you don't do what I want. Do you understand?" The reality of the situation hit me like a truck and I felt the air leave my lungs. He was going to make me do this. No, I would have to do this or he would kill me. The shock of it made everything seem unreal. My head felt dizzy and I thought I might fall. Gage stormed out of the room.
The man came back in. I had already gotten a bad feeling about him. The fact that he had probably heard that entire conversation and didn't call the police told me even more about his character. It is the most horrible experience ever to sleep with someone you don't know who doesn't love you.
To end that terrible night, Kane beat me for arguing with him. I was never to question him ever.
Kyle had sat very quietly this whole time. He really didn't know what to say. He was in shock himself. Lyddia continued.
Days weren't so bad. I could at least sketch in a sketch book. I would imagine if I ever got to leave, how different life would be!
I always felt like I was on the verge of starving to death. Gage Kane would leave a bag of cat or dog food to eat when he was in a good mood.
My nights consisted of being nearly beaten to death. And the people Kane would bring to the apartment.
As time passed I felt more and more ashamed of myself. I felt worthless and unworthy of love. I began to shut down emotionally, physically. I wasn't a whole person anymore.
One day, I'm not sure why or how he left the door unlocked. I stared at the door for hours terrified to go through it but more terrified of what would happened if I stayed. I finally forced myself through it and ran as far away from the building as I could get. I had only been there a few months but it felt like years!
I never stopped living on the streets. I couldn't afford anything, and was scared that any day I would be found by Kane. I was digging through the trash when I found a razor blade. I was beyond desperate and felt that life wasn't worth living .
I slashed my wrists and waited to die. I heard an ambulance in the distance and I remember thinking I hope they don't get here in time.
Lyddia stood up. She couldn't bring herself to look at Kyle. "So now you know everything, and I understand if you don't want to marry me."
Kyle swallowed. He wanted to throw up, cry, and punch something. He felt beyond hurt for Lyddia. As an police officer, he had seen some terrible things. But never had those things been done to someone he cared about. Even though he felt a great amount of pain, he could only imagine hers.
Kyle stood. "This changes nothing, Lyddia." He affirmed. "Do you understand me?" He looked her in the eye. "I want to marry you, Lyddia." Kyle knew Lyddia might need space but he asked, "Can I give you a hug?" She nodded, fighting tears. Lyddia had stated what happened in such a detached way that now everything seemed to be crashing in on her and she felt overwhelmed.
Kyle hugged Lyddia. He understood now why she didn't want to talk about it. Kyle felt angry that such violence and abuse could exist in a civilized society. He counted himself lucky that nothing worse had befallen Lyddia and that she had gotten out.
End of Part 18
I wrote this chapter in part to raise awareness about issues that are happening in the world around us and in the United States. To learn more about Sex Trafficking and what you can do to help, click one of the following links. Thanks!
Curvine's Fight Against Sex Trafficking: Death to Chains
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6_Xfe4zjAI&list=PL9DA0DFA2FA270E22
Store where you can support this cause:
http://deathtochains.storenvy.com/ store
And more about Curvine:
http://curvinemusic.com/
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