Page 1 of Ravaged By the Dark

Four Years Ago

Renee slammed her locker door and clicked the lock into place. As she rushed off toward her classroom, she tried to stuff her books in her bag—the thing was refusing to close, and it was slowing her down.

She heard the men’s bathroom door open, but being preoccupied, didn’t give it much thought until a hand snatched her arm, jerking her inside. She stumbled and smacked her shoulder in the door frame on her way through. She let out a squeal of fear before a hand clamped over her mouth, and she was slammed up against the restroom door. The old wood smelled like mildew forced in her nose as her face was pressed hard against the unyielding material. Hot breath fanned across her cheek as the guy leaned down and sniffed her skin. Rough hands ran over her ass, squeezing it. She wiggled, trying to free herself, earning a laugh that sent shivers up her spine.

“Oh yes, do keep that up.” She froze. She knew that voice. Renee managed to turn her head just enough that she could decipher Tyson’s face out of the corner of her eye.

Her heart hammered like a wild animal in her chest, fear clenching her throat like a vise. She was trapped, and this shithole of a school was not known for helping out its students, even if she could get someone’s attention.

“Now this is one fucking hot ass,” Tyson whispered in her ear. Her body revolted at his touch, her stomach rolling as a cold sweat broke out over her body.

“Tyson, this isn’t funny. Let go of me.”

“You don’t fool me. I know you just like to play hard to get.” His lips touched her neck, and goosebumps spread all over her body. He seemed to misunderstand her response as pleasure, or he didn’t care and liked her fear—with Tyson, it was hard to tell. He kissed her neck again and this time bit her hard, making her jerk in his hold. She knew without having to look that she would have a bruise.

Finding her strength, she pushed off the door and dislodged Tyson long enough to get turned around before he pinned her up against the door once more.

“I said get off of me, you jerk! I can’t believe you just fucking bit me!”

She’d known Tyson her entire life, and none of their encounters had gone well for her. He was six years older, and even at the tender age of ten, she recognized the lust in his teenage eyes. He’d been making inappropriate jokes and passes at her for as long as she could remember. Now that she was seventeen, he’d upped his game and was finding ways to get her alone.

His goal—she was sure—was to scare her into being his, but his tactics certainly weren’t doing anything to convince her that she should date him. Honestly, she was sick of the stalking act. It was getting old. He didn’t even go to this school. Hell, he didn’t go to any school. Tyson was too busy selling drugs, building his stupid gang, and having sex with anything that had a pair of tits to be bothered with getting an education.

Tyson raised his hand to backhand her. She winced, closing her eyes, but the blow didn’t come. Tentatively, she opened her eyes to find the asshole was smiling at her.

“Now that’s a better response. You should mind that mouth. One day it’s going to get you or someone you love hurt.” He glared down at her, a malicious glint of pleasure in his eyes.

“Is that a threat? Because I’m not scared of you,” she bit out, tempted to spit in his face.

He twisted her wrist hard, his fingers digging into the soft tissue on its underside, and she yelped as her bones complained. She was helpless as he used his much larger frame to turn her and push her up against the door, his free hand copping a feel of her breast.

“You should be. I’m going to make you and this hot little body…mine.”

“I’ll never be yours, asshole.” Tyson pressed on the back of her neck harder, forcing her face into the rotten wood. She bit her lip to stop herself from whimpering. Tyson’s grip hurt.

The bell rang, indicating class was now in session. Like they were dancing a strange waltz, he twirled her around to face him, a sick little smile turning up the corner of his mouth as he lowered his head to kiss the back of her hand. His tongue twirled in a small circle, and she held back the retching noise stuck in the back of her throat.

“I’ll be seeing you soon.” Yanking open the door, he walked out like it was just another day, and he hadn’t just assaulted someone in the bathroom.

Renee rubbed her hands up and down her arms. She needed to get far away from him and this place as soon as she could. Tyson was trouble, and the longer she stayed here, the worse it was going to get.

Present Day

Arek locked the hammer into place, the revolver making a distinct click as the bullet was set in the chamber. Rain poured from the sky above, dark clouds flashing with barely contained lightning. Water dripped off the barrel of the gun, reminding Arek of a much different place, one filled with waterfalls and crystal clear, blue waters.

The three men on their knees before him shook in their tightly bound ropes, partly out of fear and partly because they were soaked from the ravaging rains.

“Any last words,” he asked, not really caring if they answered, but it was his way to ask. The man in the middle looked back at him. His eyes were wide, bloodshot, and filled with terror, but his voice came out steady.

“Why the fuck you doin’ this man,” he asked.

Arek smiled under his dark hood, his face completely shrouded like the Grim Reaper.

“To let the wolves eat,” Arek said, but the young man furrowed his brow in confusion. It would be the last thing he’d register. A loud bang echoed as Arek shot the man through the temple. Two more shots rang out in quick succession before the other two could think to move. All three bodies landed face first in the ankle-deep mud with a loud squelching thud.

Arek lit up a smoke and took a long drag, the essence seeping into his lungs as the life flowed out of those before him. He sucked in another satisfying pull, the tip glowing in the dark. This was the only time he was at complete peace with his life. He was fucked up, and he knew it, his brothers knew it, but the rest of the world thought he was Prince fucking Charming.

Three more drug dealers down, many more to go. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a spray can of red paint and used the back of their leather jackets as the canvas for creating a rival gang symbol.