I awoke when I felt the bed sink down on Anisa’s side, but I didn’t open my eyes. I already knew it was Perry. I recognized the familiar scent. It made me gag, and I felt a burning at the back of my throat. I hated him for what he had done to Anisa. I knew what he wanted, and I froze out of fear. I lay there stiff as a board, playing possum. I prayed that this night wouldn’t be like all the others. It was this night that made me lose faith in God, because if there truly was one, He would have surely intervened. God would have protected us… saved us.

“No, stop!” I heard Anisa say. “Please, just not tonight! I can’t!” she cried.

I had never heard her sound so weak, and I squeezed my eyes tightly as my heart beat out of my chest. Please God, help her, I pleaded. But just like all the other times, God never came.

Perry pulled Anisa by the arm, but I got up and pulled her other arm. “She said no!” I screamed.

Perry stopped and looked at Anisa with a menacing smirk. “It’s either you or her.” That was the choice he gave her.

I trembled, and Anisa looked back at me while gripping her stomach. I could tell she was still in pain. Tears fell down her face. She hugged me and whispered, “Everything will be alright, Mia. Go to the closet and wait for me to come and get you.”

“No!” I said defiantly, my tears no longer willing to hide. “I’ll do it, Anisa. He can take me this time.” Snot dripped down my nose as Perry forcefully grabbed me from the bed, carrying me out of the room by my waist kicking, and screaming.

“No! Let her go!” Anisa screamed as she fought him. “Please! Stop it… she’s too young!”

Perry turned around and backhanded Anisa into the wall and threw me to the ground. “Bitch, get your ass up and let’s go!” he yelled at her. I crawled over to Anisa and we huddled in the corner.