The v Girl Read Free Page A

feel the urge to cross my arms over my chest to cover my breasts with my arms. Surprisingly, he allows it, without taking his eyes off of me.
    “You have … you have an incredible body,” he says, panting.
    I’m paralyzed and unable to think straight. I would’ve preferred it if he had gone in for the kill. Instead, he seems to want to force the thing I have hoped to avoid: a violent sexual debut.
    I won’t submit without a fight. At this moment, his lust is getting him distracted. I have to figure something out.
    He mutters something quietly while his enormous hands slowly approach my face. It sounds like so pretty , but it could be something else. My body stiffens, but I find my voice.
    “Don’t touch me,” I say firmly.
    To my amazement he stops. Our bodies are so close that my bare skin almost touches his.
    His lower part draws my attention, and I notice something that takes me out of my trance. A bulging piece of veiny flesh, ready for action.
    No!
    I’m terrified now. This has to stop.
    Using both of my hands, I grab his considerable length and twist. Forcefully. He doesn’t double his body, but I’m convinced he’s in pain. I free myself from his stone-like grip and escape as fast as the water permits me. Soon, I’m at the river’s edge.
    I’m running at top speed when I turn to see him. Sasquatch stands in the river current, staring at me intently. He shows no intention to chase after me, but I can’t let my guard down. Even for a soldier, he’s remarkably strong and resistant. I applied all my force, and I’m not weak. I need to hurry.
    Soon, I’m where I left my backpack. I manage to put on my t-shirt, pants, and boots while I’m still fleeing. Terror keeps me from even taking a breath. My only thoughts now are of getting away and making sure that my family is safe.
    My clothes get wet from my soaking body and hair. Scrambling up the river bank, with the stickiness of my wet clothes against my skin, I spare a brief glance over my shoulder. No signs of the soldier.
    Climbing up the hill, I reach a winding, stone path and finally catch sight of Starville’s trash-filled sidewalks. I don’t see any sign of recent fights, which only adds to my confusion and fear.
    I run down the path toward town, letting gravity pull me faster.
    People look calm, no more stressed than other times. Some Starville riders pass me by. Their horses are prancing placidly. If the animals are not scared, I shouldn’t be either.
    I haven’t imagined the shots, have I? I ask the first stranger I see what’s going on. He looks at me dismissively. “The soldiers got drunk, played with their guns, and lit fireworks. Aren’t you Leila Velez?”
    “Lila,” I say reflexively, still searching for sense in his words. The occupation soldiers are men close to retirement. With age, their bodies can’t tolerate the drugs, so they turn to alcohol, and when they’re drunk, they play with fire. Literally. Did I put myself through all that anguish for fireworks?
    Sensing my confusion, he adds before walking away, “A reception for the Accord cops.”
    Annoyed, I spit on the ground. I despise cops as much as I hate Patriot soldiers. Accord cops are ex-soldiers from foreign armies. That explains my opponent’s accent and the alcohol breath. Sasquatch can’t be older than thirty. His long hair and build are not common among cops, so I mistook him for a soldier. I should’ve known. A soldier wouldn’t have stopped when I said no. An Accord cop, maybe.
    I walk home along Numbers Avenue, mumbling angrily. As usual, Starvillers murmur and stare when I pass them, but I’m too annoyed at the cops to care. How idiotic to use fireworks when the sun is still high.
    The Accord cops are ex-soldiers who are part of an organization of “neutral” countries called UNNO. They come for the recruitment ceremony. The cops verify that Nats and Patriots keep things civilized and respect the international laws on human rights. In addition they