Hell

Chapter 4

~Nadia     

Freedom is so expensive… but the thought of it hurts even more…

My first day at college should have been one that the typical me looked forward to with excitement; after all, it was supposed to be a fresh start. But as I lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling, I felt nothing close to joy. 

My fingers traveled to my pussy and immediately it got there, all of the memories of the torture I went through with the twins replayed in my head. 

It had been weeks since that day, but every time I washed in the bathroom, or even stared at myself in the mirror, the chills from that day made my legs curl in fear. 

I could barely sleep, tossing and turning as the reality of facing another couple of years at All High College with Alex and Sandro weighed heavily on me. I couldn’t shake the familiar sense of dread. How could I look forward to my day when I knew they’d be lurking around every corner, ready to make my life even more miserable?

It didn't seem like I was any close to freedom!

I wished morning wouldn’t come, but it did, arriving much sooner than I would have thought. Finally, I dragged my trembling body to the bathroom to get ready. My reflection in the mirror didn’t inspire confidence. My hair was a mess, and dark circles under my eyes told the story of a sleepless night filled with anxiety. I barely managed to choke down some breakfast. The little food I did eat felt like a rock in my stomach.

As I left my house, a wave of nausea washed over me. I set off for school, my mind a flurry of thoughts. I barely paid any attention to the breathtaking surroundings around me as we journeyed.

"Here we go," the driver announced as we pulled up to All High College, his words hitting me like a sledgehammer. I paid him off, stepped out, and took a deep breath.

All High College was a sight to behold. The grand entrance, the sprawling campus, students bustling about—all of it was overwhelming. For a moment, I was momentarily distracted from my worries about Alex and Sandro. Everyone around me seemed genuinely happy, laughing, and chatting with their friends. 

“Excuse me, you must be new here,” a voice said, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned around to find a guy standing before me. He looked so cute as if he had stepped straight out of a dream. His smile sent cold shivers down my spine, igniting a flicker of hope in my chest.

“Hello, who are you?” I managed to string the words together.

“Hi, my name is Jack,” he said, offering his hand.

“Nadia,” I simply replied, shaking his hand. His grip was firm and magnetic, making me forget my worries momentarily.

“Your first time here?” he asked, tilting his head slightly.

“Yes,” I forced a smile. 

“You’ll like it here, I promise,” he replied easily. 

“I hope so,” I murmured, glancing away as reality set back in. Alex and Sandro’s looming bullying hung over me like a storm cloud. 

“You don’t sound confident,” Jack noted, an eyebrow-raising in curiosity.

“I am,” I desperately wanted to sound brave.

“Okay, if you ever need help getting used to the school, I’d gladly offer my services at no cost,” he flashed a bright smile that made my heart race. “How do I find you?” .

“Don’t worry about finding me; I will find you,” I smiled. 

Few more pleasantries, and we parted ways. 

As I settled into my first class, nerves gnawed at my stomach. I tried to focus on my environment, but part of me was worried about what would happen next. Just as I began to feel somewhat comfortable, the door swung open, and in walked Alex and Sandro. My heart skipped several beats at the sight of them. My bravery wavered, and I reminded myself to keep my emotions in check.

But that was nothing but a weak resolve, and I knew it!

They spotted me immediately, a flicker of mischief crossing their faces before they approached my desk. Sandro leaned against it confidently, his hand resting nonchalantly on the surface. Alex, with that trademark smirk of his, came closer and placed his hand on my shoulder. The other students watched, some embarrassed but unwilling to intervene.

It seemed everyone was afraid to meddle in their affairs, just how it was at high school. 

I wouldn't blame them for staying put!

“Finally, you made it,” Sandro said, his tone dripping with mockery.

“I was wondering where you got the money to pay your fees,” Alex added, his voice cutting like glass. 

“It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out, brother.  She must have stolen or better still, did some night jobs,” Sandro chimed in, earning a few surprised gasps and murmurs from the surrounding students. 

I  felt all the blood rush to my face, shame enveloping me like a heavy blanket. I wished the ground would swallow me whole. I wanted to plead with them to stop, but I knew it was no different from pouring a bucket of sand into an ocean just to have dry land.

Just when I thought they might stop, Sandro produced a weird flower bouquet he had carried with him. “Since no one would ever consider getting you a gift on your first day at college, Alex and I decided to surprise you with one. You’ll like it, trust me,” he said, grinning maniacally.

“I don’t want anything from you, please,” I whispered, trying to assert myself despite the tremor in my voice.

“We didn’t ask if you wanted it,” Alex retorted sharply. “Now, open it.” His commanding tone left me with no choice. I could feel eyes on me—some curious, some pitying, but all focused on the uncomfortable scene unfolding.

With a heavy heart and no other option, I reluctantly opened the bouquet. My stomach churned as I looked inside. It wasn’t flowers as I expected; it was filled with dead animals—matted fur, lifeless eyes, and an overwhelming smell that made my gut twist. I tried to run out, but they stood in my way.

Alex and Sandro laughed hard and long, their cackles echoing in my ears, drowning out the rest of the world. My hand trembled, and I dropped the bouquet as humiliation washed over me. The surrounding students erupted in laughter, but I felt numb, filled with shame and anger. 

“Look at her! She’s so easy to mess with!” Sandro jeered, and for a moment, I wanted to scream, to tell them to stop, to stand up for myself, but the words wouldn’t come. 

“Leave me alone,” I finally managed to say, my voice barely audible, but they just laughed harder. 

"Aw, come on, Nadia! Don't you like our gift?" Alex teased cruelly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction at my discomfort.

“Why do you keep doing this?” I asked, wishing I could make my voice stronger. “Why do you keep bullying me!?,” I continued, my voice growing weaker with each word.

“Because it’s fun,” Sandro shrugged as if it was the most normal thing in the world. 

Sandro leaned into me closer, “Remember graduation day?” 

My heart leaped. For days I had cried and assured myself that I wasn’t filthy and cheap like they made me feel, and after successfully moving past it, he made the memories come rushing back. 

“Well, it was just a tip compared to the things we’d do with you here,” Alex grinned. 

My heart sank further, realizing that their cruelty was just a game to them. I wanted to cry, to run away, but instead, I picked up my things, trying to shuffle out of the classroom while they continued their taunts. This time, they let me leave. The weight of their ridicule felt unbearable, yet somehow, I kept moving.

Outside, I took a few deep breaths, trying to calm the storm inside me. The campus was still buzzing with activity, but I felt distant from it all. My heart ached, and I longed for a place where I could escape the shouting and laughter that felt like daggers. Just when I thought I couldn’t bear it anymore, I spotted Jack again as he approached me. 

“Hey, are you okay?” he asked, genuinely concerned after witnessing some of the chaos in the classroom.

I hesitated, shaking my head slightly. “Not really, but I’ll be fine.” 

“You shouldn’t let them get to you,” he advised softly, his kind eyes peering into mine. “It’s their problem, not yours.”

“Easier said than done,” I replied, even if his words didn’t lift my spirits entirely. I completely wished he knew half as much as what the twins put me through, but I could not put myself to tell him.

“Well, how about you hang out with me for a while? I can show you around,” he suggested.

I frowned, glancing back at the building where the laughter still echoed. Craving the comfort of friendship, I nodded slowly. “I’d like that.”

With that, Jack led me away from the classroom and toward the campus courtyard, and for the first time that day, maybe even that year, I felt a little lightness in my heart. Maybe college wouldn’t be so bad after all, especially if I had someone like him. Perhaps I could face Alex and Sandro with the strength of a newfound friendship.  And in that moment, a spark of hope ignited within me, brighter than it had been before.

But nothing could stop the dread I felt.