Chapter 1 The Start of Sophia's nightmare

Brown-eyed with long chestnut-colored hair, Sophia Parks is a lovely twenty-eight old woman and has been Vincent Mathis's girlfriend for over five wonderful years. Vincent was her first in many things and she loved him with her entire being. He was her world, her everything. She soon learned that her complete dedication to him was very foolish.

It was a beautiful evening, dancing and celebrating with Vincent. His father Randall Mathis, the owner of the NesCore Company and also the wealthiest man in the country had just been elected governor of the state. Vincent was ecstatic being the only son and his father's beneficiary. He was certain to become wealthier in his own right. He was also thrilled that he no longer would need to serve as a police officer. His father promised to make him president of his company if Vincent followed through with his pledge. What pledge he was referring to was something Sophia was unaware of. She only heard Randall make the comment when Vincent's father approached the pair as they were preparing to leave. During the ride home in a private car, Vincent declared his deep love for Sophia. She was on cloud nine and very happy.

The couple had arrived at their shared apartment on the upper east side in fantastic spirits after the celebration. Out of nowhere, Vincent started telling Sophia that he enjoyed their time together but his future was now a priority. She watched him draw odd symbols on the pristine white walls of the living room. When she asked what he was doing he smiled oddly and stepped before her.

"You are my ticket into my father's special circle," he told her nonchalantly before shoving her forcefully to the ground. Too shocked to speak, Sophia lay there frozen as he stomped aggressively on the side of her head. She caught evilness in his eyes and tried to block him when he began to stab her. Eventually, Sophia fainted. When she regained consciousness she realized that she was surrounded by flames and felt her lower legs burning. Using her elbows she crawled toward the broken balcony doors where the firemen called out for her. It was hard to see through her blurred vision with the thick smoke but Sophia made it to safety.

Getting rushed to the hospital Sophia was in complete shock and frightened by the police officers questioning her.

"Are you certain that Vincent Mathis is the one responsible for all of your injuries?" The police officer questioned. Sophia mumbled a yes that sounded like a gravelly hiss sound coming through her blood-covered face. Her mind was reeling over what had happened within the previous hours.

"Vincent Mathis stated that an intruder came in and assaulted the both of you. He said he was forced from your shared apartment by gunpoint," another officer stated. She looked at them and tried yelling bullshit but her mouth wouldn't move. She was lost and her facial nerves were severely damaged on the left side of her face. Sophia would learn that later after being rushed into emergency surgery afterward she was placed into a temporary coma. Three weeks later she opened a single eye and raised a hand to her face feeling it bandaged. She felt completely devastated. Oddly enough the concern about paying for the hospital bill was what hit her first. She was uninsured but had a savings account from her late parent's inheritance. Sophia looked up and saw a handsome, around his late twenties or early thirties looking gentleman in a suit looking down at her. Her throat felt raw and scratchy.

"How are you feeling Miss Parks?" He asked with a kind smile.

"Like hell, who are you?" She questioned hoarsely.

"I'm Phil Jackson and I am assigned by the DA to be your court-appointed attorney.

"Aren't you too young to be an attorney?" She questioned curiously before having a dry cough. Phil chuckled and thanked her for the backhanded compliment.

"Vincent Mathis is in jail for assaulting you. He still claims that an intruder attacked you but the detectives found a bowie knife with his DNA and his shoes had your DNA on them in a dumpster behind your apartment building. He is going to be charged with assault with an intent to murder," he said solemnly. Sophia frowned well half of her mouth did.

"You need to get better soon since you couldn't testify against him in court. With him and his father well-known, it is a media circus. Depending on the verdict, which is being decided at this moment. You might want to consider leaving this area. The Mathis's aren't a family you want to mess with," Phil said softly and Sophia sighed. She had been aware that Vincent's family did numerous sketchy things but with him being a police officer she had thought he'd followed the straight and narrow path.

"I'm pretty fucked up Mr. Jackson and I highly doubt if I would have been able to testify. I don't want to even look at Vincent. Could I get a drink of water?" Sophia asked bluntly as she tried to swallow the emotional lump that was caught in her throat. Questioning herself about what she had done to cause Vincent to attack her made her a head ache. Each time Sophia came up blank for a reason. She had done nothing wrong. Phil had left and returned with a plastic cup.

"The nurse said to suck on ice chips for now," he said softly.

"Where would I even go if I were to leave? I don't know any of my extended family nor do I have friends. My entire life revolved around Vincent," she mumbled sourly. Phil was biting his bottom lip as he thought.

"I have a good friend named Otis Billings who runs a hotel in a tourist location up on the mountains. I can ask him if he's got a place and a job he can offer you?" He asked curiously and her brow creased.

"Why are you being so generous?" Sophia inquired bluntly and Phil shrugged.

"Let's just say that I know that you are in more danger than you realize and you must get to safety," he said urgently.

"The doctor said that you can be measured for a glass eye after the bandages and they remove the dead…" she shook her head, interrupting him.

"I have limited resources and will be fine with a simple eyepatch." Phil nodded slowly and told her that he would see when they were planning on discharging and also would contact Otis.

"He's a really nice older man and will help if he's able," he said in reassurance. Sophia thanked him for going way beyond what was expected and watched him exit when the doctor and nurse came in to see her. She was told that her legs would be scarred and she would be able to smile again once the nerves healed completely on her face. The doctor began to unravel the bandages and her head felt lighter.

"Can I see a mirror?" Sophia asked curiously. The nurse pushed over the hospital tray and pulled out a mirror that was inside. Staring at the stranger looking back at her, a tear rolled down her cheek. It was a horrible and frightening-looking thing. Sophia's injured eye was a cloudy white mass and the bruising was a sickly yellow. She pushed the mirror away and cursed.

"I will get you an eyepatch to cover it and I want you to start walking so your muscles can regain strength," the doctor ordered.

"I will be back to remove the remaining lines and we can schedule your appointments with a plastic surgeon to aid in reconstruction," he said as he quickly left her with the nurse. Sophia felt her heart begin to race within her chest and clasped at it as she started breathing sporadically. The nurse rushed over and held her hand.

"You are experiencing a panic attack. I will see if I can get you some medication for it, dear. For now, just breathe in deeply and exhale slowly," she told her in a calm, reassuring manner. Sophia's life was destroyed and the man she had loved more than anything had taken it from her.