The High Price of Society

 

- THIS IS THE REVISED VERSION

 

So… I’ve done fantasy, myths, vamps, what haven’t I done? I’m trying to take a new approach here, but it may get strange. Once again, it’s HY x MOON. Take it easy with me and be gentle, huh? All right then:

 

*    I DO NOT BELIEVE IN DISCLAIMERS

     

* DARK WITH ADULT THEMES WEAVED INTO THE STORY LINE. SUGGESTION OF RAPE, SUICIDE, AND ABUSE, SO BE WARNED! *

 

>>>)(<<<

Prologue: Street Smarts

 

      *It was a cool night; one with heavy fog and little light out on the black streets. Through the heavy mist, faint headlights and noisy cars speed throughout the small narrow roads. The night was young, and still it seemed as if it had lasted an eternity. And, in the midst of it all, a small dark form huddled in the back corner of an ally, trying desperately to keep warm.

      ‘I’m going to end up as an icicle if I don’t get home soon.’ She thought to herself. Stepping from behind the dumpsters, she made a run for the nearest street sign and stopped under the tepid light above the written signs. As she stood there reading the weather worn signs, a car pulled up along side the street. She watched as a window was rolled down to reveal an elegant set up:  leather seats, heater on full blast, and a new car smell.

      “Hey baby. How much for a full one night stand?” Asked the mysterious driver in a deep voice.

      “Sir, may I please see you’re license and registration? I’m Officer K of the SFPD.”

      “Officer? Uh, never mind.” She watched as he quickly pulled out of his temporary parking space and as soon as he gunned his engines, began laughing hysterically. Every time, every time! One of these days she was going to crack before she got out her lines, and then she would be in trouble. ‘Officer K indeed.’ She thought to herself. ‘ Serves him right for thinking I’m some easy one night kind of girl. I love it when they freak out like that! I’ll have to remember this drop line for the next time some creep tries to pick me up.’ Still chuckling slightly, she once again turned her attention to the street signs and tried to decipher her way home.

      As she walked through the sleet that had begun to fall sometime in the last ten minutes, she slowed her pace considerably. She was already on her own street, and the longer she took to get home the better. But she didn’t want to get sick by being outside in the cold for too long. But she didn’t want to go home either. Well, either way, it was too late now. Here she was, standing in front of her apartment building. Climbing the stoop steps, she opened the door and heard a loud crash from one of the rooms. In the background, she heard cats hissing at each other as they instigated a cat fight, dogs barking violently at each other, loud sirens of police and fire trucks, and over the top of it all, loud screaming.

      “I should have left you where I found you in that dump you little she-devil!”

      “Threats, threats, threats! That’s all you ever do! Why don’t you work for a change?”

      “Why don’t you? You wanted to go back to work, remember? Time to pay up you little whore!”

      “Bastard! Get the hell out!”

      “No, I think you should! I pay the rent around these parts!”

      “I earn the money! And you waste it all on your stupid drinks at the bar across town!” Another loud crash was heard, and Serena stopped outside the apartment door. Did she really want to go in? The answer was no.

      Her father was probably drunk out of his mind, and her mother was probably either high or standing and throwing dishes at him while smoking a cigarette. Yes. This was what she had hurried home for. This was much better than being out in the quiet, peaceful fog and sleet. Slumping down outside of the door, Serena Usagi Tsukino closed her weary eyes and relaxed her tense shoulders. If she was going to sleep on the floor tonight, she would have to be very relaxed so that she didn’t get knots in her neck or shoulders.

      As her eyes fluttered closed and her breathing evened out, the door she had been leaning against for support suddenly gave way. She tumbled back onto a pair of stained dark brown leather hiking boots. Looking up she saw her father, scowling and fuming mad at her.

      “And where have you been this late at night? Sleeping around with those damned teachers of yours? Is that how you get your good grades little miss smart alic? Get your ass in here, now!” Her father rumbled loudly. Without waiting for her to respond, he grabbed her long honey colored blonde hair and dragged her through the door and shut it hard behind him.

      Throwing her to the floor, he sneered and pulled at her blue t-shirt, bringing her closer to him. Serena could smell the alcohol on his breath and could see his dilated eyes. It wouldn’t be long before he passed out. When he did, she could drag him to his and her mother’s bedroom and put him to sleep. Until then, she just had to ride it out.

      “Where’ve you been girl?” He slurred.

      “At my friend Lita’s papa.” She answered as sweetly as possible. She had only one goal: keep him happy and do not let him get mad at her.

      “Doing what?”

      “Homework papa.” Things were not looking up. He was usually passed out by now.

      “Homework? Are you failing again you rotten little bleeder?”

      “No papa, I’m getting straight A’s.” She said.

      “A’s? How? You’re so stupid there’s no way you could actually be learning anything. Are you sleeping with your teacher?”

      “No papa. My teacher is a woman, how could I sleep with her?”

      “ Brat! Don’t talk back to your father! I made you, I clothed you, I fed you and sheltered you. Damnit, I deserve some respect!” He backhanded her left cheek and pushed her to the floor hard. While she brought her hands to her stinging cheek, he kicked her in the stomach, once, twice, three times, then missed and kicked her in the face. With her nose bleeding and a blackish purple bruise forming on her left cheek, Serena watched as her father collapsed at her feet. Just then, her mother walked in.

      “Did he pass out?”

      “Yes mama.”

      “Good. Took that jerk long enough. And where have you been?”

      “At Lita’s mama.” Serena repeated for her other parent, tears welling up in her eyes from the pain.

      “At Lita’s? I need you here at home you little twit! You know I can’t do everything! You need to do the laundry, wash the dishes, make the beds, and make dinner. I’m not your darn slave!”

      “I’m sorry mama. I know I have to do some chores, but I thought I would do them tonight when I got home.”

      “Brat! Don’t talk back to me!” She too, slapped Serena hard, only this time it landed smack across her right cheek. She watched as her mother drew her hand back quickly, gasped, then grabbed her coat and ran out the door. ‘Probably needs another high.’ Serena thought to herself. Sighing, she turned back to her father, who was still laying on the floor, out cold and snoring heavily.

      After she had dragged her father to his bedroom and placed him on the bed, she entered her room and lay down across her bed staring at the night sky. How was she ever going to get away with this tomorrow at school? *