(AN:)Hello viewers! This is my first ever fanfic posted so, please be nice. But, constructive critisism is fine. Thank you so much and Read, Review and Enjoy. Sorry it is SO short...I was half asleep -_-Nate Rivers
6 years old
Harlem, New York: United States
December 25, 2001
3:08 a.m
8 months Prior to Story
Cold. That is all I feel, my blood feels like it isn't even a liquid anymore. My skin feels like if I fell, I would break into thosands of tiny pieces, like glass. I have lost track of time. I remember keeping track up until the 3rd day, it feels like it has been a week. Why? Mommy, Daddy...Why? Where are you? I am so sorry, I didn't mean to be a bad boy. I looked up from my hiding place behind a dumpster to see a man handing little baggies to another man. I asume it has drugs in it ,but I do not say anything. What would I say? Stop, don't do that? So, I just slump back behind the dumpster praying the men do not notice me. Of course, My prayers are not answered and one of the men laugh and walk toward me. "Hey kid, Why are you all alone of such a day? Such a pretty girl..." Girl? "Christmas,none the less." I glance up at the man and frown," Uh, I-I am..waiting for my d-dad to come back." I stutter out from the cold. He laughs louder and leans down to caress my cheek," Kid, you feel like ice. Your skin is so blue I'd think you were a smurf. Why don't you *chuckle* come back with me?" I pull away from his touch and shake my head,"No. I am waiting for my father." The man leans down and lifts by my dress with ease. "Son of a bitch, I said you were coming with me! Did I stutter?" the man asked as he started pulling me behind him. I have to do something. I have to stop him. Mommy. Daddy. Help me. "Help! Help me somebody!" I scream. The man turns around and lands a hard and fast punch to the left side of my face. From the impact I stumble back and land on the ground. "Shut up, you little punk!" He lands a kick to my ribs. "M-Mommy. Help..." I whisper and curl into a ball. The man keeps kicking and kicking. "I said shut up!" or "If you don't shut up, I will make you!" keeps flowing from his lips. After a while, he lifts me again and I reach over and bite his arm. He quickly drops me and I hit my head on a broken beer bottle. Blood starts pouring out of my head, a warm-thick scarlett color makes a puddle right by my ear. I can't remember much after that other than the man laughing and saying," I'll be back, bitch." and him running. That is the last time I ever raised my voice or spoken unless spoken to.
2 days after Alley Incident
"Nate, You are worthless! Why do you not do what I ask! I said pick up your toys!", Mommy yelled as she hit me with her purse. "I'm sorry Mommy. I'm so so sorry." I whisper little sorrys to her. "I wish I had never given birth to such a unwanted child. Why couldn't you have been a girl?!" She yelled as she kept hitting me with the oversized handbag. "I am so sorry, Mommy. Please, stop hitting me!" I curl into a tighter ball. "You act..Like I beat you! I would never beat a child! I am just putting you in your place, Hell." And that was when Father walked in, with a new dress and ribbon in his hand. "We are going out for Dinner, Natalie." I look up at the name forced upon me. "Yes, Daddy." Then I stand and he hands me my new clothes and I go into my room. I glance around my room at all of the princesses and dolls in my room. I sigh and un-zip my pink floral dress and let it fall to the ground. I look down ashamed at my Cinderella panties. Why am I so ashamed? Mommy said it was normal. It didn't feel it though. I glance at my long hair. Boys my age have short, clean-cut hair, while my hair goes down to my waist. Everyone at school knows me as Natalia Danielle Rivers. My real name (even on my birth certificate) is Nate Daniel Rivers. The only time that I am Nate is when I have to goto the doctor, that is why Mommy and Daddy keep 2 boy shirts, 2 pair of pants and 2 pair of boys underwear and I get to pull my hair into a messy bun. I pull the pink dress up my small frame and tie the lace around my waist. I pull the white ribbon around my neck to cover a long bruise and tie it and turn it around so my tie is behind my neck.I stare at the yellowish bruise on my cheek. I slip on my white sandals and tie my hair up. I walk out of my room and see my dad holding the makeup bad and motion toward Mommy. Mommy covers the bruises and puts so much mascara and eyeshadow a drag queen would be proud. Then we walk out of the house and go eat dinner. Then Daddy says those eight words I hate the most, "Stay right here, I will be right back."
My eyes flutter open and I hear a boom ba boom ba boom I look up and see the heart monitor and I shiver. A man sits at the end of my bed in a dark suit with a young male beside him. The young boy speaks first," Hello Nate, I am L. I am here to take you some place that you will adore, some place safe." I stare wide eyed, Who are these men? How do they know my name?. "And, I am Watori." the old man smiles as he softly pats my leg. I flinch. And that was it. That was the last day I stayed in Harlem, New York. The last day I had waist length hair or had to be a girl. The last week the name Natalia was ever used. The last week I spoke, when I felt I should actually speak out. And the last time that I ever thought I would be hurt. I was wrong, more was to come.