Dead In the Water

Ellie Goulding

Chapter 1

….

"Damn…" the nightwalker looked at herself in the cracked mirror. "He got me good." Her eyes paid attention to the black ring around her eye. The blood slightly oozing from the little gash underneath it.

Grabbing the alcohol and cotton balls in her cabinet, she began her daily ritual. Immune to the sting. Immune to feelings. Immune to pain.

His heavy hand that struck her. Flung her to the other side of the room. Her head hit against tables. Her body fell on the hard ground as she had to gather enough energy to get up. To look in his eyes. His black red eyes. To face his punishment.

The man who owned her. His distinct chin. His cold blue eyes. The rough stubble that attracted any woman to him. The big hands that broke noses. The scrapes on his hand proved this.

"No…no don't…..Ben…" Bianca waited for his hands to grip her hair. And he took his time.

Taughting her.

Teasing her…

Making her want to get it over with.

Her pulse raced. Her fingers gripped her ripped fish legged stockings. Her eyes fixated on his tall stature. The venomous smile on his face. He knew that he fueled her with fear. He knew he overpowered her mentally…physically. She was his toy.

"It won't happen again Ben…I'm…ahhhhhhhhhhhhh." Her mouth let out a gut-wrenching scream as his hand gripped her hair.

"You little bitch." His lemony breath touched her ear as he flung her on the ground again. The sound of her hitting the ground hard had no meaning to him. Staring down at her. The bruises on her wrist. He stood still with his fists formed. She looked at him.

Helpless.

Her brown eyes showing her need for him to stop hurting her.

But this was his business.

And he never showed favoritism.

"Please Ben…I…I…." She felt his hands pull her up. The excruciating pain of feeling her hair being pulled out from each follicle….

"You came up short." His breath in her face. His dark eyes blaring into hers.

"I…i…" Her voice became hoarse from his brutality. "It is just a couple…."

"Silence…..i don't have time for excuses." He easily slammed her into the wall. Her right eye hit against the door handle…as she fell onto the ground.

"this is the last time Bianca…this is the very last time this discussion will be had." He stood before her…..

"No….."She whispered over and over again as her body woke up. Taking a deep breath, she felt the motion of the vehicle as it took its course on the road. Looking out the window, the path seemed to lead them nowhere but woods and more grass.

The heat from the air. The humidity made her more exhausted as she looked at the other teens. One on each seat. But they all had something in common.

Troubled. Addicted. Abused. Neglected. They were all gathered to…..

"Owww….." She said blandly feeling someone tug her hair on the long bus that kept driving. Taking a deep breath, she looked straight ahead at the seat in front of her. She was trying to not let her anger get the best of her. She was trying to ignore the culprit and be the bigger person.

But the laughter behind her fueled her more as she felt another tug.

"Hey…..what's your problem?" She turned around to see the dirty blonde pucker his lips at her.

"How about me and you find a nice spot in the woods when we get there." He obnoxiously flirted.

"How about you keep your hands to yourself…or else I will break it off." The sassy girl threatened.

"Not going to do that now…are you….with counselors looking." He said smugly as Bianca mirrored his expression.

"Apparently you aren't that good at observing your surroundings." She pointed to one counselor who was sleep a couple of seats behind them.

"Whatever." He shut up as the badass turned around in triumph. It seemed as if no one wanted to break their probation quickly or go back to there lives. If so, they all could have taken over the bus. With the lack of handcuffs, this was all that was floating inside their many minds…..

"Ow…I told you…" She began feeling the boy's hands in her hair as she nearly jumped out of her seat.

"Why don't you just leave her alone….." The two heard a voice on the seat beside them. Turning their heads, they saw a beautiful red head who gained their attention. Her blue eyes serious. The scars on her arms were a complete contrary of the voice that roared inside of her.

"What are you going to do about it cutter?" The boy huffed.

"That's right. Mind your own business princess." The tough girl looked at the red head who rolled her eyes at both of them. This was her battle. No one ever fought for her and she wouldn't let it happen now.

"Fine." The princess kept her eyes straight ahead. Staring at the seat before her. Feeling the chill around her. She held herself. She felt as if she had been riding this bus forever. And they were disappearing into an abyss. Far, far away from others. Maybe that was what she wanted. To never see her mother's face. To never feel as a disappointment…..

Katie sat at the kitchen table. Her perfect plate with scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon. Just like she liked it. But as she looked up, no one was there to welcome her.

"Sorry Ms. Matlin." The older woman poured her orange juice as she sat beside her.

"Winnie. I told you. You don't have to call me that….you are practically my mother." The teen looked as the woman grabbed her hand.

Another breakfast without her mother. The woman who gave birth to her. The woman who handed her away.

"I know your mother wishes she could be here." The maid kissed her forehead.

"Spare me the story." Katie looked at the soccer bag beside her as the woman frowned.

"I am sixteen. I'm almost an adult….and I know this is just….." The girl said softly.

"It doesn't make this anymore easier. Katie I know you want your mother to be here with you…and I know I am just a maid…but…."

"Winnie…it's alright." She ate to hide back her tears. To belong to a family where she hardly saw her mother. The woman who passed her along to a maid who had the heart of gold. The older woman who loved her as if she was hers.

Eating her bacon, she noticed the woman look closely at her sleeve.

"Katie…" The woman gasped at the blood that showed through her jacket sleeve. "What happened?" The woman pressed a towel hard against the wound.

"Nothing…I accidently hit my hand against the door frame." The girl bit her lip hoping the woman believed her.

"Well. You need to be more careful dear." She grabbed the first aid kit as the teen nodded feeling the alcohol swab on her wrist as the woman wrapped her wound with gauze.

"Thanks…love you." The teen finished eating as she grabbed the bag. Looking inside as she closed the door behind her. Finding the little razor inside, she took a breath of relief.

"Hey…." She heard a voice from the seat in front of her.

"yeah?" Katie sat up as she saw one counselor making his rounds up and down the aisle. Making sure no one was talking. Showing his agitation at the other one who continued to sleep away.

"That was good what you did…even if that girl didn't want it. I'm Marisol." The red head couldn't see the girl's face. But she made an attempt to make a friend.

"I'm Katie." The girl nodded as they looked out the window. No cows. No nothing.

And as she drifted in and out of sleep, she was more than relieved to see the bus pull up into a group of secluded cabins….surrounded by woods. Seeing the many other counselors waiting on them.

"Alright." The tall bald man waited for the bus driver to stop. His deep voice called for authority as they all listened to him. "You will leave this bus accordingly. Bring your bags with you. They will be placed in your rooms by our officials. No funny business…I can assure you that we are all trained in self defense…and we are not afraid to make an example out of each and everyone of you." The man looked in their eyes.

"You will leave this bus one seat at a time….starting with you." He looked at one teen who obeyed.

Bianca huffed at the man who seemed to intimidate them all. But she had learned to fear no one. Especially a man, because all they did was take without asking. Disregarding her right to make her own choice. Ignoring her screams for them to stop.

Watching the red head leave, she bit her lip. What made her want to take up for her anyways?

Realizing it was her turn, she left the bus as she was welcomed with pine fresh air. The kind of air that made you feel relieved. It was a sickening joke. Life was never truly without shackles.

"Miss over here." The woman begged for the teen as she obeyed. Looking at her group.

The five of them.

The red headed princess with scars on her arms. Her loose ponytail showing her unsure face. Probably was mad because she lost a pageant or wrecked her car.

A black teen girl whose eyes showed her fear of this place. A few pounds underweight, she was probably as superficial as she appeared.

A black teen boy whose hardened eyes proved he had chosen his own fate and that he would never change. Just like her. There was no hope for them.

And the asshole who kept pulling her hair. He was probably some rich kid who always got what he wanted. And his parents probably shipped him here to teach him a lesson.

"Welcome to Camp Treasure…" The ginger greeted with a stern tone. "We are here to help you find your way through addiction, abuse and any other obstacles that are hindering you. Your families love you and they want you to live to without fear. But you have to want to do this. So right now you need to make a choice."

"How about I chose to run away. To go home now." The black boy looked the woman in face as Bianca snickered.

"Feel free to….just make sure you beware of all the poisonous snakes. And I hope your feet don't give out before your stomach does…because your are dead man either way." The counselor bit back as the boy shook his head back and forth.

"This is stupid." He continued to talk as the black girl interrupted.

"Would you shut up? Some of us want help." The girl didn't back down as the boy huffed at fiery girl.

"Why don't we all start off by our names. And reason for why we are here. We have no discretion here…and everything is out in the open….if you don't want to say it…I will read it off on this sheet." The official grinned smugly seeing the semi circle. "I will go first."

"My name is Ellie Nash. I was once in your shoes here. I was lost…cutting because I missed my father and my mom was an alcoholic." She admitted as the others listened.

"My name is Marisol Lewis. I was a local model…I'm addicted to diet pills….and anorexic." She looked down at the ground feeling their eyes on her. Especially the black boy.

"I'm Katie Matlin. I'm a cutter." She shrugged. "I use to do pills too…codeine." The badass looked at her statement. Who knew?

"Mike Dallas….stealing…fighting….my parents think this is going to change me." He said cynically.

"Luke Baker….stealing cars." The boy looked at the curly haired quick-tongued girl who was still reluctant to speak.

"….Bianca Desousa….stealing….prostitution…."She saw their eyes widen. "Yeah that's right…I am a whore. But I don't give it up too easily." She sent Luke a death glare.

"We never said anything like that Bianca." Ellie said with kindness.

"But I can guarantee the others are already judging me. I didn't want to come here in the first place…my probation officer gave me a choice. Either here. Or I would be locked up for a year…" She admitted as she saw the two other girls look at each other.

Katie couldn't wrap her mind at what the girl just revealed. That explained her hardness. And it saddened her. To think that girls were tarnished in such a way that they couldn't except a kind gesture. That's why they constantly thought that people were out to hurt them.

"Poor baby…" Marisol whispered at the girl who was clutched by the counselor. Katie could only nod. She knew what it was like to be taken advantage of. And there was nothing she could do about it. No one believed her. If anything, it was her fault.

"Don't touch me…." Bianca pushed the ginger gently away from her. She didn't need a hug or sympathy. She just wanted to get this procedure out of the way.

"Ok…ok…" Ellie saw the badass's eyes ask for help. But the girl was too proud to admit it. "Now…we will go to the bathroom hall." She guided them to the cabin.

Marisol knew she wanted help…but the city girl inside of her wanted to run away from this. The bugs. The hiking boots.

Yes. Even with her dependency she still cared about her looks. That was her problem now. That was how she got into this mess. She wanted to be the next Tyra Banks. Naomi Campbell.

Sitting up in the bed she had shared. Feeling the uncomfortable arm around her, she gently removed herself from his grasp as her feet touched the carpet. Her hand on her hand, she disappointed herself once again.

She didn't even know his name. all she knew was that she needed to get her clothes on. He was just some cute guy at a dinner. He was just a good dancer…as well as an up and coming photographer.

She knew what the pill was he had offered her. And she knew it was bad, but she didn't want to be left out. She didn't want to talked about. And as it went down her throat, her mind became putty. All the colors became one…and his words became silent in her ears. Her flesh became eerily sensitive to touch.

"How about we go somewhere and talk." The beauty only nodded as the handsome man guided her away from the dance floor.

Ellie guided the three girls inside as a male counselor took the boys to the other side. Watching their faces become adjusted to their new lives never got old. And hearing the other counselors preach to their groups never got old either.

"You guys have two choices." The ginger began. "Life or death…." She stated as the three stood in front of the three sinks….with big mirrors.

"Take a long look at yourselves….this is who you are. And you have to decide if this is who you want to stay. I will not lie to you, some campers have committed suicide because they were not able to leave obstacles behind….but I want you guys to know that I am here….to talk to. I have been through the exact things you have." She assured them.

"And now you girls are going to wash your face." She said as they obeyed. Feeling the cold water on their face.

"Many of you can not look at yourself because you can't see yourselves for who you are behind the makeup. This will be the last time you all will be wearing it for a while. And I hope you didn't bring any with you…because it is being collected as we speak."

"Are you serious?" Bianca wiped her face harshly as the woman nodded smugly at her.

"Your bags have been searched….basically anything harmful is taken away. Razors, earphones, over the counter prescriptions…"

"What about music….." Katie asked as she noticed the gash under Bianca's eye as she tried to hide it with her hand.

"Liberties are earned here….and right now…..we are on our way to your cabin…" Ellie noticed the black girl began to shake.

"You will definitely be shaking more than that." The counselor warned her as the black girl nodded.

"And without further ado…your cabin. No wandering off. No sneaking in the boys cabins….or else you will be put in seclusion for 2 days." The girls walked inside seeing their bags placed on each bed. The windows without curtains. A couple of books on a shelf. A table with paper and pencils.

"Surprised you guys have all of this….we may get a papercut…" Bianca said sarcastically as the two rolled their eyes at her.

"Breakfast is at 8….lunch is at 12….dinner is at 6. It will be announced. If you don't eat, sucks to be you….but Marisol….we have a close eye on you and you are an exception.

"I figured." The model laid on her bed in defeat.

"Remember no funny business. Or else you will have us to be your friends for two days. You will feel like you are in prison."

"We already are." Bianca mouthed back as the woman left them alone.

The badass laughed as the two began to unpack and place pictures of their loved one's on their nightstands. Wish she had a picture of mother.

Unpacking her bag, she shook her head.

"You got to be fucking kidding me…they actually took my cellphone." She bit her lip.

"What did you think she meant by they took everything…..its not as if we wouldn't be in a dead zone anyways." The model huffed.

"I wasn't asking you." Bianca bit back.

"Ok…ok…girls….." The red head saw the two approaching one another as she stood in between. She was not a babysitter. "Why don't we….."

"Who the hell made you leader?" The badass looked at the princess.

"No one…but we have to get along because all we have now is each other if you didn't notice. Sure the counselors are here….but I'm sure our friends are…."

"I don't have friends." Bianca stated blandly as her eyes blared into the red head head's eyes.

"That's a shocker." Katie folded her arms at the girl's comment.

"What did you say?" The badass threatened with her tone.

"You know what Bianca. The minute you showed up here you have had a chip on your shoulder. And that is understandable. All of us here have gone through unimaginable things. But that doesn't give you the right to belittle or shun…" Katie began.

"Are you serious….you two should know about shunning someone. When I admitted I use to hook, you should have seen your faces…like I was scum…."

"Well you mistook belittlement for understanding and empathy." Mare began as the badass backed off. "I know what its like to trade sex for drugs…..and it wasn't supposed to be like this. I was just supposed to be a commercial model." She held herself. "I wanted to show the world the real image of beauty was to be yourself…..but then agents told me I had to lose more weight…..you aren't the only one with problems. That is why we are all here." Marisol preached.

"Now you say that….but be honest….will you guys even remember me…..each other…..all you want is to help yourself…not others around you." Bianca looked at them as they said nothing.

"That's what I thought." She grabbed her bag, she placed her clothes in her drawer. Finding a black shirt and jeans.

Katie blushed seeing the girl undress without a thought. Her gorgeous body with healed scars on her stomach and legs.

"Care to warn us next time." Mare turned her back away as she ate a Nutri-grain bar.

"Whatever….look…I'm taking a walk outside….forget the counselors." Bianca smugly flipped her hair.

"Are you serious? Do you want to violate your probation?" Katie chastised hoping the girl didn't see her blush.

"I won't get caught…sue me for being curious….besides…you aren't my mother." The badass smiled smugly seeing the girl's cute blush. "Marisol want to go with me to find a toilet to throw up in?"

The girl lifted her middle finger as she laid in the bed.

"That's what I thought too…you girls have a good night." Bianca left them in the room. Anywhere was better then here.

AN: Please tell me what you think? I know it is very different, but all of my fan fictions are different.