Chapter 4

Shadow of a Child

I was a mistake. I was a reminder of a tragic incident. An unwanted child.

I was rape baby.

My mother was a very beautiful woman, every guy wanted her even though she was married. One man took it to the extreme and I was born. Anne Ride. I don't why she kept me. Every time she smiled or hugged me I could feel and see the pain in her eyes.

Then things started to turn around. She took me everywhere with her. We would go out for lunch, go shopping, or even go to the spa. She was loved me. That's when it fell apart. That's when she was born, Valencia Ride. I remember her staring at me intently when she was born. I was six years old and was already being overtaken by envy. I couldn't help it after all… I was a rape baby, and she was their angel.

I however was her favorite.

Years passed and soon I was a senior and she was in 6th grade. She was the center of my parents world by then and I was just a mere shadow that followed her. No one pays attention to shadows. Some people are just scared of them. In a result this, my life went downhill. I took to drugs, alcohol, smoking, anything to bring my family misery.

I was nineteen. Valencia and I were home alone. I threw a party hoping to trash the place. My boyfriend, was captain of the football team… and had sex with more girls than I could count. Everyone was drinking at the music blared vibrating through my body. I heard him whisper in my ear that he wanted to fuck me. I agreed quickly. I t would be the biggest blow to my parents yet. Hm. He wasn't gentle in fact it quite hurt, but I didn't say anything. That's when Valencia walked in choking on the smoke that filled the house. I came right then as she walked in and he quickly switched positions. Though he was watching her. He always had. Every time he was over and she'd be present. She begged me to stop and have everyone leave. I flipped her off and fell asleep I wasn't paying attention to know that he hadn't used a condom, I was bleeding on the bed, and that he was approaching my sister.

Val and I were pregnant… by the same guy. The slap on the face my mom had inflicted to me when they found out the news. I broke her… good cause she broke me.

Our water broke at the same time coincidently. We rushed to the hospital. I was to have a beautiful girl. My sister a boy. I pushed hard and felt pain. The doctors were hectic around me telling me to push and breathe every so often. I felt my baby coming out… no sound. I pushed harder and it was finally out I was going to name her Marie. There was no crying or sounds from my baby. I repeatedly asked why I couldn't hear her the room was still spinning and I blacked out. When I woke up, I didn't see my baby. The doctor's eyes said it all. My baby was dead. I had killed her by smoking and drinking. I exploded lashing at everything the pain was too much.

The next day my sister was in labor my thirteen year old sister. God I'm such a screw up for all that I've done. Then I heard a cry. I peered in and saw… a girl. A beautiful baby girl smiling up at her, two beautiful brown eyes looking at her. She was supposed to have a boy. And there she was with my dreams, my future, everything that would've been mine. No, I was going to wipe that smile off her smug little face. I swear.

They had taken the baby into a different room so they could make sure she was healthy… Max, Maximum Ride was her name. I walked up to her and stared down at her. I casually looked around then I grabbed that baby and ran. I stole her baby and Max would never know, never ever know.

Two years later I was sitting in a diner eating with my two year old. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen, I'd have to be very protective with her when she was older. We were about to go when I realized I didn't have enough money to pay. I could see the man ready to call the cops if I tried to make a run for it.

"Put it on my tab." I looked up to see a very handsome navy man in front of me. It was that perfect moment that every girl wanted our eyes connected, hearts started pounding and I knew he was the one.

We were married three months later happily living and worrying when he was out. I loved him more than anything and he was being sent away for a few years.

Max was five now, catching all the boys in her class under her spell of innocence.

I was currently at the liquor store buying some beer to make beer-batter ribs. I got to check-out and my heart stopped. I was staring at a very handsome man. Crystal blue eyes, red hair and a perfect tan. You could see every muscle through his shirt. I felt lonely suddenly and attracted. We were just staring at each other, "I'm Jared." "Anne"

We talked for a while and I invited him over for dinner. Max had finished and went to her room. He popped some champagne and the next thing I knew we were on the table sexing. I was cheating on my husband but I didn't care one bit. I opened m eyes from the ecstasy to see two big brown ones looking around the corner. Max…shit. She ran upstairs. Jared stopped assessing the situation. He said he'd call me later and kissed me goodnight. I went to Max's room and tried to explain to her that we were just playing and that she could not tell her Jeb about this. She agreed unconvinced.

I was tired of having to be two people's girls. I wanted to give myself fully to Jared. He was such a great guy. I got my wish and a call saying that Jeb was dying from some serious wounds. We drove to the base the next day. I ripped him apart when I got there dragging my screaming child with me. The following night Jeb was dead and Jared was my fiancé.

7 years later

We were arguing up a storm in the kitchen. I'm pretty sure Max and Ella were on the steps trying to listen. Ella was conceived shortly after our marriage.

"I want her! Do you not love me enough to give her to me?"

"Of course I love you, but you are not going to fuck my daughter, just because she's not your daughter.."

"That's not it she hates me, and you!"

"No she does.."

"You killed her dad. She's ungrateful for what you tried to replace him with and thinks she can get away with murder it's time she learned her place in this world."

"FINE YOU CAN DO IT!" I yelled.

I sighed, "Your right, she's not even my child and if she's going to treat me like I'm not her mom then fine, I shouldn't have to protect her."

He hugged me around the waist. "That's my girl. Not to mention she'll be perfect for my work. She's the only one we've found that is like Skyler."

"I know baby I'll go get her ready."

I heard her screaming and crying, I heard them laughing. It turned me on. They were just beating her mercilessly now.

As the days went by Max became his sex slave. I was jealous and often beat her with him. I got so fed up I shoved a bottle up her vagina and burnt the word whore onto her back with a cigar. Never Ella though she was our angel until Angel came along, then Ella was just our special little girl. I remember when I caught Max putting on my make-up. We nearly killer her… by the end she was convinced that she was ugly and would never be wanted. Sweet.

But then she had to go and ruin the ride by telling her friend Brigid. Hm, well Brigid won't be telling anyone anything ever Jared made sure of that. Max tried snooping around trying to find the Artum. She now is terrified of fire.

I have a perfect life with two perfect kids, a slave, and a husband that's about to change the world. Literally. Then we'll no longer be shadows in society. We will rise above all others.