Stalked To Be Desired and Damned

What is the worst thing that could happen to a child? Is it being maltreated? Abandoned? Not acknowledged? Or being framed for murder by her own parents?

The people she loved.

Irrespective of how they treated her, she'd never love them less. She still studies like no tomorrow, gets high grades so her father would look at her proudly.

Become the prodigy student just so her mother would acknowledge her and tell her ‘she loves her’

But no matter how many awards she brings home. No matter how many competitions she won. They always treat her like the home trash.

Ariel's body trembled. Tears streaking down her cheeks nonstop. Her nose burns. The cuffs made clattering sounds from her trembling hands.

“ So because she tried to confess to your crush, you killed her.” The cop stated, sitting opposite her in the investigation room.

She shook her head vigorously. How could they say that? That she killed her classmate over a boy?

Her voice trembled desperately. “ That's a lie. I didn't kill her.”

“ We saw your letter.”

“ Yes-yes, that's because I was trying to confess my love to Mantis and ask him out for prom.”

“ So you admit you liked him,” the detective smug, leaning back.

“ Yes.”

“ And that's why you killed her.”

She shook her head frustratedly. “ I did not kill her, I'd never kill anyone.”

“ So who did?”

“ Ava.” She sobbed. “ It was Ava.”

“ Your sister..” the cop nodded like they didn't buy whatever she said.

“ Can I see my parents? Please, even if it's just my Dad.”

There's no way her Dad would hate her enough to make her take the fall for this.

“ Your parents refuse to see a child like you. They said you're so obsessed with your sister, jealous and upset they adopted another child, which I believe is the reason why you're trying to frame her for this.”

Ariel's jaw dropped. Her head went fuzzy like the cop was reading something from the script. She shook her head, cried out desperately, hoping and wishing someone out there would hear. Even if it's just one person. Anyone. Would believe her.

“ Do an autopsy. That should reveal the truth.” She said the moment the word ‘ autopsy’ nudged at her.

“ Well, I must say, you're as clever as they said. We did. And it revealed that Ruby was stabbed in a quick and precise manner. You must have stabbed her unexpectedly cause there wasn't any sign of fight or struggle.”

Ariel sank into the chair. Tears were pooling in her eyes. Mucous streaming down to her lips.

“ The only evidence is the pen. Your pen.”

She knew it was over then. No matter what she says. No one would believe her. She hoped and pleaded, but even the lawyer she got barely listened to her; he would pick his ear and act nonchalantly.

Till the day of her trial.

Graduation was two days away now. But the uniform she was wearing wasn’t her school uniform, but the orange shirt and trousers.

Handcuffed, one of the cops led her into the courtroom.

The room went into chaos the moment she stepped in. Ruby's parents were on their feet, furiously cursing at her. A few other parents were also pointing and calling her names.

Her frail body shivered. Her throat burned. Tightened. Unable to swallow.

Tears welled up in her eyes. Her back was hunched as if she wanted to hide her face in her chest.

When they sat her down, her eyes managed to look around till they landed on him.

Mantis.

Sitting and glaring at her like she was nothing but just dirt. Like she was the most disgusting thing he'd ever laid his eyes upon.

But her heart didn't thrash against her chest till they landed on her parents.

Sitting down there. Giving her the same look as others.

Ava was also staring at her with that look of disdain.

Ariel bit her pale dry lips, swallowing her whimper. Tears wouldn't stop even when the chaos had, even when the judge arrived and the lawyers had began arguing.

Though she wouldn't count it as an argument, cause her lawyer was barely speaking for her.

There's only one word that rang continuously in her head.

Forsaken.

By everyone. Even those who were supposed to love and support her.

Her heart skipped so hard when the judge called her name and told her to say something for herself, or if she had anything to say to the family.

She stared at the cold-faced judge, gulped hard, and muttered shakily.

“ I didn't do it.”

But of course, she knew the judge wouldn't believe her.

Her head dropped, wondering if she was going to be sentenced to life imprisonment. Or sentence to death by hanging?

‘ Is this how life changes within the snap of a finger? Is this how my story ends? As a criminal?’ she asked in her mind.

‘ How did I go from wanting to tell my crush I like him. To being cuffed for killing my classmate out of jealousy?’

Tears dropped to her thigh.

What she heard next, was her sentencing.

“ Miss Ariel Hort, you're eighteen years of age. A young woman, barely at the threshold of adulthood. Yet, you stand before this court convicted of the most grievous of crimes. The unlawful and deliberate taking of another life.”

Ariel's heart started beating fast as the judge paused as if she was letting the word sink in.

“ This court…” she continued. “...has considered the evidence presented, the statements made by witnesses, and your own denial. The jury found, beyond a reasonable doubt, that you did, in fact, cause the death of your fellow student, Miss Ruby Tim, out of jealousy and malice.”

“ You're young yes. And the court does not ignore the recklessness of youth, nor the clouded judgment that emotions can bring. But youth cannot excuse the intentional destruction of a life.”

With a hardened tone, she proceeded. “ Therefore, in accordance with 18 U.S.C. §1111(b), the court hereby sentences you, Ariel Hort, to life imprisonment with no parole.”

The gavel struck.

Ariel's body sank. The world spun in a fuzzy flash before her eyes.

Every word and shout became indistinguishable.

She felt the cop grab her arm and pulled her up.

Just as he was taking her out, her eyes landed on him.

Her body froze instantly. Her legs couldn't move.

Cold shivers ran down her spine.

Her heart was racing like never before.

Her knees were buckling.

He was sitting there, in the midst of chaos like a God. Like the kind of man judges fear and criminals obey.

Dressed in a black suit with his legs crossed.

He wasn't giving her the same look as others. He was staring intensely at her like he wanted to ruin her. Like he would ruin her, crush her between in fingers and lick it.

She didn't know who he was, but the way he made her tremble, not with fear, but with something that scares her, something she couldn't find a name for.

That was the first time she saw him. Met him.

Her hunter.

The man who would haunt her soul— until fear and desire became the same thing.