#30 - Maia

A thunder of footsteps were heard overhead, causing the many children to huddle together in raw terror. Angered shouting and talking of people rang out, muffled by the planks of wood that separated them. It was much too dark to see; the only comfort in the small space was the warmth generated from their clustered, sweating bodies.

“Maia,” came a voice to the girl's ear in a tone barely above being heard, “Please, do it again.”

Fresh tears stained the girl's eyes at the statement. How could any of them expect her to do anything like that again?

A small whimper suddenly shot from the mouth of one of the smaller children. The noises above instantly halted. The loud beats of heavy steps were now growing steadily closer. Fear was an almost tangible thing amongst them; she could practically smell it wafting from their grimy bodies.

“Ah! Here we are now!”

The small space was bathed in intense light as a square patch of wooden floor lifted upward directly in front of them. The face of an older, balding and ugly man whipped into view above them. His face turned up in a yellowed smile.

“Hello, my lovelies!” he said with a mixture of malice and satisfaction, “That's where you've been hiding!”

Maia felt the fear paralyze her. She could only watch as a grubby, dry hand reached out and grappled at one of the children she placed her body in front of. Self-loathing filled her like an empty glass at her inaction.

“Wonder what kind of sound you'll make,” he said while wrapping his large hand around the little girl's middle.

With one, swift movement, he tore at the frayed clothing still clinging to her body. She started to cry as her nakedness was shown to the man.

“Do something, Maia!” one of them called out from behind her, “Please!”

She could only shake her head. The man took note of her identity and released his hold upon the child.

“You,” he said while snatching at her thin arm, “You're a bit older. Bit more experienced, I imagine.”

“Leave me alone!” Maia shouted back in retaliation.

This seemed to spur the man's actions on further. He grabbed at her one shoulder and removed the dirty dress upon her. She felt his calloused hands begin to run along her body.

“A bit more developed, I see,” he said, his eyes darting all about her naked skin, “You'll be more fun.”

She struggled weakly as she felt him begin to attempt to drag her from the space. Her hands clung to the ground.

“Maia, you can do it!”

“Just do what you did before!”

“Please!”

Each of them were screaming words of encouragement. She felt utterly useless, even as she heard the sounds of the man removing his own clothing.

“If you're going to struggle, I can just take you here,” came his sickeningly sweet tone.

Her mind screamed with panic. Adrenaline pumped through her body, causing her limbs to go heavy with blood. Her eyes burned, as did her fingertips.

“No!”

The word came out in a long, droning scream. With impossible strength, she lifted herself from the man's grip. She shoved at his chest, causing him to instantly fly backward several feet and crash into the side wall. Her actions were not her own; she was running toward him. She watched as her own hands grabbed at his fingers and twisted each one at a sickening angle. She watched as her knee went careening into the man's jaw. He spat blood, his eyes were wide. Her fist slammed into his nose again and again, causing blood and other matter to ooze from him.

She felt her control return to her. The others were cheering in relief and excitement. Maia stepped back from the now dead man, stumbled to her knee, and cried.