(I wrote this some time ago.. I don't know how good it really is.. I just remember the song "Walkaway Joe" by Tricia Yearwood inspired this story.)

Obvious Heart

Michael, he was the one for her. The only one for her. She was still young but knew that this was the man for her. Her friends told her she was crazy, her parents practically forbid her from seeing him. "Just trouble" they'd say to her. She didn't care though, love was never wrong was it?

"If you don't stay away from him he's just going to get you pregnant and then leave you!!" Her mother practically screamed at her, this day during one of their arguments.

"Mother! He's not going to do anything like that! He loves me like I love him!" Jessica yelled in frustration. Her mother just shook her head slightly at her teenage daughter.

"Fine, Jessica. Go ahead.. go with him. He's out there waiting for you. But don't come crying back to us when you find yourself pregnant and all alone. Homeless and jobless and no one wants you." Her mother said to her.

"Fine!" Jessica exclaimed, somewhat still a bit angry. She turned and walked to the door. Two bags sat packed, waiting by the door. They seemed to almost constantly stay packed. She constantly said she was going to go with him. She said she was going to marry him and they were going to be happy. They were going to have a huge family and all would be right with the world. She walked out the door, without ever looking back. She slammed the door shut behind her. She walked down the front stairs, carrying her bags with her. She felt tears rolling down her cheeks as she slowly walked down the sidewalk leading from her house. He doesn't love you... he's going to leave you... after he gets what he wants.. Her mother's words echoed through her mind. She knew that would never happen. Michael loved her.

"You finally got them to agree to let you go?" Michael asked, leaning against his car with his arms crossed. She smiled a bit, though tears were still rolling down her face.

"My mother told me to leave and never come back." She said quietly. She walked up to him. He stood several inches taller than her. He looked down at her, a slight smile on his face. He reached up and wiped the tears off of her cheeks.

"Don't cry for them. They've done nothing but try to keep you from me.." He said. She nodded.

"I know.. but.."

"No.. don't say but.. you love me.. I love you.. we're going to go away from here.. and make a wonderful life for ourselves." He said, taking her bags from her. He opened the car door and put the bags in. "Let's go.." He said, closing the back door. She nodded and walked around to the other side of the car. She opened the passenger side door and got in. She closed the door once she was seated. He got in on the driver's side. He took her hand gently and turned to her. She looked at him. He smiled at her. She smiled back at him. He finally took in a a breath before speaking.

"Jessica, you know now that we're going to get away.. and make a life for ourselves.. I want you to tell me something." He said slowly.

"What?" She asked, somewhat confused.

"I want you to tell me that you'll marry me." He said, pulling out a small diamond ring. He slid it on her left ring finger. She gasped quietly to herself. She hadn't expected this. She was left speechless for several seconds.

"I-I umm.. yes! Of course!" She exclaimed, pulling him into a hug. She felt herself crying again, but this time from happiness. She never imagine in a million years anything like this. He held her out from him.

"We're going to be happy, Jessica. I promise." He said, letting go of her. She leaned back against her seat, as he started the car.

"How did you get the money for this?" She asked, assuming it probably would've cost quite a bit of money.

"Oh, you know how I've been doing different things for people. I've been saving up my money." He said, starting out the car. He drove down the rode. They sat in silence for a while.

"Where are we going?" Jessica finally asked, realizing she had no idea. They were taking back roads which she'd never been on before.

"I don't know.. we're just going and we'll find out where when we get there." He said. She was suspicious. Where on Earth could be they be going, going down back roads?

"Are you sure about this? I'm not sure about going down these back roads.. why can't we take the main road?" She asked.

"Because, Jessica, this is more fun. More scenery and less traffic. You always said you like being out in nature." He said. She shrugged a bit, realizing that she had in fact said that. It seemed like a good explanation. Also why would they need to be on the main road to hurry? It wasn't like they had to be anywhere at any certain time.

"I'm kind of tired, I think I'm going to take a nap." She said quietly. Michael looked over at her, smiling slightly.

"Alright, I'll still be here when you wake up." He said, a bit jokingly. She laughed softly, then slid down in her seat, getting comfortable. It didn't take long before she was asleep.

Michael looked over at the sleeping form of Jessica. He smiled slightly, then he looked back out at the road. She was so in love with him. There was so much she didn't know. What little she did know didn't seem to matter much to her. He was near 25 years old. He'd been in jail a few times for a few minor things. There was so much more she didn't know and he wouldn't let her know until he had to. Until the last moment. He sighed a bit, taking another glance at her. He felt that she was just a child to him. Although she was 18 years old, obviously an adult, he still viewed her as a child. She didn't know much about anything and took a trust to anyone who was kind to her. She'd been hurt several times because of her child-like trust for people. Her parents had tried so hard to keep her from him, though in the end it was all futile. He moved slightly to become more comfortable in his seat. It'd be a long drive and it was just beginning.

Hours went by, Jessica waking up from time to time, but sleeping most of the time. Michael still thought over the plans he had in his mind. About himself, his plans, and Jessica. Soon night was beginning to fall on them. He pulled over at the first motel he saw. He parked the car and went inside to get a room. He left Jessica, still more asleep than awake, in the car. Once he got the room, he went back to the car and drove around to park in front of the room.

"Come on, Jessica, let's go inside." He said gently to her. She groaned softly, trying to pull herself out of her sleep. Once she was awake enough, she opened the car door and stepped out. They walked into the room together.

"This isn't a great place..." Jessica said quietly, looking around.

"Well it's the best around, besides we're just staying one night." He said, somewhat frustrated.

"Yeah.. well.." She walked over to the phone by the bed. "I think I should call my parents." She said quietly. She put her hand on the receiver of the phone. Michael walked over and grabbed her by the wrist, rather roughly.

"No!" He exclaimed. "You're not going to call them! They were the ones to kick you out, remember? If they cared where you were and how you were.. they'd not have kicked you out to begin with!" He exclaimed.

"Michael.. please let go of me." She said softly, realizing that his grip hurt her a bit. He let go of her arm and walked away. She looked down at her wrist where red marks, the shape of fingers were beginning to form. She sighed softly. "I'm going to take a shower." She said, walking over to her bags. She unzipped one slowly. She pulled out some items and then zipped the bag back up. She opened the other bag and took out clothes. Then she closed that bag as well. She stood back up. She slowly slipped her ring off her finger and laid it down on the table. She didn't want it to slip off while she was taking a shower or anything. She stopped to look at Michael for a second. He was sitting on the bed, with a somewhat angry look on his face. She didn't intend to make him angry. She had never seen this side of him before. It scared her a bit. She walked into the bathroom, gently closing the door behind her. She thought for a moment about Michael. He'd always been so kind to her and she'd always been the one who was angry. Now it seemed like he was the one who was extremely angry and she was the one who was calm. Well mostly calm. She laid everything down on the floor and began to take off her clothes she'd been wearing. Once she'd taken off her clothes, she turned on the shower. She waited until the water was warm before stepping into it. She sighed softly as the warm water washed down on her body. She held her face up into the stream of water, letting it run down her face and neck. Then she reached out of the shower, searching for the shampoo she'd brought in with her. She finally laid her hand on it. She pulled it back into the shower with her. She slowly poured some on her head. She rubbed it in a bit before washing it out again. Then she finished cleaning up a bit. She didn't want to leave the shower. It was warm and comfortable there but she knew Michael would want her out soon. So she turned off the water and stepped back out of the shower. She dried off with the towel and dried out her hair. Then she dressed again and walked out of the bathroom. She found Michael asleep. She smiled a bit and put her clothes down by her bags. She picked up the ring and put it back on her finger. She turned off the lights and then laid down on the bed, falling asleep rather quickly.

"Jessica, wake up." Jessica opened her eyes, immediately seeing Michael.

"Good morning." She said. He nodded and moved away from her.

"Get up, get dressed. We've got to go." He said. She obeyed him quickly. She got up and dug out some clothes from her bag. She rushed to the bathroom and changed quickly. Then they took the stuff back out to the car. Michael went to turn back in the key and pay. Then they left. With basically no words exchanged.

Many days and nights went the same way. They'd travel all day, only stopping to eat a couple of times, then staying the night in some old motel. Jessica became more and more miserable. She never imagined that being with the one she loved would be like this. She'd always imagined being taken off to a nice little place where she could live comfortably and be happy. This wasn't comfortable or fun. She just hoped that wherever they were going would end up being better than this.

Michael was rather annoyed. It had been a week and half or maybe nearly two weeks since he took her from her home. She was beginning to annoying him. She'd never talk while they were riding, she'd sleep most of the time. He decided it was about time he took advantage of the times she wanted to sleep. He watched her intently as he drove down the rode. She was definitely in a pretty deep sleep. He looked up ahead to see a small building coming up. He slowed down when he got close. He saw it was a small convenience type store. He smirked slightly and pulled into the parking lot. He slowly opened his door. He looked at Jessica to make sure she was still asleep. He found that she was still as asleep as she was while he was driving. He reached down under his seat. He pulled out a gun and a bag and a mask. He put the mask on and left the car door slightly open. He slowly walked into the store. There was only a couple of people in there. He walked up to the counter.

"May I help you?" The guy behind the counter asked.

"Yeah.. give me all the money you have or I'll kill you." Michael said as calmly as he could, leveling the gun with the man's head. The man gasped. Michael put the bag up on the counter. "Put it all in there.. you won't die.. if you just do what I say." He growled lowly. The man shook as he opened the register and pulled out money, putting it in the bag. When the man had gotten all the money out of the register, he turned to a box he had behind him. "Don't try anything." Michael growled, getting ready to pull the trigger of the gun. The man put the box on the counter and broke it open. There was a rather large amount of money in it. He put it into the bag as well. Then he stood back, holding up his hands. Michael grabbed the bag and rushed out of the store. He jumped in the car and sped off. After he got away from the store, he pulled off the mask. He put the stuff in the back seat. The whole time.. Jessica still slept right by him. Never suspecting a thing.

Night fell rather quickly again, as they came upon another motel. Jessica had woke up long before they got there. She didn't say much, just stared out the window.

"What's wrong Jessica?" Michael asked her, attempting to act as if he were interested.

"I'm tired of this, Michael. I want to find someplace to settle. We've been traveling so long." She said quietly.

"Don't worry, we're about to get done with traveling." He said. She nodded slightly, not really believing him. She looked at the motel as they pulled into the parking lot. Another bad motel in which she'll sleep for a while and then have to get up to travel again. She waited while Michael went into to get a room. Then he came back out and got into the car. He drove down a few spots and parked. She slowly got out, gathering her stuff again and slowly walking inside with him. She dropped her stuff down. She walked over to the bed and laid down. She was rather depressed, tired of being dragged across the middle of no where.. going no where. Michael walked over and laid down next to her. They just laid there for a while. Not really saying anything. After a while, Michael turned to her and began to kiss her. He slowly began to run a hand up under her shirt. He gently moved the restricting material of her bra. He cupped her breast gently in his hand. Jessica broke the kiss and moved away from him.

"Michael! What are you doing?!" She exclaimed.

"Jessica.. I've been waiting for this for so long.." He said.

"I told you.. I don't want to do this until I'm married!! I think that's something special for only the man I marry.. who will be you.. to share with me!" She exclaimed.

"Jessica! I'm not going to wait until we get married. I've been wanting this for years.." He growled, grabbing her. He shoved her down to the bed.

"No! Stop it!" She cried out. He slapped her across the face.

"Shut up." He growled lowly at her. She felt tears well up in her eyes. He grabbed began pulling her clothes off.

"No! Please Michael! Don't do this!" She cried out. He wasn't listening to her pleas. He removed all the clothes she was wearing. Then he removed his own clothing.

"Michael.. please don't.." Her loud cries were now just small pleas, while she nearly choked on her own tears. He looked down at her, smirking slightly.

"If you weren't so set in your ways.. you would've have done this a long time ago.. and then there wouldn't have been any need for all this traveling." He said. Then without warning, he thrust his now erect cock up inside her. She screamed out in pain.

"Shut up!" He growled at her, slapping her across the face again. He leaned close to her face. "I'm going to screw you until you bleed. Until you can't even cry anymore." He snarled at her.

"Why are you doing this to me?" She cried.

"You're a stupid bitch. If you would've given this up a long time ago.. we'd both be happier people." He growled as he began to thrust in and out of her as hard as he could. She cried out in pain time and again. He finally grabbed her by the throat. Holding her down against the bed.

"Listen to me.. you better shut up. If someone comes here to see what's going on.. we'll both be in trouble. The ONLY reason I even pretended to like you was so that I'd have someone to take the blame when I got caught for all the robberies I've been committing." He growled lowly to her. "Even that ring.. that you were so happy to get.. was stolen. I robbed a store while you were asleep in the car. I got thousands of dollars from that. I don't feel anything towards you.. I just wanted someone to take the blame when I got caught.. and someone to get laid by once in a while.. while I was traveling." He growled. "I don't care about you at all.. you're a child to me.. a worthless child. Now shut up and take this.. I don't want to hear another sound.. unless you're begging for more." He growled at her.

She knew there was nothing to do now. She laid back in pain as he thrust in and out of her, harder and more painfully each time until she was numb. Until she didn't feel anything. Finally, she wasn't sure how long after, he finally rolled over away from her. He got up, putting his clothes back on. He turned back to her, where she was still laying on the bed in the same position she'd been in.

"For an ending measure, for being such a difficult little bitch.." He growled, walking over to her. He pushed her over so she was laying on her stomach. He took his belt and wrapped it around his hand a couple of times to make it a bit shorter. "This is for being so difficult and for actually believing that someone could love someone like you." He growled and slapped the belt across her back several times. The only sound Jessica made was soft gasps as more pain took her body. Then he let the belt fall loose and he put it around his waist. "Now.. find your own way. Since I wasn't fun enough for you." He said, walking out of the room. Jessica slowly rolled over onto her side. She began to cry, sobbing softly, wondering where she'd gone wrong. She finally cried herself to sleep.

Morning came, light from around the curtains on the windows, brought her back to reality. At first she thought what had happened was just a bad dream. She reached out for Michael, but found he wasn't there. She rolled over onto her back, where the sharp pain made her sit up. She realized what had happened wasn't a bad dream. It was reality. Her family had been right.. he was bad. He didn't love her. She looked down at the ring on her finger. The one that was supposed to be the beginning of her happy life and dreams come true. Instead she'd come with a guy who she thought loved her.. who ended up raping her, beating her, and leaving her in the middle of no where. She slowly turned to sit on the side of the bed. She let her feet gently touch the floor.

"I was just a child to him.. his play thing. I was nothing.. maybe that's all I am.." She whispered softly to herself. "Maybe I'm just good for sex and that's it." She slowly stood up. The full extent of the night before's activities taking effect on her. She hurt. Her whole body just hurt. She limped to the bathroom. She turned on the light and looked in the mirror. A large bruise had formed on her face. She turned so she could get a glimpse of her back. Large, raw cuts were on her back. They were extremely painful to her. She didn't know what to do. She felt dirty and used. She turned on the shower, stepping in even before the water was warm. She let the water run over the front of her body. Then she turned her back to the gentle spray of the shower. She cried out softly at the pain of wounds. She moved away from the water quickly, wanting a release from the pain. She grabbed a towel and dried off the best she could. She didn't even want to put on clothes again, over her wounds. She sat down on the bed by the phone. She slowly picked up the receiver and dialed her home number.

"Hello?" She heard after a few rings.

"Mom? It's Jessica. Mom.. you were right.. he brought me out here in the middle of no where.. mom.. he raped me and beat me and left me here.. I need to come home.. I need.." She was interrupted by the sound of abrupt sound of the phone being slammed down. She slowly hung up the phone. She should've known. No one wanted her now. She was nothing.. nothing to the world. She stood up and looked around the room. She spotted something laying on the table that she didn't remember being there before. A gun. Michael had to have left it. She walked over to the table and picked it up. She looked in the mirror she hadn't noticed until that time. She held the gun up to her head. The cool metal against her warm head. She looked at herself in the mirror. No one wanted her.. not even her own family. She wasn't loved anymore.

"This is it, Jessica. You might as well die.." She whispered to herself, cocking the gun. She swallowed a bit and stared at herself for a few more moments. She looked at the bruise on her face, thought about the wounds on her back. This was how it had to be. "Good bye world." She whispered, as she pulled the trigger of the gun.