Her car was broken. The tire had blown and she had no spare, her car was overheated, and the sun was setting fast.

“Why didn’t I just buy a damn phone? Oh, that’s right, let’s not conform to the cellular masses. Nothing could possibly go wrong. Stupid, stupid Marie!” She sat on her trunk, her black biker boots barely reaching the dirt. She hugged her leather jacket closer around herself, shivering. She’d tried flagging down various cars, but they all kept driving.

The vehicle that finally did stop was a black van with three men in it. They were young, all in their early to mid twenties, but older than her nineteen years. The side door opened and a tall, attractive young man stepped out.

“Car trouble? We can drive you to the nearest town if you want.” He smiled at her and his warm brown eyes held a look she didn’t recognize. She shrugged it off and smiled back, “Sure, thanks so much!” He helped her into the van and closed the door.

“So Marie, where are you from?” The man who had helped her in, Riley, sat across from her on a couch bolted into the side.

“I’m from Arizona, but I was headin’ to Nevada. Took a wrong turn and ended up headin’ out toward California. My cousin lives there, so I figure I’ll stay with her for a few weeks,” She laughed softly, “I haven’t seen her in two years.”

“That’s cool, hope you have fun there. What kind of music do you like? We’re heading out to Cali for some club shows, nothing big. You should check us out.” He smiled his dazzling white smile and she shrugged.

“That depends on what you play, I can’t stand some of the new shit they’re calling music. I love bands like Nightwish, The 69 Eyes, and some old rock. You know?” She gazed at him, very comfortable in the van. He offered her a water bottle and she took it, taking a big swig.

“Thanks. Anyone know what time it is?” Riley and the other passenger, Jimmy, just stared at her. She finished off the water before she noticed the chalky residue at the bottom. Her eyes went wide and she felt everything spinning.

“What did you… but…” She wavered and fell back, unconscious.

When she woke up, she was lying on the side of the road with a man standing over her.

“You okay, girl? You look pretty roughed up.” He knelt beside her and reached a hand toward her arm. She jerked back and scrambled away, “Wait! I ain’t gonna hurt you. I just want to help.”

She looked down at herself and was horrified at the sight. Her black tank was torn from the collar halfway down to her naval, her arms were bruised and she could feel that her left eye was swollen and bruised. She could feel bruises on her throat and tasted her own blood on her lips. She collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably.

“It wasn’t your fault they did that to you, beasts like that shouldn’t be allowed to live. You don’t need to be afraid of everyone, you know, I wouldn’t hurt you like they did.”

Wrapped in her saviors oversized flannel jacket she shivered, still horrified at the thought of what had been done to her, “I was a virgin. I was waiting for the right time and the right guy. God, why was I so stupid?” She clenched her fists and held back tears, “Thanks for picking me up. I don’t know what would have happened if I’d been left out there like that.”

He glanced at her, “I don’t understand how you can beat yourself up over what they did. It wasn’t your fault.”

“I let it happen. It was my fault, I should have been more careful, checked the water for a seal, anything. I guess the only upside is that I was unconscious and I don’t remember it.” She hugged her knees to her chest and stared straight ahead out the windshield. The movement caused her to wince in pain.

“I have a few drinks in the cooler in back if you want something.” She glared.

“No, I’ll wait until I can buy something in town. The assholes left a twenty in my back pocket.” She stiffened and hugged her knees closer.

I told you I won’t hurt you like they did, Marie. I don’t lie about that kind of thing; I’d never violate a woman like that,” There was an edge to his voice that scared her, “Just drink something before you make yourself sick.”

“And I said no. No food. No drinks. I’ll wait.”

“What is wrong with you? I saved you and you won’t trust me intentions? Why the hell would I want to do something I already had the chance to when you were out?”

She glared at him intensely, “Let me out. I’ll just fucking walk. I’ve had enough crazy men for an entire fucking lifetime.” He ignored her and pulled something from between his seat and door.

“You aren’t going anywhere, you ungrateful harlot. No one speaks to me like that Marie. No one.”

“Fuck you man! Let me out now! He reached over and slapped her, only enraging her further.

“Let me out of the goddamn-” She stopped suddenly, staring wide eyed down at her chest. The handle of a short hunting knife glinted in the pale moonlight and she glanced at him, confused. He pulled over.

He climbed out on his side and walked around, opening her door and pulling her out by her hair, prompting a pained scream more animal than human.

“Goodbye Marie,” He jerked the blade out roughly and she squeaked, and then fell silent forever. He took his jacket back, rolled her down into the ditch at the side of the road, and drove off, leaving her cold body for the elements.