I Feel Free - ENJIN X BLACK!OC
Content/Warnings: talks of trafficking//mentions of SA//talks of suicide
"Well, first, my name isn't Aspen. It's Imani"
I cringed at the name. I hadn't associated myself with that name in a very long time.
Enjin's eyes widened at the confession. He immediately stood up and paced the room. His mouth kept opening and closing, trying to find the words. Trying to understand what he had just heard.
"What do you mean? You've been lying to me this whole time?" He raised his voice.
"Technically yes, but for good reason, I promise. I-"
"What reason could be good enough? Are you a Raider or something?!" His skin flushed with the accusation.
"No, God, no. If anything, I lied to hide from them."
"You need to explain, from the beginning, before I go to Corvus about this."
"He knows...so does Semiu."
His face changed from anger to betrayal.
"You mean to tell me you all have been lying to me? That you don't trust me enough?" His eyes glassed over
"The woman I have loved for three years doesn't trust me enough to keep her safe, wow."
"It's not like that, Jin, I had no choice. Please, just let me explain"
"Like you heard, I fell down here ten years ago."
"IMANI, sit down!" my mother shouted
"I can and I will. LOOK AT YOUR SISTERS, WHY CAN'T YOU BE MORE LIKE THEM?" My two older sisters looked highly uncomfortable sat across the room.
My parents had informed me they were sending me to a boarding school to "reform my image," and I was not going.
"Mum, she's a kid, she's going to act out a bit," my eldest sister chimed in.
"No, you two were never like this. You present yourselves beautifully. Great grades in school and impeccable manners. Imani would rather gallivant with the Tribes Folk, skip school and steal from our neighbours. I'M DONE!"
"It's not stealing if they were throwing it away, anyway."
"Your father is running for governor. How on EARTH will he get it if he has a scavenger for a daughter. One who doesn't respect the rules of society. Who would rather enjoy a filthy life instead of the life of luxury provided by her parents." My mother had stood up from her chair.
Slowly, she walked over. Every aspect of grace had disappeared. Determination and anger took its place.
She gripped my arm with a vice grip and pulled me close to her face.
All defiance had left my body, and I began to shake. She came down to my level and pulled me close.
You will not jeopardise this family's success.
I cried with fear. I have never seen my mother like this. Yes, I pushed her buttons, but she never reacted with force.
"Mum, let her go! She's just a kid-"
"Shut up and go upstairs"
My sister looked over at the situation. Their once graceful mother manhandling their 14-year-old sister, who was a cowering mess.
Every bone in my body ached for them to come to my aid. For them to push our mother away from me and take me away to the sanctuary of our room.
Instead, they bowed their heads and exited the room without even a glance in my direction.
Before I could finish my sentence, the sound of impact echoed.
She put her hands on me, her youngest daughter.
The tears flowed harder as I clutched my cheek.
My father had been sitting in his armchair, silent the whole time.
We never had a close relationship. He was always busy with work or taking my sisters to their piano recitals or dance lessons or etiquette classes. The only interactions we had were the calls he would get from school or neighbours complaining about my behaviour. Even then he would pass the phone to mother so she could deal with "her" child.
"I told you we should have done this years ago." A sickening smile on his face. The smile distorted demonically.
"Sick and tired of this child," he muttered as he left the room.
My mother dragged me out of the house and into the car, her grip only loosening to throw me in. The door slammed shut, and she got into the passenger seat.
"Where are we going? Don't I need my stuff if I'm going to a new school?" I sniffled.
My father had got into the driver's seat. He turned to look at me, relief washed over him.
"You're not going to that stupid school. That means you have to come back. Like we said, we are done." He turned the car on and looked over at mother.
"Life is about to get easier"
I looked out the window and up at the house. My sister were stood at the bedroom window staring down. I placed my hand on the window in hopes they would break out of their perfect trance. But as the car pulled away, they vanished into the house. Never to be seen again.
The ride was long, the streets quiet. I had no idea where we were or where we were going. After some time, I noticed we were heading to the slums.
As we met the gate. a figure emerged from the shadows. A hood covered their features as they approached the vehicle.
They walked over to the driver side and lent down to look in as my father rolled down his window.
"You got it?" My father enquired.
The unknown person pulled out an envelope and handed it over. It was passed onto my mother who peered inside and smiled to herself.
"All good, hand her over."
My body froze at the words.
The figure came to my door and pulled it open. I got a look of his face. His skin pale and marked with various scars. Eyes hung heavy, shielded with a strong brow. He noticed me staring and he smiled. His teeth were crooked and stained yellow.
My heart dropped as I realised what was happening.
"Come on, before I catch a cold." He croaked. His voice hoarse and his breathe laced with cigarette smoke.
I looked between him and my parents. They were engrossed in their own conversation, not even bothered at the fact they've trafficked their own flesh and blood.
Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
Reluctantly, I got out the car and slammed the door behind me. The man takes my hand and leads me into the slums. Before we cross the gate, I turn to face my parents who are preparing to drive away.
I look them both dead in the eyes. I felt a burning fire deep in my chest. The urge to run back and hurt them worse than they hurt me. Stab them the way they did me in the back.
But I settled with a middle finger.
I made my way through the gate, never to see my home or family again.
The room fell silent. Enjin had sat next to me and held my hand.
He took his time taking everything in; he had dispersed his anger, but confusion still marked his face.
"How could they do that?" He whispered.
"They sold you to some random but how did that lead you down here?"
I went to answer, but there was a firm knock on the door.
I made my way, and opening revealed Semiu.
"Dude, are you okay? I just spoke to Zanka. You've never had a freak out that bad are you taking you medication? Do you need anything? I'm sorry. I--"
"Miu, I'm fine. Enjin helped me." I stepped back to reveal him sat on the bed, head in his hands.
Semiu looked over at him, back at me, then stepped closer
"Yea... I'm telling him everything. Literally everything"
She nodded and looked back at him.
"Okay, if you guys need anything, I'll be at the desk. Just remember she's okay now," she directed to Enjin.
He didn't respond, but reacted with a nod.
I closed the door and headed back to the bed. My arms wrapped around him.
He pulled me in, one arm around my waist and his other hand on my head.
"What did they do to you?"
I pulled back and held his face in my hands. My thumbs wiped away the tears.
It is the worst imaginable.
I sniffed quietly as I recalled that awful month.
"There was a group of them, they would go round The Sphere like hitmen. People paid them to do their dirty work. Robberies, murders...trafficking."
"Imani, come," I emerged from my room to find The Man sat in front of the TV
"Look, you're famous." On the screen was a newsreel.
State officials declared 14-year-old Imani Sakira dead.
I stared at the TV, unsure what to think. How could they have found my body when I am very much alive?
"It's all sorted, so now you can stay here forever. No one will be looking for you." He walked towards me and pulled me close.
"We can live in peace now, just me and you." He kissed my temple as I cringed at the feeling.
"Let's celebrate." I stiffened.
This forever, no one is worried about me. No one looking and no way to escape.
I truly would rather actually be dead than live this hell for the rest of my life.
As his hands started to roam my body, I made a split decision.
Death, that is my only true escape.
I zone out as I calculate my plan.
Wait, we live on the edge of town, I can just run off the edge.
Without thinking any further, I sprang into action. My knee came in contact with his crotch. As he doubles over in pain, I sprint out the front door.
"What is my quickest route?" I ask myself.
I dart left as I hear him shouting after me, his footsteps echoing in the streets
"Come back, you ungrateful bitch"
My lungs were burning, but I don't slow down.
I can see the edge and feel the natural hesitation.
Would it truly be bad if I stayed? Well, now it would be, The Man is not the most forgiving person.
I look back and see him creeping closer, his larger frame benefitting him with large steps.
I focus my mind on the edge. It comes closer than expected and before I know it I am free-falling.
The fall is pitch black, no way to gauge how long I will be falling for. I look up and see the man stopping, shouting abuse down at me.
I'm free, I am finally free. For the first time in years, I can breathe.
I took in a deep breathe, enjoying the weightlessness.
And then I hit the ground.
"I then woke up in the infirmary here. Arkha found me. I was terrified and confused. I wasn't expecting to wake up. Especially after a fall like that."
I fixated on my trusted pencil on the desk ahead of us.
"After a couple of days, I spoke and told him everything. He promised to protect me. Told me that Raiders had heard of the surviving Spherite and were after me. If that were to happen, I would be back in the same situation I was running from."
There was a slight glow, my pencil senses when I am in distress and is ready to go whenever needed.
"We agreed to hide me. Change my name, so even if they come looking for me, no one would know who they are talking about. We came up with a backstory: my parents abandoned me as a child - which is not completely false - and he took me in. I learnt I was a Giver not long after. I found comfort in drawing and had a favourite pencil. no one could use it."
The glow on the desk subsided. I was content with the life I managed to build for myself.
Enjins breaths were shallow.
"Why couldn't you tell me?"
I look him in the eye, his hands clutched in mine.
"Because no one knows. The only reason Semiu does is because they did come after me. We needed an extra layer of protection, and who is better than the person who can see everything." I giggled to myself slightly
"I'm sorry." Enjin declared
"I should've trusted there was a reason. I just couldn't accept that. Is that why you hate Rudo? You think he's a spy or something?" He enquired.
"I don't hate the kid himself. I hate what he is, a permanent reminder of the life I used to have. But he also shows that after all these years, nothing has changed up there."
Enjin nodded in understanding.
"I get it. You know you're safe right. If anything him being here takes the pressure off you."
"I know. It's still rough though." I admitted
" As tough as it may be, I'm here with you every step of the way." He moved his hand to my cheek
"I Love You, Aspen. Nothing will change that." He leaned in slowly, not wanting to spook me.
I met him halfway. His lips were soft on mine. It was tender and loving.
We stay in the same position for a while before getting comfortable in bed. He held me close than he ever has, as if he's scared I'll run away"
"We have a mission in No Man's Land tomorrow. You're coming with me, we are gathering intel and I need the smartest Cleaner in this building with me."
"Zanka won't be happy to hear he's lost the smartest title" I joke
I laughed in each others arms and fell asleep. And for the first time in a long time...I felt free.
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