The Prophecy by Desiree Deorto

and put his hands behind his head, still swiveling back and forth in his chair.
    I blew out a breath and let my mind drift back to the past. “Well, you already know that it all started freshman year. Becca wanted more than what our small friendship could garner her.”
    “ What do you mean by more?”
    “ More friends, more notoriety, popularity. You know, what every teen dreams about.”
    “ Hmm. And you didn't want any of that? Like you said, most kids your age want to be accepted into the most esteemed group.”
    “ I never wanted it for the price it cost. Plus I had Becca. For me that was enough.” I refused to look at him and distracted myself by picking at my nails.
    “ What was the price?”
    “ Look, this is L.A. we're talking about, not a small town like this. Things work differently there. If you want to be on top, you have to be cut throat. Nothing is earned by kind gestures and a sweet smile. Becca was okay with that, but I wasn't.”
    “ So what happened?”
    “ She started sleeping around, getting into drugs and drinking a lot at parties. I went with her because I didn't want her to be alone there. I felt like I had to protect her and that maybe this was a phase she was going through. Turns out that I didn't really know her after all.”
    “ What was the final break?”
    I closed my eyes as my mind played out that night.
     
    The party was on the outskirts of the city, near one of the many parks. Houses there were sold in the millions. Anything would be paid for the thought of privacy and nature, especially when thrown up against cities shining with concrete and mortar.
    I could hear drunken laughter from the next room. I shook my head and went in search of Becca. I'd lost her earlier in the night and was getting worried. I just wanted to grab her and go home. Room after room showed no sign of her, but other party goers imbibing in the multitude of drugs and alcohol. I didn't drink or do drugs. I never saw the point in getting so trashed that you threw up for three days afterward. Nothing good ever came from it. I looked out the window and thought I saw Becca's long blond hair weaving into the tree line. I rushed out of the house and went to follow her.
    As I entered the woods, hands reached out and grabbed me. I freaked out and tried to scream through the hand that slammed over my mouth, my arms and legs flailing. The arms that banded around my ribcage was painful to the point of excruciating. Tears formed in my eyes as I was squeezed tighter.
    “Shh... No need for the fuss baby.” The cold whisper brushed against my neck. I felt nauseated from the beer fumes that wafted off his breath. I tried not to breathe. The pressure on my ribs helped me succeed in that. “Well, well. If it isn't the little Star. Always too good for us, aren't you? Well me and your friend Becca were going to have a little fun, but I've seemed to have found you instead of her—” his low chuckle sent shivers of dread down my spine. I bit back the taste of bile as he nuzzled my neck.
    “ I think we're going to have a really good time, baby.” A whimper escaped me as he dragged me farther into the woods. He threw me to the ground, knocking the wind out of me. I gasped as pain shot through my lungs only to have my breathing inhibited again as he settled his massive weight against me, pinning me to the ground. I looked up through the tears streaming down my face. Shock coursed through my body as his face came into focus. I knew him.
    “ Jason! What the hell do you think you're doing? Get the fuck off of me!” I sobbed, shoving uselessly against his chest.
    He grinned as he smoothed the hair away from my face. “Don't be like that, baby. You know I've wanted you for years now.”
    “ You're with Becca!” This was beyond disgusting.
    “ Like that really matters,” he laughed at me. “Come on, you know you want me.” I finally worked my arm free and slapped him with all the strength I could muster. His head snapped