I know he means well, but the thought of growing up and being a woman terrifies me to the core. I wish your mother was here to see you now.” Cheers break out and I rush to hug my father.

She’s a young woman ready to enter the world, and I’m sure she will do great things. Now the room is an ugly blue that makes me stomp my feet every time I enter it. “Enough living in that head of yours, Haley.” He even went as far as cleaning out my room last week, removing all my stuffed animals, my baby dolls that I’ve had since before I can remember, hiring William’s construction company to paint over my beautiful pink walls. He keeps talking about how I’m a big girl now. I don’t think I’ve ever seen my father so happy before. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming here tonight to celebrate my little Haley graduating.” Think, Haley, how did I get here? What do I remember last? Releasing the breath I was holding, I lay my head back down on the mattress. They start up again, this time moving away from me. I hold my breath for what feels like forever. The steps grow louder and louder, then stop. Maybe, just maybe, if I’m quiet enough they’ll just pass. As my breathing picks up, the musky smell seems to grow. Except for what feels like something drying on my chest. Should I call out? A chill runs up my spine and I suddenly become very aware that I’m naked. I shift harder, trying to free myself from the blindfold.īAM! A door slams maybe a few rooms away. I shifted around, seeing if I could free myself, but the soft, ribbon-like material held tight. The second was that I couldn’t move my hands or legs-they felt heavy. The smell of musk was the first thing I became aware of. Jennifer, for your encouragement, help, and love of daddies. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination.

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Owning Her Innocence by Alexa Riley