ROSALITA

She run as fast her feet could carry, which was very fast. She felt the men behind her. The feeling of getting caught pushed her even faster. She bumped into a woman carrying a basket of apples. “Lo siento! (sorry!)” she yelled to the wind, still running. “Woah!” she came to a sudden stop at the edge of the roof top. Going back felt like the better option until she heard one of them yell. “Hey! Diablito! (hey! Little devile!)” She swallowed hard. “Salvame Jesus! (save me, jesus)” she prayed, before jumping down. Luckily, she landed on some laundry, then straight into water. She got out and run a little further before coming to a stop when she felt she had lost them. She removed the wallet she stole from one of the scary looking men during their little chase, in the process of escaping. A gasp escaped her lips when she realized how loaded it was. She was indeed going to eat good that day. Out of nowhere, she was grabbed from behind by someone. “Te he cogido ahora. (I have caught you now.)” She screamed, hoping someone would help her. “Callate, pequeno diablo. (Shut it, you little devil.)” One hissed, appearing before her and covering her mouth. She still struggled with him and bit him hard on the palm. “Penquena perra! (you little bitch.)” He groaned, releasing her mouth and clutching his hand. He smacked her on the face and grabbed her by the collar but before her could do anything a powerful voice stopped him. “Dejala ir (Let her go)” She looked towards the owner of the voice who seemed to be approaching them “Ella es solo un nino. (She’s just a child.)” he squats before her so they are of the same height. Handle her gently.” He added in an even softer voice. She cautiously looked at the man who spoke. Even at her young age she appreciated his handsome face and blue eyes. He stood at about six feet with olive skin and black hair. The lines around his eyes made her think he was above thirty-four. She stepped out of her trance when he asked for her name. “Rosalita Gonzalez.” She responded. He smirked. “Rosalita.” He tested. “As beautiful as a rose.” He complimented as he caressed her cheek. She almost leaned into him but remembered her current situation. “Why are you guys after me.” Asked the eleven-year-old girl. His smile faltered. “Tu no me cocces? (You don’t know me?)” Disappointment laced his voice. The child shook her head. “Es una pena. (It’s a shame you don’t.) Before they died they told me incase anything should happen to them I should take of you but you run away before my men and I could get you.” “Mama, papa.” She whispered. Unshed tears stung her eyes as she remembered the horrible day they were murdered. “Who are you?” she asked. “I’m Roberto Lorenzo.” He replied. Just as tears threatened to fall, he engulfed her into a hug. “No ilores. (Don’t cry.)” He soothed. “I’ll take care of you. I promise. You’ll be a princess.” She looked in his eyes. “Princess?” she asked just to be sure and he confirmed it with a nod. A smile graced her lips. She licked the sound of being a princess. That was something she hadn’t felt since her parents died. “Let’s take you home.” Roberto smiled to himself as he led her to his car. He was happier than she was that she agreed. All this was for his own gain. To achieve ultimate power. His plan was now in action. He took her to his hideout, where all his men trained and also where all his illegal businesses took place. He needed to keep her away from the outside world. He didn’t need other people influencing her. He wanted her to recognize only his voice. She began her training. She was taught how to use different weapons, her fists and most importantly, her beauty. During the course of her training, he found a way to mess with her mind. Occasionally, he would slip drugs into her food and drinks. That and all the spoiling that took place made her a slave to him. All he had to do in order to get her into that place was baby her and like magic, he was her master. This was all part of his plot_ to own her very being. She had to be perfect in order to be the best killing machine out there. If she made a mistake during the course of training, she was punished. When she was sixteen she committed her first murder. That wasn’t her last. By that time, the family knew she was dangerous. Roberto thought she was an open book and that her world revolved around him. Little did he know she had an agenda of her own. She was going to avenge the death of her parents. Rosalita didn’t have a definite plan just yet but she was going to make it happen. One evening, Roberto allowed her go out in the gardens. “Rosalita.” Nancy, her caretaker called. She sat by her on the grace. Rosalita and nancy were very close. She was her third and longest caretaker and Rosalita planned on keeping her around for a long time. The broad smile on her face made Nancy smile. “Why are you here? Roberto will flip out if he finds you here?” She said in a thick Puerto Rican accent. She wasn’t blind. She saw the way Roberto treated her. Rosalita maintained her smile. “No. It’s okay. He knows I’m here.” The forty-two-year-old woman relaxed. She noticed a falter in Rosalita’s smile. “What is it child? I’ve been watching you these past few days and honestly, you don’t seem too happy.” Rosalita smiled before responding. “I just don’t get why papa would not allow me out.” She stuck a rose in her hair. “I know he loves me and all but……God, I’m eighteen.” She complained. “Something in me is kissing. I need to be out in order to avenge my parents.” “Then go.” Nancy said without thinking. She put her palm on Rosalita’s cheek. “Rosalita, this is not healthy. I know kids who are out there falling in love and getting their hearts broken but that’s okay because it’s all a learning process. What Roberto does to you is not love…..” “Nancy…….” When she was sixteen she committed her first murder. That wasn’t her last. By that time, the family knew she was dangerous. Roberto thought she was an open book and that her world revolved around him. Little did he know she had an agenda of her own. She was going to avenge the death of her parents. Rosalita didn’t have a definite plan just yet but she was going to make it happen. One evening, Roberto allowed her go out in the gardens. “Rosalita.” Nancy, her caretaker called. She sat by her on the grace. Rosalita and nancy were very close. She was her third and longest caretaker and Rosalita planned on keeping her around for a long time. The broad smile on her face made Nancy smile. “Why are you here? Roberto will flip out if he finds you here?” She said in a thick Puerto Rican accent. She wasn’t blind. She saw the way Roberto treated her. Rosalita maintained her smile. “No. It’s okay. He knows I’m here.” The forty-two-year-old woman relaxed. She noticed a falter in Rosalita’s smile. “What is it child? I’ve been watching you these past few days and honestly, you don’t seem too happy.” Rosalita smiled before responding. “I just don’t get why papa would not allow me out.” She stuck a rose in her hair. “I know he loves me and all but……God, I’m eighteen.” She complained. “Something in me is kissing. I need to be out in order to avenge my parents.” “Then go.” Nancy said without thinking. She put her palm on Rosalita’s cheek. “Rosalita, this is not healthy. I know kids who are out there falling in love and getting their hearts broken but that’s okay because it’s all a learning process. What Roberto does to you is not love…..” “Nancy…….”