My entire world, everything I ever knew, feels like it's been flipped on its axis. If it wasn't for Diablo's aggressive grip on my cheeks, I would've lost any feeling in my limbs and sag to the floor like dead meat. A hint of remorse sneaks up my spine like a dark demonic shadow hovering over my body until it can take possession of me.

Diablo's brown irises burn a brutal hole in my gaze. "I know that look. You do care. You feel guilty. Why do you feel guilty?"

"I-I don't," I assure, my breath catching in my chest.

"Stop lying, Mika. It's written all over your face," Diablo scoffs, digging his tongue into the inside of his cheek. "You prayed for years and years to find him and get him back for what he did to you and Riley. For what the Morterero Familia did to you. Mictlan gave you the opportunity. Guilt is the last thing you should feel for that shitty excuse of a man."

"W-What are you talking about?" I mumble with confusion lace in my voice. "Riley and I weren't involved with the Morterero familia. It was just random thugs on the street."

Diablo explodes into laughter, eerie skin-crawling chuckles, while a gasp leaves my mouth from the impact of his palm. "Are you fucking kidding me now? I witness the aftermath, and the pain they left you, and now it's like nothing to you." He rips the diamond adorn ring from my finger and violently smashes it against the wall, revealing a puddle of white powder dust.

He squats down, digging his fingers into the substances. "What drugs have you been taking? Why are you pumping your body with this shit? I thought you quit the last time I caught you. Mika, forgetting, only suppresses the pain, but it's always there."

My nerves tighten with unease. "I swear, I haven't touched that shit in months. Eugene, you're spewing nonsense. I don't remember anything, and how could you when you weren't even there? You sold us out, remember?"

Diablo sighs, dragging his palm down his clenched face. "How can I ever forget? Very convenient of you to remember my involvement, but not your boyfriend's familia. I can't fucking believe you. How can you pretend nothing happen and act like Riley's pain was justified?"

"I-I'm not justifying what happened to Riley!" I scream, my lower lip trembling. "Nor am I pretending nothing happened, but I don't remember. How am I supposed to believe you after all things you've done to me lately?"

My skull throbs as an impending mirage is forming, and vague, fuzzy memories fight their way through the cobwebs. There's an opaque void in my brain as if the entire night a few years ago hadn't happened. Did I really forget? Did my addiction to every substance known demand alter the reality of the situation? But I remember the events like a flip-note, turning every page, but the faces were obscured by shadows.

Diablo scrambles to his safe, plugging the code, and scrummages through the items kept locked in. His movements are fanatic, shoving pages, money, and gold bars onto the floor until he pulls out a black leather book. With a manic gleam in his irises, he flings the book and smacking me in the chest as it falls to the floor, opening up and pouring out polaroid photos.

With shaking hands, I squat down and pick up the collection of fallen images on the floor. I'm in all of them. A few are goofy peeks of my short time with Riley. Us in clown wigs. Another one of us, pretending to be famous models. The last one was with Riley and me, attacking Diablo with kisses on his cheek. Someone I considered important until I scrubbed any sign of her from my life. The first picture Diablo ever took of me on the hardcover at age ten in the clothing he brought me.

"I'm not lying to you, Mika," Diablo insists, his voice pleading, coating with sympathy. "But if you refuse to trust me, then read that. You can trust yourself, right?"

"Why do you have my diary?"

Diablo pinches the bridge of his nose. "You asked me to read it and watch over it. To understand everything I put you through and be ready for your revenge one day. I thought relinquishing my rights for Diablo's Paraiso was your revenge, but it seemed too simple."

I scoff. "You damn right."

He rolls his eyes. "Anyway, everything taken place that day is written there. You weren't afraid to leave any details or anything to the imagination. I think once you read this, you will remember everything again. Personally, I love reading pages from the year two-thousand-fourteen."

My face scrunches up with disgust as I connect the pieces. "Don't feel so special, sweetheart. I've had better since then, but I doubt you can say the same."

Diablo grabs onto his lighter on his desk and lights up a cigarette, taking a drag from it. "I'm going to go close Paraiso down. Go ahead and read the entry. Everything will make sense once you do." Before closing the door, he glances back with a worried gleam in his eyes. "Then you won't feel an ounce of sympathy for that piece of shit."

The room goes silent as Diablo shuts the door, the music from the nightclub fading out as the sun comes back to life. A lump forms in my throat as I stare at the leather diary in my hands containing every bit of my livelihood until I ruled over Paraiso. Do I want to remember? I've drugged myself to forget, to move on, to let go. What's the point if I'm going right to the beginning, where I started?

You have to do this, Mika.

Taking a deep breath, I open to the page when everything takes place and brace myself for the horrors I'm about to unleash.

My thigh trembles against the mattress as I wait for Riley's reply. It's been over thirty minutes since her last message. The anxiety rope ties around my limbs, binding them together. This isn't anything like her at all. Something had to go wrong. Did she get caught? Am I about to get caught? Please, Riley, just answer the damn phone!

The door swings open, and I jolt upward to my full height in excitement, only for it to wash away like a wave in seconds. Fear grips my bones, and I make a beeline for the window. My legs leap onto the bed, and my hands grip the wooden beam, hoisting myself to the ceiling window. Adrenaline fuels my movement, but it isn't enough when his large hand grabs my ankle, yanking me down.

My severally underweight strength is nothing compared to his brawn, aggressive force on my leg. My body slams against the mattress, and it hurts like a stack of bricks. But I'm a stubborn bitch. I dig my nails into the sheets and brutally kick my feet until I land a kick in his face. He groans, gripping his nose, and I take the initiative to make a run for the door.

I don't make it two steps before his arms are wrapped around my stomach and throat, choking me. There's no way I'm getting out of this alive. I might be half his size, but I'm giving it all I got. Using his palm, he pushes my face to the side to meet his sinister, insidious brown irises as he covers my mouth with a cloth.

"We're going to have a lot of fun with you," he darkly chuckles as I repeatedly slam my elbows into his stomach.

He doesn't flinch, only pushes the cloth further on my face. The cloth is infused with a potent, unfamiliar odor, causing my persistent fighting to diminish. My gaze becomes hazy, blurry, barely able to distinguish any features on the man. All of the sudden, I feel like I'm floating, my body off the ground as I slip into a slumber.

One by one, my sense come back to life.

Faint noise rings in my ears, and I feel heavy resistance on my arms and legs. Scrunching my eyes, I force them open, and clusters of crust poking at my eyeballs. I find myself in a horizontal position. The ceiling is cobblestone bricks, riddled with erosion as water spills onto my cheeks. A dim light from the bulb on the string illuminates the cracked walls. A spine-chilling shriek eliminates any drowsiness from my body, and I spring forward.

Chains rattle against my limbs, pulling my body back to where I originally was. My face scrunches with frustration as I shake, tug, and knock the rope, only to fail miserably. The light from the bulb goes dim as a bulky, thicker body plant itself in front of me, snickering.

He crouches, twirling a lock of my hair on his finger as he whispers, "What do you think, sweetheart? Should I break you or your friend in?"

My eyes bulge from their sockets. "Rile-."

The man slams his palm over my mouth. "Don't talk until I say you can. Got it?"

Once I give him a nod, he removes his hand and joins his band of brothers in the darkness. Craning my neck, I see Riley's golden-brown hair sprawl on the ground like it's floating in the water and her limbs are restrained like mine. Another bath of disturbing, older men roams around her.

An individual older male with slick-back brown hair along with his gruff bread steps forward in his lavish suit. "Hello, girls. Riley and Mika. Ahhh, such pretty names for pretty girls. Too bad what I plan to do to you guys isn't pretty. I don't take too well to little girls thinking they can destroy all I work for."

The look in his eyes gives me the chills.

"Should we start with the traitor or the mastermind?" He taps his chin as his gaze floats over the both of us. "Which one of you will break first? Which of you will pay for all the men you guys killed? Should I make the decision?" Riley and I remain silent. "Fine."

His six-foot frame whirls in Riley's direction, and my stomach plummets. Before I could argue with him, a stupid hand is muffling my words. Riley sobs as he pulls her light wash jeans down her ankles and rips her shirt in half. My entire body tenses up, and I bite the man's hand, causing him to howl in pain.

"You stupid bitch." He slaps me across the face.

"Please! Stop! She didn't have anything to do with it," I plead, the chain rattling as I try to inch forward. "It was all me. I threatened her life. That's the only reason she did what she did. Let her go, please."

He scoffs, flipping Riley onto her chest. "Then let this be your lesson, Mika. Be appreciative that the Jefe of the Morterero is showing mercy. We didn't make it to the top by having hearts, and you certainly won't make us grow any."

"Please!" I beg, my throat closing up. "I'll work for you. I'll be your drug mule like you wanted me to. I won't try to leave. I promise. Just don't hurt her."

The man presses kisses on her bare thighs and gives her ass a shuttering slap. "Only way to gain loyalty is by frightening the traitors until they have no choice." He unbuckles his pants with a menacing smirk. "I'll start. Form a line starting after Miguel."

"Please! I'm sorry. Don't do this to her. Do it to me! I deserve it, not her!" I cry out, feigning pain as the chain slams me back into the wall.

"Mika," Riley sobs out, tears trailing down her freckle face. "I-It's okay. I'm sorry for not being a better partner in crime. Save yourself, okay?"

"How heartwarming," he mimics her sobs as he stuffs his fingers in her mouth.

I don't have it in me to watch.

So, I close my eyes and cover them with my palms.

Riley whimpers as the man groans, enjoying the way we're being tortured by his hands. The sound of his body slamming into hers' rings in my ears. It's disgusting and dehumanizing for her to suffer these consequences. He picks up his pace, feeding off her agonizing screams as he rips through her hymen.

My best friend.

We've adventuring too far this time. I'm so sorry. I let us down. Everything seemed so easy. Maybe that's where my mistake took place. It should be me enduring the consequences, not you. You're like my little sister following me to dangers where no child should be. I'm sorry. I should've saved you. Instead, I wanted my own justice, and now we're both getting nothing.

The groans go silent.

Inch by inch, I open my eyes to see a sweaty Riley, and for a second, the light shines on her. Is there a chance for us to get out of here?

"Your turn, Miguel," he announces, shaking his pants as he unplugs the button.

A tortured sob falls past her lips and she covers her mouth with a shaking hand, when Miguel doesn't waste a second.

It keeps going.

And going.

And going.

The slapping skin, the torment sobs, and eerie satisfying groans, the harsh breaths are engraved in my ears. Will they ever stop? Hasn't Riley suffered enough? My thoughts run rampant as two sets of hands force my arm to the floor. My body squirms under their grip, but another two hold down my legs. The blonde Morterero member in a navy blue suit thrusts a blade from his pocket and slashes my clothing in half.

"Who's up first?" He asked, licking his lips with hunger.

An elderly male with a black skull cane wanders closer to the blonde member and whispers, "Ander. Esta es su oportunidad de mostrarnos que clase de hombre es realmente. Que es un jefe digno de lealted."

(This is his chance to show us what kind of man he really is. That he is a boss worthy of loyalty.)

The elder member asks for Ander to come up with his pointer finger and a stern expression on his face. Ander shuffles toward the older man, his body sporting a classic black suit as his emerald irises land on me. My heart stampers as he unbuckles his belt and pulls out his cock.

He swallows a lump in his throat. "It will be painless. I promise. It will be quick. Just close your eyes."

I release a soft whimper of protest. "Please. Please don't do this. Save my friend and stop all of this. You're the Jefe, aren't you?"

His emerald irises gleam with remorse, but he proceeds by moving my underwear to the side. "Everything will be fine. Behave, and I'll get the both of you guys out of here."

"Please." My lips quiver. "I-I have never. I do-. I-I'm a virgin."

Shock washes over his gaze as his mouth falls open and cranes his neck to face the elderly. "Papa, is this true? I thought we were using experienced girls."

The salt and pepper-haired elder smacks Ander in the head. "Are you tonto? She's pleading for her life. Of course, she will say anything to get you to stop. Right, Gato?"

Gato's breath fans my cheek. "Si, Tio." He presses his crusty lips on my cheek and a long flick of his tongue. "Besides, she's always been asking for it. A normal girl doesn't go around flaunting her body unless they want to be broken into."

I spit in Gato's face. "I'm not lying. Please, Ander. You can change everything right now."

Turmoil glistens in his face as he floats to his prosy, circling us, and ultimately decides the latter by spitting in his hands and rubbing the salvia on the tip of his cock. Cheers roar around us as a satisfying smile stretches across his mouth.

"Now take it, Mika. Take it and shut the hell up!"

Tears cascade down my cheeks as I turn away, refusing to give him the enjoyment of seeing my face, too. It doesn't feel anything like in the movies or books. It's cruel, harsh, and hurts to the point of tears. He doesn't care either. Ander goes at rapid speed, chasing his own release, knowing it's tearing my insides to shreds.

"So fucking tight. I love it."

With that, Ander shudders as he spills his release all over my stomach and his groans fall from his lips. Is it time to wake up from my worst nightmare?

"Ander," Gato calls out. "You know what's better than a worn-out cunt? Her asshole. Show her how that feels."

Gato flips me to my stomach, pressing my boobs into the stone rubble on the floor, crafting my skin. I cry out, forcing the tears back as he pushes me up on my knees and spreads my butt cheeks.

"Please stop!" I scream.

"Beg. That's all you're good for, whore."

"I'm tapping out," Ander butt in.

Pain smears my skin when Gato slaps my ass. "Perfect. All for me. I'll enjoy every last second of this." Tears of pure hatred skid down my cheeks. "Don't worry, baby. At least I brought lube," he says against my ear as he pours the freezing substance onto my body.

"I want this to feel good for you, baby," he says, thrusting in and out, as I try to imagine I'm anywhere else. "Don't be shy, guys. Her mouth is free to be used. We have to make sure all holes are worn out."

A member of a Morterero crew with a mullet kneels by my face and slaps his dick on my cheeks.

"Go, Limon!" Cheers roar from the peanut gallery.

Gato grips my hair, his thrust building speed. "I want you to come. I want you to know it was me who made you come. Gato Morterero. Remember me, baby. I want you to close your eyes for the rest of the night and imagine me thrusting in and out of, even when it's not my turn."

My stomach recoils, and I swallow back the vomit.

"You love this, don't you?" He moves my hair to the side and drops a kiss on my shoulder. "A dirty slut like you secretly loves to be taken advantage of like this. I bet your pussy is soaking wet."

Gato stills inside me, shuddering at his release. He runs his lips along my neck as I stare blankly at the cracked walls. I'm drenched from the lube and trembling from the cold air, but I swallow my tears. I'm not going to waste any more tears on them. They don't deserve to watch me break.

One day, I'll get them all back.

"Who's tapping in?" Gato asks, laughing as he painfully cups my breast. "Pancho?"

"Come on, Pancho!"

"Pancho, be a man!"

"It's just a worthless bitch, Pancho!"

Pancho's body is shuddering like a leaf in a windy storm, his brown irises twinkling with guilt as he steps back. "I'll murder for this familia, but raping two weeping girls is where I draw the line. Call me a pussy. Bully me. But, I refuse to take advantage of them."

"Boohoo!" Gato chuckles like a manic. "Who's next? Take your turn before her pussy is worn out."

I don't resist.

I don't fight.

I don't cry.

I'm tired of seeing.

I'm tired of breathing.

I just want it to stop.

When every man got their fill, Ander grips my cheeks and tilts them upward to face him. "Make sure to let anyone who wants to rebel against us know what we do to traitors. We don't care about gender, age, or status. You were such a brave girl, Mika. Can't say the same for your friend. Meet us by the abandoned church for your next drop. Don't protest. You don't have many friends left around these areas."

Ander must be disappointed in my lack of response, but leaves, anyway.

My awareness sharpens because of the lack of noise. Distress sears the blood pumping in my veins. I try to move, but my pain magnifies with every drag. Riley. I need to get to Riley. My arms are the only part that has any strength, making the journey twenty times longer. Panic flares in my belly as I get closer, not hearing a trace of her breathing.

"R-Riley?"

Pure silence.

My elbows dip into a wet liquid, coating my skin with red. My eyes grow large. Blood oozes from the gash on her neck, and the look of terror burns in her eyes. Her body white as a corpse. On her stomach is carved 'The Morterero cartel's gift to Mika Santana. This will teach you to not overstep your boundaries.' I pull her body into my lap and brush her tangled hair with my fingers.

It should've have been me.

My head darts at the door when it abruptly slams open to reveal a chaotic Eugene."Mika! Riley!" He screams, his eyes bulging when he meets my gaze and runs towards us, halting at the sight of Riley's body. "M-Mika."

He pulls his shirt over his head and puts it on my body. "It's always you and me. We will survive this." Eugene closes Riley's eyes. "Mika, speak to me."

I swat his hand away. "It's always you and me, huh? Where were you? I needed you. We needed you." Instantly, I notice the guilt ridden in his face. "You caused this. You fed Riley to the crows in hopes that she would leave me out of it."

Eugene's eyes well up with tears as he rakes his finger through his hair. "They were threatening my dad and his business."

My eyes narrow."You don't even like your dad."

"Mika," he pleads, clasping his hands together. "I-I thought Riley would've kept quiet. She adored you. I never thought she would crack. You have to believe me. I didn't want any of this."

"Regardless, you gave Riley up." My voice raises as rage seeps through. "She's dead because of you. I almost could've died. Honestly, I wished I had, because Riley deserved to be in this world far more than I do. She was an angel. We have to live with her blood on our hands."

"Mika, listen to me." Eugene reaches for my hand, but I yank mine away.

"No. I'm done listening. You don't have to worry about me anymore. I hate you. I wish I never met you," I seethe, clutching onto my waist as I lean most of my body weight on the wall to leave. "Don't look for me. I promise I won't ever try to look for you."

My two friends are left behind, and I've found a new one.

Revenge.

Sorry... for such a hard chapter for you guys... Personally it was really hard to write and I tried to not go into detail so much since the events are pretty horrific.

The situation is pretty complex. We have heard Mika's side, but obviously there were other involved in the event. I'm not justify what Ander and the familia did! It's horrible!Soon or later, we will know how the Morterero family got to this point and specifically how Ander got involved...

It sucks tho. For Asiel to view his brother in high regards when there's so many things he's been left in dark... But maybe it's for the best for him to see his brother like loving, caring brother.

What do you guys think? Does it change your thoughts on Mika? Do you think Diablo forged the diary since a few you guys think maybe he's lying 👀?

P.S. do any of you guys finished stranger things because I'm HEARTBROKEN 😭😭😭😭😭