This is a savage cruel piece. It really happened.. to my friend at 15..

He watches her for weeks from the shadows....
Learning the language of her body
Mapping her moods..
A lone silent man.

He chose her from the hundreds of the lost
Who prowl his kingdom
The Land of No Return
Her hurt an irresistible magnet for his hungry mind

She runs with Crow, Angel and blond Betty
Separate from the toll of the streets
Her desperate attempts at pride…
And the growing knowledge in her dark eyes…..
Tantalise him

Slowly, patiently, carefully
He moves ever closer to his target..
Sensing her eyes moving over the familiar cut of his suits
his expensive colognes..


Once, he ate a burger, leaving half on the bench,
Even starving..she eats neatly
Another time he lets 10 dollars drop carelessly from his pocket

And watches her struggle with her conscience


Before long he sees…
Her haunted eyes seeking him
Hungry, longing for the feel of home
Desperate pride warring with
Crushing need


Praying for a saviour
Like some knight of old
To rescue her
From the cold grey streets


One frosty night
He finally speaks
Eyeing her thin body
Trembling with cold

Murmuring gently
He offers her a hot meal or something warm to drink,
Nothing more…

He feeds her with tender care, small bites of his meal
Listening with hidden amusement to her tale
Encouraging her lonely damaged soul to open to him….
Seeking the weapons to destroy her

Later she sleeps warm clean and safe for the first time in months

In a room he paid for …
And left…
Alone.

Months go by…
Her savaged heart blossoms
Her young body sings
Under his at night

She loves him…

Like the hunter he is
He bides his time
With infinite care
Until he's certain, she is his alone.

One summery evening
Dining together, he tells her it's time she grew up…
Tasted life beyond him..
Her eyes fill with tears
Sensing loss…


Clever cunning man
He suggests they share their bed with another.
That it will give him untold rapture
If she would but grant him this wish…

She refuses
As he knew she would
But.. in the end..
His icy disdain flays her
And she agrees…


Then…..he has her
He moves in for the kill
Hurling cruel words at her
With contemptuous ease

Poor caged bird…..
Well and truly trapped
Her love surgically shredded,
Her mind fogged with pain and shame


Until..
One frosty evening
His words like knives in her slender back
She tosses her cigarette and steps off the balcony
Free……..

He stands there numb
Watching her frail body waft on the silent wind….
Like a spoilt boy deprived suddenly
Of his favourite toy

Shrugging on his jacket
Not even bothering to glance
At the tiny broken body
He hunts anew..