Can’t Win Me Back by Ginger Sue

Before meeting Maggie in person, Xavier had thought that this young girl from a poor background only wanted Jasper and
Alyssa's protection. But after hearing her heartfelt words, Xavier thought himself shallow and close-minded. He really was
nothing compared to this smart, young girl.
"It's wonderful that you think so." Alyssa embraced Maggie with tears in her eyes. "I'll introduce you to my sister if there's an
opportunity to do so in the future. I'm sure you two will become best friends."
Maggie spent the night telling Alyssa and Jasper about her experience of being abused by David, not leaving a single detail out.
Maggie's father had passed on early and their family was poor. Maggie's mother worked three jobs in order to send her to
school, often working into the wee hours of morning. Even when Maggie's mother fell ill from overexertion, she still didn't want to
waste any time getting a check-up at a hospital.
When Maggie hit 17 years of age, she was able to secretly earn money to sustain their family. That helped her mother be able to
get a better work-life routine.
Maggie was hired into a high-end club one time as a waitress because of her beautiful features. Though it was tiring work, her
income was pretty impressive for a student.
"I thought that as long as I remained there and worked hard, I could slowly improve our quality of life. But I was too naive."
Maggie closed her eyes which brimmed with tears of hate and regret.
Memories of that night resurfaced in her mind. She remembered how David had dragged her into the washroom in his private
suite, pinned her against the wall, and sexually abused her.
Even today, David's filthy slurs and words still traumatized Maggie. She awoke from nightmares of it nearly every night.

When David found out that it was Maggie's first time after the deed was done, he even mocked her.
"Your first time is definitely memorable now since it was with me," David had said.
Maggie continued, "Like all the other girls there, a price had been put on my head the moment I was hired into the club. I had
become one of those rich people's playthings..."
That night, David had been "hunting" for prey on the second floor, watching the dancefloor through the glass windows above. He
had noticed Maggie immediately. She had been opening up a bottle of wine for some patrons.
"That one's mine tonight," David had declared.
After sharing all this, Maggie leaned weakly in Alyssa's arms, feeling like her soul had been extracted from her being. Tears of
despair soaked her cheeks.
Trauma victims were already giving it their all to try and remain alive. Meanwhile, the abusers continued living on proudly as if
nothing ever happened.
What a sick and twisted world!
Jasper silently listened to Maggie's words throughout the entire process. Though he barely showed any expression, the
murderous glint in his gaze revealed the rage in his heart.
Meanwhile, Xavier who was usually a dense person, turned around and wiped a tear away.
"Maggie, things won't end like this. I swear it." The raspiness in Alyssa's voice conveyed her hatred enough. "The Schmidt family
may be a den of vicious, heartless beasts, but I'm going to help you slay them all. I'll destroy this force of darkness once and for

all. You won't be fighting alone."