The Joy of Revenge
Prologue
Let me tell you a story….
Once upon
a time, there was a young girl named Joy. She lived in a small town called New Salem in North Dakota.
Her family wasn’t rich, but they weren’t considered poor either. Her parents were hardworking and
religious folk and they were respected among the town’s people.
Her mother named her Joy because when she was born, she brought joy into their lives. Her mother
and father had been trying so long to have a baby and when her mother became pregnant, her parents
were so happy. Finally, after so many years of all the disappointments and false rms, they were
going to have a baby.
Joy’s mother had to stay in bed all throughout her pregnancy. There was a bit of bleeding during the
first trimester, so the doctor ordered her mother to stay in bed. Her mother didn’t mind if she wasn’t
allowed out of the house. She believed it was all for a good cause. Joy’s father hired someone else to
help him at the small grocery store they owned in town and also hired some help around the house so
Joy’s mother could take of herself and their baby. He’d do anything just as long as their little Joy came
out healthy.
When Joy was born, her mother said she came out howling. She had strong lungs and the doctor said
she was healthy as a horse. When the nurse came to her mother’s room so she could suckle, Joy’s
cries were so loud, they could already hear her as the nurse came. But
once Joy was in her mother’s arms, she quieted instantly, like she knew she belonged there. Her father
brought all their friends to the hospital toe see Joy. He was so proud.
Joy grew up like any other little girl. ying games with all her friends, riding her bike to the park,
eating ice cream on a hot summer’s day and watching the stars on a clear starlit night. She was always
full of energy. She could never sit still for a second…not even for the Taylor family’s annual Christmas
photo they hand out to friends and family. Joy was always N?velD(ram)a.?rg owns this content.
seen fidgeting, she could never keep still.
When it was time for Joy to go to school, she fit right in with all her peers. She was one of the brightest
in her ss and the students and teachers in the local grade school always fawned over her. She was
a pretty little girl with chestnut colored hair and aquamarine colored eyes. There was usually an
ongoing debate whether Joy’s eyes were green or blue. To stop the squabbling, her father would say
everyone was right. He told them Joy’s eye color depended on the time of day. When it was bright, they
were green. When it was dark, they were blue like the ocean.
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Prologue
Everything seemed fine for the Taylors until Joy entered high school. Sure, she was still one.
of the brightest in her ss, but the students and teachers in the local high school no longer fawned
over her. She was skinny, tall and awkward for a freshman while the other girls her age had nice perky
breasts and were curvaceous. For the first time in her life, Joy became the butt of someone’s joke, the
receiving end of a prank, a victim of a bully.
Joy would often wonder why did people need to undergo puberty as she’d stare at herself in the mirror
before dressing for school. Everything was fine before high school. No one made fun of her, criticized
her, orughed at her. What was so special about breasts or sashaying
hips?
Well, Joy didn’t mind just as long as her bestfriend, Noah, was beside her. When they were little,
Noah’s family moved into a house along their cul-de-sac. He was shy and timid and had a stutter, but
Joy didn’t mind. To her, Noah was special.
Noah was smaller than the average boy and he was picked on a lot. Joy would always defend him from
the yground bullies, hold his hand when he was hurt, and shared everything of hers with him. They
were two peas in a pod. Where one was, it was expected the other was
there too. They only separated when they had to go home to sleep.
One night, when they were stargazing under the clear night sky on a pic nket at the meadow near
Joy’s house, they made a pact that they would always be friends forever, no matter what. Noah smiled
at her with that adorable toothless grin of his and hugged her real tight. Joy knew in her heart that Noah
would never leave her. Not now, not ever.
But unlike Joy, who obviously was ate bloomer, Noah began to grow into the man he was destined to
be during their freshmen year. He grew tall and his muscles started to form. He was no longer toothless
and was blessed with perfect white teeth. His blonde hair shined like wheat in the sunlight and his
chocte brown eyes tw inkled when he smiled. The freckles. around the bridge of his nose gave him
that manly charm. He even grew out of his stutter. When they walked through their school together,
Noah in his favorite white T-shirt tucked in
is ripped blue jeans, the girls would all sigh as he passed them.
Unfortunately, their friendship changed the summer before their sophomore year when Noah got a job
flipping burgers at the local diner in town. He made friends with the kids who used. to bully him in grade
school. They were the popr kids in their high school and they. believed Noah would be a good fit in
their group. Yeah, they were all handsome and beautiful, some of them rich with powerful parents, and
Noah knew being friends with them would give him an edge to get where he wanted to be in the future.
He began ignoring Joy and brushing her off when she came to see him. It broke Joy’s heart. She
understood people. did change, but she couldn’t believe Noah, of all people, would hurt her.
III
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Prologue
During their sophomore year, loy was now all alone. What was worse, Noah, who promised he would
never leave her, began joining in on his friends fun of tormenting her every day. She would lock herself
up in the girls bathroom and cry. She couldn’t believe her Noah could be so cruel!
Joy left town to visit her aunt, who lived in California, the summer before their junior year. When she
came back, no one could recognize her. She had finally blossomed into ady. Her once frizzy chestnut
brown hair was now straight and curled at the ends. She now had big perky breasts and curves in all
the right ces. Since she was tall, her long legs gleamed like baster in the sunlight. Her braces
were gone and she smiled so sweetly, showing off her perfect teeth through her perfect pink lips.
She was loved by all and she lived happily ever after…
Sorry, I was just fooling you. You know what they say, life isplicated.
And joy can turn into misery in a heartbeat.
It was one in the morning when the Taylors heard a knock on their door. It was the night of the spring
dance and joy had permission to sleep at a friend’s house after the event.
Toy’s father peered through the peep hole of the door and saw Noah standing at their doorstep.
swung
“Noah. Joy isn t here. She’s staying over at Lisa’s for the night, Joy’s father said as he the door open,
wearing a robe over his pajamas. His eyes widened when he saw Noah carrying a girl in his arms. Her
unrecognizable face was covered with blood, her wrists and ankles had ligature marks, and her white
dress was torn to reveal her naked, bruised and wounded body underneath. He recognized the white
dress. It was the same dress Joy made for the spring dance. “OH MY G OD! JOY!”
Noah was crying and shaking terribly. “M-Mr. Taylor, can I bring Joy inside? 1-1 f-found her in the b-
boy’s gym room tied up and badly hurt.
“Give my daughter to me!” Joy’s father screamed. Noah gently ced Joy in her father’s arm, backed
away and wiped his nose. “MARGARET! GET THE KEYS TO THE TRUCK! I NEED TO BRING JOY
TO THE HOSPITAL!
Jay’s mother ran down the stairs of their two-storey home,pletely confused. “Why do you need to
bring Joy to-” She froze as she saw her bloodied daughter in her husband’s arms. “WHAT
HAPPENED?! My baby! What happened to you?” Joy’s mother eximed as she rushed to her
daughter, sobbing pitifully.
O
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Prologue
“Maggie, we need to bring Joy to the hospital. Grab my keys and my wallet and lock the door, Joy’s
father said calmly. Joy’s mother quickly grabbed the keys and her husband’s wallet from a tray on a
small table in the foyer. “Noah, follow us in your car. I need you to tell the police what you know.”
At the hospital, the doctor gave the grim news to the Taylors that Joy was raped repeatedly. She also
had broken ribs, trauma to her face and head, and a broken leg and arm. Whoever attacked her left her
for dead.
When Noah talked to the police, he said he didn’t know anything and when the police visited the local
high school, the kids didn’t want to talk. Instead, they said Joy was begging for it since she was
wearing a backless white dress to the dance that left nothing to the imagination.
The boy’s gym was immacte when the police searched the premises for evidence. They could not
find any trace of hair, blood or semen. All they found was the smell of bleach.
Joy’s gown and sexual assault kit mysteriously went missing. Without any evidence, the Sheriff told
Joy’s father they could not file charges. If they did go ahead and file charges, Joy would have to relive
everything those boys did to her in front of so many people and if they lose the case, she would be
branded as the town’s w h ore forever.
Joy didn’t return to school after she was discharged from the hospital and no one saw her after that.
The Taylors sold everything and left, hoping to give Joy a chance at a normal life after her ordeal.
No one knew where they went and after ten long years, the Taylors were now just a mere memory in
the small town of New Salem.
Well, not anymore.
Chapter Comments
Luna-Mom
POST COMMENT
Totally enjoying all the juicy gossip. What’s more they are ying right into Joy’s hands mwhahaha
Morgan
I say it’s torture because I am really interested to see what happens next. I have no otherint!
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4/4
The Joy of Revenge
BOOK 1: The Love of the Blood Disciples CHAPTER 1 The
First Day
Joy
I was s
staring at myself in the mirror when I heard a knock on my bedroom door. I was dressed in an ordinary
gray hoodie paired with my favorite jeans and white sneakers. My long silky chestnut brown hair flowed
freely below my shoulders, providing a suitable cover
if ever I needed to hide my face.
I sighed. The idea was to blend in and not stand out, but I still had marks on my face which
even make-up couldn’t hide.
It has been over a year, but I was far from calling myself fully recovered. There were still noticeable
marks on my face, although I can say there has been a stark improvement.
At least I still had my aquamarine eyes. It was the only feature I had that I could still call
beautiful.
“Sweetie, breakfast is ready,” my mom said, opening the door to my room. She was already dressed,
ready to go to the hospital where she worked. She was wearing pink scrubs and white sneakers, her
long brown hair was fixed into a neat bun while her face was devoid of
make-up.
“Okay, Mom,” I said, taking onest look at myself in the mirror. It was my first day at university and I
was nervous. Scratch that. I was absolutely freaking out!
Noticing my distress, my mom walked up to me and gave me reassuring hug.
“Honey, I know you’re nervous, but look how much you’ve improved. It has only been a little over a year
and you’re looking like yourself again,” she said, peering into my eyes. “But if you aren’t ready, we can
ask the dean to-
“No, Mom. It’s now or never. I need to put high school behind me and move on or I’ll never be able to
move on,” I said. “Anyway, I look so hideous, no boy is ever going to try and touch me. They’ll probably
throw up at the mere thought.” The reassuring expression on my mom’s face instantly turned to
sadness.
“Honey, I’m so sorry this had to happen to you, but look at the bright side, you’ve been given a second
chance. Come on.” She put her arm around my shoulders and guided me to the door. “You don’t want
to bete for your first day of school.”
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BOOK 1 The Love of the Blood Disciples CHAPTER 1 The First Day
I picked up my backpack and followed my mother to the kitchen. Since I still had problems going up
and down the stairs, my parents made the small office space on the ground level of our small
townhouse into my temporary bedroom.
“Herees my college student. You got everything with you?” My Dad asked before taking a sip of
his coffee.
“Yep, I answered, making myself a bowl of cereal. My dad heard the nervousness in my voice and
ced a loving hand on top of mine.
“Your mom and I, we are really proud of you, Joy. You’ve ovee so much so quickly. When I was
your age, it took me a while to get myself together when your grandparents died.” My dad sighed and
leaned back in his chair. “I wish things were different, but we need to deal
with the cards we’ve been dealt with. All of us together.”
“I know, Dad. I wish things were different too. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be just fine,” I said
before I began eating my cereal.
1 nced at my dad. He now had more white in his hair than ever before. He lost a ton of
weight; his once round belly was much smaller, his face and arms much leaner. The stress of moving
away from his home town and caring for his ‘brutally raped’ daughter showed.
“Since Mom has an early shift, I’ll be driving you to school,” my dad said, picking his keys up from the
kitchen counter while I washed my empty cereal bowl.
“Sure, Dad.”
My anxiety grew as I sat quietly in the car while my dad drove me to school. I haven’t been. out with
students my age ever since my assault that night at the spring formal of my junior year in high school at
New Salem, North Dakota My parents and I moved to California after that in the hopes of a second
chance in life.
I was homeschooled my senior year while I underwent a series of surgeries to restore my face. I
actually felt like this massive science project every time I went under the knife. But after each surgery, I
noticed there was a huge improvement from before which gave me hope. At least now, I can look at
myself in the mirror and not gag from seeing my reflection.
My dad parked next to my building and gave me a kiss on my cheek. I gingerly exited his SUV, so I
wouldn’t put too much pressure on my once broken leg. Although my leg was dered healed by my
doctor, it still hurt a bit, so I walked with a slight limp. My doctor assured me it would go away in time
and I will walk again like nothing ever happened.
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BOOK 1 The Love of the Blood Disciples CHAPTER 1 The First Day
“I’ll pick you up at this exact same spot, sweetie my dad called out to me from his car
window.
“Sure, Dad. I’ll see you after ss. Love you!” I said, waving goodbye.
I covered my head and my face with my hoodie before walking to my building. Although my face was
improving, I was still self-conscious of my appearance. My cheeks were riddled with scars, blemishes
and discolorations.
I know people would try and ask me what happened to me if they notice my face. And because I didn’t
want to relive that particr moment in my life every single time I was asked, I decided it was best if I
hide my face as much as I could.
a big
As I walked along the campus sidewalk, I saw a group of students, hanging out near tree. There were
three boys and two girls. One girl I remembered from my admissions interview. She was part of the
student council who handled student affairs and helped faculty with admissions. As I passed by, the girl
beside her called the attention of the three boys with them and pointed at me.
I know I should have looked away, but I couldn’t help, but stare. They were the most gorgeous young
men I have ever seen in my life. If I had thought Noah was handsome, these
s were d downright beautiful. I could think of no other word to describe them.
guys
While that girlughed at my appearance, the three boys looked at me with this horrible expression on
their faces. I felt so embarrassed, I quickly looked away.
Serves you right, Joy. You aren’t suppose to stare at people. It’s rude.
I sighed. Well, at least I had something nice to look at on campus.
I walked into my building, found my room and picked a chair off to the corner where I could hide from
everyone else. I made myselffortable and waited for our professor to arrive.
More students began entering the ssroom five minutes before ss was expected to start. Our
professor also walked in, briefcase and coffee in hand. He was a tall man with gray hair and sses,
looking quite tired. While I studied our professor, I didn’t notice the three boys
behind him. Their eyes locked with mine as our professor walked quickly to his desk.
Oh my gosh! It was the three gorgeous boys from earlier! They were in my ss!
All three of them were the same height, had the same dark hair and muscr build. I quickly assumed
they were brothers because they resembled each other in a way.
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12 26 Sat, Mar 23
BOOK 1: The Love of the Blood Disciples CHAPTER 1 The First Day
But they had different colored eyes. One had startling blue eyes, the other had rare honey- colored
eyes and thest one had light brown eyes, the color of dark caramel. Their parents must be really
good-looking to have a brood of gorgeous men in the family.
The one with dark caramel eyes suddenly gave me a small smile. I quickly lowered my head,
blushing.
No, Joy. That smile wasn’t for you.
I surreptitiously nced upward to check if that smile was for me, but to my dismay, they had already
taken their seats. I slowly turned my head to scan the people at the back, but I
couldn’t find them.
I sighed. Well, it was time for me to focus on the lecture rather than boys. When I was in high school, I
focused on boys during my junior year and look where it got me.
“Sebastian, will you please stop crowding me!” A deep manly voice growled right behind me.
I turned to look at who it was and I unexpectedly found the three of them seated behind me!
I quickly faced forward and sat up straight, deciding it was best to just look at my professor for the rest
of the period.
But it was so hard to concentrate knowing they were seated behind me.
Chapter Comments
Kiertekles
1m3n: Noah has to know more than what he’s saying. His guilt is probably the only reason why he
brought her home
Nicole Velox
POST COMMENT JOST COMMENT
1m3n (. This first chapter has brought tears in my eyes and anger in my heart. Now I have to read this
book till the end.
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12:26: Sat, Mar 23