Page 1 of Doc's Decision

PROLOGUE

Mandy

17 Years Old . . .

I’m flying across the living room, slamming into the thin drywall with a thud.

The cheap plaster cracks behind my head as I slump to the ground, dazed.

Tony snarls above me, eyes bloodshot and pupils dilated, “Where’s my fuckin’ twenty dollars, you little bitch?”

The stench of stale cigarettes and booze wafts off him.

I yell back, struggling to get to my feet, “I don’t have your goddamn money! I never took it!”

He grabs me by the shoulders, his dirty fingers digging into my skin. “Don’t you lie to me, Amanda. I know you stole it! Now give it back before I beat it out of you!”

“I didn’t take shit from you, asshole!” I shove him off me with all my strength.

I may be a seventeen-year-old girl but I’m scrappy as hell.

Growing up in this shithole made me tough.

He staggers back, then lunges at me again, face twisted in rage.

I dodge to the side, but he clips my jaw with a wild punch.

Pain explodes through my face as I taste blood.

I need to get the fuck out of here.

Away from Tony and his bullshit, away from this dead-end life in Nowhereville, California.

I refuse to end up like my mom—strung out, broke, letting dirtbags use me for a fix.

I’m getting out, one way or another.

With shaking hands, I scramble backward on the beer can-littered carpet, trying to put some distance between us.

Tony towers over me, meaty fists clenched.

“You think I’m an idiot,” he spits out. “But I know you took my money. Hand it over!”

“I didn’t take shit from you. I never have!” I snarl back, voice ragged. The metallic taste of blood fills my mouth. “I’m done being your fucking punching bag.”

His bloodshot eyes narrow into slits. “Like hell you are.”

Tony lunges for me again.

His fingers close around my throat as he slams me to the floor.

I claw at his hands, gasping for air, vision blurring.

Fuck, I can’t breathe.

Oh God, I’m going to die here.

Murdered by my tweaker stepdad in this dingy trailer.

---