She became that girl. The girl she used to talk about and laugh at. She became the girl she used to pity. She was the girl who made you shake her head and look the other way. She was the girl who made you wonder where her morale was. She was the girl that made you snicker and suck your teeth. She was pathetic and a sore sight to see. She was the girl who was supposed to be and do better. She was the girl who was supposed to make it out.

***

Zari slid down to the floor, her cheeks soaked with tears. The hole in her maxi dress exposed her left thigh, Ezekiel could clearly see her dingy underwear. Her hair matted to her head, she hasn’t seen a comb in three days. She hasn’t seen a shower in 5. Pain is written all over face, behind the caked up make-up her grey eyes are bloodshot. “How did I get here? How did my life get to this point?” Her words are muffled by her tears and anguish. Ezekiel looks at her and shakes his head. He was tired of seeing her so broken. She used to be strong and beautiful and full of life.

“What happened to you Zari? Why won’t you come home?” He tried to hide his tears but his voice cracking gave away his true emotions. It killed him to see his sister like this. His baby sister used to have lights in her eyes, she could cure any illness with her smile. As he looked at her now, all he saw was death and decay.

Zari scoffed and wiped her eyes, “Home? I can’t go home Zeek. I can’t allow them to see me like this, I have to get myself together first.” She looks up at her brother and tries to smile. Her once straight and perfect teeth were now chipped and stained.

He grabs her face and she winces, her cheek is still bruised. “Who did this to you, huh? Why won’t you let me help you Zari? I can get you into a program. Mom misses you, I can’t keep hiding this from her. She’s worried sick about you.”

Zari pulls away, suddenly ashamed of how she looks. She begins to fidget and tries to finger brush her hair. “Can I use your bathroom? I need a shower.” Her body aches and she yearns for a bed to sleep in. She smiles at the thought of laying her body on a soft mattress. “Do you mind if I take a nap?” Peering at her brother, her hand over her mouth, “I promise I won’t stay long.”

Ezekiel stares at her, his grey eyes matching hers. “Of course you can? Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat?” It was a stupid question, of course she was hungry. She was living on the streets for goodness sakes.

“I could eat.” She picks up her small tote and heads down the hallway. The wooden floors felt cool against her bare feet. She carried her tattered Reebooks in her left hand. Black and white photos hung on the walls. Each photo a different face, with a different story. A gasp escaped her mouth when she saw the last photo. A young woman, she had a devious smirk on her lips but her eyes were playful. She looked happy and carefree.

“That’s my favorite one, do you remember that day?” Her brother asks coming up beside her. They both look at the photo with the smiling Zari.

“Yeah I remember it. One of the best days of my life, and the worst. After the shoot, we went down to the pier for the boat party. That’s where I met Jamal.” A lone tear slides down her face but she quickly wipes it away. “I’m going to get in the shower now.”

“Say the word and I’ll kill him, you know that don’t you?”

Her back to Ezekiel she smiles, “I know. It won’t solve anything, you know he has connections and people all over.” A look of seriousness comes over her, “You will not start a war with him. He will not hesitate to come after the whole family. I can take care of myself Zeek, I’ve been doing for the last 2 years.”

Before he can say anything, she walks into the bathroom and shuts the door.