Please Remember Me

Chapter Thirteen

Erin's heart hitched in her throat the second she saw the name Johnny Sandoval in the pile of papers. He ditched Chicago a year ago and left, at least that's what she thought. After what happened that night Erin didn't want to relive that at all. Her whole body shook before she quickly got up and darted to the bathroom.

Her face covered in an angry scar from that very same night.

Johnny had grabbed Erin by the throat. Not daring her to say another word. He just kept doing whatever he wanted to Erin's frail and stunned body. She couldn't say anything. If she tried, she wouldn't be able to breathe.

Would probably end up dead if she uttered another word. So Erin just lay there and let it happen.

"I'm leaving Chicago tomorrow princess. Might as well make the most of it huh?" Johnny asked her as he ran his finger across her face before dragging his hands down to her waist to continue pleasuring himself.

When he was done he got up and zipped his pants back up. Erin tried to get up to grab her clothes but he pushed her back on the bed,
"You're staying here princess. I'm going to get my friends so we have the time of our lives, you're such a good little girl to play with. I'll be back soon" he said as he kissed her forehead manipulatively before exiting the room and locking the door.

Erin grabbed her clothes and put them on. She had to find a way out of here. No way was she dealing with another bout of guys poking and prodding her for their pleasure.

She was in Bunny's guest room, which means. Erin looked around before she found a box in one of the cabinets, she opened it and found what she was looking for. Hah. Gotcha.

She thought before shoving the pills and powder into her back pocket and looking around the room. There was a window. But she didn't remember if they had gone up any stairs, she walked over meekly to check and make sure no one was waiting at the bottom.

Her breath caught, she was on the first floor. Erin gently opened the window before putting both legs on the frame and jumping out. Just as she landed, her shirt snagged on the railing and as she bent down to pry it free. A loose rail got her on the cheek.

"Damn" she cursed under her breath before applying pressure to the cut and running as fast as she could. Lucky she did because she heard the doorknob rattle and darted before hearing many voices coming from the room. Insults that included words like 'skank'', 'whore', 'bitch'. The insults just kept swirling in her mind as she ran, ran as fast as she possibly could.

The blood from her face dripping down onto her clothes and skin. Her body was sick. It couldn't take this much running. She was getting tired, but she made it. She was so far away from Bunny's house she didn't even know where she was anymore. Erin just kept running and running...

A hand on her shoulder brought her back to reality. That was the day they caught her. She remembered. Erin turned around to see Kim standing behind her with an empathetic look on her face.

"Everything ok?" she asked.
"Yeah fine" she lied. "Just the guy that I saw in one of the files... Um we used to be friends. I don't think he's in Chicago anymore so I don't know why he's on the pile" Erin said as Kim pulled her close before the two walked back into the empty office.

Erin pulled the file back out and swallowed hard before opening the contents. She didn't even bother to read it, as soon as she saw his picture she darted. Not wanting to relive that night again. But now she was paying closer attention, she saw he had been brought in for possession with intent of selling not even a week ago. Erin got chills down her spine. Hes still in Chicago. What if he wants his revenge...

She shut her mind off before it could wander into a bad place.
"Says here that he's a sex offender. Was accused of raping his ex girlfriend, Annie Baretto. He went to County for four months before being released on parole in June last year. You really didn't know any of this?" Kim asked her friend as they skimmed through this guys file.

"No I really didn't. I know Annie though, I remember when she had to go to court for that. We weren't really friends at the time. I only just heard it because I lived in the neighborhood. Annie's mom was furious with Johnny, and before he went to County she filed a restraining order against him and he wasn't allowed in our neighborhood anymore..." Erin's voice trailed off. If only she remembered Annie. Maybe that stuff wouldn't have happened to her.

She felt stupid for even saying that, how could she think about Annie like that. The memories rushed through Erin's mind. Her vision was cloudy and her throat was dry. She heard footsteps coming up into the bullpen before she darted off again.

Erin got into her car and drove to the only place she knew she'd feel safe again. The drive was short and she rushed up the stairs before knocking on the wooden door of the apartment, the door opened and there stood Jay Halstead. Even after getting in a car accident, he still gave her his signature killer smile. Slightly confused as to why she was here. And even more confused when she stepped into his apartment and wrapped her arms around him for a hug.

Happily obliged, he let her melt into his arms before closing the door and heading over to the couch.
"Hard day huh?" he asked as they both sat down next to each other.
"You don't even know the half of it" she said with a sigh.
"So tell me" Jay said with a gentle smile. And that she did.