Hours, Minutes, Days

One Chance

She could feel someone on the bed next to her and knew immediately that it wasn't Jake. It didn't smell like him, this man smelled of cigarettes and dirt, not cedar and coffee like Jake. His arm didn't wrap around her body making sure that his hand rested on her belly, trying to keep contact with the baby, trying to hold tight to the two things he treasured most. This person, whoever he was, didn't breathe this same, his air sounded ragged and thick, not calm and slow. There was nothing familiar in him.

He is touching her in ways that he shouldn't. His hands search for her most private parts. He is aggressive and sloppy. She pretends to sleep as long as she can, trying to control her breathing and come up with a plan, trying to find her calm.

Where was Jake and what had they done to him?

Panic begins to clench her heart. She can't allow this stranger behind her to have the satisfaction of her fear.

Breathe in...breathe out...breathe in...breathe out...

She tries the mantra and it works for a while. She knows that she has to turn around and face him before he gets more handsy with her, but what should she do? Should she agree to his plans or fight right from the start? She has the baby to protect and Jake if he is still alive.

She knows that Jake would sacrifice his life before he allowed anyone to touch her, to lay in their bed, to hurt her in any way. The two options run through her head, he is either dead or he has gone. She is hoping that he ran, even though it means that she will have to deal with this man on her own.

She can't think about the fact that Jake may be dead. It will do no good. She has to think as he would, calm and rational behavior is the best way to save them all. Determined to save her family, MC slowly turns to face the man.

He is more imposing than she expected. His hair is mussed, red, and greasy. His eyes are cold. The shirt that he is wearing strains at the seams, showing off the girth of his biceps. Though she has been training and was rather lithe and coordinated, there is no way that she can physically overtake him.  She will have to be creative in her approach.

He seems delighted at her inspection of him, somewhat impressed with her composure in this circumstance. He will rid her of that composure if he has his way. He always has his way. Jake was a fool to have forgotten that fact, George thought to himself. A sinister smile creeps across his face. "Hello MC," his gruff voice sends chills down her spine, it is still thick with desire and revenge. "I don't believe we have met. My name is George. I am an old friend of Jake's. I didn't think he could land a woman as beautiful as you are." His eyes rake over her body.  His excitement begging to show.

She sits frozen but works up enough courage to control her voice and hopefully, this conversation. "I have heard of you, " she isn't going to elaborate on that point, knowing what a cruel person he can be. "Where is Jake?" she asks, her voice even and strong.

"Oh, you don't know?" the man growls. "He packed a bag and left you about an hour ago. Must have gotten scared about something." He hackles. George takes out a grubby hand and rubs her cheek with the back of his finger. It feels like sandpaper on her skin and she shudders despite herself.

"Ahh, there it is. Delightful." He breathes in as if the smell of fear is delicious to him. "I want you to know fear," he continues, "I want you to be so afraid that you beg me to end your life." He whispered in her ear.

She is afraid, so afraid, but she will not let him see that fear again. She stiffens her chin and tightens her jaw before continuing. "What joy would it bring you for me to be afraid? What would come of that?" she prods.

"When your husband hears of the things that I am going to do to you, the way that you will suffer, he will never forgive himself. He will wish that he had been through these things instead of you and he will absolutely hold himself responsible. He will never forgive himself, never have a moment of peace, never recover. He will live a life in torture, constantly reliving the choices he made and the way that you met your end." His eyes take on a yellow glow as he speaks, his cracked lips curl up on the sides as he sees her accept this truth.

He is right. Our pain will be his punishment. It will destroy him. She can't let that happen and she can't let him harm the baby. He didn't seem to know about the baby, maybe she could use that to her advantage.

Why had Jake left? Did he know, was he afraid? Was he trying to protect them? Yes, that must be it, he must have thought that by leaving, he would be keeping George away from them. Why did he have to be so wrong and when did he forget that they were in this life together?

"I have been polite long enough," George's face tightens, his voice deep and commanding. He grabs the hair at the base of her neck and pulls her across the room. "Take a shower, I want to watch you before I show you how a real man satisfies a woman." His voice is rising, excitement building at its base. His arousal is now fully evident as he drops his pants around his ankles.

She pauses.

 "Get going, bitch.  We have a lot of exciting things to accomplish today," He snarls as he speaks. He grabs her cheeks as she walks by and forces his slimy tongue down her throat, causing her to gag.

Sick bastard.

Without any argument, she slowly heads to the bathroom. She can't think of any other way to protect the baby. She must comply.  He can do whatever he wants to her, but he will not harm that child. She will make sure of that. She knows that she will come up with something. Jake has taught her how to think on her feet and adapt to any situation.  She just has to keep an eye out for the right opportunity.

As these thoughts flash through her mind, she notices a glorious shining object on the dresser. If she can manage to reach it, there may be a way out of this mess.

She only has one chance. Hopefully, that will be enough.