Against the clock

10.

Tw: mention of rape

I spent the entire night in tears, unable to comprehend the reality of what had happened. The other guy gave us a toilet break, food and some water before we went to sleep. Derek stayed with me throughout the night, tirelessly speaking to me in an attempt to soothe and uplift my spirits. However, I reached a point where I felt weary of it all. We had gotten weaker every day. Got some food, but it wasn't nearly enough. Everything hurt, and I just needed Derek to shut up for a moment.

'I'm asking you, just stop,' I said, as he was telling another random story in an attempt to lift my spirits. Derek paused, looking at me with concern in his eyes. 'I'm sorry, I just thought it might help distract you,' he said, his voice softer. I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of exhaustion and frustration. 'I appreciate it, Derek, I really do. But right now, I just need a moment of quiet. I just-' I struggled to speak, my voice breaking as tears welled up in my eyes. 'I just want to know why he did that,' I managed to say, the weight of confusion and pain evident in my words.

'I am sorry. He had no right to,' Derek replied, staring at me from across the room. 'The worst thing is that my teacher had a front-row seat. Can you believe how incredibly embarrassing that is?' I tried to say, my words choked with emotion.

As the room settled into a heavy silence, he continued, 'I'm here to support you through this Meredith, even as your teacher' he said, his voice gentle. Derek's eyes reflected a deeper understanding as he added, 'I am a human. I see the person you are, and my concern goes beyond the classroom.'

I looked into Derek's eyes, appreciating the sincerity in his words. 'Thank you,' I whispered, feeling a mixture of vulnerability and relief. 'I know you're here for me, and I appreciate that. It's just... everything feels like too much right now.'

Derek's unexpected admission hung in the air, creating a moment of tension. His gaze remained fixed on me for what felt like an eternity before he broke the silence with a raw and sincere expression. 'I wish I could hold you.' In that charged moment, I felt a mix of emotions, caught between the weight of my own struggles and the unexpected connection forming with Derek. His candid words lingered in the air, creating a vulnerability that made the room feel smaller.

'I- what?,' I stammered, my voice barely audible. The offer, genuine as it was, added another layer of complexity to an already tumultuous night.

Derek's eyes softened, understanding the complexity of the situation. 'Sorry, forget I said that.' His apology hung in the air, and the room, already filled with tension, seemed to tighten further. I took a deep breath, my emotions still raw from the night's turmoil. 'No, it's okay,' I said, attempting to convey reassurance. 'I know you're just trying to help in your own way.' I offered a faint smile, acknowledging the sincerity in his intention.

Derek's expression shifted to one of concern as I hesitated, my words hanging in the air. 'I just hope I am not pregnant,' I admitted, the weight of the possibility palpable in the room. 'He didn't use...' I didn't even need to finish that sentence; the unspoken fear lingered, casting a shadow over the already heavy atmosphere.

Suddenly the lights went out, an added layer of uncertainty enveloped the room. I couldn't see anything, the black void intensifying the chill that already clung to the air. As if being cold wasn't enough, he decided to add another form of torture. 'Stay calm, it's probably just a power outage' I heard Derek say.

Someting told me this wasn't a simple power outage. Seconds and minutes crept by, unchanged. The rhythmic thud of my heart echoed in my chest. 'Derek, I am freaking out' I mumbled. Abruptly, our cuffs loosened. The mystery of how it happened lingered; evidently, he could control it from a distance.