The Pull

Chapter 11

*TRIGGER WARNING*
This chapter contains description of sexual assault and rape. Reader's discretion is advised.

By 18:38 Ezra texted me he was outside. I went to let him in, and I swear to God, the man looked like he belonged here more than I did.

My brother was a musician and a producer. He was born to play whatever instrument put in his hands. We were utterly different this way, as I could not muster the patience to learn anything instrumental at all. We shared a common interest in art, though. When we were younger and trying to survive in the system, it was graffiti. We'd sneak out and paint trains, houses, and walls wherever we'd find them. We never got caught, but it was close a couple of times. When we grew older his attention turned to music and mine to graphic design. But once every year we did this thing where we took two days off and drove to see some famous walls somewhere.

Tonight, he looked quite the part. He had a beanie on, casually to the side. The thick beard was trimmed as always, and his sleeve tattoos in plain sight under the t-shirt. The leather backpack on his back told me he came directly from the studio.

"Grumpypants, you look amazing!" he greeted me with a smile and gave me a hug.

"You to. Come look at the fancy place I work in!" I practically dragged him in, impatient to introduce him to the others. I gave him the tour first, showing him the place. Then I dragged him to the bar area, where the others were. I sneaked my arm under his and led him towards my teammates.

"Lane, Ty – this is my baby brother, Ezra."

Ty stood up and extended his hand.

"Uh, yeah, that much is obvious. Sure you're not twins?"

I knew what he meant. Ezra and I looked alike. A lot. Same snow coloured hair. Same green eyes. Same freckles over the bridge of the nose.

"Hell, no," Ezra chuckled. "I'm way younger than this old hag."

"I'm like a minute and a fart older than you."

Lane rose and offered her hand, and I could just feel the reaction in Ezra. I was tall. Ezra was taller. And just like me, Ezra really liked women who were taller than average. To me, it was about not feeling like a giant. To Ezra, I imagined it was about finding someone equal. Being six-foot-seven, he got a lot of attention from women, but as far as looks goes he seemed to prefer the taller ones. By the look of Lane, the interest was mutual.

"Hello. You must be Puck's brother." The voice came from behind. I turned in disbelief. There was Ben, holding three beer bottles. He handed Ezra one. "I'm Ben, an associate to Puck. We are really glad to have her."

"Hi Ben. I'm Ezra. She's glad you had her, too." Ezra smiled, pleased with himself. 

Oh, Ezra. No.

I could see the confusion in Ben's face, so I stepped in and grabbed a bottle from him, hoping it was for me or that he at least wouldn't object.

"Ok Ez. This is Shiloh, and this is Lou..." From the corner of my eye, I could see Ben looking at me while I was frantically introducing the rest of the team. I wanted to scream the innuendo was accidental and my brother did not know how accurate he was, but at the moment I couldn't even meet Ben's questioning eyes without wanting to die.

The evening progressed. I was nervous. Maybe that's why I drank too much, too fast. It wasn't really like me, not anymore. But having the one person that knew me better than anyone in the same room as the one person that shook my world was exhausting, and I went for beer to calm my nerves. On my fifth I realized I needed to get some food in me, or this would get bad. Soon. And that was the exact moment Ezra's phone rang. He walked away to take it and came back soon after.

"Sis, I'm so sorry. There's some problem with the mix on my client's track and she's releasing tomorrow. I need to go fix this. Probably spending the night in the studio." Ezra looked like he wanted to punch himself, so I got to my feet.

"Ezra, come on. Of course, you should go. We'll do this some other time. Don't worry about it."

He gave me a hug and took off. I smiled at Lane's obvious disappointment and started to collect my stuff.

"I'm gonna head off too. I'm tired and hungry and that will translate to hangry soon enough so I'm gonna do you all a favour and spare you guys." I gave them a smile.

I could feel Ben looking at me, but I didn't look his way. I was good at hiding influence, but I somehow felt certain he'd see through it. Instead, I gave Lane a quick hug and went to get an Uber.

Once outside, I took a couple of deep breaths. It was a hot night even for August, and the humid, salt air didn't do what I wanted it to: clear my head. It wasn't like me to not be able to stand alcohol. But then I hadn't slept much lately, and I had a Snicker's for lunch, so... I just needed to get home. Get some pasta alfredo leftovers in me and a shower, and I'd be good for some Netflix in bed.

"Finally."

The voice sobered me up in an instant.

No. Please. No.

When Mark emerged from the shadows, I felt myself stop. I felt myself go numb. I felt myself shut off. The feeling was all too familiar. I looked at him but felt nothing.

Oh. So, this is how I die. Ok.

The nothing took a hold of me and I froze. He walked up to me and for some reason he reminded me of a predator stalking its prey. His nose was still a bit swollen from the last time I had seen him.  I just stared at him, unable to move.

"I waited, but you took long enough. Saw your prick brother leave, but I just waited. I waited for you, Puck." It sounded like Mark, but not. He looked like Mark, but not. Something had snapped. He came close, even smelling like Mark. "I just want to talk."

I didn't answer. I couldn't even if I had wanted to. This seemed to anger him, and looking into his eyes I noticed what was wrong: he was high. He grabbed my arm.

"You know what, Puck? You can't treat me like this. Like I'm air to you. Ok!? I loved you. I love you." He was dragging me by the arm to the alley between my office building and the one to the right. That alley would give him all the seclusion he needed; I knew that. Yet I didn't fight back.

He pushed me against the wall as soon as we got to the same shadows he'd been hiding in. Pressing himself closer to me I could feel the alcohol on his breath. Ok. So high, and drunk.

"You used to like it when I did this," he said, while shoving his hand under my shirt, under my bra, and grabbing my breast. "You remember? I made you moan when I did this." He pinched my nipple, hard. I still didn't respond because I was no longer there. Frustrated, he pressed harder on me, and his other hand started pulling my skirt up over my thighs. "I've missed you so bad. You remember how good it was? You loved it." Letting go of my breast, his one hand occupied with pulling my skirt up, the other now tugging on his own pants. It didn't take him long to get his fly open and his dick out. His hands were hot on my skin, and he was scratching me with his nails. He was pressing his erection on me, pushing my underwear to the side, groping with his fingers. Trying to penetrate but our position and our clothes were making it difficult. I should have been glad for that, but I felt nothing. He was tugging at my clothes, by I was clenching my whole body and it made it hard for him. He groaned. I could feel the brick wall on my back hurting me as he pushed me, his hands hurting me. Everything hurt, but I said nothing. I just closed my eyes and let it happen.

When someone threw Mark to the ground it made me fall with him. I landed on my knees and hands, feeling the rough asphalt brake my skin. Instinctively, I curled up. Hid my head and face under my arms. Kept my eyes closed. I could hear Mark howling, and thumps, horrible thumps. Then footsteps. A voice.

"Call 911. We need an ambulance and the cops." Someone responded, more voices.

"Fuckfuckfuck. Is she ok?"

"Will. Make the call. Then focus on him, don't let him get away if he wakes up before the cops get here."

Someone kneeled at my side. Gentle hands stroking my back. Then slowly lifted me up, making sure my clothes were in order while holding me.

"Come on, love. I'll carry you inside and we'll wait for the paramedics there, ok. I'm not going to hurt you."

Ben.