Alchemy •Dan Smith•

thirty nine

I woke to a splitting headache, and rather sore body. My mind was in a haze, thoughts and blurred memories swirling within. I tried to turn over, ready to role out of bed, but my body hit something warm and hard. Something that I could only assume was a somebody. My eyes opened, and nearly bulged out of my head when they saw the unfamiliar person sleeping. Who the hell? I stared at their face, trying to recall who they were, only to be brought with nothing. The last person I recalled seeing was Dan, and this certainly wasn't him.

I tried turning over so I could get up, but was stopped short when I felt a sharp pain in my lower region and hips. A gasp escaped my lips, as I tried to move again, not used to the pain I was receiving. I finally got up so I was sitting with my knees bent under the covers, breath shaking. I pulled back the sheet, and what was revealed of my body had my thoughts shattered. There on my inner thighs and core was blood, blood that was also smeared on the sheets of which I lay. Along my hips were both black and red bruises, shaped of hand prints.

I quickly averted my gaze to the man sleeping next to me, the only thing running through my mind 'I have been raped, I have been fucking attacked sexually and something is seriously wrong.' Tears welled in my eyes, frustration, fear, and anxiety rushing in. My hands flew into my knotted hair, tugging at the roots, and my breath became labored and thin. I slowly started to get up, it being a struggle with a painful issue throughout, my head throbbing and dizzy, and barely any air in my lungs.

When I finally stood on my own two feet, I was taken over by a wave of nausea, something that took control of my body and had my bodily fluids hitting the carpeted floor. I doubled over, not even making an effort to make it to a bathroom. When I finished, I wiped my mouth with the back of my hand and tried to find my dress from last night. It was peeking out from behind a pair of dark jeans, along with my shoes.

It took me all of fifteen minutes to pull the dress back on, taking breaks in between to catch my breath and keep from falling over. The zipper was broken, along with a tear waking the opening bigger, causing the black fabric to stay loose, mostly being held up my hand. I didn't bother pulling on the shoes, knowing they would only make the issue of walking worse. Before I left the room, I took the chance at the jeans, and found a wallet that belonged to the disgusting man still fast asleep. I found about enough money for a taxi ride, and also took a gift card for good measure. I also took a glance at his I.D., reading the name 'Jake Hudson'.

...

Making my way into the hallway, with the wall as my crutch, I hobbled down the stairway. As I slowly made my way down, I could make out people groggily waking up, others strewn out along couches and the floor. I looked around for Dan, but couldn't see him, although I admit to not looking very hard. The last thing I wanted was for him to see me like this. I struggled to the front door, the pain between my legs and hips almost unbearable. I pulled it open, and right before I stepped through I heard, "Jade? Is that you?"

I turned and saw Ralph, stood with a worried expression. "Ehm, yeah, hey," I spoke quietly, looking at the ground.

He made his way over to me, and I flinched when his hand made contact with my shoulder. "What happened?" He asked,and I tilted my head up to meet his gaze. I gave a fake smile, trying to get him to not think anything of it.

"N-nothing, g-guess I just partied a bit too hard," I forced a laugh, trying to pull away from his grip.

He gave me a look, one of disappointment. "Jade, something happened, you've been crying. You look like a mess and your dress is ripped. Tell me what's going on." His thumb rubbed gently on my shoulder, and both his words and touch pushed me over the edge.

Tears welled in my eyes, and I choked back a sob, "I-I d-do-don't kn-know, he-he, th-ere was blo-blood everywhe-where, Ral-Ralph-" He shushed me, pulling me into his chest as my body racked with sobs, soaking his shirt with my tears. His hand soothed my hair, and he spoke soft comforts in my ear, trying his hardest to calm me. My breath grew labored again, and my shoulders racked as I struggled to receive oxygen.

"Shh, breathe love, breathe," Ralph whispered, "Everything is going to be okay."

We stood there, him being the brotherly and almost fatherly figure in this situation, soothing me until I only was sniffling and had dried tears on my cheeks.

"I'm going to go find Dan, yeah?" he said warily, pulling my away so I was at arms length. I nodded numbly, not willing to argue against it. He gave me a sad smile before letting go of me and turning towards the crowded living space. My legs struggled to hold my weight any longer, and I crumbled to the ground, legs stretched out in front of me.

As I sat there, a short flashback caused tears to well in my eyes once again.

Rough hands felt my now naked body, grabbing and pulling on my skin. There was nothing for me to do other than lay there as the man kept pressure on my body, using my weakened state against me. He gripped my hips in an almost animalistic way, pressing on my recent scars, causing me to whimper,which only made him grip tighter.

He entered me with a brute force that had me screaming in pain, the feeling being that of my insides and lower half being ripped apart. He went in dry, having no arousal coming from me and him using no lubrication whatsoever. He placed his hand over my mouth to quiet my screams, as he pummeled into me over and over again. Something told me that wasn't the end of what happened, or the worst at that.

I was pulled back to reality when I head the voice of someone I knew all to well yell, "What?! Where is she?!"

It wasn't long until both Ralph and Daniel stood in front of me, the only way I knew was because of their converse, I didn't dare look up. I didn't want to see the reaction on Dan's face.
They talked in hushed voices, their words I couldn't pick up. I was to vacant to listen, staring out into space numbly, trying my hardest to keep from breaking down again or puking.

I was pulled up by two hands below my armpits, pulling me to my feet. I didn't take a look at who it was to know it was Dan. His smell of cologne and smoke surrounded me and I clung onto it.  His arm wrapped around my waist, guiding me to the already open door.

"It's okay love, It'll be all okay." He mumbled in my ear, and I only nodded, even though I couldn't trust his words.