Echoes of Three Souls

Chapter 11: Shelter in the Storm

Maeve POV

I was still out on the dance floor, laughing and swaying with the girls, the buzz of alcohol warming me. Suddenly, I felt the urge to pee—probably all the drinks catching up with me. I tapped Devin on the shoulder.

"I gotta go to the bathroom, be right back," I hiccuped, giggling softly.

"You want me to come with you?" Devin offered, her smile wide.

"Nah, I'm good. I'll be quick!" I waved her off, weaving through the crowd, the music still pulsing in my veins. The bathrooms were tucked in a quieter corner, and to my relief, there was no line. It was nearly empty inside, just a girl fixing her lipstick before disappearing back into the chaos.

After quickly handling my business, I washed my hands and took a moment to glance at my reflection. My cheeks were flushed from dancing, my hair slightly tousled. I smoothed it down and gave myself a nervous smile. "Good enough," I muttered to myself, pushing open the door to head back to the fun.

But the instant I stepped out, something cold clamped around my wrist, yanking me back. I barely had time to gasp before I was shoved hard against the wall. My heart lurched, panic surging as I tried to scream, but a hand roughly covered my mouth, muffling any sound.

"Don't make a sound," a voice hissed in my ear. It was harsh, slurred—he smelled like alcohol, stale cigarettes, and something rotten. I trembled, tears springing to my eyes as I fought against him, but he was stronger, his grip bruising as he pressed me harder into the wall.

"Aww, don't cry," he mocked, his voice dripping with sick amusement. "I've been watching you all night, sweetheart. That pretty little face, that body... you're a fun one. This won't take long." His hand moved from my mouth, and I took in a shaky breath, my chest tightening with terror.

"Please..." I whimpered, my voice barely a whisper. He smirked, licking his lips as his eyes roamed over me with a twisted hunger. His hands roamed too, groping at me with rough, disgusting force. His mouth found my neck, biting and licking at my skin as I sobbed.

"Please, stop! Don't do this!" I begged, trying to squirm away, but it only seemed to excite him more. His hand cracked across my face, sharp and painful, leaving my cheek stinging and my vision blurred with tears.

"I told you to shut up!" he snarled, his breath hot and rank on my skin. "Now be a good girl and take it!" He fumbled with his zipper, and my stomach twisted in pure horror. This couldn't be happening.

In the distance, I heard the creak of a door, the sound echoing in the empty hall. Desperation surged in my chest. This was my only chance.
"H-Help! Please! H-Help me!" I screamed, my voice raw.

Suddenly, the man's body jerked, his weight ripped off me. My eyes widened as Reese appeared like a shadow out of nowhere, shoving the man away from me with an animalistic fury.
"REESE! Help!" I cried, my voice trembling as I stumbled to the ground, scrambling to get behind him, clutching onto his leg as though he was my lifeline.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing to her?" Reese's voice was low, deadly, each word laced with anger. His dark eyes were burning with a kind of rage I had never seen before.

The man groaned, clutching his face where Reese had hit him. "She was asking for it, man! Dressed like that, dancing like a little slut!" The words barely left his mouth before Reese's fist crashed into his face again, harder this time. "You're a fucking coward," Reese growled, grabbing the man by the collar and dragging him up, his fist cocked back for another blow.

"Reese, please!" I gasped, my voice hoarse from crying. I tugged weakly at his shirt, my hands shaking uncontrollably. "No...no more. Please, stop!" Sobs wracked my body, my entire being trembling with fear and helplessness.