Beneath The Surface

Chapter 32: Desperation and Darkness

--- Raven's POV ---

Heart pounding, I bolt towards the bedroom, my feet pounding against the floor as I desperately try to put distance between myself and the intruder. The sound of his heavy footsteps behind me only spurs me on, my adrenaline fueled instincts screaming for survival.

But my efforts prove futile as he closes in, his menacing presence looming closer with each passing second. With trembling hands, I reach for the bedroom door, hoping to secure it before he can reach me. But he's faster, his hand gripping my hair and yanking me back with a brutal force that sends shockwaves of pain through my skull.

A cry of agony escapes my lips as I'm slammed against the wall, my vision swimming with tears as I struggle to break free from his iron grip. Frantically, I claw at his face, desperation driving me to fight back with everything I have. And miraculously, my nails find purchase, digging into his skin and eliciting a grunt of pain as he releases his hold on my hair.

Seizing the opportunity, I break free and dash towards the kitchen, my heart pounding in my ears as I search for something, anything to defend myself with. My hands fumble through drawers and cabinets, searching desperately for a weapon to fend off my attacker.

But before I can find anything, he's upon me again, his powerful frame pinning me against the cold surface of the kitchen counter. Agony courses through me as I crash against the unforgiving surface of the kitchen counter, the impact knocking the wind from my lungs and leaving me gasping for breath. Desperation floods my veins as I summon every ounce of strength to push myself upright, but before I can even gather my bearings, his looming figure descends upon me.

I fight with every fiber of my being, lashing out with all the strength I can muster, but he easily overpowers me, his grip like iron as he pins me against the cold tile floor. Blood stains the pristine surface, a testament to my futile struggle as I claw and thrash in a desperate bid for freedom.
      

Each blow he delivers sends shockwaves of pain rippling through my body, each impact driving me closer to the edge of oblivion. The apartment is a battleground, a chaotic symphony of destruction as I race from room to room, my attempts at escape met with brutal force at every turn.
      

Desperation floods my mind as I plead for mercy, tears streaming down my cheeks as I meet his gaze with wide, pleading eyes. "Please," I gasp, my voice trembling with fear and desperation. "You can take anything in the apartment, just let me go. I won't tell anyone, I swear."
      

But his response is nothing but a cruel sneer, his gaze cold and unforgiving as he delivers his chilling ultimatum. "I have a bigger payment coming for taking you in," he growls, his words sending a shiver of dread down my spine.
      

A surge of terror propels me into action, a primal instinct to survive driving me forward. I fight with renewed ferocity, every fiber of my being screaming for escape, but it's as if I'm battling against an immovable force.
      

He overpowers me effortlessly, his grip like a vice as he pins me to the ground, his laughter echoing in the darkness as I struggle against the inevitable. With each passing moment, my strength ebbs away, leaving me defenseless against the brutality of his assault.

Tears blur my vision as I summon one last burst of defiance, a desperate plea for mercy falling on deaf ears. The realization dawns on me that I am utterly powerless, at the mercy of a merciless predator with no hope of escape.

With every ounce of strength I can muster, I continue to beg, my voice cracking with fear. "Please," I repeat, the word a mantra of desperation as I cling to the slim hope of mercy. But deep down, I know that hope is fading fast, leaving me stranded in a nightmare from which there is no escape.

"The boss wants you brought to him," he sneers, his words dripping with malice. "He didn't say you needed to be in one piece, though."

With a surge of desperation, I summon every ounce of strength left in me, clawing and scratching at him. My vision blurs with tears, my body screaming in pain, but I refuse to give up. If I’m going to fight, I’ll fight until my very last breath.
        
        
My nails rake across his face, drawing blood, but it only angers him more. He grabs my hair again, slamming me against the kitchen counter with such force that I see stars. I struggle to stay conscious, my mind racing as I try to find a way out.
          

I thrash and kick, my fear turning into a fierce determination to survive. I grab a nearby glass and smash it against his head, but it only seems to enrage him further. He tackles me to the ground, pinning me with his weight. I punch, claw, and bite, anything to get him off of me.
          

Blood and destruction are everywhere, broken glass, toppled furniture, and smeared crimson on the walls. My apartment looks like a war zone.
          

His grip tightens, and he slams me against the floor again. My strength wanes, my vision dims, and my body screams in agony.
          

With a savage swing, he delivers a final, brutal blow, the force of it sending me spiraling into darkness. Pain explodes behind my eyes as the world fades to black, my consciousness slipping away as I succumb to the relentless assault.
      

The last thing I hear is the echoing sound of my own scream, a haunting symphony of agony and despair that reverberates through the emptiness of my mind. And then, mercifully, there is nothing but silence as I drift into oblivion, consumed by the darkness that envelops me.
      

My last thought, as darkness envelops me, is a haunting question, how had my life come to this ?