Breathless

The Man I Thought Was A Friend

(A/N: WARNING: This chapter gets violent and very dark, so if forced sexual advances or assault is triggering to you, please, for your sake, skip this chapter. You will miss out on some details, but those can be summed up in another chapter. Again, if forced sexual advances or assault is triggering or brings up some sort of bad memory that you want to avoid, please DO NOT read this chapter.)

In the past few months, I have felt more terror than I have in my entire life. Right before the accident, as Sal watched me with those eagle eyes, memorizing my every move, eating it up like a starving animal, and right now, as Sal towered over all of my 5'4" form, casting me entirely in his shadow. I watched his eyes, noting how his personality had changed from silly and charming to menacing and sly, knowing that even as he slit his hands over my shaking shoulders, along my hips, I wouldn't say a word. He knew that even when he pressed his lips forcefully to my own and slipped his tongue inside my mouth, I would do as he said, too afraid to say no. I kept my eyes wide open, refusing to give him the pleasure of showing my fear, but he did know, I could've sworn he could smell it rolling off of me in waves. I started to shake as he skillfully undressed me, tracing my tattoos with long, nimble fingers that slid slowly and unyieldingly to the top of my underwear, pulling away from my lips to watch my horror. I shook my head, but he continued, I tried to push him off, but he only pressed against me harder, making me wince. 'Oh, Brian, I'm so sorry...'

A sob caught in my throat as I sat up, grabbing at my throat with my uncasted hand. Tears ran down my face in streams, and sweat sat in beads on my forehead. The same nightmare had been plaguing me for a week, ever since I got home from the hospital, ever since I saw that look Sal gave Brian. That look of pure hatred, of jealousy, of want. I had tried to get it out of my head, tried to pass it off as a crude joke toward Brian, but I knew better than that, I knew it was real, pure, raw emotion, true to Sal's real self. Was he always like this, or was it something Brian had done? I wanted to ask, desperate to know, but I'm sure Brian would have no clue, as he had been completely oblivious to the look Sal had given him. If Brian had somehow managed to catch a glimpse of the purely evil stare Sal had given him, wouldn't he just pass it off as a joke? I knew he would, but there was one person who knew what Sal meant with that look, someone who would tell me.

Joe. I had to call Joe, but how would I get his phone number? Brian had never given it to me, and I had never bothered to ask. I grunted in frustration, throwing my covers off of my still shaking body and crawled out of bed.

'Morning babe, hope you have a good day today. I'm sorry you can't work, but I'll stop by later to keep you company after we get done shooting. Love you-B'

I read the text, then read it again, my heart warming and my muscles relaxing as I thought about Brian's reassuring arms draped around my shoulders, hearing him whisper sweet nothings into my ear.

'Hey, B, I can't wait to see you, have fun today, but not too much fun w/out me! C; Also, I need to get ahold of Joe, I've got a question for him. Later, babe-A'

I quickly typed out the message and tapped send, heading into the bathroom to shower. I could tell by the still foggy mirror that Alex had just gotten out, and I knew she would probably be leaving soon, leaving me alone for most of the day. I grabbed fresh clothes and a towel, being sure to pick up something to cover my cast with as I showered on the way back to the bathroom. I would normally get dressed in my bedroom after getting out of the shower, but I didn't want Alex to see the ugly cuts that were now beginning to heal covering my body. I turned the shower on and frowned as I stripped off my clothes, looking over what the car accident left me with. I sighed, trying to accept it, but recognizing the pain that pulsed in my chest. I was lucky that I survived, and that's all that matters. I kept telling myself this as I showered, hearing the double knock at the door, telling me that Alex was now leaving. I groaned obnoxiously, realizing that I was totally alone until Brian got here.