begin again | adopted by hamilton [2]

30) choice

IZZY RACED THROUGH WALMART, with Groff by her side.

"Okay, we have to get a napkin, a beach ball, a Star Wars DVD, a Hamilton CD, a women's skirt, a bag of candy, and hemmoroid cream," he said, reading of the list Rory gave him.

"This should be easy!" Izzy said. "I know where everything is, this is my childhood Walmart."

The two ran through the aisles, grabbing a bag of candy and a women's skirt. They were on their way to get a beach ball when they saw Lin chasing after Daveed.

"NOT TODAY JEFFERSON!" Lin yelled. "I SAW THAT BAG FIRST!"

Izzy laughed as she grabbed a beach ball out of the cage thing. Anthony and Jasmine ran up to them, panting.

"Where the hell is the hemmoroid cream?!" Anthony yelled. A teenage girl was shopping nearby, and Izzy saw her stifle a laugh.

"Check the medical area," Groff said. "It's right up front."

Izzy and Groff got the rest of their items, and went back to the meeting spot, which was the dental care aisle. One of the Walmart employees recognized Groff and snapped a picture with him.

"I'm feeling kinda thirsty," Izzy said. "Do you mind if I go get some water?"

"From the water fountain?" Groff asked. "Do you want me to go with you?"

"I don't know, it's your choice," Izzy replied. "I won't be gone long."

"I'll just stay here," Groff said.

/TRIGGER WARNING

Izzy was just about to get a drink from the water fountain when she noticed an older, creepy man slowly walking towards her. She decided not to make eye contact with him.

Izzy was about to bend down and drink some water when the man approached her.

"Oh, I see your thirsty," he said. "Do you know what I'm thirsty for?"

Izzy resisted the urge to scream out as the man placed his hand on her breasts.

"Pretty girls like you," he said.

Izzy didn't say anything out of fear of this man doing something to her. He grabbed her wrist and dragged her out of the store.

The man dragged her around to the back of the store, which would usually be bustling with trucks, but was unusually empty. He pulled out a gun, cocked it, and put it against her forehead.

"If you scream, I pull the trigger," he said.

Izzy felt all of her innocence and life be sucked out of her as the man shoved her down on the hard asphalt and yanked off her clothing.

Izzy felt tears stream down her face as she felt a sense of weakness she could not regain. She could not control what was happening to her. She wanted to die and forget it happened.

As the man became much more powerful than she was and overcame her weak body, she felt even more helpless and terrified. She feared for her life. What if this man killed her when this was over?

Izzy thought this was a horrible nightmare and kept praying she would wake up.