Breaking Free

Chapter 2

"I know you are in there. Your car is parked outside. I'm just here to collect the rent. I won't harass you this time." Molly could hear him chuckle lightly to himself, as if he thought they had a great inside joke going. 

She knew him well enough to know that he didn't just want to collect on the rent. Every month he would come down here and bug her about going out with him. He would invite himself into her apartment, and it was a hassle to get him to leave. She always tried to avoid paying her rent in person. Mark got into the habit of coming around the same time each month, that gave Molly a way out. She would tape it to the front door in an envelope right before he walked into the building. This worked a few times, until he caught on. 

There were too many times where Mark would come over and push his way into the apartment and try and get cozy with her. Afraid of being kicked out she tried to let him down gently and ignore him. But now here he was again and she had not thought up a plan quick enough. 

 She checked the peep hole, only to be startled by his giant head being right against it on the other side of the door.

"Come on. Just let me in. I know you have the money. I know you got paid the other night."

Molly could see him smiling on the other side of the door. That was another thing about Mark, he knew way too much information, a creepy amount of information. 

Feeling defeated and not wanting to listen to the banging on the door any longer, Molly opened the door a small crack, just enough to peer out.

"One second I'll grab it for you." 

She tried to close the door again, but a large hand was blocking its path. Annoyed, she left the door, and rushed to grab the money, hoping he would leave right away.

 

Handing the money to Mark she tried to say goodbye and send him on his way.

"Don't you get lonely up here all by yourself?" Mark asked pacing around the apartment, looking around at everything.

"No." She simply replied.

"You have my number if you ever need any company." He said winking at her.

Molly felt sick just thinking of what he might have meant. Ignoring his comment, she continued to try and guide him towards the door. At the last second he turned and walked back through the house and towards the bedroom.

"Can you get out of my room please? Maybe out of my house too? I have work, I need to get ready."

He looked at her as if shocked by her lie. " I know you don't have work today, I have your schedule."

Mark looked a little annoyed that Molly was trying to lie to him. Once more she tried to ask him to leave, but he answered again by plopping down on her bed.

"Get out of my house. You wanted your rent and you get it now leave!" This was the most force she had ever used with him, but she was fed up. 

 She grabbed her phone in attempts to dial the police, but as soon as she picked up the phone it was ripped out of her hand forcefully.

"Now who were you going to call. It's not like you have any friends or family members that want to chat." He laughed and the smile on his face grew more sinister. The harmless joking Mark had gone.

"Please leave." Molly's voice was shaking, but she tried to sound confident. 

"Nah." Mark replied, staring into Molly's eyes before he grabbed her by her arm and threw her onto the bed. 

"You know I think you really do like me, you are just scared. But you don't need to be." The tone in his voice sounded more familiar than Molly wanted it to.

Flashbacks from years before popped into her head, and without being able to control it she screamed. A high pitched cry rang through the little apartment. 

"Oh stop, I'm not even doing anything...yet." Mark laughed and pinned Molly under him. He began roughly rubbing down every part of her body with his dry hands while whispering in her ear. Molly tried blocking out the words, and the feel of his scratchy skin on hers.

Old haunting memories continued to flash through her mind as she laid helpless underneath this large broad man, that was almost 20 years older than her. 

Her eyes clenched tightly closed, she tried to squirm out from under him. She couldn't go through this again. Panicking when she couldn't move at all, she let out another shrill cry, that echoed through the walls.

Molly waited, terrified, wondering why it always happened to her. She was shocked when the weight of Mark lifted, and the creepy whispering in her ear, stopped.

Opening her eyes slowly, Molly saw another man standing over her. Automatically she cringed and quickly curled her arms around her knees. Expecting him to abuse her, or yell at her. She hid her head and waited. But none of that happened. Instead she heard his soothing voice asking if she was alright and telling her that he wasn't going to hurt her. 

She had heard the words "I'm not going to hurt you", before. But when they came out of this mans mouth they sounded nothing like before. There was no hint of sarcasm, and he didn't sound crazy, just protecting. He sounded genuine. Slowly lifting her head to get a better look, she saw a handsome young man, about her age reaching his hand out to her. 

Not sure whether to take his hand or run, she sat there staring at his face. He had the brightest blue eyes, and clear, tan, smooth, skin, with blonde scruffy hair.

"I'm Stephen. You don't have to be afraid. I won't hurt you, and that other guy is gone." He spoke as if speaking to a small frightened child, but that's exactly how Molly felt, so vulnerable.

Still staring at his beautiful features, Molly managed to speak in a whisper. "I'm Molly."