The Desperation Inside

Chapter 5: Painful Revelations

Glory focused on a spot on the floor, unable to look him in the eyes. The story of her sixteenth birthday had poured out in a painful barrage of words. When she reached the point in her story where they continued the abuse the rest of the summer, and came back the following summer to do it all over again, she squeezed her eyes shut tightly . She couldn't look up and see the disgust that was sure to be in his eyes. "They always took pictures of everything, or videos. They said if I told anyone they would post them all on the internet. Last summer, they told me that they planned to come back this summer and continue. I ran, I thought .... maybe ...if I left they would lose interest." She shuddered as she thought about that text. "Apparently I was wrong."

"Glory...look at me. Please.." Jake had shifted to squat in front of her. "You know that this is not your fault, right? They are sick, and what they are doing is illegal."

Tears continued to stream down her face. "They're going to find me. Oh, God ... they won't stop.. they're going to keep doing this.. they won't stop!!" Panic flooded through her as she remembered everything Chad said they were planning. Horrific images flashed through her mind and her skin crawled with memories of their hands touching her. Helplessness began to overwhelm her as she fought the darkness threatening to push her into oblivion.

"No, they won't do anything Glory. They will not get anywhere near you. Look at me," Jake tilted her face up, skimming his thumbs under her eyes to remove the tears. "I want you to move in here. Let me protect you. I can find these guys and put them away. "

Glory shook her head in denial. "You can't stop them. They will find me and they won't stop... They told me.... they will.." Suddenly she couldn't breath. Her eyes rolled back on her head and she slipped into the waiting blackness.

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"They are dead!" Shaun growled on the other end of the line. "Did you get their names? I want names. We will make sure this ends now."

Jake growled into the phone, "Trust me man, I am out for blood." He looked down, grimacing as he taped up his busted knuckles. After ensuring she was still breathing, he had layed Glory's prone body on the couch and gone outside to release some of the rage that was tearing through him. Once he had gotten himself back under control, he checked on Glory again before calling Shaun. "The look on her face when that picture came through... "

"Are you sure moving her in with you is the best idea? She could always come stay with Sara and I."

"I don't want to take any chance of those guys coming anywhere near your girls, Shaun. She will be fine here. I have plenty of time built up at work. I am going take some vacation time and stay here with her." Jake heard a soft sigh slip from the couch and turned to watch her. " Something about her... I don't know man. I feel like God allowed our paths to cross for a reason. Like I am meant to make this better for her."

"You're getting emotionally attached, aren't you?" When Jake didn't answer, Shaun sighed. "Jake, you know I think of you like a brother...but I think of Glory like a sister. If you hurt her, your body will be buried somewhere it will never be found. You feel me?"

"I hear ya. It probably won't even make it past wishful thinking on my part. She's young and beautiful, what would she want with a guy ten years older and tons of baggage?" Jake shook his head. "I will text you the names. Get your brother involved. We need these guys locked away, before they cause any more damage to her or any one else."

"Done. I'll call you when I know something."

Jake ended the call and looked over at the couch. The damage those scumbags did is going to be hard to undo, he thought to himself. And I can only help her if she let's me. God, please give me the words to speak. I know your plan for her is not to continue living in fear. Help me help her.

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Glory woke slowly, feeling eyes watching her. For a moment, she was too scared to open her eyes, but then she heard a gentle whisper. "Come on Glory, it's time to wake up sweetheart.... I made us some lunch."

She felt comforting fingers brushing her hair back and stroking her cheek. Opening her eyes slowly, she looked up into Jake's bright blue orbs and gave him a half hearted smile. "I am not really hungry, but thank you."

"I didn't think you would be, but you need to get something in your system. It's just soup." Jake looked at her imploringly.

Heaving a sigh, Glory sat up and automatically stretched. As she arched back, she caught Jake's eyes drifting over her. Fear and confusion warred with desire inside her as she froze. Wait, what am I doing? she questioned herself. Jake's eyes made their way back to hers, noticing her sudden stillness. Their eyes locked and heat zinged between them.

Unconsciously, she licked her lips leaning slightly forward. Jake's eyes moved to her lips and the urge to taste her had him dipping his head before conscious thought could change his mind.

Their lips met, brushing lightly across each other, then parting slightly before pressing together more firmly. Tongues teased and tickled, sliding hesitantly and then more boldly into each others mouths. Glory dropped her hands to his shoulders, the bare skin she touched felt warm and supple and a shiver skittered across her skin. Oh my, she thought to herself. I want more. I want him to touch me. Then doubt and fear began to creep in. When he pulled back from the kiss, her eyes immediately dropped to get lap as shame colored her face pink.