Here

Chapter Four

My eyes fluttered open, meeting the ceiling fan above me. The blades furiously whirred in circles. Something had woken me by tickling my forehead. The spot now had an itching sensation that urged me to scratch it.

I rolled on my back as my fingernails lightly glided across the bothered area and then snuggled into the comfortable warmth of the fluffy pillow as I was eager to go back to sleep. The fan lullabied me into a hazy state.

Suddenly, a heavy weight landed on my waist, pulling me from the tired daze. I leaned up in shock as my hands flung forward defensively to push whoever was on me off.

With a strong force, my shoulders were shoved backwards and into the mattress. I writhed violently. Grunts of struggle filled the room as we fought each other.

My arms flailed, sending the lamp on the nightstand crashing to the floor loudly. The offender grabbed my wrists and held them firmly above my head with one strong hand.

Sobs of terror escaped from my chest as a thumb caressed my cheek to wipe away the spilled tears. "P-please let go of me," I begged, trembling beneath him.

"You are so beautiful." A man's voice spoke, his large hand leaving my face and traveling down my body to squeeze my pelvic region.

The sounds of frightened, hyperventilating gasps filled the air between us. I could not breathe. It was a horrible, helpless feeling. The salty taste of skin filled my mouth as his fingers roughly clamped over my open lips.

My eyes adjusted to the darkness. The perpetrator was covered in familiar all-black clothing, a dark leather jacket wrapped around buff shoulders. His head had a hood draped over it, a cloth mask covering his face. There were thin slits in his mask, revealing his eyes and mouth. Cold, dark brown eyes met mine.

I quickly realized this was the same person who was following me yesterday evening. The man stayed deadly still, studying my face. I thrust my frame against his unbreakable hold, my shirt sliding up beyond my belly button during the struggle. It landed right under my brassiere. Lustful eyes raked over my revealing skin. Long fingers left my mouth, his palms cruelly squeezing my left hip bone.

"Stop." I screeched, my demand ricocheting between the four bedroom walls.

His fingers slammed to my face, pressing down harshly against my mouth in response. My teeth punctured the inner skin of my lips.

I bucked against him, blood pooling in my mouth as weak legs kicked the bed helplessly.

The man growled darkly. "If you scream again, I will kill you."

I nodded keenly in response to show that I would not challenge his threat. His hand slowly freed my mouth, testing if I would disobey him.

He reached into his pocket. A knife, zip tie, and a rag were all revealed. The view made me realize that this could be my last chance to get help. If I did not call out right now, he would take me. I would not make it out alive either way.

I let out a bloodcurdling scream loud enough to wake up the whole neighborhood. He struck me, a slap searing my jaw. The grip on my wrists loosened, giving me the advantage I was waiting for. My hands jerked free from his clutches, a sharp elbow plowing into his chest. He propelled off the bed.

In an attempt to catch himself, his arms blindly swung around for anything to help stop his fall. The attempt did not succeed, contents loudly being knocked in every direction on the old wooden nightstand.

The ground thunked beneath his back as he landed on the floor. A grunt of pain came from the main as the air was knocked from his body. I sprung out of the bed and dashed for the bedroom door. Amanda flung it open before I could, bringing us face to face.