ATL Hoe

Chapter 25: Evil Among Us

**TRIGGER WARNING: Sexual violence**

I had been dreading the day Derek and Damon left to handle business but I knew we didn't come down here so I could meet the family. We came so they could take care of whatever Damon had got himself into. Once it was handled we could go about our regular lives. Derek laid in the bed for a long time because every time he tried to get up I whined. After everything that happened with Bash I was nervous to let either of them go.

"Mora, let me get up," he smiled, kissing my forehead. I reluctantly let go of the grip I had around his waist and he climbed out of bed, getting ready for the day. I eventually got up and put something on even though I'd be sitting in the house all day worrying.

"Just look after him. Don't let him do anything stupid," I instructed Damon for the hundredth time. He nodded his head, probably annoyed but I didn't care. I stood in the doorway waving sadly as the two of them got in the car and drove off. All I wanted was to go back to sleep but I knew it'd be restless thinking about Derek. I toasted some waffles and scarfed them down before heading back to my room to call my friends.

"What if Derek moved back to Harlem would you go with him?" Devyn asked. We were on group facetime and thinking about not seeing them in person for the next three months was sad.

"Absolutely not. I will stay my ass in Atlanta and finish school first. Besides, I've only been with Derek a few months. Moving into an apartment together is a huge step, moving to a whole different state is definitely off the table," Imaging a life with Derek was exciting yet complicated. There were so many aspects that went into it. More than just what we'd do for a living or where to buy a house, even when to start having kids. Being with him was scary and I didn't know if I wanted to be scared for the rest of my life.

I continued talking to them until I heard a knock at my door. Derek had told me that Pops was at a doctors appointment with Kelsie and wouldn't be back for a while but his cousin TJ lived there and he'd be home.

"Come in," I called out. TJ opened the door quietly as I said goodbye to my friends. "What's up?" I asked, smiling. I met him yesterday at the little get together we had with the family and he seemed like cool people.

"My friend Larry's over here. He's playing the game in my room. I'm bout to head to the store to get some groceries for my uncle real quick. You good?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm just chillin,"

"K, you got my number right?" he asked and nodded my head. Derek made sure I had everyone's number since I'd be alone so much. "Call me if you need anything. And if you want me to grab you some food I can do that, too. Just text what you want," he instructed. I thanked him for everything and he left, closing the door behind him. I leaned back in the bed not knowing what to do. I texted Derek telling him I loved and missed him but didn't get a response. I was sure he was busy so I didn't mind. I just kept praying he'd be ok. Larry was in TJ's room down the hall with the game blasting which was kind of annoying but I was used to it with Derek and Gelo and all them. That's all they did was play on that stupid game all day or watch football. When someone knocked on my door again I assumed TJ had come back since I could still hear the game.

"Come in," I said, looking up from my phone. A man walked in who wasn't TJ. "Larry?" I asked and he smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, TJ tell you I was here?"

"Yep," I said awkwardly. He opened the door wider and stepped in.

    "Can I sit?" he asked pointing to the foot of the bed. I shrugged and let him. "You Derek's girl?"

    "Yeah, TJ tell you?"

    "Mhm, said he met you yesterday and you're cool people," I smiled.

    "I think the same of him," we chuckled some and he asked more questions about me and Derek, what California's like, and how I was enjoying my stay so far. He seemed like a nice person but I couldn't help but notice he kept creeping closer.

    "So you and Derek. Y'all serious serious?" he asked, placing a hand on my exposed thigh. I regretted wearing shorts and wished I would've been under the covers.

    "Yes. Very," I answered and moved my leg away.

    "So you don't find me attractive?" he asked. He was sitting right next to me and moved his face so close we were inches apart.

    "Not really," I said, swinging my legs over so I could get out of the bed.

    "You don't have to leave," he chuckled, grabbing my arm.

    "I want to," I said, snatching away from his grip and rushing to get out of the room. Before I could make it to the hallway he ran behind me and pulled me back into the room, throwing me onto the bed. I punched and kicked as much as I could but he sat on my pelvis and held my arms down. I screamed as loud as I could but the sounds of the game down the hall seemed to drown me out.

    "Please don't. TJ will be home soon," I cried. He ignored me and pulled my shorts from around my waist. "You know Derek, you know he's crazy. Stop now and I won't tell him," I said anything I could to get him to stop but he didn't care. I fought as much as I could but he was so much bigger and stronger than me, there was nothing I could do. I eventually gave up and laid there crying silently. I prayed that TJ or Derek or Pops and Kelsie would come home and stop him but no one did. When he finished he slid his pants back on and walked out of the room like nothing happened. I heard the game turn off and the front door close but I could barely move. I managed to pull the covers over me and closed my eyes but the images of him hovering over me were all that filled my head.
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"Mora!" someone said distantly. I laid there not wanting to move or say anything. TJ appeared in the doorway with a grocery bag in his hand. "I brought you back some treats I thought you'd like. What...what's wrong?" he asked. I stared at the wall. "Where's Larry?" he said walking down the hall. He came back a few seconds later. He kneeled down in front of me with a confused look on his face. "Where'd he go? Are you ok? Did he do something to you?" he asked all at once. I tried to hold the tears back but I couldn't. TJ jumped up and pulled his phone out. The rest was a blur. Derek got to the house in what felt like seconds.

"Amora," he said loudly walking in. I laid there unresponsive. "Everybody get out!" he yelled and I noticed Kelsie, Damon, TJ, and Pops all left. I didn't remember them ever coming in. "Amora baby, talk to me," he said, sadly. He sat on the side of the bed and rested his hand on my leg. I flinched at his touch and he looked at me shocked. "It's me Mora. It's just me. What happened?" he asked. He pulled the covers back some exposing me. He looked over and noticed my clothes laying next to me. "He...he raped you?" he whispered, covering me back up. "Amora tell me, did he rape you?" I looked up at him and nodded. He rubbed his head looking around. "I'm going to kill him," he said, quietly. "We gotta get you to a doctor," he said, grabbing my clothes. He tried to help me put them on but I backed away from him.

"I'm not going to a hospital," I whispered.

"You need to get checked out," he pleaded, holding my shirt up.

"I'm not going," I was so tired of being in a hospital. If I wasn't on my deathbed I wasn't going.

"Amora, please," he kept going. "I...I don't really know what to do in this situation. I just need you to get some help. A doctor can help you,"

"It's your fault!" I snapped. He dropped my shirt and looked at me hurt. "You left me here! You left me here with people I don't know. I should've been with you. You said you'd protect me and you didn't!" I cried. He sat there silently as I covered myself with a blanket and headed towards the bathroom to shower. All I wanted was to go home. And not Atlanta home. My real home in California.
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Is Amora right for blaming Derek? And should he have left her with someone she didn't know? Don't forget to comment and vote!