After he does the same to the ones around my ankles, he throws the knife across the room and unbuttons my blouse.
While they undress me, I close my eyes and let escape options run through my mind. It doesn’t look good. There are two of them and one of me, and they are bigger and stronger. We are somewhere underground, and I do not know how to get out. I could fight them, but it would be hopeless. I would probably hurt myself more than I hurt them. I’m pretty sure the end result will be the same. Me dead.
Ryker finishes with the buttons and opens my blouse slowly, pushing it away from my shoulders. His thumbs skim along my collarbone, gentle as a feather. I want to melt into his touch; I want to forget where I am and concentrate on this pleasure, but I can’t. My body is stiff, unable to let go.
“Just relax, Sugar. Let us make you feel good. Can you do that, Annie? Can you relax for us?” Ryker asks, his voice low and oddly calming.
“I don’t know,” I tell them honestly.
“We told you, we don’t want to hurt you,” Hunter says, as he runs his warm hands up and down my legs.
I’m wearing a thin white camisole which is pretty see through. Suddenly, I’m self-conscious about my underwear because I’m wearing a plain white bra and cotton panties. I shake my head at the ludicrous thought. Who cares what I’m wearing?
As if he has all the time in the world, Hunter pulls my pants down my legs. Then he dips his fingers into my panties and goes through the same motion, leaving me bare from the waist down. My tank top and bra are next.
When I’m completely naked, both of them groan.
I have to admit I am surprised by their restraint. I figured they would rip my clothes off by now, forcing themselves into my body whether or not I want it. Instead, they are going slow, their movements calculated but placid.
Keeping my arms next to me on the mattress, I do my best to relax. I try to forget tomorrow and concentrate on right now. This is not so bad; I attempt to convince myself. They are not hurting me right now with their gentle touch.
I can pretend this is just a date… we’ve met at a bar earlier and they seduced me to come home with them. We’re gonna have sex and then one of them will drive me home…
Warm hands cover my breasts and knead them softly. A moment later a tongue licks over my skin, then a mouth covers one of my nipples. A zing of pleasure shoots through my body and I hold on to that desire.
Another set of hands runs down my legs, stopping at my knees.
“You’re very beautiful, Annie,” Hunter tells me while prying my legs apart. Cool air hits my center, reminding me how exposed I am. I try to close my legs, but Hunter keeps them pushed apart.
The need to do something with my hands is powerful, so I grab the sheets I’m lying on, holding onto the soft material like it can somehow protect me from what’s happening.
I stay calm and collected despite everything that’s going on. Despite there being four hands on me who I didn’t give permission to touch.
I remain detached… until I hear voices from the other side of the door. Two men fighting about something. I can’t make out what it’s about, but they are angry. Then a loud sound filters through the door.
A thud, glass breaking, more yelling… and suddenly I’m back in my old house, locked in the bedroom. I’m fourteen and my mom is screaming, begging him to stop. I jump up and try to get to the door, try to help her.
I need to help her.
I need to stop him.
I’m the only one who can save her.
“Shh, calm down,” a raspy voice whispers in my ear. “You’re fine.”
Amid gasping for air, I’m anything but fine. I’m drowning, suffocating. Unable to help my mom.I let her die. It’s my fault she is dead.
“Open your eyes, Sugar,” a second voice tells me. “Come on, look at us.”
Blinking my eyes open, I take in the two men. Hunter is holding my naked body, cradling me to his chest. Ryker is pinning my wrists together at my middle, inspecting me like I’m an ancient riddle to solve.
“W-who was that?”
“Just our friends being rowdy. Don’t worry about them,” Ryker says dismissively.
“After all the shit happening today, this makes you have a panic attack?” Hunter questions. I don’t correct him. He assumes the prospect of sex triggered me, when in reality it was the noises coming from outside the room.
Deciding it is best to keep it that way for now, I press my lips into a thin line.