Megan, Brianna, and Eric were on the dance floor at 626 by 9:30 pm Friday night. It was still a little early for the club and it so the dance floor wasn’t crowded yet. Already they had started to roll and were laughing and having a good time. Megan came up to Brianna and put her arms around her friends while dancing so she could talk with her.

“He is really cute. Where did you say you know him from again?” Megan was asking.

Brianna looked over her shoulder at Eric to find him staring at her, yet again. “He is a friend of Mitchell’s. Mitchell asked me if Eric could join us tonight, apparently he has a hard time meeting women or something. I don’t know, exactly. I hope you don’t mind? I know this was supposed to be a girl’s night.”

“No I don’t mind. How could someone that cute have a hard time with girls though?” Megan didn’t understand and Brianna wasn’t about to go into details.

“I really don’t know. I just agreed to do this favor for Mitchell since he is always so nice to me.”

“You are too sweet for your own good, you know that don’t you? So you’re not interested in him?”

Brianna’s stomach turned whenever the guy even looked at her. No she definitely was not interested. In fact she couldn’t wait for this night to be over. “Nope. Not at all. He’s all yours if you want him.” She couldn’t imagine how Megan could be interested, but as long as SHE didn’t have to be with him then it didn’t really matter one way or the other.

“Alright then.” Megan laughed and moved to go and dance with Eric.

Maybe Megan can keep him occupied and away from me for a while?

The trio danced until the club closed. Eric took turns, much to Brianna’s dismay, dancing with both the girls. Even with the effects of the Ecstasy she was not comfortable around this guy. Something about him just made her skin crawl. Maybe it was the way he looked at her. Maybe it was because no matter what Megan did to get his attention; whenever Brianna would look over she would find him staring at her. Either way, she just wanted to the night to be over, and her obligation ended.

Eric insisted on dropping Megan off first and even walked her to her door. Alone in the car for a few minutes Brianna found it easier to breathe than it had been all night. She hoped he asked for Megan’s number. She knew Megan would give it to him if he did. But then again, if he did get her number, then there was a strong possibility she would have to be around him again.

She found her mind wandering away from Megan, Eric, and even Mitchell to wondering what Nick was doing at that very moment. Was he out partying? Was he back in his hotel asleep? Was he back at his hotel alone or with someone? She shook her head at that thought. She knew he had at times had “company” in his room over the years. But it was something she never really took time to think about or dwell on. And it was definitely something they never talked about.

Brianna was startled from her thoughts by the sound of the driver’s door opening and Eric sitting down. “Ready to go home, baby?”

Baby? Baby!! What the hell is that about? Rather than make a big deal of it though, she simply nodded her head and said yes. She was very ready to be home and have this night over.

“So, what did you think of Megan?” She tried to make conversation to make the drive go by faster.

“She was nice. You two are good friends aren’t you?” He was looking at the road as he spoke.

“Yes, she’s my best friend here. So you liked her?”

“Yeah, sure. She was fun to be around.”

“That’s good. She seemed to like you too. Maybe you should call her sometime?”

He laughed. “So what, you’re playing match maker now?”

“Um. Just a suggestion. No harm meant.” She did not like the tone of his voice for some reason. What is wrong with me? This is Mitchell’s friend. Why am I acting like this? Mitchell wouldn’t send me out with anyone that would hurt me. So why is every hair on the back of my neck standing on end? Why do I feel like a deer caught in headlights?

“Here we are baby. Home safe and sound.” Brianna let out an audible sigh of relief at being home and the night finally being over. Just a few more steps to her door and she could officially call it a night.

“You don’t have to walk me, I’ll be ok.” She was saying as she got out of the car.

“Nonsense. Of course, I’ll walk you.”

She felt him behind her as she approached her door. Slipping her key into the lock she cracked the door and turned to face Eric to tell him goodnight. Before she could open her mouth to speak though, she was surprised by his mouth over hers and his arms around her pushing her into her apartment. Brianna tried to scream tried to struggle, but he easily overpowered her. Once inside she heard the door slam shut. The room was dark. She could feel his hands reaching under her skirt. Again she tried to push him away, but he just held her closer to him in a tight grip.

“Baby don’t fight it. You knew what this was about. Relax and everything will be so much better.” He spoke to her as he pulled at her panties causing the elastic to snap tearing the material from her body. He was kissing her neck and she found her mouth near his shoulder. Taking advantage of the opportunity she bit down hard on his shoulder causing him to curse and step away from her.

“Bitch!” He yelled before slapping her across the face. The force of the impact sent her flying to the ground. “Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why’d you have to do that?” Her eyes had started to adjust to the darkness and she could see his silhouette in the faint light coming through the windows. He pulled his shirt over his head and Brianna knew she needed to make a run for it. Turning over to her hands and knees she scrambled to get to her feet. Her goal, her bedroom. If she could just make it there she could lock herself in her room and call someone for help. But she wasn’t fast enough.

“Oh no you don’t. You’re not going anywhere!” He spat as his hands grabbed her waist. He lifted her slightly then slammed her down to the floor. The force of the impact caused her elbows to buckle and arms collapse underneath her. He was on his hands and knees behind her and used his knees to force her legs apart. She was frightened and out of breath from struggling, and in more than just a little shock. He still had his pants on, she could feel the material against the inside of her thighs, so she was not prepared at all for the searing pain that shot through her when he quickly forced himself into her. It was like a white-hot poker tearing at her insides. The pain was so intense she couldn’t breathe, couldn’t scream, and couldn’t see from the burning tears that now flowed freely down her face and onto the carpet. He had one arm pinning her down just above her shoulder blades and the other holding her hips in place. With her arms trapped underneath her, there was nothing she could do but whimper in pain.

She heard him grunt, felt him shudder, and a new warmth between her legs and then all was still. He collapsed on top of her breathing heavily. Brushing her hair to the side he kissed her damp cheek. “Sorry it had to be that way, baby. You should learn not to fight and next time it will be better.” Finally, she felt his weight lift off her and heard the faint sound of a zipper.

“Just…get…out.” She barely managed above a whisper. His only reply was a chuckle. A minute later she heard the door shut and his car start up and pull away.

<~ Chapter 83 or Chapter 85 ~>

In the End

Karina 2003