Attempted Rape

At night, I was seated beside Emiliano on the couch. He wanted me to continue my story. Phoenix was beside us. I continued in flashback.

***

In the morning, the singing birds woke me up from sleep. I gathered my fragile self up. My eyes were aching. I couldn’t stare at daylight, it made my vision blurry. I had to squint from the woods. I just needed to leave the neighborhood. I reached a river, I saw a sailor who helped me to cross the river with my bags. I was going to my maternal grandmother’s house. After her demise many years ago, foreigners inhabited the house. We learned they returned to their hometown a few months ago and the house was now vacant. I trudged down the remaining miles, carrying bags all around my shoulders while pulling two suitcases. I almost resembled a camel carrying many loads. After a long trudge under the now scorching sun, I was faced with my grandma’s house. I let down all the loads from my body. I heaved a sigh of relief. I was tired, hungry, and weak. The house was situated on an isolated land. It was an old-style bungalow building. They were a big tree in the compound. The tree had strewn some of its dried leaves on the ground. I shuffled closer to the house, leaving the bags where they were. My legs were aching. I couldn’t remember the last time I walked that long. I was now on the porch. Are they still people in the house? The building doesn’t seem like it has been abandoned for months. Everything looked new and clean. Though in wonder, I still praised God it wasn’t scruffy to add a hell of a cleaning problem to my current dilemma. I went back to the bags and pulled them inside. I left the bags in the living room and went into the bedroom. I flopped on the bed and dozed off after some minutes.

I woke up hungry. My stomach growled loudly to be fed. I shuffled to the living room, yawning and stretching. My bones cracked, and my muscles relaxed. It was sunset already. I picked up one of my bags and brought out a bottle of water and an apple. I had taken them from home the previous day. The apple wasn’t fresh anymore, but I had to manage it. My hair was ruffled in a bun. It seems I was carrying a bird’s nest on my head. Possibly anything that shouldn’t be on a human’s head. I sat down to eat the apple.

At night, I lay down on the bed, facing the ceiling. Where did they take Luna? What did they do to her? Should I even be here or on the lookout for Luna? As different thoughts ran across my mind, my eyes failed me and I dozed off.

At the witching hour, my eyes went wide open. I could feel a presence in the house. Faint voices coming from the living room. I jerked up to go check. I slowly opened the door. I stuck my head out, I didn’t see anyone. I sneaked out. Suddenly I saw a shadow. I gasped with a wheeze. I turned abruptly to go inside and a hand covered my mouth from behind. My scream was muffled. I was jumping up in struggle as he led me into the bedroom. He pushed me down on the bed. They were two tall, sturdy, built men. They were wearing black hoodies.

“She’s young,” one of the bad guys said.

I crawled back on the bed. My breath was hitched. My heart pounded heavily in my chest. I was suddenly sweating.

“Do you have money?” the second bad guy asked. I shook my head vigorously. I was swallowing hard each second. What were they going to do to me? I don’t have a penny to give to them. Will they just go? “What then can you offer us?” the guy that had covered my mouth asked, coming close to me. I was vibrating on the bed. He sat down on the bed, trailing his fingers on my foot and way up. He seems to be the leader. I was gasping for air. I was quivering in fear.

“W…what do you want?” I forced my lips to ask.

They both laughed.

“You don’t have money, what else do you think we want then?” he asked and smelled my hair.

I could see the lust in his eyes. The other guy only watched us with a constant lustful smile on his face. The leader pushed me down on the bed with a finger. I wondered how light I have become. He trailed his finger from my lips down to my chest. He stopped there, staring at my bosom. My heart was certainly going to burst this time.

“Don’t touch me,” I mumbled. He chuckled and straddled me. My heart dropped inside of me. “Don’t touch me, please, I’m begging you,” I began crying.

“Don’t cry, I will be gentle with you,” he said.

He placed a hungry kiss on my lips, my jawline, the crook of my neck. My body tingled. My eyes flooded with tears. He pinned my arms down on the bed while doing evil with his lips around my body.

“The cops!” I heard a voice squeak from outside.

“Boss, the cops,” the guy watching us announced.

“Shit!” the bad guy on me cursed. The sirens of police vans were now sounding closer. He sprang up from me and jumped down from the bed. The third guy rushed in. They were three. Goodness, gracious! Maybe the trio would have all raped me one after the other. They all rushed out. All thanks to the patrolling officers, I was saved. I quickly jerked up, locked the door, and returned to bed, curled up. Too many bad things befalling me around the clock. I felt dirty and worthless. I continued crying till I fell asleep.

The following morning, the chirping sounds of birds sounded close to the tree. The morning sun pierced through the light curtain, pouring its rays on my face. I turned to the opposite side. I was awake already, I didn’t wish to. I didn’t want to wake up to another awful, painful day. I couldn’t sleep again. I had to open my eyes. As I did, blinking severally to clear my vision and rolling my eyes, I saw Luna. She was laying on the bed with a propped elbow, smiling at me. My eyes went wide open. Was it a dream? I sat up quickly.

“Good morning,” she said.

“Luna?” I uttered.

“Don’t be so surprised,” she smiled, sitting up on the bed.

“You were…you were with them. The cops took you away,” I set forth confused.

“I can explain,” she said. “Yeah, the cops arrested me, on the way, I discovered they were sneaky officers. They were on their usual criminological operation when a woman alerted them concerning the death of Miguel. They couldn’t refuse her, so they came along to arrest a sneaky little bi*ch like me. On our way, I learned their little secret, pulled a little trick that caused an accident, and escaped. It was a bit difficult finding you but here I am now,” she explained and I embraced her.

Tears streamed down my cheeks.

“I thought I lost you. Thanks for coming back for me,” I sincerely appreciated amid tears.

She disengaged the hug and wiped away my tears.

“I will always come back for you no matter what?” she assured and I smiled. “You must be hungry, let’s go grab something to eat,” she said. I followed her out. On our way, I explained to her my experience last night. I could see remorse on her face. She wished to have defended me. I wish she did, too. Nonetheless, my guardian angel was back and I am super happy.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Hope you are not bored with this chapter. Just trying to keep the twist flowing. Don’t worry, it’s coming soon, the revelation of the mysteries. I can’t wait, too.