Chapter Six

Chapter Six


The next eight months of my life flashed by. School let out and before I was ready June took over. I’d turned fifteen, had lost my crush on Doctor Johnson, broke my first heart, but was still unable to legally work.
Jessica found a full time job at a local clothing store and was gone most of the time. Our relationship had been badly bruised, but I was determined to repair it. She promised we would spend as much time as possible together over the summer, but I wasn’t holding my breath.
Her relationship with Kirk was no longer a secret. I could still remember the look on Margret’s face when she’d caught Jessica coming out of Kirk’s room. The shock and hurt was etched into my memory. Many tears had been shed that week.
Jessica was still walking a fine line with Margret, but things were slowly becoming more relaxed in the house. The fact that Jessica had a job helped her cause.
I was sure that once the truth of Kirk and Jessica’s relationship came out things would be easier for me. Oh, how wrong I was.
More than ever I felt the weight of Kirk’s stare. It was as if his eyes were everywhere at once. It seemed no matter where I was in the house, he found me. Dark eyes constantly watching, sending chills skating along my spine.
Jessica, it seemed, was the only one who could keep him in line. She had a bargaining chip now and, sadly, she used it. A stern look usually headed off any unwanted advancement in my direction. I dreaded the day she would leave for college.
It was a glorious Saturday. The sky was painfully blue with tatters of cloud drifting lazily along it. Birds sang happily and squirrels scampered along the lawn. I sat at the kitchen table reading and nibbling on a sandwich. Mr. George, my Junior English teacher, had given out a summer reading list. I was already three books in with seven to go. As I lifted my sandwich for a bite, I realized I wasn’t alone.
“I thought you’d left with Margret and the girls.” I asked, forcing the bite down my throat.
“Why would I want to spend hours shopping with three women?” Kirk smiled as he stepped into the kitchen, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning against the door frame.
I shrugged, trying to ignore the leering grin he was giving me. I glanced at the clock, groaning inwardly. Jessica wouldn’t be home for another hour. He stared at me for a long moment, making my skin crawl. Sighing in annoyance, I put my books aside and looked up at him.
“Something I can help you with?”
“Did you know you wrinkle your nose when you concentrate?”
I looked up at him, startled to find him so close. When had he moved from the doorway? I wanted him to go away, I just wanted to be alone and finish my book.
“No, I didn’t know that. No one pays attention to me.” Lifting the book I attempted to lose myself in its pages, but his nearness was distracting.
Kirk stepped up to my chair, staring down at me, his scent filling my nose. I resisted the urge to shudder as he lowered himself into the chair at my side.
“I notice you, Ashley. I notice everything about you. The way you walk, the way you smile when you think no one’s watching. The way you brush your hair.” Reaching out, he ran his fingers through my hair, his fingertips brushing along the nape of my neck.
I shot out of my chair, my plate clattering to the ground. My heart sat somewhere in my throat, my pulse buzzing in my ears. I crossed my arms over my chest in defense. Despite my sweater I was chilled.
“Leave me alone.” I croaked, panic tinting my voice.
“Don’t play hard to get, Ashley. I’ve seen you watching me. I’ve seen how you look at me with Jessica.” He rose from the chair, his lean body oddly graceful as he stepped toward me. His eyes were alight with an inner fire I’d never seen before.
I stepped back, he moved forward. We’d entered into a strange dance, the hunter and the prey. My breath caught in my throat as I backed into the wall.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” My breath hitched. I fisted my hands, my nails biting into my palms to keep the tears at bay. God, please, send Margret home!
“It’s time to give into temptation.” He growled.
Before I knew what was happening he had one large hand at the base of my neck, pressing his hot lips to mine.
I tried to scream, beating my hands against his chest, trying to push him away. I struggled, his lips hot against my neck. Knowing nothing else to do, I slapped him.
He broke away, swearing. A small line of blood trickled down from below his right eye. His eyes darkened in rage. Before he could move I kicked him in the shin and ran around the table. I heard him swear, but he recovered quickly and gave chase.
Fear stole my air; my breath came in short pants as I made my way to the stairwell. I gripped the banister, sighing in relief. All I had to do was make it to my room, lock the door and wait for Margret to come. Just twelve steps.
One, two, three.
I screamed as his arms came around my waist, lifting me from the stairs with ease. I kicked and flailed, smashing his nose with my fist. He grunted, flinging my aside. I hit the floor with a jarring thump, my breath deserting me in a whoosh.
I whimpered as I rolled onto my side, my body screaming in pain as I struggled to crawl away. Kirk moved over me, straddling me, leaning closer, his breath hot on my skin.
“No…No!” I cried out as he reached for me. With an inhuman scream I drew on my strength and rose up, using my nails to rend his face. Blood gushed from three deep gashes, and my soul cheered.
Kirk swore, slamming me into the floor. The pain was amazing. I felt as if my head had exploded. Tears poured down my cheeks.
“You stupid Bitch! Did you think I wouldn’t know? Did you think you’d gotten away with it? I’ll show you, you fucking brat. I’ll show you.” His voice was a fierce growl floating in my brain. He gripped my wrists in his large hand, yanking my arms above my head.
“God! No! Leave me alone!” I wailed, shaking my head and bucking my body in an effort to dislodge him.
“God can’t help you now, you little cock tease. But I’m going to show you. I’m going to give you just what you need.”
The sound of his zipper screamed through my head, igniting my soul. Oh God, please send me an angel. Save me, oh Lord!
Prayers reverberated through my head, pleading with God to rescue me from this fate. I was sobbing uncontrollably now, tears streaming into my hair, my ears. Somewhere deep in my mind I knew what was going to happen, was even counseling myself on how to deal with it. Yet my heart wept.
“You know,” Kirk leaned close, his eyes hot, insane, as he caressed my cheek. “I was all about Jessica before you came. I knew I’d have her at some point. But you, you,” He laughed, a dark, dangerous sound. “Are just so much more interesting.”
His hand moved along my side, slipping under my sweater. I whimpered incoherently, begging for him to stop, bucking and jerking.
“I know you had the hots for your doctor. I bet you wish it was him, you little slut.”
His hand closed over my breast. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. It wasn’t supposed to be this way.
I jerked when he unclasped my jeans; screamed at the sound of my zipper. Struggling, fighting. Useless.
“I’m not your doctor.” He growled, yanking my jeans down.
With one final effort I rolled to the side and sunk my teeth into his wrist. I bit down hard, until blood flowed into my mouth. I gagged, coughing on the metallic taste.
Kirk roared in pain, ripping his wrist from my mouth. He swore at me, but I didn’t hear it. His hands came down upon my throat, cutting off my air. I kicked, digging my nails into his wrists. With a growl he lifted my head and slammed it into the floor.
Stars filled my vision, as the world dimmed. I felt my jeans being yanked from me, heard Kirk muttering. My head rolled to the side and I caught sight of Benny’s teddy bear. The sad little toy bearing witness this act of horror.
“Where’s your God now?”
Tears clogged my throat as my world shattered.
I blinked.