Page 1 of Unwrapping Ember

Prologue

Ember

Bella and I walk into the frat house, following the discarded red Solo cups all over the sticky floor. Once we grab ourselves a drink, we mingle with our classmates, swaying slowly to the music blaring through the entire house, trying to loosen up a bit.

“Girl, look alive!” Bella yells into my ear as I find myself zoning out, the alcohol rushing straight to my head with each sip.

“I am, Bella. You know I’m not much of a party girl,” I counter, rolling my eyes playfully.

“Tonight you are, Ember,” she laughs and takes my hand, forcing me to dance with her.

After a couple of songs and a refill, I feel much more relaxed and comfortable—not a care in the world like I had when we walked in. The pulsing beat of the music starts to fade into the background as Bella and I continue to dance, the room slightly spinning around me.

Suddenly, there’s a loud commotion near the entrance of the frat house, and looking over, I see a group of obnoxious guys stumbling in, laughing and shouting. I can feel my heart start to race as they get closer to where we’re standing, and my anxiety begins to bubble up inside of me, making my throat feel like it’s closing up.

Still fairly new to the whole college scene, I haven’t put myself out there as much as I’ve wanted to. Growing up with strict parentsand a household filled with secrets and lies, college was supposed to be my escape—my grand entrance into the real world—where I’d finally get the freedom I had always longed for.

But so far, it hasn’t been anything to write home about. Being an adult isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, unfortunately. But it still beats living at home, suffocating under my mother’s possessive hold.

Bella looks at me with concern, sensing my unease. "Ember, let's go grab another drink," she suggests, leading me away from the crowded dance floor.

As we make our way to the kitchen, I can't shake the feeling of apprehension, but I try to push it aside for Bella's sake, knowing that I've already ruined one too many parties for her due to my unease.

We grab our drinks, and as we turn to head back, we notice the same group of guys now causing a scene in the living room. Bella and I exchange a worried glance, forcing smiles through the utter chaos. Just then, one of the guys spots us and starts making his way over, a cocky smile on his face. I tighten my grip on the cup in my hand, my instincts telling me that things are about to take a turn for the worse.

As I excuse myself to go to the bathroom to avoid any confrontation, I try to ignore the chill that cascades along my spine. But I can't. Especially when one of the drunk guys who's well known on campus walks behind me, tugging on my hair.

"What the fuck?" I spin around, glaring at him, ignoring the sinister smile on his face.

"Aw, Ember. Where's your school spirit?" The alcohol on his breath makes me gag, but I hold the bile down.

Trying to squeeze past him, I almost make it. But he grabs my wrist and tugs me into the closest bedroom, ignoring the piercing scream I let slip from my lips. Once inside, panic sets in, and I struggle against his grip, desperately searching for an escape.

"Let me go!" I shout, but he just grins and holds me tighter.

"Nobodyis going to hear you scream over the music." My stomach sinks, and I know I'm fucked.

I try to fight him off as he pins me to the closed door—my only escape—but his hold on me is too strong, and I instantly feel like I'm failing.

“Loosen up a bit, Ember. I've seen the way you look at me when you think I'm not watching,” he says, slurring his words with his mouth pressed to my ear and his breath like fire against my aching skin.

“In your fucking dreams,” I spit back, still not giving up the fight.

He manages to wrap his arm around my waist and hurl me onto the bed behind us, quickly climbing on top of me, his body weight pinning me down. I struggle, but it gets me nowhere, and before long my legs and arms feel sore and weak from the relentless fight.

He looks down at me, using one hand to undo his pants, and then lifts my dress over my hips when he gets them down. I wiggle beneath him, trying to get my knee up to slam into his groin, but it still doesn't work.

“Stop fighting, will you? I'm not going to hurt you, beautiful; I promise. We're just going to have a little fun, okay?” He smiles, brushing my hair out of my face as if we're having an intimate moment or something.

But we're not. Not by a long shot.

“Get off of me! I don't want this. I don't want any part of this,” I plead with him, but my cries fall on deaf ears as he continues his brutal assault.

Ripping my panties off, he scrapes my skin with the band from how rough he's being, leaving a slight burning feeling along my bikini line. I wince, but he chuckles, lowering his mouth to the side of my neck, where he sucks and bites roughly at my skin.

I reach around to his back and claw at his skin, leaving dark red scratches that bleed instantly. But he still doesn't care. Nothing deters him from his mission, and it's becoming quite clear what his intentions are and that he has no plan of stopping until he gets what he wants.

“Please, stop,” I beg, sobbing while feeling completely helpless.

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