Page 15 of Jenna's Protector

“I’m so sorry. I can’t even imagine.”

“He told me to strip. I thought he wanted the garment. He leaped to his feet when I hesitated and said I belonged to him. I was stunned. Shocked. He ripped the lingerie off of me. It still didn’t hit me until he touched me. They weren’t supposed to touch us, but he touched me. Andtheyallowed it.”

I take a shaky breath, feeling the weight of the memories. Max lies down at my feet, his head resting on his paws, his eyes watching me closely.

“Whatever you tell me stays in this room. Forest made me promise. How did you escape?”

I swallow hard, the memories still fresh and raw despite the years. “I felt so stupid. Sophia warned me. Over and over, she said it wasn’t right. After these parties, some girls didn’t return to the dorms, but I didn’t listen. I didn’t want to believe her. But then, as I stood there, naked, with that man’s hands on me, I had to do something.”

Max sits up a little straighter as if sensing the importance of this part of the story.

“What did you do?”

The room fades away, the present slipping from my grasp as I’m pulled back into that night. I’m no longer sitting here, safe and sound—I’m back in that suffocating room, the walls closing around me…

The air is stale,filled with the pungent smell of sweat and cigarettes. The fear that grips me is so palpable that I taste it, a bitter, metallictang that forces bile into my throat. His breath is hot against my skin, a grotesque contrast to the coldness of his eyes. Each exhale sends a shudder through me.

He pushes me onto the bed, his hands rough and demanding, bruising my flesh as he holds me down.

"Please, don't," I beg, my voice a whisper. But he ignores me, his grip tightening as he forces himself on me. Tears stream down my cheeks, the saltiness mixing with the bitter taste in my mouth.

"Stop fighting," he growls, his voice a low, menacing rumble. "I paid good money for you.”

I fight back, kicking and clawing, but he's too strong.

I try to scream, but no sound comes out. My throat is dry, my voice stolen by the sheer terror that consumes me.

The physical pain is overwhelming, but it's the emotional agony that consumes me. I feel violated, broken, and utterly helpless.

Eventually, he finishes. The man pulls away, a twisted smile curling on his lips, a glint of sadistic anticipation in his eyes. It's not disgust—it's the cruel satisfaction of knowing he owns me, like he's savoring the years of torment he's planning.

"I was told you knew how to behave, but you’re a wild animal. That’s okay, because I look forward to breaking you.”

He storms out of the room, slamming the door behind him. I lie there, trembling, my body aching from the assault.

My limbs feel like lead. My heart is a heavy stone in my chest. The room spins, and I drown in a sea of despair.

Somehow, a small voice inside me whispers, urging me to move, to get out.

The room comes backinto focus, the present rushing back in. I find myself sitting across from Carter, the weight of that night pressing down on me. His jaw is tense as I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

“He took my virginity. Ripped it from me the way he tore the lingerie off my body.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Something inside of me died that night," I say softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "Part of me will always be back in that room, forever trapped in that moment."

Carter reaches out, gently touching me, offering silent comfort. I cling to that touch, drawing strength from it as I continue my story.

“I imagine security must have been tight. How did you escape?”

“There weren’t many guards in that part of the estate. They were all at the event with the other girls. I knocked the guard out and ran.”

"You're fearless, Jenna. Not many people could have done what you did. It’s a miracle you got away. How did you knock out one of the guards?”

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for another flood of memories.

I check the door.Locked. The window’s next. It, too, is locked. I need something to pick the lock.

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