Page 33 of Rogue’s Reckoning

Before I can react, Lochlann shoves me back onto the bed. I cry out in pain as my battered body hits the mattress.

"Lochlann, what are you doing?" Ivy asks, her voice high with panic.

"Teaching your sister a lesson," Lochlann growls, pinning me down. "You might want to step outside for this, babe."

I struggle against him, but I'm weak from days of torture and lack of food. "No! Stop! Ivy, please!"

But Ivy just stands there, frozen, as Lochlann starts to tear at my clothes. I scream, fighting with every ounce of strength I have left, but it's not enough.

As Lochlann forces himself on me, I lock eyes with Ivy. I see the horror in her eyes, the realization of what she's done. But she doesn't move. She doesn't try to stop him. She just watches.

Every thrust, every groan, every movement is painful, horrific, and terrifying. I can’t move. I can’t breathe. I can’t even escape.

As Lochlann violates me, I can feel the little bit of self-respect I had left shattering into a million pieces. Tears stream down my face, but I refuse to let him hear me scream. I will not give him the satisfaction.

When it's over, he rolls off of me and gets dressed. "Next time, think before you talk," he sneers.

I curl up into a ball, shaking uncontrollably as he leaves the room, slamming the door behind him. I'm vaguely aware of Ivy sobbing in the corner, but I can't bring myself to care about her right now.

All I can think about is how I'm ruined. Broken and used by a monster who didn't even have the decency to look me in the eye. And my own sister stood by and let it happen.

I don't know how long I lay there before I hear Ivy’s cries getting louder. I can also hear her apologizing over and over again, and I realize she’s on the phone with someone.

Not even thirty minutes later and there’s a knock at the door. Both Ivy and I are still in the same position. Neither of us have spoken to one another. How the hell am I going to speak to someone who brought a man into my room and watched him rape me without doing anything to stop him?

I don't answer the door. I don’t have the energy to get up. I watch as Ivy gets up to answer it. Within seconds, my parents are rushing into the room. My mom glances over at me, her eyes widening in horror as she takes in my disheveled appearance, my torn nightdress that barely covers me, and my swollen eyes. "Oh my god, Willow! What happened?"

She rushes over to me, trying to hug me, but I flinch away from her touch. "Don't touch me!" I hiss between clenched teeth. "Just... just leave me alone."

Mom backs away, her expression crumpling. "Willow, please..."

I laugh mirthlessly at her pleading and sit up on the edge of my bed, pulling the covers around me tightly even though nothing could ever make me feel safe again.

"Please what?" I hiss, my voice raw with pain and anger. "Please let you comfort me now, after years of ignoring me in favor of your precious Ivy? Please pretend like you actually care?"

Mom recoils as if I've slapped her. "Of course I care! You're my daughter."

"Am I?" I laugh bitterly. "Because it sure hasn't felt like it for most of my life."

Dad steps forward, his face grave. "Willow, what happened to you? Who did this?"

I glance at Ivy, who's huddled in the corner, tears streaming down her face. "Why don't you ask your favorite daughter?" I spit out. "She's the one who brought him here."

Mom and Dad turn to look at Ivy, confusion and horror dawning on their faces.

"Ivy?" Mom whispers. "What is she talking about?"

Ivy breaks down sobbing. "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I didn't know he would... I didn't think..."

"You never do," I say coldly. "You never think about anyone but yourself."

Dad's face hardens as he puts the pieces together. "Ivy, did you bring a man here who... who hurt your sister?"

Ivy nods miserably, unable to meet anyone's eyes.

Mom gasps, her hand flying to her mouth. "Oh my god. Oh my god, Willow, we need to call the police?—"

"No!" I shout, panic rising in my chest. "No police. You don't understand. If I go to the police, they'll kill me."

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