Page 145 of Shattered

“Stop what, baby? I can tell you like it. I’ve been waiting so long to give this to you.”

He dug his fingers into her thighs to keep her legs apart, and that action brought back far too many memories.

Memories of that boy and that man.

Memories of being held down.

Memories of Sara screaming.

Memories of rough, unwanted hands and lips and…

Memories of her tear-filled nightmares that had followed.

She felt the too-familiar urge to slip away into oblivion, and thought perhaps it would be easier in her current state.

“Christian. Stop!” Her voice was louder this time.

She couldn’t move to stop him; her arms still wouldn’t obey her. They might as well have belonged to someone else.

“Shh. It’s okay. You’re mine,” he cooed into her ear. That voice that had once calmed her, that had once brought her so much happiness and joy, was now a vile melody she longed to never hear again.

She felt her chest tighten and bile rise as his hands roamed her body, holding her steady against him.

She hated him.

She hated him more than she had ever hated anyone.

“No! Christian. Stop! Stop!” She screamed this time. She screamed it over and over and over again. She wasn’t sure if she was saying it out loud or just in her head. But after a moment, she heard his bedroom door burst open. And then he was no longer there.

“Sam?”

She knew that voice.

It was quiet and calm and familiar.

The light turned on and she had to squint her eyes. It was so bright and loud and it was too much all at once. She curled into herself as she felt the sobs race through her.

“Sam?” the voice called out once more. This time it was closer. This time it was louder. This time it was sad.

Then there was fighting and yelling, and things were breaking in the background.

“Sam!” Her face was being held. Someone was shaking her. She was going to vomit. “Sam, look at me! Open your eyes!” They sounded upset. So upset.

But she couldn’t open her eyes.

She was too tired. And too sore. And too cold. Then that cold disappeared as she felt a heavy softness cover her skin.

And then she accepted oblivion at last, and it all went quiet.

Chapter 57 - Callum

“Where is Sam?” Callum asked as Kristin and Micah walked into their living room.

“She isn’t here already? I thought she was for sure going to beat us?” Kristin said as she hung up her raincoat on the half-broken stand.

“What?” Callum questioned.

“She took my car. Said she had to run an errand and then would be headed here for dinner. But that was, like, two hours ago?”

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