Page 24 of Confined Space

The odor is the first thing to hit me as I come to. It’s a mixed scent of stale smoke, pot, alcohol, body fluids, and finally, him. His cologne sticks to my body. My stomach churns, and I roll to the side of the mattress I'm laid out on and immediately vomit. My body aches in places it shouldn't. Then the memories come flaring back. Him over my body, thrusting into me. Me crying out. I cover my mouth.

"Oh, poor, Coral, did you lose something?" His voice is like an ice pick to my skull. I look up and there he is. "You were quite a good fuck once I got you calmed down." His words hit me, and I look down at myself. My dress is torn and ripped open. My panties are gone, and my bra has been cut apart.

I start crying. "You raped me!" I didn't consent to this. Why can't I remember everything? I remember arriving at the party. Him trying to kiss me and me pulling away. I wasn't ready for that yet. We just met a couple of days ago. I remember him handing me a drink and telling me to chill the fuck out.

"Oh no, sweet Coral, I didn't rape you. You can't rape the willing. You never said no. You didn't stop me. You wanted me." His voice is cold as he walks across the room toward me. "Now clean up your fucking mess and get the fuck out of here."

"I'm going to report you." My voice sounds scratchy and not right.

He pounces on me. His hands dig into my hair and pull my head back, holding it to the bed under me. His body on mine makes me cringe, and I cry harder.

"You say one word of what happened, and I'll make you disappear forever." He spits in my face. I try to wipe it away, but he pulls back a hand and smacks me hard. I taste copper in my mouth. His lower body flexes and he pulls his legs up to land on my chest. "Do you understand, little Coral?"

His hand is at my throat, and I nod in fear. I need to get away from him. When he goes to get off of me, he digs his knee into my abdomen, and I cry out in pain.

"Now get the fuck dressed and get out of here."

I take him in for a moment. His dark-brown hair and green eyes that I thought made him look so handsome now make him look evil. He's dressed in a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. His slim body makes me want to gag instead of swoon. I roll from the bed and use the sheet to wipe the spittle from my face. I try not to cringe or vomit from it. I pull my dress around me and use the belt to hold it closed. Finding my shoes on the floor, I pick them up and walk from the room, my head bowed, my body aching.

* * *

I jump to my feet and run for the bathroom as the memory fades away. I never told anyone what he did. I saw the evil in his eyes that day. I saw what he did to me, and I know I will never be whole again because of him. I saw him around campus after that night, and every time I did, I would have a panic attack and run the other way. Until the day I found out I was pregnant with Archer and I went to tell him. He told me to get rid of it or he'd make me sorry.

I clean myself up after dry heaving into the toilet. I decide I have only one option now. I walk back out to the kitchen, pick up my cell phone, and send the text.

Me

I'm going to have to cancel for tonight. I'm not feeling very well.

Rowdy

I'm not letting you run, Mouse.

I can't help it. Running is my only choice. I have nothing left in me. When my parents found out I was pregnant, they didn't ask how, who, or what they could do to help. Instead, they disowned me. I've been on my own since, and I'll continue that way.

Me

No. Please don't contact me again.

I text Georgia next and tell her I'm not feeling well and won't need her to babysit for the evening. I turn off my phone and leave it on the kitchen counter. I head to my room, where I curl into a ball on the bed and cry myself to sleep.

I'm all the words my parents called me. Dirty. Used. Trash. I deserve everything that I'm getting, but Archer doesn't deserve this. I'm going to have to figure out something. Maybe I can get assistance until my inheritance is figured out. I’ve already asked if I can pick up any extra shifts at the hospital.

* * *

Pounding on the door wakes me up again a couple of hours later. Archer starts crying, and I roll over to give him his pacifier before I head for the door. Archer woke me up earlier to eat and then we both fell back to sleep. I don't want to face the world, and I know this is Rowdy coming by to demand an answer. I don't look through the peephole, a mistake I regret as I take in my worse horror.

"Davis?" His dark hair is slicked back against his head so his curls don't get unruly. He has a trim beard and mustache now. He smells the same, and I choke on the vomit wanting to come up.

"Hello, little Coral," he purrs as he steps toward me.

"No, you can't be here. Leave." I won't let him near me or Archer. I don’t know how he found me.

"I've heard a funny little rumor and need you to confirm it, darling." His words are cold as he grits them out through his teeth.

"Leave. This is my home, and I don't want you here." I raise my voice, and Archer starts crying from the bedroom. Shoot.

"No need to confirm that rumor. I can hear it's true. I told you when you came to me before to get rid of it." He starts to advance on me.

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