Chapter 4 Save Me

Before I figured out what would happen, my legs were already sprinting with all their might.

"Let's play hide and seek, bitch. I'll give you five seconds to run as far as you can and hide. Don't let me catch you, otherwise, ahahaha!" I could hear his demonic laughter echoing from behind. I pushed myself to run, even until my legs felt numb, and I could hardly feel their existence. I ran towards the distant training ground where the soldiers' chants faintly reached my ears. "Fight for survival! Fight for the family! Fight for freedom!"

The wind howled in my ears, followed by the sound of Drake's footsteps closing in from behind. Panic surged through me, my breathing became erratic. At this moment, the training ground was still about two or three hundred meters away, while Drake was now less than twenty meters behind me, I guessed. The situation was dire, and I shouted for help with all my might, hoping the soldiers at the training ground would hear me. But my voice was drowned out by the deafening chants, and in an instant, Drake caught up to me, grabbing my hair. "You lose."

A sharp pain shot through my scalp, and I lost my balance, falling backward. He dragged me back to that open space. My entire back was scraped and bleeding, causing excruciating pain. He tossed me onto the ground like a ragdoll. As soon as he let go, I tried to escape, but he immediately pounced on me, pinning me down, his legs holding me in place, and his hand gripping my hair, rendering me unable to move.

He savagely pounded my head until my consciousness blurred, and I was on the verge of passing out. In a daze, I saw a man approaching. Judging by his military boots, he must be a patrolling soldier. Oh, thank goodness, I might be saved.

"Hey, any trouble here?" the soldier asked.

Of course, I was in big trouble, and I wanted to cry for help, but I found that I couldn't produce a sound.

"It's okay, we'll handle it ourselves," Drake replied.

"Are you sure? She doesn't look too good."

"Yes, I'm sure. I am Beta Morgan's son, Drake Gabriel. I don't need you to teach me how to handle this." Drake's tone sounded somewhat irritated.

"Alright then, I'll be going," the soldier said grumpily before leaving.

Wait! Don't go, he's a liar! Save me! My inner voice cried out. As the footsteps gradually faded away, so did my hope. It was only now that I realized my mother was right – nobody in this pack cared about our well-being.

I closed my eyes, giving up the struggle, letting my thoughts drift away. My consciousness detached from my body, and at first, I felt intense pain, but gradually, that pain subsided, replaced by numbness. Along with the disappearance of physical sensations, my emotions – the anger, humiliation, resentment, and regret – also faded away. Seeing me no longer resist, he flipped me over and tore at my clothes.

I didn't know how long this torment lasted, and I didn't know when Drake left. All I knew was that when I woke up again, it felt like I had spent a century in the interim. Later, I learned from my mother that I had been outside for a whole day and night. Around me were crowded with people, as if the entire pack had gathered. Among them were Alpha Joan, Luna Irene, Beta Morgan, the tribal doctor, a dozen soldiers, and Susie, my good friend.

Susie crouched beside me, using her jacket to cover and protect my body. I lowered my head; my hoodie and pants were torn to shreds, covered in blood and dirt. I looked around in fear, finding them all looking at me with both disgust and pity.

"Poor child, how are you feeling? We heard you were attacked by rogues, and we are deeply sorry," Luna said gently. "We have arranged for a doctor to see you. Can you walk now?"

"Ro...rogues?" I asked without thinking, my voice hoarse from dehydration.

"Oh, let's not talk about that for now to avoid further distress. The priority is to take her to the hospital," Beta Morgan interjected quickly, shooting me a dagger-like look.

I instantly understood what was going on. Drake had already concocted the lie that I was attacked by ruffians and enlisted the help of his parents to cover it up. If I dared to speak the truth, there was no way I would leave the woods alive.

I remained silent, standing up and tightly holding onto Susie's jacket, with half of my breasts and thighs exposed to the air. Beta Morgan came over, took off his windbreaker, and draped it over me. He lightly patted my shoulder – it was a gentle warning.

Alpha Joan, Luna Irene, and Beta Morgan walked ahead, while Susie and I followed behind. Everywhere we went, the passersby glanced at us, staring at me, then whispering and occasionally bursting into mocking laughter. It seemed they were spreading rumors about me, tarnishing my reputation even further. Thinking about it made me feel disgusted.

"Don't pay attention to them," Susie whispered to me.

She held my hand tightly, providing me with immense support. With her backing, I looked straight ahead, held my head high, and walked forward without any shame.

Doctor Grace was Susie's mother, and I was glad she was the one conducting the examination for me.

"Miss Ernest, the physical examination is complete. It's mainly abrasions; applying ointment for two weeks will help them heal," Doctor Grace said to me and handed me a jar of ointment. "It looks like you took a hit to your head. Can you see clearly and hear properly now?"

I nodded, "Everything is normal."

"Good, if you experience any abnormalities later, please come to the hospital for a check-up."

"Okay."

"Very well, may I ask if you need a private examination?" she continued to ask.

I pondered for a moment and replied, "No, thank you. Could you prescribe me a contraceptive pill instead?"

Upon hearing my words, a hint of sympathy flickered across the doctor's face. She paused for a moment, seemingly considering a more tactful way to respond.

"If you don't mind, may I ask if you've experienced any sexual violation?" she asked in a low, gentle tone.

Sexual violation. Upon hearing that word, images of Drake pinning me down flooded my mind. My stomach churned, and a wave of nausea washed over me. Clutching the bedsheet tightly, I turned my head away, unable to meet the doctor's gaze.

"Poor child," Doctor Grace sighed, "I'll have to report this to Luna."

"No, please don't. I beg you," I quickly sat up and grabbed her hand, pleading.

Doctor Grace turned to face me, gently guiding me back to lie down on the bed. She caressed my head, whispering softly, as if comforting a baby, "Child, I understand this is too painful for you. But Luna has the right to know, and she will seek justice for you."

"Thank you, but I have my reasons. Please keep this a secret, don't tell anyone," I pleaded, on the verge of tears. Seeing the puzzled expression on Grace's face, I knew I had to give her a convincing reason. Thinking quickly, I continued, "You know my mother, you know what kind of person she is. She's emotionally sensitive, and I'm afraid this will hurt her. I don't want to lose my mother, please help me."

The look of confusion on her face vanished, replaced by deep sympathy, showing that she completely believed my words.

"You're too young to bear all this," she paused for two seconds before continuing, "All right, I promise you, I'll conceal this from your medical records. This is the first and last time I'll make an exception."

"Thank you so much, Doctor Grace." I hugged her, unable to express my gratitude in words.

"But we still need to proceed with the private examination. I will keep a truthful record. Zoe, I hope when you grow older and are capable of dealing with this, you will pursue this matter again. When that time comes, feel free to seek my help, and I'll be a witness for you, even if it risks my career," she said firmly.

"You're too kind," tears of gratitude streamed down my face.

"It's alright. You're the same age as my daughter, and I just can't bear to see you suffer," she said calmly, and then she had me lie on the delivery bed.

After a thorough examination, Grace prescribed some anti-inflammatory and pain-relief ointment for my intimate areas, along with an emergency contraceptive pill. I immediately swallowed the pill.

By the time I returned home, I was completely exhausted and had no energy to say anything more to my mother. I placed the sandwich Susie had given me earlier on the dining table for her to eat when she got hungry. Then I entered the bathroom and turned on the shower. The water washed away the dirt and blood from my body, providing me with a slight sense of relief. After the shower, I put on a comfortable cotton linen nightgown, walked into the bedroom, drew the curtains, and lay down on the bed. I closed my eyes; I was simply too tired to feel any emotions. I should have been sad; I should have been crying my heart out, but besides exhaustion, I felt nothing. It was all like a dream. At this moment, nothing else mattered. I just wanted to sleep well, sleep until it was pitch dark outside, without anything disturbing me.