Chapter 6

I didn't even think as I started running toward the forest. 

I ran for what felt like hours, but it could have only been minutes. The sun was setting and it cast a red hue on the trees. 

I didn't know where I was and I knew I was stupid for running into the forest, but I needed a reprieve from that psycho. 

Earlier, I had twisted my ankle when I tripped on a branch and that was just my luck. It was becoming darker, I didn't know which direction I came from and I was walking with a limp. 

I froze when I heard a twig snap. I've seen raccoons and rabbits and all sorts of critters on my way, but nothing heavy enough to snap a twig. I quickly hid behind a tree and when a hand harshly grabbed my arm, I screamed. I knew it wasn't Geoff, since these hands were meaty and very calloused. 

My heart stopped beating when I saw the haggard man. He gave me a crooked smile as I struggled from his grip. 

Both his hands clamped down on my arms and I screamed some more. He put a hand over my mouth and I gagged. I flailed and kicked at him, but he was bigger. 

"Finally got you." His breath was rancid and my knees threatened to buckle. He pressed my body into the tree and I felt true fear. It was undiluted. 

His hand went to his pants and I didn't waste a second in connecting my knee with his groin. He grunted in pain and I took the chance to run, despite my twisted ankle. I screamed and when I saw a dark green shirt, I flung myself at him. 

Better the devil you know than the one you don't. I realized that Geoff could give me to that man just to teach me a lesson, but I couldn't let my thoughts stray there. 

My arms were still around his waist, they had to be since I needed the balance and didn't want to topple over, straining my ankle even worse. I released him, but stayed close to him when I saw the haggard man right there. 

It was quite ironic that just a few hours ago, I was running from him, but now I was hiding behind him for protection. 

"Gimme the girl."

I unconsciously fisted the back of his shirt and felt his back tense. 

My hopes were crushed when he pulled me in front of him. 

He made me stand in front of him, lining my back with his front with his hand gripping hair. 

He used his other hand to run down my body, stopping to squeeze my breast and ended with his hand rubbing my thigh. I squeezed my eyes shut when I saw the man lick his lips. I was repulsed by both of them. Tears trailed down my cheeks and I felt his tongue trace them. 

He wrapped his arms around me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder, nuzzling his face into my neck, kissing it softly. I shivered. 

"She's fucking mine Tom and you'll be sorry you touched what's mine. You're a dead man walking."

Tom's yellow face grew pale and I let out a sigh of relief. I was exhausted, my body had a few cuts and scratches and my ankle was twisted. 

After Tom walked away, Geoff stared at me with a clenched jaw and stormy eyes. 

He swiftly turned around and I silently limped, following him. I tried my best to keep up with his pace. I didn't want Tom to pop out from somewhere and jump on me. 

He glanced behind his shoulder and his eyes zeroed on my ankle. He came up to me and put one of his arms under my knees and one around my back and lifted me up effortlessly. At this point, I was grateful. 

I just wanted to soak in a bath and go to sleep. He started walking and the gentle sway made it hard for me to keep my eyes open. My head lolled against his chest and my nose inhaled his spicy scent, before I fell asleep. 

______________________________________

"About time you woke up." A voice spoke next to my ear. 

I slowly sat up and looked over at Geoff sitting in a chair next to the bed. I looked around and saw that I was in the first room I saw when I entered this house. The one with grey walls. An eerily similar shade to his eyes. 

His blonde hair was slicked back and his shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. Why I was noting his appearance, I didn't know. 

I smelled food and that's when he put a plate in front of me. 

"Eat." 

I rolled my eyes. He was ordering me around like a dog. 

"You need to drop the attitude, young lady." He said as I took a bite of the chicken parmesan. 

"And you need to stop ordering me around like I'm a dog." 

We both had a stare off and I didn't want to be the one to back down, but I was hungry, so I ate some more of the food in my plate. 

"Where's my mother?" I asked him after I ate every morsel of food on my plate. 

"That's none of your concern Ramara." He said my name as it was something filthy to utter. 

I wiped my mouth. "Excuse me? That's my mother we're talking about."

"The same mother who doesn't care about you."

I narrowed my eyes at him.

"What are you playing at? You say these things to me, yet you act as if you're her bodyguard whenever she's around?" I crossed my arms across my chest. 

"I'm a defence attorney, not a bodyguard." He mirrored my pose. 

"Sure looks like it though." I muttered as I got up and collected my dishes. 

I made my way downstairs and put my dishes in the dishwasher. There were a few plates in the sink, so I loaded those in the dishwasher as well. 

As I started the machine, I realized there was cream smeared on my cuts and scratches. I looked across the counter and met Geoff's grey gaze. 

"Did you do this?" I pointed at my scratches. 

He gave me a look as if saying 'Who else would do it?'

"Thanks." I muttered, even though it was his fault I ran in the first place. 

"I think we've delayed your confessions long enough."

"No."

"No?" His face was stoic as he advanced towards me. 

I couldn't move back, since I was against the dishwasher. 

"I have an attic. Perfect for keeping you till you learn that your confessions are inevitable."

My eyes widened at that. 

"You can't possibly do that. What about school?"

"I don't care as long as you learn that your confessions are non-negotiable."

"You're fucking crazy." I shoved his chest, but he didn't move an inch. 

He leaned into me. 

"Tell me the truth dorogoy. What are you really afraid of? Are you afraid that you don't like it or is it that you're afraid that you like it too much? That it makes you wet?"

I gaped at him. 

"You're delusional."

I tipped my chin and straightened my back. I didn't falter as I took determined steps towards his confession room.