Episode 13

Adam: "Sara, what are you hiding?"

Sara keeps her head down. I study her for a moment, noticing she's scrambling for words to dodge the question.

If you're going to lie, better say nothing at all!

Sara: "Lara was right; Adam can read people, and he seems to sense I'd fabricate some excuse.

I don't feel safe enough to open up to you, Adam. I don't trust that you'll believe me, let alone protect me from what I fear."

Adam: "If I gave you that impression, you got it wrong, Sara. In anger, I promised you hell and I delivered, but I'd never let anyone hurt you. I can be ruthless in hatred, but I'm no monster."

Sara: I take a deep breath and ponder deeply.

I've never been good at reading people. Even when I could see, I was consistently deceived; blindness made it worse because living in darkness when you're fearful is daunting. I need time; I'll tell you when I can articulate this without feeling choked and when I trust you enough for that.

Adam: "We can call off the party if you're not up for it.

I must be out of my mind; I can hardly believe I'm the one saying this."

Sara: "No need, I want to experience a pool party. I led a confined life, Adam, limited by my disability, and haven't experienced much."

Adam falls silent; I'm not sure what he's doing. Then I feel him grab my hand.

Adam: After hearing Sara's wish, I decide we'll go down.

"Let's head down, then. Sara, there will be a lot of people here today, and my friends can be insensitive, so don't leave my side." I'm honest when I say I won't let anyone harm you.

Sara: I nod in agreement, and we descend hand in hand. I hear many voices; the music isn't too loud, and Adam starts introducing me to some people. He sits me on his lap, and I blush.

Is this necessary?

Adam: "Like I said, there are a lot of clueless people around, and I won't leave you unprotected with that swimsuit outlining every curve of your body. It's bad enough that these fools are eyeing you like that."

Sara shifts uncomfortably on my lap. Josiane passes by, giving us a stare – she really doesn't know her place. I adjust Sara at my side, hand on her back, careful not to touch her disrespectfully. My friends are having fun; they approach to chat, and I notice how they look at Sara.

"Do you want to go into the pool?"

Sara: "I can't swim, Adam."

Adam: "I'll be with you."

Sara nods, her fear evident. I seat her at the pool's edge, step in, and lift her by the waist. She's tense and wraps her arms around my neck. I hate the turmoil this closeness causes me, but since I put her in the pool, I'm committed to staying by her side however she feels safest. I see her smiling as I walk with her toward the deeper part.

Sara: I missed this. I loved the sun-soaked days, and even in the shallow end, being in the pool felt incredible.

Adam's breath and cool exhalation are close; he kept his promise to keep an eye on me and hasn't been drinking, just having non-alcoholic drinks with me.

Adam: Alan comes barreling in, yelling and cannonballing into the pool. His splash startles Sara.

"It's just the idiot Alan showing off, Sara."

Sara: "I'm tired, Adam. I'm going to lie down for a bit."

Adam: "The pool house is crowded, but the main house is empty. I'll take you up to the bedroom."

Sara: Adam escorts me to the bedroom in silence.

Adam: "Are you feeling alright?"

Sara: "Physically, yes. Thank you, Adam."

Adam: "Do you want me to stay?"

Sara: "No need. Go back to the party; I want to rest a little."

Adam: I leave the room and rejoin the party only to find that the idiot Alan brought Ravena over. Ravena is my longest fling.

Ravena (Adam's ex-flame)

Ravena: "Your wife is beautiful, Adam. You know when I'm lying, so believe me when I say I'm sincere. I'm glad someone managed to thaw your icy heart!"

Adam: "You know I'm not much for small talk." Being direct, I thank you for the kind words, but now you can leave.

Ravena: "Wow, still as brusque as ever. I'm heading out. Only came because Alan said he wanted me here. Goodbye, Adam!"

Adam: Ravena leaves, and her words nag at me – what does she mean by "Alan said he wanted her here"? Alan calls for the music to be louder, and I start looking for him at the party; night has fallen, and guests keep stopping me for chat.

In Adam's room...

Sara: I hear stealthy footsteps and startle. I clutch at the covers, trying to shield myself. I avoided showering for fear of someone intruding, and I'm still in my swimsuit.

"Who's there?"

Alan: I sneak up to Adam's room undetected and pin Sara beneath me on the bed, her struggles futile against my weight.

"Hey there, blind girl."

Sara: I try to scream, but Alan clamps my mouth shut. His hand is large, covering my nose. I weaken in the struggle; he removes his hand when I'm nearly fainting, and I feel a knife press against my neck as I gasp desperately for air.

Alan: "Scream and I'll kill you, blind girl. You might not know, but I have a habit of sharing toys with Adam. We're going to have a little fun, and you'll keep quiet about it."

Sara: Alan presses the knife; I feel it prick my neck. He kisses me violently; I bite down hard on his lip, but with no chance to defend myself, he hits me, blood fills my mouth, and I'm left disoriented. He tears off my swimsuit top, and I keep struggling to free myself, pleading through sobs for him to stop. His repellent hands rove over my body, and a fierce bite near my collarbone prompts a scream; he responds with an even harder slap.

Alan: "Like biting, do you, bitch? How about being bitten? I was going to be gentle, and you might have even enjoyed it, but now, I'm going to screw you like you deserve, you whore."

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***