The Initiation (Darkness Within Duet 1)

She was part of them. Joining with them wouldn’t be hard. It would be thrilling. Exciting.

They do bad things.

This made her stop. She knew their reputations. Some of it had to be gossip, but when it came to their fathers, it was all true.

She started walking again and paused when she heard some rustling beside her.

Was it a fox?

Shaking her head at how stupid it was to watch out for a fox, she kept on walking. Just as she made it past the clearing, someone grabbed her.

Arms wrapped around her neck, and she was pulled into the woods.

She didn’t have time to let out a scream as the person cut off any sound with the strength of his grip across her windpipe. Slammed to the ground, she felt a kick to the ribs that had her gasping for breath.

Whoever it was didn’t speak as he moved between her legs. His fingers were around her neck as he started to tug and attack her jeans.

She’d never been so thankful for how well-fitted they were. Her old jeans were always so big they would have pulled down easily.

Thank you, Hannah.

Clawing at the hand around her throat, she scored her nails into his flesh. He cried out, drawing his hand back and punching her in the face.

She saw stars, and tears filled her eyes as he went back to attacking her jeans.

Come on, Harper.

Fight.

Don’t let this happen.

She tried to push him off, but he kept overpowering her. His hand was once against across her neck. Grabbing his thumb, she yanked, hard. He cried out, and as he released her windpipe, she took in a breath, and screamed. It wasn’t enough before his hand was covering her mouth again.

No.

I don’t want this.

No.

Just as he got her jeans undone and started working her legs, he was pulled off her.

Out of nowhere, Draven, Axel, Buck, and Jett were there, all four of them. She sat up, moving back, but she couldn’t look away.

They dropped to the ground the man who’d been attacking her. Each of them landed blow, after blow, after blow. There was no way the man could escape.

She saw the blood as it spilled from his body.

Jett had stopped using his hands and fists and instead was cutting him, slashing at his flesh, opening him up as if he was some science experiment.

Her stomach rolled.

When the man was silent, they all stared at each other, before Draven moved toward her. She didn’t flinch away as he picked her up in his arms. Axel removed his jacket and placed it over her. It was then she realized the man had torn open her shirt and exposed her upper body in the fight.

“Thank you.”

Axel nodded.

“I’ll be back,” Draven said.

“We’ll be waiting,” Axel said.

Jett didn’t stay with them. He came with Draven as they carried her back to their cars.

“You found me,” she said.

“It wasn’t hard to do. We weren’t far from the school when we got your message.”

“I missed you. I didn’t know what to do.”

“You should have waited at the school. We’d have come for you,” Draven said. “Next time, wait there.”

“Don’t leave me then. Trouble seems to find me quite easily.”

“No kidding.” He helped her into the car, and she held Axel’s jacket against her body.

Jett climbed into the back. No one spoke. Silence filled the car, and she found it even more strange that no one was talking about what had just happened.

She wasn’t about to speak. Her body shook. She was in shock.

Draven arrived at her home, and once again, he carried her inside. He didn’t dump her and leave. He took her upstairs, and she was very much aware of Jett following them this time. Draven set her down on the toilet seat as he filled her bathtub.

With Jett watching, Draven stripped her of her clothes, and then helped her in the bath. She still held Axel’s jacket in front of her. It gave her a little modesty but not much.

“I’ll be back,” Draven said. “Watch her.”

Jett nodded. Harper stared at Draven. He’d taken her clothes with him. Jett sat on the toilet, his gaze on her.

“You don’t have to stay.”

“You’re in a bit of shock. No one will leave you alone.”

“I’m fine.”

“Stop trying to be a hard ass, Harper. It doesn’t suit you.”

She smiled. “You were all gone today.”

“Did you miss us?”

“Yes. I’m not used to missing anyone.”

“I know the feeling.”

She held Axel’s jacket to her body and sat up. Jett made no move to stop her.

“Did you find out who ruined my locker?”

“Yes. We know who it was.”

“Are you going to tell me?” she asked.

“When you’re ready.”

She averted her gaze, closing her eyes. Her head hurt, but then, she did have it punched so she figured it was more than fine for her to be hurting right about now.

As she rubbed her temple with the tips of her fingers, her stomach turned. A wave of sickness rushed over her, but she didn’t throw up. In the next second, it settled down, and she eased back in the tub, trying to relax. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the guy.