Breaking You (Blackthorn Elite 2)

Finding some extra reading material, I browse through the shelves, trying to forget anybody that starts with the letter W. When I find three books, I sit down at one of the tables, all the way in the corner. The area is secluded, and it makes me feel like I’m in my own little reading fort.

This is another plus of attending this school. The library is pristine in every way. The chair I’m sitting in right now is so comfortable, I bet it cost more than the entire contents of my apartment. No, I don’t think, I know.

Opening the first book, I take a deep calming breath. The smell of the paper actually helps my nerves. Running my fingers along the pages, I calm further. I spend the next few hours with my nose between those pages. Studying enough for the next three tests.

By the time I’m done, the library is closing up, and it’s already getting dark outside. I quietly curse under my breath, I shouldn’t have stayed this long. Walking through my neighborhood after dark is not the best idea, the break-in is a stark reminder of that. But what choice do I have now? Call Warren and ask him to take me in? Ha… not in a million years. I’d rather get mugged.

I check out the books and stuff them all into my backpack. Slinging the heavy bag over my shoulder, I walk outside. Cold wind penetrates my clothes, making me shiver deeply as I start walking toward my place. I’m not even off the campus when I get this eerie feeling that someone is watching me. Turning, I look over my shoulder a few times but don’t see anyone.

Making my feet move even faster, my slow walk becomes a slow jog, but I don’t make it far before a large figure steps in front of me, cutting me off. It takes a second for my eyes to adjust, but when they do, all I can do is shake my head.

James. The creep from the party.

“Well, hello there,” he greets, the tone of his voice is like nails on a chalkboard to my ears. If he’s trying to be seductive, it’s not working.

“Hi,” I say, only trying to be polite and attempt to move past him. He steps sideways to block my way, shaking his head at me.

“Not so fast.” He puts his arm out.

“What do you want?” I grip onto my backpack strap a little harder. As it turns out, it’s not just the people in my neighborhood I have to worry about. It’s here too.

“I heard what you’ve been telling people about me. That was a mistake, bitch,” he growls, taking a step toward me. “Maybe I should show you how big my dick is? Maybe take some pictures while I fill your mouth with it?”

I know a bad situation when I see one, so before he’s even done talking, I spin around and start running. I only make it about three steps before he slams into my back, knocking me to the ground. My kneecaps hit the ground so hard, I’m pretty sure I’ve shattered the bone. Pain shoots through my body like lightning, making me cry out.

On my hands and knees, I try to crawl away from him in a last effort to get away. But his meaty fingers are digging into my arms, pulling me backward. This is a nightmare, a complete nightmare.

Looking around, I hope that someone might see us, anyone, but I wouldn’t get that lucky. No one is going to save me. James is going to hurt me, and no one will even know.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going? I’m not done with you, not by a long shot.” He pulls me back to my feet and starts dragging me behind him. “I’m going to show you what I would have done to you if you were in your apartment than night I came to visit.”

My mind is too busy, too panic stricken to make sense of what he is saying right now. All I can think of is fighting him. I don’t know where he’s taking me. I’m frantically trying to get away from him. Screaming and trying to pull away, doing anything I can to succeed in getting away.

My thoughts get hazy. Then, as if he knows I’m going to draw attention to us eventually, he starts yelling at me to shut up and slaps a hand over my mouth. I do everything I can, bite him, scratch him, and kick him, but he is too strong. He easily overpowers me and continues to drag me to wherever the hell it is he wants to go.

With his arms wrapped so tightly around me, it’s hard to breathe, and black spots appear in my vision. No. I gasp. For a moment, I think I’m going to pass out, my limbs grow heavy, and my vision blurs.