Waking up, I felt a throbbing pain in my head, surrounded by the sterile scent of antiseptic. The harsh hospital lighting made me blink as I struggled to recall the events leading to this moment.
As memories surged, the vibrant music and lively lights of the night replayed in my mind before succumbing to sudden darkness. Gently exploring my temple, I could feel the tenderness beneath the bandages, while the echoes of the assault reverberated like a haunting melody. Yet, the intricate details of the events that followed remained just out of reach.
The rhythmic beep of the heart monitor blended with the distant hum of hospital activity, creating a backdrop to my disoriented thoughts. Shifting my gaze to the left, I found my friends and Aleric, their expressions filled with genuine worry, all illuminated by the harsh hospital lighting. A hushed conversation unfolded as they gathered around, each face etched with deep concern, providing a semblance of comfort in the midst of uncertainty.
"Thank goodness you're awake," Michelle rushed to me, her eyes filled with relief but guilt evident. Hailey nodded in agreement, their support tangible in the sterile air of the hospital room.
Aleric, stood at the corner of the ward and with the look on his face he's angry and disappointed at same time
The rhythmic beat of the heart monitor acted as a clear reminder of life's delicate nature. Unspoken questions hung in the air, silently asking: How did a night filled with celebration turn into this unexpectedly somber scene?
A nurse noticed my stirring and approached with a soothing voice amid the disorientation.
"You're in the hospital. Take it easy," she said, adjusting an IV line. "You were brought in after an incident at the club. Do you remember what happened?"
I nodded, tears flooding my eyes.
Flashes of the chaotic scene flickered in my mind—a jumble of faces and emotions. I nodded again, a mix of fear and confusion clouding my thoughts.
I was aware of the rape but the details of how I ended up in this situation eluded me. The memories were fragmented, and the journey from the assault to waking up here remained shrouded in uncertainty. It was a perplexing puzzle, leaving me grappling with the pieces, trying to reconstruct a narrative that was both unsettling and crucial to understanding the events that had transpired.
The medical staff meticulously carried out their assessments, and amidst their clinical procedures, I couldn't rid myself of the feeling of vulnerability that stuck with me.It was quite different from the lively club atmosphere just hours before. This unexpected turn of events
In this unexpected turn of events,things took a surprising and unforeseen direction, catching me off guard, I had accidentally found myself in a crucial part of my life, one that would change my journey in ways I never expected.
"I was raped How did I end up here?" I questioned, my voice carrying the weight of both confusion and sorrow. Michelle, standing beside me, wore an expression that blended disbelief with guilt. The hospital room seemed to absorb the heavy air as the nurses exited, leaving us alone with the silent burden of an unspoken truth. They already know I was raped with the gult on their faces
"Alison, this has been my concern all along... and now, I'm left in the dark about what's going on in your father's mind. He's furious with me," Aleric's voice carried a simmering anger, and the revelation of my father's involvement heightened the drumming in my chest. It was as if an unexpected twist had been added to an already complicated plot, leaving me with more questions than answers.
I attempted to piece together the entire incident, delving into my memory in search of any details about my rapist,But amidst the quest to recall the details, my mind fixated solely on the lingering pain, a visceral reminder of the brutal rape that had left me shattered
At the party, right around 11:30, the realization dawned that you weren't with us. Panic set in, Frantically, we searched the club, growing more worried with each passing moment.Aleric joined the search, and together, we scoured every nook and cranny," Hailey recounted her voice trembling with emotion, and tears streaking down her face, revealing the depth of her feelings
"We found you along the hallway of the VIP lounges, unconscious with bloods," she concluded, and the weight of the truth hit me like a tidal wave. I couldn't hold back the tears, a mixture of pain, fear, and the realization that I had become a victim of a senseless act of violence.
As the room buzzed with the gravity of the situation, a nurse approached, offering updates on my condition and the necessary steps for recovery. The camaraderie of friends and the steadfast presence of Aleric provided a glimmer of comfort amid the uncertainty.
*********
As I entered my home, the heaviness of the night stuck to me like a stubborn shadow. The walls, which used to be comforting, now felt like they were squeezing in, echoing the silent pain inside. Even though I left the hospital on the same day, the medicines and recovery tips didn't offer much comfort.
The fact that my father wasn't there when I needed him made the ache in my heart even stronger. His silence left me dealing with everything on my own.
Every corner of my home reminded me of the vulnerability I felt. It was hard to escape the memories, and even simple things like eating became a challenge. The assault didn't just leave physical scars; it created a trauma that kept playing in my mind.
During this tough time, my friends Michelle and Hailey tried their best to lift the weight off my shoulders. They stayed with me, giving advice and trying to distract me from the tough memories. Their support was like a safety net, showing me that the assault wasn't the end of who I am.
During the first two weeks, my safe space became a mix of comfort and confinement. Michelle and Hailey were like anchors, giving me a break from the tough times I was going through. Their friendship acted as a shield, protecting me from the harsh reality of what I'd been through. But, there was a challenge coming up – a move to Seattle. In just a week, Tania and Hailey would leave New York to start college in Seattle and I'd have to deal with everything on my own.
*****
( SIX MONTHS AFTER )
The memories of that night at the club replayed, like a relentless film, trapping me in a vivid loop that refused to fade. The scenes unfolded with haunting clarity, each moment etched into my consciousness, making it impossible to escape the grasp of those unsettling events.
The identity of the person concealed behind the mysterious black mask lingered on the edge of my consciousness, playing tricks on my memory until, with a sudden revelation, recognition struck me like a burst of lightning.
Startled, I awoke from the dream, panic gripping me, and I found myself gasping for air. The scenes persisted, unfolding like an unwelcome encore. In that crucial moment of revelation, I pieced together the puzzle, and the face became unmistakable—Anthonio!
The vivid details rushed back—his hazel eyes with a slightly almond shape with it's piercing gaze his tattooed chest, the sprawls across his chest, his Medium length side-parted hair with neatly trimmed sides, the sharp lines of his jaw. The weight of realization crashed over me like a relentless wave, and I teetered on the brink of losing consciousness at this shocking revelation.
Suddenly, a knock on the door startled me; the dream's remnants lingered, Anthonio's masked face still vividly replaying in my mind. I stared at the door with wide eyes, fear gripping me at the thought of Anthonio knocking.
"Alison," the voice called, but fear held me captive.
"Alison," the voice became clearer, jolting me back to reality. It's Aleric, his deep, reassuring tone breaking through the remnants of my haunting dreams. His presence provided a comforting anchor, grounding me in the waking world and dispelling the lingering shadows of the night.
After a moment of hesitation, I finally rose from the bed and made my way to the door. "Alison..." his voice called out again. "I'm on my way," I replied with a sense of anticipation. As the lock clicked open, the door swung open, revealing the familiar figure of Aleric. The air buzzed with unspoken tension
"Good morning, Rick," I greeted him with a hint of curiosity in my voice.
"Morning… Can I come in?" he inquired, a departure from his usual routine of just calling from the doorway. Intrigued, I nodded, granting him entry, and he stepped into my room, breaking the unspoken boundary that had confined our interactions to the threshold
Aleric settled into the chair in my room, his eyes gliding stylishly across the surroundings, creating an air of mystery. I couldn't help but wonder what brought him to my room at this early hour
"michelle and Hailey left for Seattle?" Aleric finally broke the lingering silence, and his question hung in the air, shattering the quiet tension.
"Yeah," I sighed, the weight of Anthonio's haunting presence and Michelle and Hailey absence still lingering in my thoughts.
"Sorry they were your only friends..." His voice carried a mix of concern and pity, and his gaze met mine.
I only nodded, trying to figure out where the conversation was leading
Michelle and Hailey left for Seattle after a week of the incident, but they're always checking up on me. We have group chats almost every night, and their conversations work wonders to keep my mind off the incident.
"I got a call from your dad this morning," Aleric paused, adding suspense to the room. My heart raced; my father seldom called, and Aleric's expression hinted at a reason beyond casual conversation, or maybe I was overthinking.
"Why?" I urged him to continue, eager for an explanation.
"He talked about what he's been doing in Seattle and asked about your well-being," Aleric shared. Skepticism crept in; my father rarely inquired about my welfare. Was Rick trying to shield me from something unsettling, or was it genuinely my father reaching out?
"And he said we're moving to Seattle," he dropped the bomb. My frown deepened; the sudden relocation puzzled me.
"Why are we moving to Seattle all of a sudden?" I asked, probing for more details.
"Your father's new business is established there. He can't be living in New York with his business in Seattle, Washington," Aleric explained, but the look on his face hinted at underlying complexities.
"So you should get ready. We're moving before the end of the week since you're starting college in two weeks," he added. The impending move left me with questions about our New York home.
"What happens to our house in New York and my school, I already gain admission to NYU" I inquired, seeking clarity.
"He would probably resell it or innovatethe house and about your college, he told me he has taken care of it, and you're attending SU," Aleric shrugged, leaving room for uncertainty.
well I'm happy I'll be attending SU but the twist of fate stirred my emotions, bringing anxiety about relocating to Seattle, especially with Anthonio residing there. What if he finds me?
"You'll meet your friends there, attend SU and won't have to be lonely," Aleric reassured as he got up. I pondered the possibilities - Maybe Rick is right I have a chance to reunite with Michelle and Hailey, even attend my dream college.
But a wild thought crossed my mind: what if moving to Seattle became an opportunity to confront Anthonio and seek revenge? The idea seemed crazy, yet the prospect of reclaiming control ignited a spark of determination.
The mere idea of seeking revenge on Anthonio, a prominent figure in Seattle, seemed like a crazy notion. I pondered the impossibility of exposing his actions to the public, considering the stark contrast in our locations - him residing in Seattle, and me in New York.
I toyed with the idea of seeking revenge on Anthonio, but reality hit—I can't simply wake up one morning and spill the beans to the public. It's not that straightforward, especially considering I'm in New York and Anthonio is ruling the roost in Seattle
Frustrated, I fell back onto my bed. But the determination to hold him accountable for the trauma he inflicted pushed me to devise a plan.
"I won't let him go scot-free after the trauma he inflicted on me," I vowed silently. The notion of keeping it a secret crossed my mind; maybe I needed to unveil the mystery behind the mask he always wore. I was convinced there was more to Anthonio than met the eye, hidden behind that mask.
Alright, I've decided to play it close to the chest. Unraveling the mystery behind Anthonio's mask is my next move—I'm convinced he's hiding more than just his face behind that enigmatic facade.
There's a hunch that he's entangled in some shady business, and that mask is his shield. Time to unveil the secrets behind the mask and expose whatever Anthonio is desperately trying to conceal. This could be the key to turning the tables on him
The thought of exposing what was behind that mask lingered, envisioning a scenario where the public would finally know what he had done to me, and he would face the consequences. A sly smile formed on my lips at the prospect of orchestrating his downfall.
"I don't know how I'll go about it, but I know I'll get back at him. Let's wait till I get to Seattle.
The determination to confront him simmered beneath the surface, setting the stage for a fierce confrontation upon my arrival in Seattle
" Anthonio, prepare for the worst!"