Reaching out to grab Jen's hand, Mark then led her through the pitch-black darkness and toward the door, "Come on."

When they reached the truck, Mark opened the door for her to get in and then went around to get in and drive them off as quickly as possible. Jen handed over the keys, looking him over a bit, worried about his condition, "Are you alright enough to drive? It looked like Henry really hurt you."

"I'm fine, don't worry. I'm going to get you to my place now." Mark responded with a nod, starting up the truck and getting them out of there.

Ten minutes later, they turned onto a driveway from off of a back road. Mark's home was pretty secluded. It was a small brown, brick house lit up just a tiny bit because he had left his porch light on. It seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. There were no neighboring houses, just trees. "This it is. You'll be safe here with me, Henry doesn't know about it." Mark assured Jen, but her only response was a small nod.
Once they exited the truck, Mark grabbed Jen's suitcase and carried it for her as they entered the home, "I have a guestroom. You can unpack in there, or I can help you." But Jen shook her head, "It's fine, thank you. I can handle it."

She was a bit distant and distraught, Mark could tell, "Okay... well that's it right there, if you want to go ahead." He pointed to a door on the right. Nodding, Jen grabbed her suitcase and head toward the guestroom. Mark spoke up again, "Jen…"
She paused, looking back at him from over her shoulder.

"It's gonna' be okay. We'll get through this." He tried to assure her, wanting to be of comfort since he knew Henry's assault was bothering her. Again, Jen merely nodded and then entered the room to begin unpacking. Mark sighed, knowing that she would be suffering for a while.

After unpacking just a few small things, Jen flopped onto the bed in a sitting position, silent in thought as her mind raced with what had happened plus some of Henry's words echoing: 'You're still just pathetic little Jen.' … 'YOU, Jen. YOU.' … 'Didn't see you resisting, babe' … 'You were just so easily gullible'

Feeling like she might cry, Jen covered her face with her hands.

Mark approached the door, "Hey Jen, I'm going to start making us some dinner. Are you…" but he paused, noticing how she currently was, "..hey, are you alright?". His tone was soft and kind. Uncovering her face, Jen nodded, wanting to be strong and act like nothing was wrong, "Yeah, I'm fine."
"Can I come in..?" Mark asked, softly.
"Sure…" Jen nodded again.

Mark sighed and walked in, taking a seat gently down next to her, but Jen's eyes wouldn't meet his.
She stared to the side, at a wall.

"Listen Jen…" He began, his voice gentle and comforting, "We're going to get through this. And Henry will pay, trust me…" Jen nodded once more, "I think I'd like to take a nap. You can go ahead and still cook."
Mark stood, nodding before heading out the door again, "I'm right out here. And you're safe. Let me know if you need anything before I come get you for dinner." He pulled the door shut behind him, but left it open in a crack.

Jen flopped back onto the bed, quickly drifting off to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. It was as if she had been awake for days, though she hadn't. It was all her stress and emotions draining her physically. A rest was just what she needed, however, it would not come pleasantly. The same echoing words from Henry repeated themselves, as well as being followed by the nightmare of his assault. Jen began to toss and turn, crying out as well, "NO!"

Mark had been in the kitchen, carrying some utensils toward the table when he heard her scream. He let them drop to the floor in the rush to her room and felt relief when he saw she was only dreaming. Leaning over her on the bed, he shook her lightly, "Jen. It's okay, wake up."

Jen's eyes shot open and she gasped, not fully awake enough or aware of her surroundings. Before she could get focused and control herself, she swung a fist and struck Mark in the face, sending him to the floor. Still freaking out and hyperventilating, she ended up rolling herself right off the other side of the bed. Mark got up and quickly rushed to her side, trying to calm her, "Hey, hey… it's alright Jen. It's just me. Mark."

"God… I'm so sorry Mark. I thought you were…" Jen began, but he stopped her, "I know…I understand."

She shook her head, "Still… that was horrible, I should have waited until I was more awake. I just… had a nightmare…" She apologized. Mark understood and nodded, "Hey, it's okay. I know… I understand." He then extended a hand to help her up and she took it.

As the doorbell rang out suddenly, Jen gasped. Mark smiled, "Don't worry, that's just dinner. I decided to order out from a local Italian restaurant. Chicken alfredo pasta with a side of broccoli and cauliflower. It's great, I've had it before. And I have some sodas, beer, and even a bottle of wine I think."

Jen chuckled nervously, "I wouldn't say no to a drink right now. And the food sounds wonderful, thank you."
Mark smiled again, "Drinks are sitting on the kitchen counter, you go ahead and pick out what you'd like while I get the door." Jen entered the kitchen and chose to grab a beer before sitting down at the table and waiting for Mark to set up the food.

The dinner was a mostly quiet one. Mark had stated to Jen that if she felt the need to talk, she was free to if she wanted. He didn't want her to hold everything in. Jen only shook her head, drinking down her beer faster than usual and remaining quiet.

Mark sighed, worrying about her refusal to let things out and her sudden strong love of drinking, because after downing that beer, she began a second one. In addition, Jen had maybe only three or four bites of food before stating she was done and not feeling well.
He just nodded and responded softly, "Okay."

Jen excused herself, taking the unfinished second beer along with her to her room.