Chapter Four-Nightmares

"Oh my God…Kori, he didn't. He wasn't here; this is just some freaky dream we're both having…no, Kor. It didn't happen…" Richard murmured into her scarlet hair.

Kori sniffled again. "But it did."

"I'm going to kill him with my own two hands," Richard seethed. "Why would he do this?"

"He was angry," Kori whimpered. "He said you didn't deserve me and he wanted to show me that."

"How long ago did this happen?" Richard asked, holding her at arms length from himself.

Kori glanced at her clock.

"It was about ten-thirty," she whispered finally.

"And you're absolutely sure it was Roy?" Richard queried, hugging her fragile form to his muscular body.

"I am certain," Kori answered into his chest. She began shaking again, still frightened.

"Please, Kori, I need to know exactly what happened," he said quietly, rubbing her back soothingly.

"Yes, of course. But you must promise me one thing, Richard," the frightened girl replied.

"Anything for you, sweetheart," Richard agreed. "What?"

"That you will stay until I am not afraid anymore," Kori pleaded. "I am still so scared and-"

"I wouldn't dream of leaving," Richard assured her, locking his gaze with hers. It was plain to see in her eyes that she was petrified.

"Then this is what happened."

FLASHBACK

Kori was curled up in her bed, reading her very battered copy of The Notebook. Strains of Mariah Carey floated in the background as Kori relaxed with her novel. She sang along softly, content and cozy under her warm blankets.

There was no interruption to the teenaged girl's quiet evening until she heard a noise from the hallway outside her bedroom.

"Hello? Mother, Daddy?"

There was no response. A bit more on guard than she'd been before, Kori eagerly turned back to the romance novel.

A couple minutes later, she distinctly heard a bump from the hall. Deciding that two noises in such a short space was something to be concerned about, Kori swung her long, slender legs out of bed, wrapped an emerald green terry cloth bathrobe around her slender figure and ventured into the hall.

"Who is there? I wish for you to show yourself," she said bravely. "And I assure you that if I am harmed in any way, my father will-"

"Calm down, honey," said a voice smoothly. "It's just me, your Prince Charming."

"Richard?" she inquired. "Is your guy's night out over? Perhaps we shall watch a movie on television?"

"No, no, sugar. It's not that big dope you call a boyfriend. It's me. Roy."

"Roy? Why are you in my home?" Kori asked, puzzled.

"I'm rescuing you, cutie." He stepped closer, and Kori could now dimly make out his features. Roy wore a rather ugly look of triumph and glee.

"Erm, I do not require rescuing at this moment. You may return home now," Kori chirped. She turned away, but Roy snatched her robe and wheeled her around to face him.

"Oh but you do," he murmured in what he clearly thought was a silky, seductive tone that scared Kori deeply. She shuddered.

"You and I, Kori, are very special people. We're intelligent; we have bright futures ahead of ourselves. Unlike Richard Grayson," he added with a snarl.

"Excuse me, Roy, but I love Richard very much and I do not appreciate you speaking of him in such a way," Kori snapped, removing his hand from her shoulder. "You will go home now or the police will be called."

"You're adorable when you're angry. It's sexy," he breathed, pulling her roughly to his chest.

Only then did Kori realize Roy's intentions. She struggled, trying to get away from him, but he was stronger than she was. He looked into her jade eyes, mistook her fear for desire, and smashed his lips over hers.

Kori froze in terror. She was hoping he'd stop and leave or that Richard would show up and rescue her.

'Richard,' she thought. 'Please, I need you now.'

"That's better, isn't it?" Roy questioned smugly. "Now you realize it's me you loved all along."

His hands moved to her waist and slowly untied her bathrobe.

"R-Roy, p-please, I don't l-love you," Kori stammered. "I l-love R-R-Richard."

"No you don't honey. He'll never be able to satisfy you like I can."

"I do NOT need to be 'satisfied' at this point in my life!" Kori shrieked. "Please go! I have done nothing to you!"

"Shh, Princess. It'll all be over soon…"

END FLASHBACK

Kori cried into Richard's shoulder as she finished her tale. He tried to avoid touching her, seeing as how she shuddered every time he did. All he could do was let her cry and tell her it'd be OK.

Kori lifted her face from his shoulder and Richard gently wiped her tears.

"I HATE him," she burst savagely. "I hope he rots in-"

"I know, baby. I know," Richard soothed. "I hate him too. But right now we have to decide what we're going to do."

"We cannot go to the police. H-He informed me that if I did, he would hurt my friends and family," Kori said in a terrified whisper. "I could not bear it if they were hurt because of me."

"And I can't bear seeing you like this," Richard replied. "It hurts to know that it's really my fault you're in this position. Oh, Kori, don't hate me," he pleaded, finally enveloping her willowy figure in his arms and resting his head atop hers.

"It is no one's fault but Roy's," Kori murmured into his chest.

"If I hadn't gone out with my friends I would have been here," Richard protested. "I'm so sorry," he breathed.

"It's not your fault. I love you, Richard. It's always been you."

"I'm going to kill him," Richard muttered. "With my own hands."

"He is not worth it," Kori spat bitterly. "Why would he do this?" she asked, suddenly breaking down and bursting into tears again.

"I don't know, angel. I wish I did."

Richard rocked Kori back and forth gently, letting her cry and wishing he could as well. He had to be strong for her. He had to.

"Hey Kori?" he inquired some time later. "When are your mom and dad supposed to get home?"

"Two," Kori slurred, half asleep. "But you cannot leave me!" she added urgently. "I am still scared, Richard. You promised."

"I know, baby. I just left my car and I need to move it."

"Oh," she replied, burrowing deeper into his arms. He was making her feel better: safe and loved.

Richard absentmindedly fiddled with a strand of her crimson tresses, twirling it loosely around his finger.

"Perhaps you should move it around the corner," she suggested. "I will wait."

"OK."

He let go of Kori, much to her displeasure, found his keys, and crept out of the Anders' manor.

He returned fifteen minutes later, bringing with him two cups of Starbuck's.

"Here, baby. This is your favorite, isn't it?" Richard asked, holding out the steaming styrofoam cup.

"Yes. Thank you," she responded gratefully, taking it from him. Kori took a sip and instantly felt its warmth spread to every inch of her body.

"I still want to know how he got in the house," Richard informed her quietly.

"I realized this while you were gone," Kori said. "I recall my father saying the new pool boy might come by to pick up his check. He mentioned the pool boy's name was Harper."

"That fits," Richard said, sitting beside her again. She snuggled her face into his neck. Her warm breath gently tickled his skin, and he kissed the top of her head.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I'm so sorry."

"I know you won't let him hurt me," Kori said, voice muffled.

"Are you going to tell your parents?"

"No," Kori whispered. "They would tell the police," she whimpered, wrapping both of her arms around his right one.

"My poor baby," he murmured, putting his coffee on the floor and pulling her onto his lap. Kori hid her face in his chest, crying again.

"Shh, angel, it's going to be alright."

Le gasp! What will happen next?

Review, please!

Love

Queenie