Chapter 24

Callie's fingers pressed against her phone as she texted Brandon, letting him know she would be waiting by the car. They both had to stay after school for different reasons and planned to drive home together. She had finished a few minutes early and made her way to the car. Callie slipped her phone into her back pocket as she leaned against the car. She watched as a squirrel climbed up a nearby tree as she basked in the fresh air.

"Hello Callie."

Callie spun around at the familiar, dreadful voice. Her breath got caught in her throat as her eyes met those of her nightmare. Overwhelming terror filled every inch of her body. He wasn't supposed to be here. He wasn't supposed to come anywhere near her. Everyone told her she was safe. Before she had the chance to move, he lunged towards her, swinging his fist hard into her jaw. Black spots danced in her vision and she felt her body sway before she crashed to the ground.

Callie's eyes fluttered open, blinking repeatedly as she adjusted to the light Slowly sat up from her spot on the hard-wooden floor. She opened her stiff jaw, clenching her fists at the pain that sparked through it at the movement. Her head throbbed painfully and her stomach churned. It took her a moment to recall the event that led her to this moment: Vico.

She could feel the bile rising in her throat and sweat bead across her forehead. She clutched her curls back as she emptied the contents of her stomach on the ground. She planted her shaky feet on the floor when she finished. Her eyes scanned the unfurnished room. The wall and ceiling were littered with paint splatter and different words and pictures. Wyatt's old house.

She felt slight relief knowing that she wasn't far from home. She started for the bedroom door, but it suddenly swung open. Her body froze with terror as Vico appeared in the doorway, a smug smirk spread across his lips. "I'm glad you're awake."

Images of him on top of her in the woods flashed through her mind. She darted for the door, but he was quick. He grabbed her shoulders and slammed her against the wall. A small whimpered escaped her lips. One hand grasped her stomach, fearing for the life of her daughter. "What do you want?"

"What do I want?" He growled furiously, pressing his body against hers. "Revenge, but this time against you for opening your big mouth. I told you to keep quiet. Now you've ruined my life."

"I ruined your life? What about my life?" Callie retorted, swallowing down her fear. Did he seriously believe he was the victim? He put her in the hospital for a week. It took months for her to heal physically. A constant anxiety accompanied her since that night. She was forced into a pregnancy, motherhood. He had destroyed any progress she had made in trusting people, letting her walls down, recovering from her past demons. But his life was the one that was ruined."And I didn't tell anyone. They had to bring me to the ER because you almost killed me."

It sounded like enraged thunder as Vico backhanded her face. Her head swung to the opposite side of the impact. Her hand reached up to touch the handprint on her cheek, but Vico grabbed her wrist roughly and shoved her further into the wall. "You better keep your mouth shut or I will kill you."

"Killing a pregnant girl, that'll get you put away for life for sure." Callie knew she was pushing him, but she refused to give in to the fear that he so badly craved from her.

Vico twisted her wrist, his eyes darkening with fury. "You stupid whore!"

Callie inhaled sharply at the familiar pain. She struggled against his grip. "Let go of me!"

"It's such a shame Liam couldn't get out on bail." Vico smirked; one hand continued to grip her wrist while the other slid down to the waistband on her shorts. Callie's breath got caught in her throat as her body tensed, "But now I don't have to share you. I get to have you all to myself."

Callie's stomach lurched. She couldn't believe this was happening yet again. She should have just waited in the school. Other students and faculty were lingering in the school for meetings or after school activities. He wouldn't have been able to follow through with his attack. But instead she figured she'd enjoy the beautiful day while she waited for Brandon. That had been a huge mistake and now she was paying for it.

She blinked back tears and squirmed against him as he popped the button open on her shorts. She used her free hand to claw at his face. This couldn't happen again. "Stop! Get off me!"

Vico's face contorted into utter rage as he brought a hand up to feel the cut she engraved on his cheek. He wrapped his hands around her upper arms in a deathly grip. The malice in his eyes made Callie's heart plummet to her stomach as it pounded wildly. She swore she could hear it beating over the growl that emitted Vico's lips. His nails dug into her arms and he shook her violently before flinging her to the hard ground.

A small gasp escaped Callie's lips as she came in contact with the floor. She placed her hand over her stomach as if to protect her daughter. She slowly scooted backwards until her back was against the wall. Vico loomed above her, his fists clenched and his nostrils flared. The sound of his heavy, erratic breaths assaulted her ears. He was furious. She had pushed him over the edge and now she was going to pay for it. Her body was trembling now, fearing for her life, but mostly fearing for her daughter's life- the helpless, innocent creature growing inside of her, who had no choice but to depend on Callie for protection.

Vico kneeled down before Callie. He grabbed Callie's bruise jaw with his hand, glaring at her with dark eyes. He suddenly yanked her by her shoulders, pushing her onto her back and pinning her wrists above her head with one hand. Stars danced behind her lids at the tight grip he had on her throbbing wrist. The other hand explored her body, pulling at her clothes. His mouth sucked and gnawed at the flesh on her neck. This wasn't real. This wasn't happening. It was just one of the common nightmares that Vico haunted. She would wake up any minute now. Brandon would hold her, stroke her hair, and whisper comforting words in her ear. But no matter how hard she tried to picture Brandon's strong arms wrapped around her, all she could focus on was the paralyzing fear clawing at her insides and Vico's rough hands wandering her body.

"St-stop. Please. Please don't do this." Callie pleaded desperately, unshed tears blurring her vision. She tried to distance herself.

He brought his mouth to her ear, his breath hot against her skin. She had to swallow back the bile. "Relax. Stop pretending like you don't want this."

She choked out a sob as he yanked her jeans down her legs. His hand slipped beneath her underwear. She thrashed against him. "No, stop. Please stop."

He tore off her underwear, grinning. "I'm just giving you what you deserve. You're a slut."

Vico attacked Callie's lips with his, swallowing her cry. His hand left from its spot between her legs to work on the button on his jeans. Callie's stomach plummeted. Terror shuddered throughout her body. Her lungs burned, aching for the oxygen that her body felt like it was rejecting. She couldn't do this. He had to be stopped. She dug her teeth into his lip until she felt the metallic taste of blood on her tongue.

He pulled away from her, bringing a hand to his stinging lip. Blood tainted his fingers when he drew them away from his lip. His jaw clenched, and his eyes darkened, glowering at her. "You bitch!"

She winced as his hand struck her face. He stood and sauntered towards the door, swinging it open and slamming it shut behind him. Callie watched as the lock turned before she heard his footsteps slowly fade away. A shaky breath left her lips. This was her chance. She pulled her shorts up and scrambled to her feet. Her trembling legs practically darted towards the door, rattling the knob. It was locked from the outside. She paced the room anxiously. She had to get out of here someway and somehow. This wasn't just her life she was protecting, but more important her daughter's.

There was a gentle vibrating sensation against her hip. Her phone. It had been tucked in her pocket moments before Vico attacked and he apparently never removed it. Her hands quickly retrieved it. Relief washed over her when Brandon's name and picture lit up on her screen. With shaking fingers she answered the call, bringing to her ear. "Brandon."

Brandon was so happy to hear her voice after calling and texting her over twenty times. However, the happiness was short lived when he heard the terror in her voice. "Callie, where are you?"

"Please help me. Vico took me to Wyatt's old house. I'm locked in a room and I bit his lip and he's really angry." Callie spoke quickly and quietly, her voice shaking with fear. She didn't know how long it would be before Vico returned and she feared his reaction if he found her with her phone. Her heart started beating even faster when she heard his footsteps approaching. "Oh god he's coming back. He doesn't know I have my phone. I have to hang up."

"I'm on my way." Brandon was already in his car, putting the car into drive. "I'm going to call mom."

"I love you." She whispered before hanging up quickly and sliding the phone into her pocket. She flinched when the door flew open and Vico stomped towards her. Terror paralyzed her. Her limbs felt glued to the wooden floor and all she could do was pray to any and every higher power that Brandon would arrive soon.

Cliffhanger! Will Brandon get there in time? We'll find out next chapter!

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