Chapter 8

Maureen quickly walked down the sidewalk. She actually listened to Joanne, and decided to head down to the loft. The sidewalk was crowded with New Yorkers, but for some reason, even with all the people around, Maureen didn't feel safe. She stopped for a second when she felt like there was someone watching her. Her hands dug deep into her pockets, and she looked around. When all she saw were people rushing to get places, she shrugged and continued on her path.

Ten minutes later Maureen made it to the East Village. She was about five minutes from the loft when someone grabbed her arm and roughly pulled her into an alley, a hand firmly covering her mouth so she couldn't scream for help.

Maureen's eyes expanded in terror, as she looked directly into the eyes of her father.

"Hello daughter." He hoarsely said, his breath smelling of cheap whisky. "Finally some alone time."

Maureen shook her head, and tried to free herself, but he was to strong for her. He roughly shoved Maureen against the wall, showing her that he was in control, his hand still tightly pressed over her mouth.

The tattered man leaned in dangerously close to her, his lips pressing against her ear. "Remember how much fun we used to have when you were little?" His grimy hand slid up her thigh. "Well we're going to relive some of those times right now."

Hot tears began to roll down Maureen's cheeks; she couldn't believe this was happening to her again. Somehow she fought against her father, successfully getting free.

"Help!" Maureen shouted, her loud voice echoing through the alley. Just as she was about to run, Mr. Johnson griped her arm and yanked her back. "Let me go!" she cried.

Mr. Johnson slapped her across the face, before throwing her up against the wall again. "Listen to me! There will be no screaming coming from you anymore." He punched her in the stomach this time, knocking the wind out of her. "You got that?"

Maureen held her stomach, flashes from her past flooding her mind. She remembered what used to happen to her when she would cry out, causing fear to shoot up her spine. She didn't want to be beaten again like she was fifteen years ago, so she simply nodded, and let him pin her up against the wall.

Not to far down from the alley, Benny pulled up in his Rang Rover. Rent was again over due, and the yuppie scum was out trying to collect it for his father in-law. He climbed out of his car, shutting the door before stepping on the sidewalk. Just as he was about to enter the building, he heard a nose near by. He stopped and strained his ears to hear it, his head tilting to the side when the sound of a woman squeaking was heard. Out of curiosity the landlord walked over to the alley, and peered into the darkness. He squinted his eyes, the street light revealing a man hunched over a woman.

Benny wasn't going to say anything and mind his own business, but as his eyes adjusted to the dark, he recognized that struggling woman.

"Maureen?" He quietly said to himself, still unsure if it was the diva.

His question was soon answered, when Maureen's head turned to the side, her face full of horror, as the man on top of her, trailed dirty kisses down her neck.

"Maureen!" Benny shouted, his body now rushing over to her, so he could try and help his old friend.

Mr. Johnson quickly looked up, watching as Benny hurried over. He froze with panic, before he rapidly jumped off of Maureen, and ran in the opposite direction of Benny.

Benny was going to go after him, but when he heard Maureen whimper on the ground, he knelt next to her. He quickly took off his coat when he noticed her top was ripped a little.

"Are you alright?" Benny asked.

Maureen wrapped her arms around herself, and slowly sat up, mascara streaming down her face. She was shaking, and unable to give him a verbal answer, so she shook her head no.

"Come on, lets get you to the loft." Benny said as he put his coat around her shoulders.

Maureen complied, and let Benny help her up. True she hated the man, but she was grateful for the yuppie scum right now, so she leaned into him for safety and let him wrap his arms around her shoulders, as he guided her to the loft. She didn't say a word the entire way, and Benny didn't ask questions. He didn't really know how to handle a situation like this one, so he simply stayed quiet, and let Maureen lean into him.

Mimi, Roger, Mark, Collins and Angel were all gathered at the loft, waiting for Maureen's arrival.

"She called an hour ago; do you think she's alright?" Angel worried.

"It's Maureen." Roger stated with confidence. "Of course she's alright. New York is like her playground, this city can't harm her, even with all the sick perverts out there."

Before anyone else could add anything to that, there was a knock on the door.

"I'll get it." Mark said.

When Mark pulled the door open, he was surprised to see Benny holding Maureen.

"Uh I found her in an alley…" Benny slowly stated.

Angel and Mimi both stood up, taking in the sight of a shivering Maureen, who was letting Benny hold her, so they knew right away, that something was wrong.

"Chica?" Angel questioned as she walked closer.

Maureen slowly lifted her head, her puffy eyes peering into Angel's. It wasn't long until Maureen broke down and began sobbing. She soon flung herself towards the cross dresser, something about her making her feel comforted.

"I want Joanne." Maureen cried on Angel's shoulder.

"Okay, sweetie, we'll get a hold of her." Angel cooed, and walked her over to the couch, her caring arms tenderly wrapped around the scared diva.

Roger stood up, confused. He wasn't sure if Benny was responsible for the way Maureen was acting, or what. His gaze fell on Benny, "Did you…"

"No." Benny quickly answered. "I found some guy trying to…" he cleared his throat. "Rape her…"

Collins stood up at the word, his hands balling into fists. "Who!?" He demanded.

"I don't know." Benny replied. "I didn't see his face, but I don't think he got very far."

"I want Joanne!" Maureen commanded, her face buried on Angel's chest, her hands strongly clutched to the fabric of Angel's bright sweater.

"I'll call her cell." Mark said, and headed for the phone.

Mimi sat next to Maureen, her hand tucking a lock of hair behind Maureen's ear, exposing a bleeding lip, and a cut on her forehead.

"She's hurt." Mimi stated.

"I'll go get the first aid." Roger said.

"Maureen honey, are you hurt anywhere else?" Angel gently asked.

Maureen only nodded.

"Can we see?" Mimi kindly asked, concerned for her friend.

Maureen shook her head. "Not until Joanne is here." She answered in a rough voice.

"She's on her way." Mark replied while he hung up the phone.

Joanne made it to the loft not even ten minutes later. She didn't even bother to knock on the door, and just ran in, only stopping to search for her girlfriend. Finally spotting her the lawyer ran over to Maureen, who was wrapped up in Angel's arms, tears still trickling down her face.

"Maureen, I'm here." Joanne softly said, her hand lightly running through her matted hair.

"Joanne?" Maureen called out, her eyes slipping open, where they landed on Joanne. It wasn't long before Maureen was clinging to Joanne for dear life, her face hiding on her neck. "It was him Joanne…he followed me here, and attacked me in the alley!"

"It's okay." Joanne said, holding Maureen close. "We'll find him."

The rest of the gang eyed each other. Clearly Maureen and Joanne were hiding something.

"Maureen knows her attacker?" Collins asked, and the rest of the group eyed the couple and waited for an answer.