Part 12 Cruelty

I followed Gabe back to the apartment. We were silent as we went up the stairs, a stark contrast to when I had first come to his apartment. Immediately, I went to my room. Turning to close the door, Gabe was in the way. I gave him a funny look and he stepped inside. I took a step back. What was he doing in here? This was my room!... In his house. Why was my heart beating so fast? He was a nice guy... he'd never treated me badly. Looks are deceiving. A voice whispered in my mind. "What are you-?" I started, but Gabe abruptly cut me off.

"We need to talk. We have a score to settle." he sounded angry. I searched my mind for anything I had done wrong. Nothing came up. Even though Gabe wasn't much taller than me, he seemed looming and menacing. He closed the door behind him. I gulped, fear seizing me. "Sit." he barked. When I didn't move, he advanced towards me and pushed me down onto the bed. Walking around the other side, he sat across from me.

"Gabe..." I said, my voice trembling. "What's going on?" My heart was racing and I tried to calm myself.

"I just want to ask you a few questions." He smiled, though it was a cruel smile. "If I were you, I'd do my best to answer them." He stroked my cheek with the back of my hand. I flinched, scooting away.

"I'm not sure you should..." I squeaked. Gabe didn't like that answer, his face clouding with anger. He reached out and slapped me. I cried out, covering my face. My cheek was throbbing.

"Shut up," he hissed. "Listen. I never agreed with our split and now that you're here, I can do what I want." I froze with fear. What was he going to do to me? He didn't come any closer, but I still sat ready to fight him off. "First question. Why did you leave me for Douglas? What did he have that I didn't?" he sneered.

"I... I don't know! I don't remember!" I yelled. He said that he heard about my accident, yet he asks me questions that I don't know the answers to!

"Jenna, Jenna, Jenna." he smirked, stroking my hair. I ducked away from him instinctively. "Well, you seem to have gotten more fidgety than I remember. But, I can remedy that." he reached over and grabbed my wrists. I yelled, trying to pull away. But, he was easily much stronger than I was. He pulled a small length of rope out of his pocket and tied my wrists above my head. "You'll regret not telling me." I thrashed around, cursing at him.

"Untie me! Right now!" I yelled. Gabe simply laughed, standing up.

"Oh come on, Jenna. I'm just having some fun." he surveyed his handiwork.

"This is sick! Let me go!" I hissed, trying to kick him.

"Feisty, now are we?" he kissed me and I tried pulling away. I bit down on his lip and he cried out in pain, pulling back. "Stop that!" he rubbed his lip. I wouldn't let him touch me, not with what he had in mind. Every time he came closer to me, I screamed and thrashed. Even he soon got tired of it. "Oh shut up, will you?" He held me down now; even though I tried to fight him off, he was far too strong for me. Dougie was right, I should've listened to him. I should've stayed close to him. This would have never happened. It's all over for me now. I felt the tears rolling down my cheeks before I realized I was crying.

Then, a miracle happened. There was a great commotion at the door. Someone was knocking on the door, or rather tried breaking down the door. Gabe stood up. He ran a hand through his hair and opened the door. Shutting it firmly behind him, he disappeared into the living room. There was a great slam and yelling. It sounded like they were fighting, but I couldn't understand them. Pulling my legs up, I tried yanking my arms free from the rope. I groaned, but didn't care about the pain. I had to get out of here. There was no way I would stay. Finally one hand cane free. I wiped my tears away and began to work in the knot that was tying my other hand to the bed. When my other hand was free, I felt like yelling with joy. But I knew that would only alert Gabe. I heard footsteps coming down the hall. My heart thudded and I clenched my fists. I prayed that my legs would support me, so I could run out.

"Jenna? Are you in there?" said a familiar voice. Tears stung my eyes. It couldn't be, my mind must be playing tricks on me.

"Dougie?"