Happy Saturday, y'all! I hope you have a great day. I don't really have much to say, except I hope you lovelies enjoy the chapter! ~Shaymie

Lorin's POV

"Do you see the kind of pleasure we can give you if you just behave?" Maria asked huskily, pulling back from the kiss slightly. Her hand went down to my breasts and started squeezing, pulling, and pinching. And that, combined with the way James was steadily pumping in and out of me, was enough to push me over the edge. Maria slammed her lips onto mine to silence the high-pitched whine that was coming from me.

"See, babe?" James asked as he slid out of me with a grin. He dumped the used condom into the trash and climbed into bed next to me. I was still coming down from my high and tried to catch my breath. I was sandwiched between James and Maria, with probably no way out. "If you act like a good little girl, we can make you feel amazing."

"Ready for round two, darling? You've earned it," Maria purred, kissing my shoulder. She pulled me into her arms and I let myself melt into her touch. She knew exactly when to punish me and when to pleasure me. Without her, I wouldn't have known everything I had been doing wrong. She taught me how to pleasure James properly. Both her and James taught me how to be a good submissive for them.

I nodded and hummed in response to Maria's question. She hadn't told me to speak, so I was doing the smart thing and keeping my mouth shut. Because I was a good girl. My silence was rewarded by Maria slowly trailing her hand down my stomach. She started planting kisses all over my breasts. I let out a shaky gasp when she slipped a few fingers inside of me. I was still sensitive, but I couldn't stop myself from rocking my hips, wanting more. James kissed my cheek and murmured sweet nothings to me.

I was theirs. I belonged to them. My job was to be a good girl for them. I pleasured them, and they would reward me. I did what they wanted, and they would shower me in compliments and gifts. They gave me a purpose. I was actually worth something because of them. They were my masters, I lived to please my masters-

I shot awake and clapped a hand over my mouth in a sad attempt to muffle my sobs. I couldn't let Alex hear me cry. It was just a dream. James and Maria weren't here. I never had to see them again. It wasn't my job to please anyone. I repeated the words silently to myself and took deep breaths, now regretting not taking my stupid medicine. It was getting harder to push down the panic rising in my chest. I almost wanted to wake Alex up, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. This was the first time in awhile he was getting actual sleep, now that we didn't have finals to study for. I couldn't ruin that.

Worthless, worthless, worthless, I thought as I struggled for air. I wrapped my arms around my waist and pinched the skin there. I couldn't even get myself under control from a stupid panic attack. I had them all the time, I should know how to deal with them by now. But every calming thought I tried to will to my brain was immediately drowned in memories of James and Maria hitting me, slapping me, cutting me, fucking me. I clapped my hands over my ears to try and block out their voices, but it wasn't like that would do any good. They were in my head, after all.

"You're nothing but a dirty whore!"

"Fucking slut!"

"Waste of space!"

I tried to stand, but only ended up falling to the ground in a crumpled heap, while their voices continued to taunt me. I tugged at my hair, begging for them to leave me alone. I didn't want this. I didn't want them to be constantly teasing me. I wasn't with them anymore. Why couldn't they just shut up? It wasn't fair. Why couldn't I just be happy? Was it because no matter what I did, some part of me would belong to them? I'd always be nothing but their slut.

Ragged sobs tore through my throat as I sat on the floor. I was aware of shuffling going on in the bed, and then Alex was suddenly talking to me, his hands hovering over my shoulders like he was scared to touch me. I threw myself into his arms and breathed in his smell of coffee and paper. That's right, I was with Alex now. James and Maria couldn't hurt me anymore. I hugged Alex tightly and cried into his chest. He cradled me in his arms and put me on the bed, flicking on the bedside table lamp.

"Do you need some water?" he asked, turning towards the door. My heart leapt in my chest, and I lunged out to grab his arm, shaking my head furiously. He couldn't leave me. Not when there was a chance of their voices coming back.

"Okay." Alex kicked his slippers off and got into bed next to me. I climbed into his arms again and closed my eyes as he started to gently rock me. I started slowly drifting off to sleep, but opened my eyes. I couldn't sleep again... "Lo, what happened? I heard you crying and woke up, and you were on the floor, rambling about Reynolds and Maria."

"I had a nightmare and it freaked me out. I'm fine now, Al. I just…" I bit my lip and frowned. Maybe this was a sign that I should start taking my medicine again. I know it won't start working immediately, but I was willing to do anything if it made these nightmares go away. "I'm scared to go back to sleep."

"Lo, it's one in the morning. You should sleep. We have a big day, remember? We're going ice skating with everyone." He kissed my forehead and started to scratch at my hair. A sound of contentment escaped my throat. I loved when he did that… "I'll be right here with you, alright? I won't let anyone hurt you, love."

"Promise?" I wrapped my arms around Alex so he couldn't leave me. I couldn't be alone. I might do something I'd regret. He shifted us so we were lying down. He turned the light off and pulled the covers over us.

"I promise," he whispered gently. I let myself drift off to sleep then, nestled in his warmth. And for just a little while, I was able to forget about James and Maria. They weren't here, and they couldn't hurt me. Alex was going to protect me from them. I was safe.