Warning: This chapter is rated M for mature audience due to the violence in the chapter. I tried not to be too graphic, but the content is dark and upsetting. For victims of sexual assault, this chapter may contain triggers for you. However, it's not graphic.

Chapter 6: Violated

******Where We Left Off******

"I don't want you to leave yet," David said determinedly.

"I don't care what you want! I want to leave. Get out of my way!" Jazmin ordered.

"Why are you being like that? I like you. You like me. I don't know why you keep playing so hard to get. I know when a woman wants me. That beaner you're screwing can't possibly keep you satisfied," David said arrogantly.

Jazmin's heart was racing in fear and anxiety. She knew basic self-defense, but David was really big and much stronger than she was. She decided to try sweet talking him. "Look, David, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to lead you on. You're a great guy. Any girl would be lucky to go out with you. If I'd met you first, who knows?" she said with a friendly smile, trying to get him to back off.

Unfortunately, David had decided he was done playing her game. He gave her a sullen look. "You've been messing with me! Probably laughing about me behind my back with that ugly man you're f***ing! I don't get it. Why would a girl as hot as you want to be with someone so beneath you?" he asked as if truly mystified.

"There's more to value besides the physical, David. A person's heart is what matters. If you don't let me out of this room, you're making it really clear what's in your heart," she said firmly, hoping to get him to see reason.

"I didn't want it to be like this, you know. I thought if I gave you time, you'd come to your senses. You'd realize that I was the right man for you. You'd forget about that other guy. But you're not. You're not the girl I thought you were," David said in disappointment.

"That's why you should just let me leave," Jazmin cajoled, taking another step toward the door, putting herself in reach of him.

"I thought you were a beautiful, sweet angel. Instead, you're just a tease! One of those girls that enjoys getting guys all worked up," he said beginning to get angry.

"That's not true!" Jazmin said, getting upset. Real fear was starting to set in. All her father and brother's warnings were ringing in her ears. Somehow, she'd found herself in one of those positions they'd warned her about. She reached in her purse to grab her phone and call for help. He wasn't going to let her leave; she could see it in his eyes.

David's eyes narrowed on her hands, and he reached out and grabbed her purse from her. "No, you don't! You're not calling anyone! You're going to give me what you been giving to every other guy around. Wallace, Duncan, that wetback. Now it's my turn," he said, reaching for her.

She tried to make it to the door, but he was too quick and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her backside against his chest. She screamed for help. He dragged her to his dresser and turned up the volume on the radio, drowning out her screams.

Terror filled Jazmin. He really wasn't going to let her leave. He was going to hurt her. When he threw her on his bed and unzipped his pants, her eyes widened in horror. "Don't do this, David, please!" she begged. This couldn't be happening! The unfolding nightmare began having a dreamlike quality to it. Her heart raced so fast that she thought it was going to beat out of her chest. She closed her eyes for a moment, hoping it was a horrible dream that she'd wake up from.

He reached in his back pocket and pulled out two things: a condom and a knife. "Don't worry. I'll protect you." He held up the condom. Then he held up the knife, taking it out of its protective leather case. She gasped in fright at the sight of it. "This is my hunting knife. I use it to cut ropes, gut fish, things like that. I've never used it to hurt anyone, and I don't want to start with you. But if you fight me, I just might. Then I'll borrow a boat and sink your body in the ocean like that Dexter guy does on that Showtime show," he said calmly.

Jazmin couldn't believe this was happening. He didn't look hateful or even evil. His pleasant expression was still on his face. What kind of monster was he? How could he think this was okay? She started to cry. "Please, don't do this," she begged.

"Don't worry. You'll love it. I'm going to show you what a real man is," he said, flashing her a smug smile. "It was real thoughtful of you to wear a skirt today."

He covered her with his heavy body. She tried in vain to push him off her. She beat at him with her fists. He just grunted like it was nothing. She screamed again. He roughly grabbed her face in his hand, squeezing it to stop her thrashing. "Stop that!" he ordered. He grabbed the knife off his nightstand. "Don't make me hurt you!" He put the cold metal to her neck, and she stopped fighting.

Terror like she'd never experienced froze her. Immobile, her mind called out for her brother, for Eli, for Wallace. Anyone to stop this. No one heard her silent cries, not even God.

Ten minutes later, he was done with her. He kissed her lips gently as if they were real lovers and got off of her. Jazmin wanted to throw up. He zipped up his pants.

Her eyes shot fire at him. "You have no idea what you've done. You don't know who my father is. You're a dead man! There's nowhere you can run or nowhere you can hide! However, my brother and Eli will get to you first! You will regret touching me and hurting me!" she vowed, hatred filling her. She never thought she could hate anyone more than she hated Joseph. But looking at David's self-satisfied, smug expression made her want to stab him with that knife of his. She looked for it as she sat up.

Her glance betrayed her intentions, and he picked it up and put in back inside his dresser. "Not going to happen, sweetheart. And you were sweeet!" he said, drawing it out with a smack of his lips like he was giving her a compliment. "Now I may talk slow, sugar, but I'm not stupid. Wallace talks. A lot. Not to mention I've spent enough time with you and your friends, including your precious brother to know exactly how close you are to him. I am sure your daddy is a powerfully fierce man in Chicago. But we ain't in Chicago. And I am confident that your love for your brother and your Weevil will keep your mouth closed."

Jazmin got up from the bed, pushing down her skirt and pulling her bra back over her breasts. He hadn't bothered undressing her. With unsteady hands, she began buttoning her shirt, desperate to cover herself and get away from him, tears coursing down her cheeks. "Can I leave?" she asked, not wanting to discuss anything with him or prolong her time in his presence.

He went up to her in a threatening manner; she braced herself for an attack. Instead of lashing out at her with his hands, he shook a finger at her in warning. "If your brother or boyfriend come after me, I'll kill'em dead. It'll be self-defense. There's no evidence of any attack on you. I didn't leave a mark on you. We went out. You fought with your boyfriend and came to talk to your ex for comfort. I was here instead. Wanting to get back at your boyfriend, you slept with me. There's no crime here," he said assuredly. His matter-of-fact tone astounded her.

Jazmin's mouth fell open in dismay. She gave him an incredulous look. "No crime? You raped me! I never wanted you! I hate the sight of you!" she yelled.

"If you're brother or boyfriend come after me, and they succeed in killing me, as you threatened, then you'll have ruined their lives. You'll have turned them into murders. Now I know you love your brother too much, so think carefully before you go blabbing your big mouth," he warned. "My momma told me not to kiss and tell, so I won't be telling anyone about our little tryst here."

"Tryst? That's what you call this? Are you insane? What kind of evil woman raised you?" Jazmin demanded, her anger at his dismissal of what he did to her surpassing her fear.

For the first time, real anger crossed David's face, and he hauled off and slapped her hard across the face, causing her head to swing back from the force of the blow. "No one insults my mama!" he yelled. He looked at Jazmin, whose hand went to her now throbbing face. "Now look what you made me do! I'm sure you can find make-up to cover it if it leaves a mark. Leave before I lose my temper again." He waved a hand dismissively at her.

Jazmin grabbed her purse and bag went to the door. With trembling hands, she pulled the knob. It didn't budge. Panic filled her. She jumped when David loomed behind her. He reached and unlocked the door and opened it. "I'll be seeing you, sweetheart," he said, giving her a wink.

However, Jazmin refused to look at him again. She had to get out of there and away from him.

It took Jazmin less than twenty minutes to walk home. She all but ran, fear propelling her forward. Once she stumbled and almost fell because she kept looking over her shoulder, afraid that David would follow her and attack her again. She was relieved to make it home and find the house empty. She locked the door behind her.

When she made it to her room, she paced the room in indecision. What should she do? She could go to the cops and have David arrested. That would keep her brother and Eli from doing anything. However, he had no criminal history and would get out on bail. Then he was a dead man. It wouldn't matter if Eli or Jason controlled themselves. Her father would make sure the man died. Jazmin didn't know if she wanted the man's death on her conscience even if she had wanted to kill him herself less than a half hour ago. Of course, there was Veronica to worry about. She was pregnant and didn't need any further stress. The first real friend she'd made in years, Veronica deserved all the happiness she had now. Jazmin couldn't bring herself to call her friend or her friend's father. Sheriff Mars would help her. Jazmin knew instinctively that he'd understand all her concerns. He would believe her and not David. However, the fall-out from David's arrest would be so severe, so on-going. Jazmin just couldn't do it. The friends she made here in Neptune meant so much to her. She knew they cared about her. Wallace, in particular, would be devastated to once again misjudge someone in his life. He would blame himself. How could she tell him what his roommate did?

David's threats rang in her head. The man was a true sociopath. He still gave off an appearance of congeniality even after he'd hurt her. He threatened to kill both her and Jason and Eli with a smile on his face. She knew that Jason and Eli were strong. However, she wasn't sure how well they would hold up against a man without a conscience. A man that was truly evil. The confident way he held that hunting knife caused her to shiver just thinking about it. If she told what David did to her, would she be signing their death warrants? What if he made good on his threats and hurt one of them? Could she take that chance? Would it be worth it? She paced back and forth, debating the issue. Jazmin had never been so unsure or frightened in her life. The people she would normally go to for help were the ones most in danger if she told her tale.

Then a new concern occurred to her. What if her dad made her go back home? The thought took root and wouldn't leave. Thinking about it, Jazmin suddenly knew that he would. She knew her father, and she knew her dad would not let her stay here if he found out what happened to her on campus. He knew about the campus rapist Veronica's freshman year and her work to capture them. Knowing that his own daughter was raped by a friend's roommate would bring all of his disgust and rage down on the school and the town. She'd never see her friends or Eli again.

Eli. Jazmin sat down on the bed, her head in her hands. How could she not tell him? How could she? Thinking of Eli and then David compelled her to action. She felt dirty. Eli would never want to touch her again if he knew how dirty she was, how violated.

Frantic now, she stripped off her clothes. She grabbed a robe and went to the upstairs bathroom. Turning on the shower as hot as she could stand it, she got in. As she washed her body, David's face, his smile kept flashing in front of her. She scrubbed harder. Then suddenly all her energy left her, and she sunk down in the tub, the spray hitting her. Sobs wracked her body. She had been so weak, so stupid to let David violate her like that. Shame filled her. Her mother would tell her it was her own fault for making him notice her. She had encouraged him when she knew she liked Eli. She was so foolish! Why did she go into his room? She didn't see Wallace. What was she thinking? How could she be so utterly stupid! She cried harder. What was she going to do?

******Later that Evening******

Eli grew concerned when Jazmin wasn't waiting for him by the maintenance building on campus. If he didn't have to work a case, she always stayed on campus on Fridays until he got off. She liked to get her homework done while he finished his shift. Then they'd grab dinner and go to his place for the night. She hadn't called or texted that she needed to change her plans. When he called her, he got no answer, so he headed to her house to make sure she was okay.

Parker was in the living room with Piz. They were on the couch talking intently. They both looked up when he came in. Parker called out a greeting and introduced Piz.

"Hey, man, thanks for letting me stay with you and Jason. I know it's inconvenient. I appreciate it. I'll try not to be too much of a bother," Piz said with a shy smile.

Eli shrugged. "No biggie. V told me you were a good friend of Wallace's, and I still owe Wallace one for that whole flagpole incident last spring. I hate when she gives me that head tilt, so letting you stay is just easier all around," Eli said with a rueful smile.

Piz grinned. "I am quite familiar with the power of that head hilt, so I understand," Piz said.

"Is Jason at your house now?" Parker asked.

"I'm not sure. But I can give you my key if you want to take him over there to get settled. He can give it to me when I get home tonight or tomorrow," Eli said. He took the key off his ring and handed it to Piz.

"Thanks," Piz said.

"Is Jazmin here? She was supposed to meet me on campus and pulled a disappearing act. She's not answering her phone," Eli said to Parker.

Parker frowned. "Well, I've not seen her, but her bedroom door's closed. She might just be up there asleep," Parker said.

"Okay. I'll go check on her. I'll catch you guys later," Eli said. He headed upstairs. He knocked lightly on her door before opening it. Light from the hallway illuminated her still form in the bed. Eli turned on the small lamp by the bed, so he could see. His presence must've startled her because she jumped up in fright.

"Eli?" she asked, squinting at him, the light harsh on her eyes. She looked relieved to see him.

"Hey, babe. Are you okay? You didn't meet me or answer your phone when I called," Eli said. He brushed back her hair. His eyes narrowed on her face, spotting a slight bruising. "What happened?"

Jazmin put her hand to her bruised cheek in alarm. She'd forgotten about her face. After her shower, she couldn't bear to look at herself in the mirror. "Oh. I..Well, I wasn't feeling well, so I came home. A bout of dizziness hit me, and I got clumsy. I hit the door frame as I was coming into the room. I guess it left a bruise. I hadn't noticed," she said, hoping she sounded convincing.

Eli frowned and brushed his hands lightly over her face. He placed a soft kiss on the bruised cheek. "Be careful, Princess. I can't stand to see you hurt," he told her. "Have you eaten?"

She shook her head. "I'm not hungry," she said. If she ate now, she knew she'd throw up. Concerned, he lifted his hand to feel her forehead. "I'm not feverish. Just a bad case of PMS." She didn't know what else to say. He could never know.

"Do you want me to go?" he asked.

"No! Please, don't. Will you just hold me until I fall back to sleep?" she asked, a note of pleading in her voice.

Eli was disturbed by her sudden vulnerability. She seemed so fragile. "Of course," he said. She moved over to make room for him. He wrapped his arms around her waist, spooning her.

For the first time in hours, Jazmin felt safe. Held in his embrace, his strength surrounded her. Since her back was toward him, he could not see the silent tears that rolled down her cheek. She discreetly wiped them away. She'd been crying for hours until exhaustion drew her to sleep. Now with Eli here, she felt both better and worse. There was nothing she wanted more than to turn in his arms and confess every horrible moment with David. She knew that his love for her would not change. However, the knowledge of what happened to her would tear him apart. He still blamed Duncan for not protecting his sister even after all these years. He'd blamed Wallace, blame Jason, and blame himself. His wrath would be unending. It would destroy him. She couldn't do that to him because she loved him too much.

After Joseph, she hadn't really believed she'd love anyone again. But Eli's love chased away all her fears, all her doubts. He was always so good to her. How could she hurt him? He was upset over a slight bruise on her cheek. If he knew she had been raped, it'd break his heart.

He leaned over and placed a soft kiss on the nape of her neck. "Go to sleep, Princess. I'll stay right here until you fall asleep. Then I'll come back tomorrow and bring you my famous soup for lunch," he said.

"Thank you," she said softly. He was so wonderful, and she didn't deserve him. Now she never would.

*****Chapter End*****

Some of you don't particularly care for Jazmin. I hope, at least, she earned some sympathy with this chapter. I'm sure this chapter will bring a lot of various responses. Be gentle! I told you I had dark purposes planned for this installment. I know when I watch a movie or tv show where a woman gets raped it makes me crazy when the victim does stupid things like take a shower or not go to the cops. However, Jazmin isn't just reacting. She really thought about what she wanted to do and what the effect of her choices would be. I hope I made that clear. Her concerns aren't imagined or reactionary but real possibilities. Unfortunately, when it comes to rape, it is often her word against his, especially if the man wears a condom. If they had a relationship, no matter how tenuous, it becomes even harder for the woman to be believed. I'm trying to be as realistic as possible. I've never been a victim of this type of crime, but I hope to portray it as sensitively as possible.

There will be a lot of heartbreak in this story. This is just the beginning. The most angst-filled installment yet. I hope you'll still read. Eventually, they'll be happiness. Regardless, I have a story I want to tell, and life is often hard and full of tribulation. Thanks for your support