Claudia's head felt heavy, her eyes could barely open. The blood red tinge to the room made it hard to see anything. Her arms were steched high above her head. She tried to move her hands, but found them to be tightly bound together by several pieces of barbed wire, the sharp spikes bit into her skin with every struggle. A few small drops of blood trickled down her arms from cuts on her wrists. She saw a needle protruding into a vein in her right arm, attached to it was a long transparent tube. That was connected to a bag of yellowish fluid, Claudia didn't know what it was, but the thought of a sedative crossed her mind. There was loud music playing and it hurt her ears. A blood curdling scream erupted from the man next to her and she cringed when the sound reached her ears.She wanted to cover them with her hands, but couldn't. It was then she realised she was in a cage, standing upright. Her feet were free. She was naked. Turning her head to the left, she tried to see what was happening, then wished she hadn't. Before squeezing her eyes closed, she witnessed the sewing shut of the eyes of the man next to her. He was sprawled out across a long wood table, his arms and feet bound together in the same fashion as Claudia's hands. With barbed wire. Wide awake, Claudia tried again to free her hands. Even though her movements made quite a commotion, it was gone unnoticed by the figure leaning over the man being tourtured. Looking around the room while she struggled, Claudia discovered that there were only three people in there. Herself, the man and their holder. With one wrong move, a spike from the wire drove itself deep into her flesh to the point where she could feel it scrape against bone. Claudia tired to cry out, but was prevented from opening her mouth. She knew by what. Hot, salty tears escaped from her thightly shut eyes and slid down her cheeks, dropping off her chin. She felt them land on her chest. Deep in her mind she knew this was a dream, wanted it to be only a dream. It felt real. She felt the pain of the barbed wire when she struggled. Her back felt as though it was on fire, the pain felt white hot, criss crossing down her back, buttocks and legs. When she opened her eyes, she searched for a sign that she would wake up. Instead, her eyes locked on to those of her attacker. This was a first. All she could see were his eyes, the rest of his face a blur. They were a fierce, emerald green. When Claudia looked into them, all she saw was pure evil.
"Ah....I see my sleeping beauty awakes.... ready for some more fun?" He asked her, stepping up to the cage. He reached up and took both of her breasts in his hands. She flinched when he squeezed them hard. "You know what Claudia? Out of everyone I've ever had... your my favorite.. and because of that, I'm going to make you scream... I'll make you wish you were dead..." All Claudia could do was make whimpering noises as she tried to back away from the front of the cage and his touch. She shook her head, trying to plead for her release. The only response she got was harsh, cruel, laughter....
Isaac looked away from the T. V and at Claudia. She was asleep on the sofa. She had been asleep for quite some time but she didn't appear to be sleeping peacefully. There was pain plastered across her face as she tossed her head around on the pillow her head was against. Isaac was very tempted to wake her up. He had just muted the T.V's sound when Claudia suddenly sat up, a loud
"NOOOO!" escaped from her mouth as sobbs took over her. Isaac flew from his seat and sat down next to Claudia, who was now hugging her knees to her chest, her head down as she cried.
"Claudia... Claud... it's okay... it was a dream, you're okay" Isaac said as soothingly as he could as he placed his arms on her shoulders. She looked up at him with frightened eyes. Isaac knew she didn't recognise him as she backed away.
"No... leave me alone!"
"Claud! It's me, Ike... it's okay. You're okay" He said, taking hold of her hand. She was so scared and Isaac felt helpless.
"Ike... Isaac... they won't go away.... the nightmares... they won't go away" Claudia sobbed as she recognised Isaac. She moved forward and brought her legs down from the sofa. As she did this, Isaac leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her. She hugged him close and tightly while she cried. Isaac didn't say anything. He couldn't. He wasn't supposed to know about what had happened to her. Maybe she'll tell me now... Isaac couldn't help but think. Don't be stupid! She still barely knows you. They sat like that for a long time, with their arms around each other. Finally, Claudia released her hold on Isaac. He also widthdrew his arms from around Claudia but stayed seated next to her.
"Are you okay?"
"Uh, yeah... I'll be alright... I just had a nightmare, that's all...." Claudia said, not looking at Isaac. "Where's my Mom?"
"Your parents and Mom and Dad went out a while ago... they went to look at a house my parents found then they're going to dinner... they won't be home for a while"
"Oh... okay then"
"What was the nightmare about? It helps you forget it if you talk about it" Isaac said. Claudia looked at him and then shook her head.
"No... it's okay. I don't want to talk about it... nothing will ever make me forget this" She said quietly.
"Forget what?"
"Nothing.. you don't want to know Isaac... "
"Maybe I could help you... "
"You might be able to... but I don't want to talk about it Isaac"
"Okay. That's fine... sorry I pushed"
Isaac looked miserable when he said that. Claudia felt horrible. I want to tell you but I cant! She thought as she stared at Isaac's face. Why can't you? He seems to actually care...
"It's been a year since it happened... " Claudia began, looking nervously into Isaac's brown eyes. His mouth opened slightly and his eye's questioned her, they seemed to be asking are you sure? Claudia nodded. "Can I trust you Ike?... can I trust you to keep this secret?" She asked before going on any further.
"You can Claudia... you're going to tell me what happened to you... what caused those scars and what's causing you the nightmares" Isaac asked seriously. Claudia nodded.
"That's if you want to know...."
"Of course I do"
"Well... it's been a year since it happened... I had just broken up with Grant... more like he had broken up with me. Mom and Dad were going out that night but they didn't really want to leave me alone. There had been murders in the next neighbourhood and the killer hadn't been caught yet. Mom and Dad didn't know about my breakup with Grant and I told them I was going to invite him over. So they left... Uh, I went on the internet.. into a chat room. I started talking to this guy and found out that he lived right near me. I was really upset about Grant dumping me so I invited this guy over to my house... I didn't think anything would happen. My neighbour is a cop so I figured I'd be safe. The guy came over and he seemed fine. He was normal, funny, nice... he listened to me drone on and on about Grant and why I couldn't understand why he broke up with me... then he offered to get me a drink. I told him where the kitchen was and he was gone for like five minutes. He came back with our drinks and he must have drugged mine becuase I started feeling really light headed and then sleepy. Next thing I knew I was in the attic, my... my wrists and ankles were tied together with barbed wire and my clothes were gone. I was lying on the floor... he was kneeling over me with a needle and thread in his hands. I couldn't talk or scream or anything... he started pinching me with a pair of pliers and he was cutting me... he cut my face and whipped me, front and back, with more barbed wire... thats when I passed out from the pain... I don't remember much more after that... I don't know if he raped me or what else he did... except that I lived and the rest of this guy's victims didn't... apparently he heard Mom and Dad come home and escaped through the attic window... " Claudia stopped talking and Isaac couldn't talk. He didn't know what to say. "Ike... he was never caught. He's still out there and could very well come back to finish what he started. The nightmares started once I was released from the hospital... Kevin said this was probably caused by the fear I had of returning to the place of the attack. See, when I was in the hospital, I felt safe. He couldn't get me in there. At home, however, was where he hurt me.... whats to stop him from doing it again?" Me. Isaac thought. "The nightmares seem more real then the attack... they stopped for a while... then recently they've come back. I don't understand why.... all I want is one nights peace Isaac... why can't I have that?" She asked, tears spilling from her distressed eyes. Isaac felt himself choke up as he wrapped Clauida up in a warm, gentle hug. Her arms circled around Isaac. What Isaac did next surprised him. He leaned back from Claudia and took her face in his hands. "What are you-" Claudia started to ask, but before she could get the whole question out, Isaacs lips met hers. Her first instinct was to pull away, but Isaac held on. What is he doing? Claudia thought. You know damn well what he's doing .... but why? Shut up and enjoy it! How long has it been since you've been kissed like this huh? He's not like your attacker and Grant.. he wont ever hurt you! She scolded herself. As she started to kiss Isaac back, the two of them heard a cough at the living room door. They broke apart and Claudia looked over Isaacs shoulder to see who it was. Embarrassment washed over her instantly and she started to blush fiercely.
"Uh... sorry to interrupt.. but theres a phone call for you Claudia..." Zac said, obviously uncomfertable with what he had just witnessed.
"I didn't hear the phone.. are you sure it rang?" Isaac said.
"Maybe because you were preoccupied... Isaac, I wouldn't lie... the phone rang and it's for Claudia." Zac said, annoyed that his brother would question him like he was a child. He then turned and left the room.
"I better go see who it is..." Claudia said regretfully. She didn't want to leave.
"Yeah... but come back here when you're finished.. there's something I want to talk to you about." Isaac said, looking deep into her eyes. A wide smile spread across her lips.
"Ok."
Chapter Eleven
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