Chapter Five - The Demented

The Demented

Okay, this was a bad idea.

Pausing at the tree line I glance around the quarry with nervous jitters. There isn't a soul in sight. The place is deserted. It's eerie and dark, the leaves rustling in the soft breeze.

Yup, I've been played.

Disappointment laces through me. The sharpness of it takes my breath away. I was really looking forward to this.

Tears prick my eyes. Serves me right.

Sniffling, I walk back into the woods, following the twisting trail through the brush and trying my best not to stumble over stumps and rocks.

My vision is blurry...because I'm crying. Like a big baby.

Stopping, I wipe at my eyes with my sleeve. Stupid. I'm so stupid.

A loud shrieking has my head snapping upward.

What the hell?

It happens again, the high pitched wail echoing through the woods. Fear claws up my spine as I spin around, trying to pinpoint which direction the awful sound is coming from.

Leave. Now.

For once I agree.

I turn and start to run, only to slam into an arm as someone emerges out of the woods and grabs me. I jump with a screech, cowering under my arms.

"Where you going?" a familiar voice asks with a chuckle.

Noah?

I still, gulping in a deep breath of relief. "You scared the hell out of me." I glare up at him, only to feel the blood drain from my face. His usually kind hazel eyes are narrow and threatening, his face twisted with a cruel sneer to his lips.

This isn't the charming Noah from school. This person...he looks deranged.

Evil.

I pull back from his grip. "Let me go."

His hold on me tightens. "Now why would I want to do that?" His voice is cold and devoid of emotion.

I stare up at him in confusion. "What's wrong with you?"

Someone else emerges from the trees. A light beams into my eyes and I squint against the glare.

"Aww, are you crying?" a cold female voice sneers.

That voice. "Sarah?"

Sarah laughs, holding the flashlight up under her chin. "Boo!"

Noah rolls his eyes. "Grow up, babe."

Sarah pouts. "I'm just having fun." She kisses his cheek before turning back to me. "God, you are crying. What a big baby."

Sucking in a deep breath I wipe at my eyes. I don't understand what's happening.

"I can't believe you really showed up," Sarah remarks coldly. Tapping the flashlight against her shoulder she asks, "Did you seriously think we would want to hang out with you?"

What? Was this a prank?

"I d-don't know..." I stammer, my voice trembling.

She gives me a look of disbelief. "Liar. I bet you were all excited for your date."

I bow my head in shame. I can't deny it.

Shaking her head, she laughs. "Pathetic. Tell me, did you wear your bikini?" she asks, her voice turning sickeningly sweet.

My eyes widen.

A slow smile spreads across her face at my expression. "Strip," she orders.

"What?" I ask, incredulous.

"We want to see your bikini," she states innocently. "Don't we, babe?"

Noah gives me a hard look. "Oh, yea."

I stare between the two of them, my fear returning. "I don't want to." I try to leave, but Noah snags me back.

"Where you going, reject?" he snarls, shoving me against a tree. My back hits the hard wood, knocking the wind out of me.

"Leave me alone!" I shout, cringing away from him.

Sarah grabs my hair, yanking it hard. "If you don't do it we'll hurt you," she threatens.

I cower, trying to think my way out of this.

This has to be a prank. If I just do what they want they'll have a big laugh at the stupid loser and leave me alone.

Bowing my head, I take off my jacket and scarf. My hands shake as I unbutton my shirt and drop it to the ground. The cold air bites at my exposed skin, goosebumps raising over my flesh.

Hesitating, I glance between them.

"All of it," Sarah snaps.

Blinking back my tears I take off my flats and undo my jeans. Shoving them down I kick them aside, crossing my arms over my breasts and huddling in on myself.

"Put your arms down," Sarah commands.

Closing my eyes, I drop my hands to my sides, my fists clenching tightly.

Sarah snorts. "Look at those little tits."

"I don't know, I kinda like 'em," Noah leers.

Sarah pouts. "More than mine?"

"Nah, baby, yours are the best." Walking up to me Noah tugs on the strap of my bikini. "White looks good on you. Very...virginal."

I feel bile rise up my throat. "Why are you doing this?"

"Because it's fun," Noah replies cruelly. His hands reach out suddenly, shoving me down. I hit the ground hard, landing on my back.

Sarah stands over me, shining the light in my eyes. "You look good on your back." Kneeling down she grins evilly.

"Sarah, don't," I plead.

She ignores me, running a finger down my arm. "I see the way you look at my boyfriend. As if he could ever want a reject freak like you." She cocks her head. "But if I'm anything, it's a giver."

Jesus Christ, this girl is insane.

Looking up at Noah she asks sweetly, "What do you think, babe. You want to play with the little reject?"

Noah is staring at me intently. "Yea." The word is husky and thick. I don't like the way he's looking at me. I can't believe this is the same Noah from school. It's as if he's a completely different person.

Sarah smirks, turning to gaze down at me with pure hatred. "Hope you're not really a virgin. Cuz if you are this is gonna hurt."

My eyes grow wide. The realization of what they plan to do hits me hard. This isn't a prank.

Run!

Rolling quickly to my stomach I attempt to stand and run. Noah reaches out quickly, grabbing my hair and yanking me back down. My teeth jar in my skull from the force.

Screaming, I reach up, clawing at his hand.

"Knock it off, bitch," Sarah snarls, slapping me hard. "No one can hear you."

I go limp, my mind racing. I can't fight them both and I'm all alone. I don't know what to do. I feel helpless.

Noah starts dragging me back towards the quarry by my hair. My bare back scrapes along the ground, making me cry out in pain.

Sarah is laughing hysterically, following behind us.

"What are you doing? Stop!" I yell, kicking my feet.

They don't answer, just laugh, the cruel sound ringing in my ears.

Noah drags me all the way to the water's edge. My back stings, scraped and bruised. I barely have time to register as he lets go of my hair. Then he's on top of me, straddling my hips. I swing my fists, punching his chest.

"Hold her down," he orders to Sarah.

Setting down her flashlight Sarah drops to her knees behind my head. She grabs my wrists in a painful grip, pinning them down to the ground. The flashlight shines over them, casting eerie shadows across their faces.

This is a nightmare.

"Let me go!" I scream, my voice hoarse. Thrashing I try to throw them off me, my body growing exhausted with the effort.

"What's the matter?" Noah mocks. "I thought you liked me?" His hands run down my hips, making me shudder in disgust.

"I don't like you!" I cry on a sob.

Leaning down close he murmurs, "Liar. What's the matter? Are you scared?"

Hell yes, I'm scared.

I nod, tears burning hot down my cheeks.

His hands brush at my tears. "Don't be scared. I'm gonna make you feel good." The soft tone of his voice is a dark contrast to the cruelty in his eyes.

Sarah rolls her eyes. "Just fuck her already."

Noah glares up at her. "I like to take my time."

"But, babe, it's cold out here," she whines.

"Jesus, you're so demanding," he snaps. Lowering his hands, he starts to undo his belt.

I watch him, shaking my head. "Please, Noah. You're not like this."

"What the hell do you know about me?" he snaps. His lips run up my neck, making me feel sick. His mouth near my ear he says angrily, "Do you have any idea what it's like living a lie? Pretending to be the good boy when all you want to do is hurt everyone around you?"

Oh, god. I shake my head. "Don't..."

I feel him smile against my skin. "You're only making me want you that much more."

"No!" I shout.

A strange howl sounds in the darkness.

Sarah freezes, her head jerking up. "What the hell was that?"

"Don't worry about it," Noah mumbles, fumbling with his belt.

"But what was that?" Sarah asks, obvious fear in her voice.

"It's just some animal, relax," he grunts.

She shakes her head. "I don't like this. We should go."

Pausing, Noah glares up at her. "Are you shitting me?"

"I'm serious, I don't like this."

The howl sounds again, closer this time.

Sarah jumps to her feet. "Screw this. I'm getting out of here."

"Fine. Go," Noah states dismissively.

Stomping her foot, she protests, "But, Noah..."

"Just fucking go!" he snaps.

"Fine! You asshole. I hope it eats you!" she screams before running back towards the trail.

"Hey, you forgot the flashlight!" Noah calls out to her. She ignores him, disappearing into the woods. "Whatever," he grumbles, his gaze turning back on me. Smiling, he reaches for the zipper of his jeans. "I'd rather have you all to myself anyway."

I shake my head, my eyes pleading. "Don't do this."

"Come on, we both know you want it," he breathes, cupping my chin.

Fight!

I twist my head, catching his hand between my teeth and biting down hard.

"Shit!" he shouts, yanking his hand away. Staring at the wound his eyes grow wild. Then his hands are around my throat, squeezing hard. "You little bitch. I was gonna give it to you good, but now...now I'm gonna make you wish you were dead."

I tug at his wrists desperately, my nails tearing into flesh. My eyes are wide, staring up at his face. Noah laughs, releasing my throat.

Gasping for air I cry, "I'll report you!"

He just keeps on laughing. "Go ahead. I'll tell them you wanted it. That you like it rough. Begged me for it. Who do you think they're going to believe? The town's little reject or the golden boy?"

I freeze beneath him. Part of me deep down knows he's probably right. Why would they take my word over his?

"Don't," I croak.

Why?

Why is this happening? Why do I always have to suffer? Why can't I just be left alone in peace? My brain can't wrap around it. Is it me? Is it my fault? Did I invite this on myself?

"Please, stop," I plead.

He ignores me, his hands roughly gripping my thighs.

A loud roar sounds right beside us.

Before either of us can react a black clawed hand snatches Noah by the throat, yanking him off me.

I struggle to sit up, kicking the flashlight. It spins, illuminating Noah. He's on his knees, his eyes wide with fear. Then two clawed hands reach into the light and snap his neck. His body drops to the ground, his eyes open and lifeless.

I scream.

Scrambling away I flip over, my hands digging into the dirt as I stumble to my feet. I can hear it behind me, coming for me.

I don't think, I just run.