by Davee Jones
“Oh dear God!” Screams of pain flew from the pit of her stomach, over and over, into the warming summer morning.
“You made my job easier. Nicely done.” Charles dropped the ineffective limb by her side. “You can’t fight with a broken wing, chickadee.”
Retching again, dry heaves pumped anything left in Mindie’s stomach upward, trickling out the side of her mouth. Dry dirt mixed with her stomach contents, making mud smears on her face. “Get it over with.” Spitting mud and regurgitation, tears slid down the sides of her face. Pain resonated through her entire body, emphasized by the broken bone in her wrist. Closing her eyes, she stilled every force in her body, merging onto the ground, surrendering to the evil that was Charles Stansfield.
The band of her yoga pants stretched from the pull of his hands. The stretchy fabric slid easily down the cheeks of her ass, bouncing over the bottom curve onto her thighs. One final tug and the pants were gone. Her thong underwear ripped away with one brutal tug from his hand, leaving her naked from the waist down. Lurches from her sobs made her back waver up and down in full, jerky movements. One hand lifelessly lying next to her body, dark ugly bruises dotting the bizarre swelling across her lower arm. The other arm up, pushing her hand to her face. She tried to cover her expression as much as she could with one palm.
Distancing herself from the situation as much as she could, Mindie fantasized every possible favorite image should could conjure. Yet, each frame crumbled into blackness from the extreme pain flooding her awareness. Killing her became a favored thought, as she felt his legs lower against her naked skin. His engorged penis flopped and swiped against her ass, oddly fumbling as he set himself into position. She wanted away, no matter how it happened. Kill me please. She thought the words came out, but, she only imagined her speech.
“You’re gonna love this. He may be my twin, but, he can’t work that cock the way I can.” His fingers spread her ass apart, opening the delicate folds beneath, giving him better access to her vagina. “I’m going in the pink first, saving the best for last. Do you have a virgin ass, Mindie? Or, maybe I’m wrong in my ass…umption.”
Mindie tensed, bracing for his unwanted entrance into her most private of places. Gritting her teeth, images of a large needled syringe invaded her mind, frightening her all over again. Her inner child shrieked and cried, unable to run from the inevitable. The tip of his penis pressed against her vaginal opening, and she sharply gasped, taking in fresh dirt with the rapid inhale. Violation in the form of his body cloaked over her wrenched into every cell, prying away her virtue, peeling away her security. She’d never feel safe again. Her ass cheeks clenched and her anus puckered involuntarily, fighting against the invader. Charles pushed harder with his rock hard prick, partially forcing into her sanctity. A roaring train of defilement thundered in her ears, ruining the silence of her vineyard. Gagging again, her stomach dry retched, trying to expel the thorough disgust. She cried, sobbing with the intensity of a thousand angry infants.
Suddenly…no, maybe…was he gone?
The light around her swirled into a darkness overcoming her sight. Drawn slowly into a pinprick of visibility, everything faded from her senses. Her head rested against the earth, finally stilled.
Chapter Eleven
“Hey…hey…it’s me, Nixie.”
Hearing her best friends’ voice, Mindie fought against the darkness for sight. Hearing an unfamiliar whirring, she tried to place the source. Dizzily, she tried to open heavy eyelids, struggling against the pull of a powerful sedative. “I can’t…can’t see.”
“Take your time, honey, you’re safe.” Mindie’s mother’s voice soothed her violent soul. “Rest baby girl, you’re safe.”
Charles wasn’t hurting her now. He was really gone. Falling deeply asleep, Mindie rested as she’d never slumbered before.
****
Finally, alert Mindie lay with eyes closed for a bit before she mentally scrutinized her surroundings. She heard the dim whir of machines, indistinct voices somewhere in the distance, and deep breathing somewhere close by. A strong medicinal smell hit her nostrils, followed by a mellow antiseptic aroma across the chilly air. Her injured arm mildly throbbed underneath some intricate bandages, while tape held something cold and plastic against the other. Crisp sheets covered to her chest, cocooning around her body. A saline taste subtly filled the back of her mouth, while a vomit residue lined the rest. She needed water.
Her deductions gave it away- she was in the hospital.
Opening her eyes, she found her mom and Nixie propped in chairs napping the deep evening away. The darkness outside indicated she awakened sometime in the night. How many nights had passed since the vineyard? The small table next to her held a pitcher and cup with straw ready. Finding the cup halfway full, Mindie soundlessly grasped the small plastic cup with a shaky hand. Sucking the entire contents in just a few draws, the cotton filling her mouth soaked up the liquid. Mindie needed more, but, her stomach grumbled in protest.
Lying back against the pillow, she couldn’t help revisit the entire horrifying episode. Charles broke her arm and almost raped her. Well…he possibly did rape her, his body was almost inside her before...nothing. After she blacked out, she didn’t remember anything. Pressing her knees together tightly, her focus went between her legs, to any discomfort or feeling of forced sex. Surely, she would know if he went inside, wouldn’t she? Not feeling pain, instead, her limbs floated from her joints, a surreal connectivity revealing nothing. What if her body wouldn’t tell her what happened? This kind of secret was best revealed, not tucked away somewhere in the dirty recesses of her recollections.
Closing her eyes again, she fought against shame. How could she feel so damn guilty when she didn’t agree to any part of what happened? Popping across her awakened nightmares, still frames of the assault riddled her perception. She even recalled the coffee smell on his breath, some dark blend to match his personality. Gritting his teeth into a distorted smile, he relished her distress- the terror encouraged him.
“Brent stopped him.” Nixie’s voice softly cut the quiet room.
Startled from the hideous replay, Mindie dashed back against the raised bed supporting her. “It was horrible.” Pain rocketed from her wrist to her shoulder, the injury recalled the memories vividly.
“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there to help you.” Her head dipped low, Nixie’s voice broke, syllables controlled by her sobbing.
“You couldn’t have known. Don’t apologize, that scumbag is to blame.”
“That scumbag is in police custody. Brent hit him in the face with a heavy square shovel.”
“Is Brent in trouble?” As powerful as Charles Stansfield was, his lawyers could twist everything to match his warped intentions. Somehow, Mindie wouldn’t be surprised if he sued her for some asinine reason. The shovel to the face could be a personal injury lawsuit, with Mindie an accomplice. “I hope he didn’t get arrested.”
“This is Braden, the cops don’t like what Charles did at all, he has no excuse. The responding officer called Brent a hero, although the police can’t formally endorse martial law.”
“Is he still in jail?” Goosebumps spread across Mindie’s otherwise warm flesh. A chill dipped into her bones, and she slid a little further between the sterile hospital sheets. No place was far away enough from him.
“Yes, he’s still there. The judge has yet to hold any bond hearing.” Nixie stood, her movements robotic, almost timid. “You had surgery on your arm. Does it hurt?”
“It’s sore, but, really, my entire body feels foreign, like it doesn’t belong to me.” Lifting her good arm, IV tubes and tape hindered her movement. “I’m all kinds of bound up, both arms out of commission.” Mindie hiccupped, blowing out a strange sound. Laughter morphed into a panicked shriek. “Did he…did he…rape me?” The words trailed from her lips like cold molasses begrudgingly leaving a bottle.
“The nurses performed a rape kit, but, I don’t know the results.” Nixie wrapped her arms ti
ghtly around her body, cocooning herself from the truth.
“Are you afraid to tell me, or you really don’t know?”
“I really don’t know. I…I didn’t want to know. Your mom has the information.” Gesturing toward her sleeping mother curled in the hospital recliner, Nixie sniffed away another tear. “Do you hurt there?”
“I don’t feel much of anything anywhere, except my broken arm occasionally stinging.”
“George wants to see you. He’s very worried.”
Clouds of darkness engulfed Mindie’s mind in shame all over again. A hot flush rose from her vagina all the way to the top of her head- the assault coming alive. “I don’t know if I can see him.”
“I won’t push.” Nixie brushed Mindie’s arm between the tubes. “He’s a good man.”
“I know- I just don’t know how he can accept me after what his brother did.”
“He doesn’t blame you, and from how he acted when he was here, he’d do anything to protect you. He knows about the attempted assault.”
Mindie’s mom broke the silence from her chair in the corner. “That animal didn’t get far, Mindie. There’s enough DNA to prove attempted assault, but, Brent stopped him before he went too far.” Rising from the chair, she made it to the bedside silently, yet quickly. “Mindie, my baby girl, I’m so sorry. But, you’re a strong woman, you’re going to get through this. Nothing that happened yesterday will define you.”
What the fuck? Yesterday? “I lost an entire day?”
“The doctors believe you were in shock, plus they had to perform the surgery on your arm. Your body and brain needed the rest for recovery.” Mindie’s mom brushed the hair from Mindie’s forehead.
“What about work? We had inventory to finish yesterday.” Instinctively, Mindie began shifting upwards, a futile attempt to get out of bed.
“Hey, you, I got it done, we’re good.” Nixie finally smiled, placing one hand on her hip.
“How did you get it all done by yourself? I can’t believe I wasn’t there to help.”
“You’ll be out soon, and there’s plenty you can do with one hand.”
“I hope so.”
“Brent would like to see you. I think he wants a visual to make sure you’re alright.” Blushing, Nixie smiled broadly, tenderness behind her radiance.
For a moment, Mindie forgot her own situation. Nixie’s smile indicated more than thankfulness, something else was going on. A small lightbulb of happiness beamed inside her chest, reminding her she hadn’t lost hope in humanity from this dreadful experience. “He’s a good guy. I need to do something special to thank him. He took a chance when he walked into this situation. I guess he’s both our hero.”
“He’s the biggest hero I know. He protected you, I’m so thankful for that.”
“You really fell for him, after all, didn’t you, Nixie?”
The slight delay spoke what she hadn’t yet said aloud. “I gotta say yes, I did, my best friend. He’s most amazing.”
Nixie found her man, and Mindie’s heart filled just a little more.
****
Released from the hospital, Mindie recuperated at her parent’s place. Despite numerous protests, neither her family nor Nixie allowed her back to work for a week. The stillness and time to think almost drove Mindie crazy. Nixie brought paperwork and files from the winery to keep her somewhat busy. However, she still refused to see George. Shame blocked common sense, stifling the comfort of seeing his face. He called Nixie daily, desperate to see Mindie, yet respecting her wish to be alone.
Mindie hadn’t really seen Charles’ face during the attack, as she was face down. She didn’t fear the recollection, even as George was his twin, when she finally agreed to see him. The two were vastly different, and no outside bodily similarities would change the fact. She was more afraid he would see her dread. His eyes would reveal any variation in what he really saw when he looked at her. Some people consider a woman soiled after a sexual assault. Relationships became forever damaged when a companion refused to see past the truth of violence. The truth disgusted Mindie and kept dismay locked in her gut.
Nursing a hot cup of tea, Mindie sat silently in her old room. Days passed one after another, the boredom dulled by the menial work Nixie thankfully provided. The end of the day signaled another long night of tossing and turning. A soft knock at the door stirred Mindie’s aching memories.
“Mindie? Are you busy?”
“No, Mom, c’mon in.”
The door opened, Mindie’s mom gently smiling as she always did. “You have a visitor. Are you up to it?”
Her stomach dropped a roller coaster dip. “It’s not…”
“Honey, it’s Brent. He’d like to see you.”
Her savior carried no sword or shield, but, she felt protected just the same. “Of course! I’d love to thank him.”
“He’s in the living room.”
Mindie barely evaluated her messy hair and slouchy wardrobe before she ducked out the door behind her mother. “I don’t know how I can ever repay his courage.”
“I don’t believe he’s a man who requires a reward.”
Brent stood with hands in his pockets, rocked back on his heels, as far from an aggressive stance as possible. He said nothing, allowing Mindie to speak first.
Rushing forward, her hug wrapped him tentatively, yet thankfully. Mindie allowed space between their bodies, while squeezing a little tighter with her good hand. “I’m so happy you came to see me. I don’t know how to thank you!”
“You standing here all in one piece is appreciation enough.”
“I hope that asshole gets what he deserves.”
“I believe in the justice system. He can’t deny what he…what he tried to do.”
“It’s okay, Brent, I’m dealing with it. He assaulted me, I gotta deal with it.”
“I stopped him as quick as I could. He wouldn’t listen to my warning. I started yelling as soon as I saw him. The only thing I had was my shovel, so, I drew back and smacked him with it. I have no regrets and I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”
Was Charles so inhuman he wouldn’t stop, even with Brent right there? “He can’t be a human. He’s a demon, pure evil. His cold fingers and hot breath gave his true self away.”
“Remember, he’s at fault, you’re not at all to blame.”
“I was so weak, I couldn’t do anything, I tried, I really tried.” The golf ball returned to the middle of her throat, restraining her words. But, for the first time since the attack, emotions hurtled to the surface she hadn’t yet experienced. Brent saw this horror- she could share with him. He’d already witnessed the humiliation. He wasn’t learning anything new. Everything she wanted to protect from those closest to her, she could discuss with him.
“You could’ve never predicted his behavior. With his kind of crazy, he was too strong to stop on your own. You are not to blame, and, when you start getting that notion, get rid of those negative ideas immediately. I’m always around if you need to talk.”
“Nixie is a lucky girl.”
“Mindie, I’m the lucky one. She’s incredible and so kind. We take care of each other’s hearts.”
“I’m inspired, that’s for sure. I want to be whole again.”
“You aren’t ruined or broken. You are a strong, beautiful woman, with a courageous soul.”
Brent’s words struck the chords deeply strung within her core. “That’s incredible of you to say.”
“George told me those exact words about you just yesterday. I’m only repeating his sentiments.”
****
“I’m sorry it took so long for me to see you.” Sitting across the table from George, Mindie’s thoughts raced just as fast as her heart pounded. Nervous energy emanated through her fingers, jamming a drum line on the table. She kept remembering what Brent told her, the words that had come from George himself- she wasn’t ruined, she was courageous..
“I’d have waited as long as you needed. I wouldn’t rush you.” Keeping h
is hands to himself, George hadn’t even hugged her when he walked into the winery. Carefully, he remained attentive from a distance.
Appreciating the space, Mindie also fought away the guilty notion of overreacting to a physical touch. Could she ever be touched intimately again? “This is gonna take longer than I thought. I’m fine with friends and family, but, any other contact really frightens me.” Business kept her sane, a main untarnished element of her existence. “Let me talk about work for a while.”
“Work is a good escape, let’s go there.”
“I might’ve overreacted about the contract. You know, the financial help you backed.”
“You’re a straight shooter, I should’ve talked with you about it. I made that mistake, I admit it.”
“I think we both have some learning to do about communication.”
“We’re both headstrong people, determined to make success. I think it’s a good thing overall. Sometimes, it makes for interesting dinner conversation.”
“Interesting? Is that code for arguing?” Somehow, she still wondered if they could make a relationship work, would everything be controversy? Then, the notion of dinner crossed her mind and made her uneasy all over again. Nighttime inescapably fell every twelve hours, would she ever want to be alone with George?
“Nah, not arguing, it’s a spirited exchange of opinion. I can say we’ve been on the same page several times. Who knows what we can accomplish when we share common ground.”