by Marla Monroe
He looked around and still didn’t see lights from anyone else’s campsite. Maybe they would have it all to themselves this weekend. It was a little late in the year for some folks. He dropped his empty can into the box they had set up for that purpose on the ground between them then flipped open the cooler, also between their chairs, and grabbed another beer. Popping the top, he took a long swig, enjoying the first icy-cold taste as he swallowed. This was the life.
* * * *
Kayley swayed to the music with Bea beside her and Sam in front of the two of them. She had to admit, she was having a lot of fun, unlike last weekend where a certain cretin had ruined her night. She couldn’t believe that he’d acted like that. Why did something happen every time she got around him? And here she was thinking about him again. It had to stop.
Bea leaned over to yell in her ear. “I’m going to sit down. I don’t feel real well.”
Concern for her friend had her moving to go with her. Bea waved her away.
“Have fun. I’m fine,” she said. Sam let her off the dance floor.
Her friend hadn’t felt well the last two days, but she had still come out with her tonight. Kayley couldn’t help but worry that she had the flu or something. None of them were drinking anything but Ginger Ale in deference to Bea. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked them to go with her. Some friend she was. Worry overrode the fun, and she made her way back to their table.
“Hey, I’m going to take Bea home, Kayley. I’m worried about her,” Sam said, rubbing small circles around his wife’s back.
“No problem, you go ahead and take her straight home. I’ll call a cab,” she said.
“I don’t want to leave you here, Kayley.” Bea looked like she was ready to pass out.
“I’m not staying. I’m going to call a cab and go on home. Besides, it wouldn’t be fun without you here. Sam, take her home.”
“We’ll take you home,” Sam said, standing up.
“Sam. I live on the opposite side of town than you do. Bea doesn’t need a long car ride right now. I’ll be fine. Get her home, and if she doesn’t feel better in the morning, she needs to see a doctor.”
“Don’t worry. I’m taking her first thing.” Sam’s worried expression settled on his wife. “You’re sure you’ll be okay?”
“Yes. Now get her home and tucked into bed.” She shooed them toward the door, stopping at the bar to pull out her phone.
She logged into the Internet and searched for the number to their only cab service in town. Finding it, she pressed the call link and put the phone to her ear, closing her other ear with one finger. She could barely hear the ring over the noise in the bar. This wasn’t working. She ended the call and looked toward the door. It really wasn’t safe to mill around outside. There would be no one to hear her if she called for help. She looked around and settled on the bathroom. It would be marginally quieter in there.
She skirted the dance floor and weaved in and out of the tables, careful not to trip or bump into anyone. All she needed was a repeat of last week to get her banned from coming. They would blame her if another fight broke out.
Finally, she made it to the short hall that led to the back exit and the restrooms. She pushed open the women’s door and realized there was a line. Easing through the group of women fussing over their makeup and hair, Kayley plastered herself against the far wall and tried the cab’s number again. This time she was able to hear it ringing and breathed a sigh of relief.
It rang over ten times before someone finally picked up. Most of the women had cleared out, allowing her to hear even better.
“Cougar Den Cab,” a tired voice answered.
“I need a cab out at The Den, please,” she said.
“Did you say The Den?” the woman’s voice asked.
“That’s right.”
“If they’re drunk, we’re not picking them up.” The woman’s voice sounded pissed.
“It’s for me, and I’m not drunk. I just need a ride home.” Kayley rolled her eyes.
“Okay, but it’s going to be about twenty minutes or so. Ralph’s across town taking a group to the hotel out on fifty-five. Stay put by the bar. He’ll come in so you don’t have to stand outside waiting. Ain’t safe.”
You’re telling me.
“Okay, thanks. I’ll be waiting.” Kayley sighed and stuck the phone back in her purse.
She made use of the facilities, washing her hands and dabbing at the perspiration on her face. Even though it was late August and the nights got slightly cooler, inside The Den it was hot and stuffy with all the people packed in. She exited the bathroom and started to make her way toward the bar.
Someone’s hand grabbed her wrist and pulled around. She stared up into a very handsome face that was smiling down at her.
“Hey there, beautiful. Where have you been all my life?” he asked.
Kayley smiled up at him but extracted her wrist from his hand. “Around. I’m on my way out though. Maybe another time.”
Before she could walk off, he wrapped an arm around her waist and hauled her up against him. Annoyed, she dug her fingernails into his arm.
“Put me the hell down,” she said.
“Now don’t be like that, honey. I just want to visit and find out your name. Then next time, maybe you’ll dance with me. That’s all. Just a few minutes. That’s all.” He turned her around.
He seemed nice enough, and she had thirty minutes to kill before she needed to be at the bar waiting on the cab. She didn’t see that it would hurt to talk for a minute or two. She nodded, and he smiled big again. He really was kind of cute.
“My name’s Joe. Have a seat.” He pulled out a chair at a table where there were two other men. “These are my friends, Matt and Gill.”
“Hi, guys. I’m Kayley.” All of them were good looking and built like football players.
“Well, hi there, Kayley. How ’bout a beer, sweet thing?” Joe asked.
“Um, I’ll have a Ginger Ale. I’m on my way home, remember?”
“Right. Uh, Gill, get us all a round and the little lady a Ginger Ale,” Joe said.
“Sure thing.” Gill all but jumped out of his chair and headed toward the bar.
She looked around and was pleased to see that she wasn’t that far from the front door. She could actually see it in case the cab turned up earlier than she expected. Kayley relaxed into the chair and chatted with the men at the table. In no time, Gill was back with the requested beer and her drink. She sipped it, glad for the liquid as hot as she was.
“Think you’ll be back next weekend?” Joe asked.
“I plan to. Unless something comes up.” She took another sip of her drink.
“How about a dance?” Joe asked.
“Um, maybe next time. I don’t want to get all hot and sweaty again. I just got cooled off.” She smiled to soften the refusal.
Joe really seemed like a nice guy. Maybe they could become friends and dance next time. She’d be sure to watch for him when she came. She wondered where he was from because none of them looked familiar. She knew most of the people in town, having been born and raised in Cougar Den.
“Where are y’all from?” she asked.
“Staying at a hotel outside of town,” Gill said. “We’re part of the line crew putting in new cable in the area.”
“Oh, so you’re not really living anywhere close.” Disappointment washed over her. They wouldn’t be around much longer.
“No, home is Jackson, but we get out this way pretty regular,” Joe said, shooting a sharp look Gill’s way.
“Want some more to drink, honey?” Joe asked as she finished up her Ginger Ale.
“No, thanks.” She yawned and realized she was very tired. “I better head over to the bar and wait for my taxi to take me home. Maybe we’ll see each other next weekend.”
She started to get up, but Joe stopped her. “I’ll walk you over to the bar and wait with you, Kayley. Don’t want someone to bother you while you wait.”
She
smiled up at him when he stood up. What a gentleman. She was so tired. When she started to stand, Joe took her elbow and helped her to her feet. Why did she feel dizzy? Had she caught whatever Bea had? She hated being sick.
“Whoa, easy does it, hon.” Joe wrapped one arm around her waist.
“I–I don’t feel so good,” she said.
“Let’s get you outside for some fresh air. You’re probably overheated,” Joe said.
“Taxi will be here in a minute.” Her words didn’t sound right.
“Don’t worry. We’ll make sure you make it.” Joe eased her passed the bar with his arm wrapped around her waist. “Here we go. Let’s step outside so you can breathe fresh air. That’s a good girl.”
Kayley’s head spun and she couldn’t feel her fingers very well. She stumbled, but Joe kept her upright. What was wrong with her? Had Bea felt this way? Poor Bea. She must have felt horrible trying to dance just to please her. Kayley felt terrible for having put her friend though that.
“Here we go. Taxi’s here, hon. Let’s get you inside.” Joe walked her over to where a door opened and all but picked her up to put her inside.
She’d heard the crunch of gravel, but couldn’t focus well enough to see anything. Once she was inside the cab, she slurred out her address and leaned back against the seat, closing her eyes. When they started going, the motion of the car had her stomach rolling. She tried to open her eyes to see where they were several times. It seemed like they had driven forever. They should be at her house by now.
She felt a hand wrap around her shoulder, pulling her across the seat. Wait. Wasn’t she alone? Why was someone else in her cab?
“W–what’s goin’ on?” she managed to get out.
“Just relax, honey. I’m just seeing you safely home. You don’t look like you feel so good.”
It was Joe’s voice. She relaxed a little, but something wasn’t right. She couldn’t put her finger on it. She struggled to figure it out, but her head felt too woozy to concentrate on anything. Joe’s hand draped over her shoulder and squeezed her breast. Now that wasn’t nice.
She tried to reach up and grab his hand to make him stop. Her arms wouldn’t obey her and instead, she ended up flopping them around so that one landed on the seat next to her and the other landed in Joe’s lap. He grunted but only squeezed her breast harder. It was then that she realized where her hand had landed, right on top of a very hard cock.
Instantly, adrenalin poured through her system, pushing away some of the wooziness that had invaded her head. She shook her head and tried to regain use of her arms.
“No. No. Stop.” It all came out in a slurred voice as she fought to think.
Joe didn’t stop. If anything, he got more aggressive and pulled her around to half sit on his lap, his aroused cock poking against her thigh. When he started unbuttoning her top, she finally managed to pick up her arms and tried to stop him, slapping uselessly against his busy fingers.
“No!” she said with more force this time. “Stop.”
She wasn’t in a taxi. She could focus a little better now. She was in a truck. That was what had been niggling in the back of her mind. Instead of sitting down into the cab, Joe had picked her up and put her in a truck. Fear turned her blood to icy cold dread. They’d drugged her. Oh, God! They were going to rape her.
That thought spurred her on as she tried to fight Joe. The other two were in the front seat and had stopped being quiet. Instead, they were egging Joe on, making crude remarks and ugly suggestions. Finally, he had had enough of trying to fight her hands and unbutton her blouse. Joe grabbed it at the collar and pulled down, sending buttons flying across the truck as he tore them loose and spread the material wide.
Kayley’s terror burned a hole in her stomach. This couldn’t be happening to her. What had she done to deserve this? With every ounce of strength she could muster, she bucked and fought, making little progress in the process other than wearing herself out.
“Please. Don’t do this. Let me out,” she pleaded.
“Shhh, honey. No one’s going to hurt you. As long as you cooperate, we’ll take good care of you.” Joe’s hand on her breast tightened even more.
“Stop! That hurts.” She tried to scoot off his lap, but he only tightened his grip on her waist.
“Be still, or I’ll show you just how much it can hurt.” Joe’s voice grew ugly now.
Kayley couldn’t believe she’d thought he was nice, a gentlemen even. She tried to turn her head when he started to kiss her. He let go of her breast to grab her jaw and squeeze, turning her head back to face him. When his mouth covered hers, she tried screaming and fighting, but he was too strong. Trying a new tactic, she went limp, letting him think she’d passed out. When he relaxed his hold on her, she bit his lip, tasting blood, and managed to elbow him sharply in the ribs. The truck took a sharp turn and started bumping along a gravel road. Kayley wasn’t letting them rape her. She’d rather die than go through that.
“You bitch! You’ll pay for that.” Joe lunged for her, but she’d already found the door handle and pushed the door wide open, tumbling out of the truck, praying the entire time it wouldn’t run over her.
She hit the gravel on hands and knees and rolled off the road into the ditch. The sound of the truck slamming on breaks and sliding on the gravel had her fighting through the stinging pain from all the cuts and bruises to get up and run. She had to keep moving. As long as she was moving, she had a chance.
“Get her! Don’t let that bitch get away,” Joe screamed somewhere behind her.
Thank God it was dark and the moon and stars were mostly hidden behind the clouds. It gave her a little cover. She stumbled more than she ran since her arms and legs were still not totally functional. She had no idea where she was headed, but she didn’t care as long it was away from them.
Keep going. It became a chant inside her head as she fought her way through heavy vegetation, pushing deeper into the woods in hopes of losing them that way. She poured all of her waning strength into the effort to get away. The sounds of them somewhere behind her spurred her on.
Faster, faster, faster.
It became a chant in her head. Her feet pounded to the rhythm, her arms pushing at weeds, briars, and bushes to clear her path. Finally, she broke through and found herself on the banks of the river. Oh, God! She was at least thirty minutes away from town, if not more. She’d never get back home from here.
Kayley followed the river and ran as hard as she could. Maybe someone was camping or even out necking. She’d take a couple of horny teenagers in a fogged up car any day. Her breath was coming in spurts now as she fought the lingering effects of the drug and her own fear.
Just keep running. That’s all I have to do.
She reached a bend in the river and had to go deeper into the woods for a short ways before it opened back up to reveal a cleared area. She could no longer hear anyone behind her due to the ringing in her ears. She could barely see in front of her, which was the reason she fell over a log, landing hard on a rock when she went over. Pain exploded across her chest and side where she’d landed on the rock. Her shins burned from their collision with the log.
It took all of her strength to roll over and gasp for breath. Finally, she was able to crawl to her hands and knees. She tried to stand up, but she couldn’t make her legs work. She crawled on her aching knees and stinging palms toward a tree and started using the trunk to pull herself up, digging her nails into the bark. When she was once again on her feet, almost hugging the tree, she sighed with relief and prepared to push off and start running again.
“There you are, bitch!” Joe’s angry voice stilled her heart for two whole beats.
Rough hands grabbed her and turned her around, slamming her back against the tree. She brought her hands up to push him away, but before she could do anything, the other two men grabbed an arm each and held them back while Joe ripped at her bra and jeans.
Kayley screamed, long and loud.
“Scre
am all you want, bitch. No one is out here to hear you,” Gill said, his mouth close to her ear. “Matt over there likes it when you scream. Turns him on.”
She brought up her knee while looking at Gill, managing to reach Joe’s balls with enough force to hurt, but without enough force to incapacitate him. He bellowed and backhanded her.
“You’ll pay for that, too. Get her on the ground, guys. Let’s have us some fun.” Joe’s grin no longer looked good.
Kayley struggled, letting out another scream as they jerked at her boots and jeans while Matt held her arms above her head, his heavy knees on her hands and his hands tight on her upper arms. All she could do was scream and try to kick at the men removing her clothes. She hurt all over and was slowly losing the fight to keep them off of her. Tears streamed from her eyes as Joe grinned over her.
Kayley screamed again.
Chapter Five
Billy and Craig started dousing the fire, banking it so they could start it the next day. Billy could already anticipate a rod in his hand with a fish on the line as he packed up the cooler and carried it to the back of the truck. It would still have ice in it come morning. They had some more beer cooling in the fridge that was plugged in to the truck.
“Man, I’m tired. This sitting around drinking beer saps your energy,” Craig joked.
“I…”
A shrill scream pierced the air, silencing the frogs and insects. Billy and Craig turned in a circle, trying to figure out where it was coming from. Then silence crashed down on them, still no frog or insect sounds to fill the empty air.
“Fuck! Which way did it come from?” Billy yelled.
“I don’t know, but it was closer to the water, I think.” Craig took off toward the bank.
As they reached the water’s edge, another scream gave them the general direction. Together they ran toward the dying sound. Billy couldn’t imagine what was wrong, but he feared they would be too late. Had some camper gotten on the wrong end of a cougar or a wolf? Though he’d only seen one cougar in his life, there had once been many of them in the area. Wolves were another story, though. They had become a nuisance over the last few years.