The Inferno 3

October 2008

Andrew came to visit one morning with a friend of his called Tochi who seemed really shy. I was instantly attracted to him. When his eyes would catch mine he would wink and I’d blush. Taking a sit, Mother motioned for them to do the same. “How have you been son? This is such a wonderful surprise. How are your parents?” He grinned and looked almost boyish as he answered. All the while I kept stealing glances at Tochi and when we were finally introduced I offered him a tour of the house, which thinking about now must have sounded lame. We got to know each other and by the end of the day I’d been asked on my first date. Andrew didn’t seem too happy about it.

 “Be sure to behave yourself kid, some guys don’t like smarty pants”. 

He looked angrier than I’d ever seen him and I couldn’t understand why. I was too excited to allow him spoil my moods, I just kept a blank expression. My step mom shook her head when I decided to stick out my tongue at him. Everyone knew that Andrew and I didn’t get along.

Tochi and I began to see a lot of each other whilst Andrew just got meaner. I couldn’t understand the animosity. I got admitted into the University and everyone around me seemed to be having sex. Tochi had hinted on us consumating our relationship but I simply wasn’t ready. As a club boy, his mates were probably teasing him about not getting some from his wifey. I think a part of me knew that I would never sleep with him. Then his club threw an end of semester party and we attended. As usual there were scantily dressed chics who looked like they were begging for it. Toch1 was being gentleman and kept plying me with alcoholic drinks every time my glass was empty. I began to feel drowsy and that’s when I saw Andrew. He told Tochi to take me upstairs to sleep it out. When we got upstairs he started to kiss me which I didn’t mind, at least not until he began to take off my blouse.

“I can’t do this, I’m not ready. I’d rather lie down for a while” I said. Tochi didn’t seem to be listening. He even held my hand with his left hand and used his right hand to rip off my short skirt. We began to struggle and when I shouted he slapped me so hard that I tasted blood on my tongue.

“Please, please no. Tochi don’t do this I begged”. He was past listening so I summoned up strength and screamed. “Somebody help me please”. At which he pushed me onto the bed, ripped off my panties and drove his fingers into me. I screamed again and he covered my lips with his. Everything happened so fast the next minute. The door opened and someone pulled him off me. I was sobbing so badly that I started fighting when they tried to lift me.

“Ssshh ssh kid, its alright, you’re safe now’’. It was Andrew and I just hugged him and started crying like a banshee. He covered me with a sheet and turned to tochi. “Have you lost your fucking mind? What the fuck did you think you were doing? Trying to rape her?’’ Andrew threw a punch and carried me out of the room. He advised that I feign sleep and as he carried me down he told people that I was drunk. He put me at the back seat of his jeep and just stood there looking at me.

“Do you want me to take you back home kid?” Andrew looked cold blooded and scary. I burst into fresh tears that had nothing to do with the assault I just experienced and everything to do with this guy in front of me.

“Why are you always so mean to me? I almost got raped in there and you’re treating me like one of your statistics. Please move away, I can find my own way home”.

“Awww, please don’t cry honey. I didn’t mean to snap at you. When I’m around you I feel so helpless. But I promise that no one would ever hurt you again. I’m sorry. Please stop crying, I’ll take you home” he said… I shook my head and surprised myself by telling him that I wanted to go back to his place. I was still al shook up and I didn’t want to be alone. He looked skeptical but took me back to his flat. He got me a fresh towel and as I took a shower he put some food in the microwave. I slept in his room while he stayed in the guest room. The sheets had his scent all over but I just couldn’t sleep.

We drove back to campus the next morning and he waited for me to get my stuff. It was the last day of the semester and he had offered me a ride home. My face was swollen and my lip was split. Everyone thought I’d fallen down last night. I and Andrew agreed not to tell mother the truth as we got home and he promised to come visit me the next day. He came the next day as promised, and the day after that, and the days after that. We became close and I began to look forward to his visits. I remember one time he hadn’t called or checked up on me in three days. I was in my room on the fourth day reading a book when I glanced up and found him leading against the door of my room. “Come in, no need to hover there-I won’t bite you”.

With an uncertain smile he came into the room and sat down. “I’m not bothering you?”

“Nope. I was bored anyways that’s why I’m reading’. How have you been?” I asked

“I’m good kid. Sorry I haven’t been in touch. My mom was down with typhoid, so its been crazy at home” he replied.

“Sorry about that. I hope she’s alright now?” He replied in the affirmative. I hugged him then and when I withdrew he smiled. He raised his hands to touch my cheeks and I held on to them. His lips looked so inviting, so I leaned forward and did the noble thing. I kissed him. Taken by surprise, he returned my kiss and my arms went around him drawing him closer. I pushed him away and stood up to lock the doors. I wanted this guy very badly and he was gonna get it today.

Present day

He held my throat in a death grip and I couldn’t breathe. Every time I tried to scream he would squeeze tighter. Something glistened in his hand and I watched in horror as a blade came down to strike my chest over and over again. I woke up shivering and cold to my teeth. Who was this man I kept seeing in my nightmares. My throat was parched so I decided to go to the kitchen for a glass of water. I was walking past the sitting room when my instincts told me to halt. Something was definitely wrong. The hairs at the back of my neck were standing and that’s when I saw the shadow moving in the dark towards the sitting room. I dropped to the floor and sat behind one of the couches, thankful that I hadn’t turned on the lights. At first I thought my childhood horror character willi willi had come to life, but weren’t those the sound of footsteps? Well I’ll be damned, ghosts didn’t have footsteps and come to think of it they glided not walked. I definitely had one advantage over this intruder-this was my home and I knew all the nook and crannies of it. I held my breath as I crawled towards the kitchen. One thing was for sure, I needed a weapon fast. I wasn’t gonna die tonight.

The final chapter of this story would be published next week. Thank you for your patience