I remained in a daze, barely absorbing Sabrina’s excited stream of words. The simmering flames of frustration within me continued to bubble, coursing through my veins like an infection.
“Anybody need to use the bathroom?” Shane's voice cut through the thick atmosphere of the car.
I peered out the window into the unfamiliar territory, noting that the sun had dipped below the horizon, leaving a canopy of shimmering stars scattered across the black sky. Their silent twinkling brought an odd sense of comfort amidst the chaos.
“Sure,” I replied, seizing the opportunity to escape the suffocating tension.
Caiden and I still hadn’t exchanged a word, and I hoped it would last.
The cold air of the small gas station sliced through the heat of my body as I stepped inside. I searched for a sign leading to the restroom but found nothing.
Wearily, I approached the front counter, where a bearded man stood, his gaze lifting to meet mine with an unsettling grin.
“How can I help ya, young lady?” he asked, his voice dripping with a drawl that made me wish for a jacket.
“I need to use the restroom,” I replied, my voice small and squeaky. His grin widened, a predatory glint in his eyes.
“Sure thing, anything for a lady like you. Bathrooms out back; here’s the key.” He handed me a wooden stick with a key attached, his gaze lingering longer than comfortable.
“Great, thank you!” I said hurriedly, eager to escape his lustful scrutiny.
I glanced outside, spotting Sabrina and Shane engaged in conversation beside the car, their silhouettes barely discernible in the darkness. A solitary light hung by the front door of the gas station, casting feeble illumination over the scene.
I walked around the building to the back and spotted a small shed marked with a bathroom sign. The structure appeared dingy and uninviting, a sketchy cube that made my stomach churn.
The door creaked as I entered, revealing a grimy interior with dirt clinging to the sink and walls.
Once I finished, I hastily washed my hands, eager to return to the clean safety of the car. As I opened the door, I found the man from the front counter waiting for me by the entrance, a smirk playing on his lips.
“Fuck,” I whispered under my breath. Darkness enveloped me, a thick cover that concealed my presence. The building loomed above like an ominous cloak. I opened my mouth to shout, but my voice vanished into the void.
Thump. Thump.
My heart raced, pounding against my ribcage, while my mind froze in terror.
The man’s hands glided over my skin, his toothy grin dangerously close, and an unsettling sensation of invisible bugs crawling across my flesh sent shivers down my spine.
“You’re such a pretty thing,” he grumbled, pressing me against the wall, its rough surface jabbing uncomfortably into my back.
“Please,” I whispered, desperation lining my voice.
“You want more, little girl?” he taunted, his breathhot and foul.
I shook my head vigorously. “No. Please leave me alone.”
I pushed against his chest, but he remained immovable, a grotesque statue.
“Feisty little thing,” he murmured, his hands continuing their sickly exploration. I repeated my plea, but he ignored me.
“I think she wants you to leave her alone.” The voice cut through the darkness, and my eyes snapped open.
Even in the dim light from the bathroom door, I recognized Caiden’s tall figure. His voice was calm, but I longed to read his expression, to know what he thought of this nightmare.
A wave of déjà vu washed over me, recalling years ago when I had found myself in a similar position with Caiden. His hands had once touched me too, leaving a coldness that cascaded through my body.
“Mind your own business, boy!” The man’s weight shifted as he turned toward Caiden, the threat momentarily lifted.
“It’s late. The lady and I need to get moving, so how about you crawl back into the hole you came from?” Before the sleazy gas station clerk could respond, Caiden seized my arm and dragged me around the corner of the building.
