Here's the story that was, and still is, casuing me a moral dilemma. I do
not in any way condone rape. This story is exactly that, a story and if
anyone is offended please remember that.
For Claire.
The dirty water splashed onto her new trousers and boots, but she didn't care. She'd gotten herself lost in Downtown, trying to escape the shadowy form still following her.
She ran on, through the narrow streets and alleys, splashing through puddles caused by the earlier storm. Her breath was becoming ragged and she knew she'd have to stop soon otherwise she'd have an asthma attack.
She stopped in a dark corner of a forgotten nightclubs doorway. She looked around, hoping to gain some bearing as to where she was, but she didn't recognise anything. She'd never been this deep into the heart of Downtown before.
She glanced out the doorway and saw her pursuer at the top of the street. The light from a passing motorbike on one of the gangways above reflected off the knife in his hand.
She heard him speaking to the shadows as he looked side to side, checking for her.
"Laura, Laura, where are you?
Laura, Laura, won't you come out to play?"
Her breathing was still raspy and threatened to betray her presence. She glanced out the doorway again, and, seeing that his head was turned away from her, darted down the alley at the side of the club.
She realised her mistake almost as soon as she entered the alley, for it was obviously a dead end. She skidded to a halt, accidently knocking over a pile of plastic crates.
The voice in the street raised in volume.
"Are you playing hide and seek Laura?
Are you hiding?
Because I am seeking!
Shall I count to ten and come and find you Laura?"
"10"
She glanced round the alley, looking for somewhere to hide.
"9"
A boarded up door on her left.
"8"
An open and empty dumpster, its top rusted into it's current position.
"7"
A fire escape, rising one level before it's struts were snapped and the rest of the stairs torn away.
"6"
Piles of rubbish in the corners next to the back wall.
"5"
She cowered at the side of the dumpster, hoping he wouldn't see her and hoping that she could run past him.
"4"
Down the side of the cart she could see him silhouetted at the entrance to the alley.
"3"
His heavy, booted footsteps echoed down the alley.
"2"
She glanced around her for a weapon, but the nearest bottle was in the corner, several metres away.
"1"
the shape was above her, knife held loosely but ready, flak armour half hidden by a ripped leather jacket.
"Shall we have some fun Laura?"
She watched in horror as laughter rippled across a face she recognised from the TV.
She decided to try her chances and run away. She jumped forward, clearing the gap between the dumpster and the man. Suddenly she felt a strong arm grab her jacket, ripping it off her and forcing her to the ground.
He stood over her, casually waving the knife around as he spoke.
"That wasn't fair Laura. I don't want you to keep running. You'll get tired and won't be up to the fun I have planned."
As she squirmed to get away, the knife came down and he ran it over her top, from her neck to her belt. He smiled, in the same way she had seen many times on the TV, as he pulled the remenants of her top aside, exposing her breasts.
She must have passed out because she was woken by a sharp slap across her cheek that became a gentle caress.
She found herself bound to the framework of the fire escape, her arms and legs spread. His hand was still on her face and looking into his eyes, she thought she could see a glimmer of remorse for having hit her.
"Laura, Laura, are you tired?
Do you want to sleep?"
He moved forward to kiss her, but she wriggled her head to stop him. Another sharp slap made her face go numb and she barely felt his lips touch hers.
He moved back, and again the knife was in his hand, cutting her belt, then a swift movement from front to back. He peeled the two halves of her trousers down, leaving her naked.
"Such a beautiful body Laura. Why do you hide it in clothes?"
She looked at him, stood there, admiring her body, and she mustered all the energy she had left and spat in his face.
"That wasn't very nice now, was it Laura?"
"What have you got for me, Sergeant Powell?"
'Oh, Hi Daniel. That rapists struck again.'
"You sure?"
'Same MO. Chases a girl into Downtown, strings her up, rapes her, then cuts her little finger on her right hand off.'
"Got any info from her?"
'Shes catatonic, Davis is in with her.'
"Davis?"
'She's the new counsellor.'
The door to the APC was slightly ajar, and he could see a young girl, naked except for a long jacket thrown over her shoulders. A tall blonde haired woman was wrapping up her hand and talking to her.
Daniel knocked on the door.
"Daniel O'Crow. May I come in and do an interview for Third Eye News?"
The girl turned towards him and started screaming.
'GET HIM AWAY FROM ME, GET THAT BASTARD AWAY FROM ME!'
The blonde haired woman looked at Daniel, her eyes asking the question he was asking himself.
He shrugged his shoulders and left them alone. He wondered what had caused that outburst.
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