Page 197 of Don't Leave Me
Jack looked over at me with narrowed eyes. His hand that held mine grew tighter.
“How did I get the bruise on my hips? It’s all over,” I looked down at my covered body, as if he didn’t know where it was.
Jack’s jaw clenched. “I thought I asked you not to make me say it,” he looked ahead now, looking around at all the people we passed.
“Can you show me? I mean, not as hard. I’d like to know. I don’t like not remembering,” I said innocently, realizing my voice was trembling.
Jack looked down at me again suspiciously.
“Fine. I’ll show you, sweetheart,” he muttered quietly, and nothing more was said.
We were in the loft 2 minutes later. Jack bolted the door behind him and shrugged his coat off. I set my bag down and waited for him - I was frozen as I watched him set his coat on the rack.
“Get undressed, Hana,” he rolled his sleeves up and sat down on the couch.
I quickly threw my coat off, my boots, jeans and shirt following. I was only in my bra and underwear and waited for him to give me my next command.
“Come on,” he waved me towards him. I was concerned that he didn’t seem amused or excited.
I stood in front of him, suddenly nervous -what if he does it all over again? What if he’s mad that I asked him? It all still hurts. I don’t think I’d enjoy it this time.
“Lay on the floor, face down in front of me,” he instructed, watching me with careful eyes.
I laid tummy first on the cold, hard floor, keeping myself propped up with my elbows underneath me.
“I had your wrists tied together, and you had them right there underneath your left shoulder,” he explained, still sitting on the couch and watching me.
That made sense. But surely my own weight wouldn’t have given me a bruise.
“I threw you on the ground that way,” he said, as if reading my thoughts.
My stomach dropped. Hethrewme?
“Oh,” I whispered.
“It only gets worse, Hana. You still want to hear it?” his voice low and sinister - the scary Jack was back.
I was afraid to turn back now. I needed to know what had happened.
“Yes,” I nodded, still on the floor.
Jack stood up and my heart began to race. He hovered behind me, both feet on each side of me, then took my hair in his hands and lifted me to my knees. Shocked, I let out a cry, the pain not horrendous but the surprise of it more scary.
“I took my belt off, Hana, and began to hit your ass with it. Quite a lot,” he said into my ear, letting go of my hair and keeping me on my knees as he still crept behind me.
He began to rub my ass - now he was enjoying it. But was I? I was terrified that he wouldactuallyshow me, that he would recreate that night and bruise me even more.
I could hear him taking his belt off now. I couldn’t help myself - I blurted out with a cry, “Please don’t!” I bolted my eyes shut and tears began to stream down my face. I could hear Jack pause and throw his belt on the ground.
“Come here, sweetheart. I won’t,” he said gently, pulling me up with both of his hands and then wrapped his arms around me, comforting me.
“I don’t want to know,” I said into his chest, my cry loud and heaving.
Jack rubbed his hand around my back and I could feel him breathing heavily.
“I want to forget as well,” he said quietly.
I looked up at him - the pain and guilt in his eyes was so apparent and so real.
