Uprising Memories

Chapter One

Feeling her heartbeat pounding in her skull, she slowly started to regain consciousness.

Panic starting to erupt in her aching body as cold shivers ran down her spine, making goose bumps appear over her sensitive skin.

Her eyelids felt heavy as she tried to force them to open and see where she was, but a rag placed over them was making her goal impossible to achieve. Feeling the numbness in her arms only proved that she had remained in the same position for quite a while, with her hands tied up over her head.

She tried moving them to break free, but felt the slicing pain on her wrists, so she stopped. She was lying on a soft surface, which was probably a bed and this made her butt the only part of her comfortable.

Two questions passed through her head; where was she…and why was she tied up?

Trying to concentrate on the sounds surrounding her, she could hear two men talking in the distance and the sound of water dripping. She wasn’t able to listen to what they were saying because of her thumping headache. Beyond the realization that someone had probably hit her on the back of the head and then dragged her here, she couldn’t remember a thing. Moving a little to take away the agonizing pain from her arms, she stopped because the bed was making too much noise and she didn’t want them to realize she was awake.

‘What was that noise?’ she thought to herself.

She tried to concentrate on the sound. It was like a wind, or no more than a breathing sound.

‘Oh god!’

Someone was next to her head. Panic struck her full force. Battling with herself, she tried not to move. Someone was right next to her and she was able to hear the person sniffing close to her ear.

"Mmmmm you smell so good, the man said with a deep low voice. Are you still sleeping Bella?" he asked.

Terror was rising in her system, making her tears unstoppable. It took all her efforts not to move, but her trembling chin was the hardest part to control.

"Answer me, are you awake?" he said louder, but making it a whisper in her ear.

Why her? She asked herself. What had she done to deserve this? Wasn’t her life miserable enough?

"I got a pretty knife for the pretty Bella…"

Feeling a cold, pointed object touching her earlobe, she heard the trickling sound of the cold metal on her bare skin. Then she felt it crawl down her neck very slowly, making a trail down to her collarbone towards the middle of her shirt and stopping right above her breasts, soon pulling on the shirt.

‘Keep your breathing regular, breath in, breath out and don’t move!’ she told herself, trying to control her panic.

"Now that’s a pretty cleavage for a pretty lady, don’t you think?" he asked her.

She still didn’t answer, hoping he would leave her alone.

"Well, I have to say it’s a very pretty cleavage, but I’m sure it’s a little too hidden." He slowly glided his knife in the V-shape of her shirt.

"A pretty cleavage shouldn’t be hidden like this; you have to show everyone how beautiful and perfect they are. I can help you with that, since you’re all tied up." His voice sounded like a petulant child with all its greed.

Aware of her burning eyes as her tears were making them sting, she was slowly losing her inner battle.

Feeling her top button tugged at, the unknown assailant sent the button flying away with a small flip of his razor sharp knife. He brought the knife to the second button, which also flew to the floor.

"Mmmm, now that’s a nice view! he said, as he opened her top and exposed more of her skin. She could feel his fingers caressing her cleavage. But it’s not nice enough," he growled.

Another button went flying. He used his knife, making it pass over her breasts very slowly and causing her system to panic inside with every caress of the blade. She noticed the burning sensation, feeling the slicing pain coming from the top of her breast and going down slowly while cutting her skin, then steadily running in-between her breasts. She wasn’t able to hold it any longer; the sensation was unbearable.

"God, please stop!" she cried.

Another man hollered from an adjoining room, Dammit, Ray, you know the rules! You heard the boss. Leave her alone or he’s going to be furious with us!

"Yea, I know what he said Max! Ray growled. He said that he wanted her alive! Is she dead?" Saying these words, he ran his hand softly on her hair; then taking a handful, he yanked her head back, exposing her vulnerable neck. Feeling his tongue crawling up her shoulder and licking its way up slowly to her neck, she had to fight not to throw up—all the while, sending her tremors running down her spine.

Tears were rolling down her cheeks since the rag was unable to hold any more liquid. Feeling his greedy tongue move up her neck, she sensed that he had stopped where her pulse was—that was beating as fast as a freight train.

Turning his head away from her with a panting husky voice, he said, Nope, she’s still alive! So I think I haven’t broken any rules, now have I?

"No, but don’t do anything stupid," he replied.

She could hear him laughing a little, then he whispered in her ear, There’s no problem. I’ll be very nice with her…if, she’s nice with me. His knife passed slowly over her cheek.

Feeling the bed shifting, he placed his knee on the other side of the bed so he was now sitting over her lap, facing her.

"So, as I was saying before we were so rudely interrupted, I think your breasts are still too hidden, so I’ll continue what I was doing."

"Please stop," she pleaded.

"Hush now…Don’t cry…I’ll take very good care of you, I promise!" Somehow Annabelle could actually see the evil grin on his face even through the blindfold.

She felt his hands gripping her shirt then ripping it open, taking all the last buttons away.

"Please don’t do this," she pleaded again, trying to break free from the restraints on her wrists.

His snaky gaze roamed over her vulnerable body making him want her even more. All he wanted was to feel her inside…but before that, he wanted to play a little. And hear her scream.

As she felt the knife passing over her waist and going up slowly, cold sweat seemed to form on her nerve-wracked brain. When the knife arrived at her arm where the sleeves of the shirt started, he said, I’ll have to cut it off for you, since you’re all tied up. He started cutting her shirt off and continued with the other arm.

"Please stop!" she pleaded again, hoping he would leave her alone.

Not listening, he ran his knife all the way down to her jeans, slowly coming back up to arrive under her breasts, passing from one side to another. This has to go too.

"No, please don’t do this…please!" she cried, struggling.

Placing the knife under the middle of her bra and lifting it, he slowly cut the fabric. With one strike, her breasts were fully exposed.

Her panic kicked in full-force as she tried her best to buck him off by wiggling under him. More pain cut into her wrists. It was useless; he was too heavy for her and her arms tied up over her head were hurting her too much. Feeling the bed shifting fast, he pulled on her hair.

"Ahhh stop!" She screamed at the pain.

Yanking her head back and exposing her defenseless neck, she felt the knife at her throat as he growled, Do that again and I’m going to cut that pretty little neck of yours…do you understand?

Feeling the knife being pulled away from her throat, she could only pant in desperation.

"Please let me go. I won’t say anything…just let me go. I don’t know you. I don’t even know why you’re doing this to me! I never did anything to you. Please just let me go. I beg you."

Tears rolled down her face now as if the rag on her eyes didn’t even exist. Her body was aching with pain…so much pain.

"Let me think…Um, no! You see Bella, my boss wants you for a reason. Someone owes him something and you, my dear, you’re kind of an exchange card, so when the deal is done, I won’t see you again. I’m a man and even if you can’t see me, you can hear me. I have needs you know, and right now, I’m in need of a pretty lady. If I let you go, my boss will be fuck’n mad at me and even probably kill me."

He leaned closer to her, his hands patting her hair. He came to her ear and whispered, You see, I want to know what it feels like to be inside you, to feel your pussy on me…to feel how tight you are, and I want to know what it feels like to be in that tight ass of yours.

She could feel his hands roaming on her now cold breasts. She started screaming, hoping someone could hear her—anyone. She was desperate.

"Stop! Please don’t do this!" she cried, feeling his hand slithering to her tummy and snaking around while he was sucking her breasts.

"Don’t, please stop!" Taking a deep breath, she screamed louder.

Her head went spinning to the right.

"Ouufff!" she grunted, tasting a metallic liquid in her mouth.

He had just slapped her face and cut her lip. She didn’t know what was worse; the throbbing headache she had from a slap in the face, or thinking of her life ending at twenty-seven, still a virgin, raped, and not knowing what it would have been like to be loved…just a little.

She spat the blood in his face without thinking about the consequences.

"You bitch!" He slapped her another time.

"Let me go!"

"Jesus, Ray! Shut her up or I will!" Max yelled at him from the other room.

She felt the bed shifting as he got up and left, cursing. She was hoping God had answered her prayers, hoping he would leave her alone but she heard footsteps coming back.

By now, she felt as if she had already been through a war.

Her throat burned from her screaming while he slapped her in the face for the third time making her head spin to her left. The excruciating pain was now unbearable and she felt dizzy from the slap she’d just received.

Grabbing her jaw, he squeezed it open and placed a rag in her mouth, making her gag.

"Don’t move," he growled.

She heard the sound of the masking tape before it was applied over her mouth, taping the rag with it.

"Sorry Bella, but I just want to make sure no one hears you screaming my name when I fuck you."

Feeling his way over her nearly naked body, he was now licking and moaning. He pulled her hair as he suckled at her neck. He made his way down slowly, starting to suckle her breasts.

Trying desperately to scream out of the rag she knew it was useless. No sound was coming out. She started to feel dizzy from the lack of oxygen.

"Mmm, you smell so good."

He placed his hand there were no man had ever touched her before. I want to smell you down there, Bella.

Screaming her lungs out, she felt her head about to explode from the pressure. She bucked and turned, trying to get rid of him, struggling to get away, and then she felt herself fall.

Chapter Two

All tied up, she was trying to break free from his grip. She opened her eyes, blinking fast. There was light! Looking around, she realized she was in her room lying on the floor, all rolled up and tangled in her blanket.

She untangled herself and placed her back against her bed, her head plopped backward, while looking at the ceiling and thanking God for waking her up.

She placed her hand over her sore throat, knowing she had probably been screaming again and realized her heart rate was still high, so she decided to stay like this for another minute. She wondered when these dreams were going to stop. Just thinking of them even in the bright light of day gave her shivers, and the temperature of the apartment wasn’t helping. It was Thanksgiving weekend and she still had trouble with her heater. She’d asked the manager to fix it two weeks ago, but he never came.

Wrapping herself with her blanket, she got up and went to the washroom, looking at her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was a mess and her eyes were puffy with dark circles. Annabelle was a very beautiful twenty nine year-old woman. She was five foot seven, delicate and gentle. Her eyes were a beautiful gray and her soft skin pearly that only complimented her long, wavy auburn hair. Her curves were in all the right places with a tight stomach and very straight, long legs.

But there was a secret part of her…the part nobody knew about; the one she always tried hiding, the one with the scars, both visible and hidden.

She had an ugly scar on her left breast about four inches long and another bigger scar on the inside of her left thigh about ten inches long. She could remember only segments of that day, leaving out bits and pieces, as if they were memories wanting to be forgotten. After he had cut her inner thigh, she had lost so much blood that she blanked out. There was a loop that was playing on and on in her head of that particular night. Nearly every night, she would have the same dream over and over again, as if feeling it once was not enough…as if she didn’t already have a miserable life.

In memory now of the pursuer and wanting to be released from the relentless assault, she was now facing in reality, her mind drifting away from all of it as much as it would allow.

She went to her kitchen and started her coffee machine, took a pan and went to the living room to touch the heater.

Stupid heater, she said out loud.

Banging it four times with her pan, she waited to hear the water come back up in the pipes and went back to the kitchen to make her coffee.

Still snuggled in her fluffy blanket, she went to her living room window to look outside while sipping on her hot, delicious coffee, all the while wondering what she was going to do today.

It was a cold, lonely, and rainy Saturday morning with nothing to do except the laundry and the weekly cleaning. She would always do her laundry and cleaning on Saturdays. This way, if she had something to do Saturday night the next day she could just be a lazy girl, watch TV, and hang out with her new friend Rachelle.

Annabelle lived on the second floor of a four-story beat up building. She didn’t want to be on the top floor, because the laundry room was in the basement…and as for the first floor, she would bet her last penny that it had bugs crawling everywhere.

When she got the apartment six months ago, she was very happy. She had repainted the walls with a nice light gray and a deep dark red. She had also bought some black and red frames and arranged her second-hand furniture around so it could feel nice and cozy. It wasn’t the best apartment, but it was the best she could afford. There was a department store two blocks away; the shopping center was only a fifteen-minute bus ride and the bars…thirty minutes away, but since she didn’t really go out anymore, she didn’t mind.

She checked her heater if it was working.

‘Yes! There is a God after all!’ she thought. With the heater working now, she had enough time to do her laundry and when she came back up, her apartment would be warmer. She put her empty coffee cup in the sink and went to her bedroom, got dressed, tied her hair in a messy bun and went to the bathroom to brush her teeth.

After picking up her laundry, she got her sweatshirt and grabbed a book. Looking down the hallway, she made sure there were no threats, before closing the door behind her. She picked up her laundry basket and headed down the stairs when all of a sudden, there it was…that cologne…a man’s cologne. She had already smelled it somewhere, but she couldn’t remember where.

After finishing her laundry, she picked up her clean clothes and went straight to her apartment. Her anxiety had gone up because of the scent she had picked up. She quickly entered her home and locked the door. Placing her back against the door, she closed her eyes and felt the thumping sound in her chest.

‘Everything is all right. No one will hurt me. Just breathe.’

After putting her clothes away she headed for the living room and saw her answering machine light on.

You have one new message.

Hello there, beautiful! I was wondering if you’d like to go out with me tonight. You know, go eat something and maybe head out to the bars? Well, I…um, well you see the thing is…I met this super nice guy today and well, I heard him talking with his friend and they’re heading to ‘The Lounge’ tonight to have fun. So I was wondering if you want to come with me. Please? Sugar please? Call me.

It had been such a long time since she’d entered a bar. The last time she was in a bar, she woke up somewhere else. Cold trimmers ran down her spine thinking of what had happened. Rachelle didn’t know the whole story, maybe someday she’d tell her, but she wasn’t ready to take that step. She knew that it was poisoning her lifestyle, but she was just not ready.

Before the event happened, she was an outgoing girl, just like Rachelle, always ready to go out and have fun. She would go out with a twenty-dollar bill and finish her night with that same twenty in her pocket because the guys always bought her drinks.

She really loved dancing; it helped her forget her misery. Every time she’d go on the dance floor, it was a wave of pleasure for the eyes. She would dance to the rhythm from the tip of her fingers to her tiptoes. She was a beauty in the night, always wearing her three-inch high heels, nice little black dress, hair up in a messy bun, strands falling out…

Shaking her head, she came back to reality.

She picked up her phone, dialed Rachelle’s number while sitting on her sofa.

Hey there my love, Rachelle answered.

Hello Rachelle, How are you?

I’m fine, where were you?

Sorry I just got your message. I was downstairs doing my laundry.

That’s why there’s voicemail, darling. So, did you think about what I asked? You don’t need to go if you don’t want to, but it’s been a long time since I saw a good looking guy that actually interests me, and it’s been a long time since you went out.

Thinking over what Rachelle had just said, maybe it was a good thing to do! Going out would maybe help her heal…just maybe.

Um…okay…but I don’t have anything to wear. I’ll have to look at what I have first, Annabelle replied.

That’s okay! If you want, we can go shopping and pick up something funky. Oh I know, let’s go get pampered! I’ll pick you up at let’s say…twelve? We can swing to the sandwich bar in the mall. You know the one where that cute guy works who’s always giving you the macho look, then gives you what you want without paying? What’s his name again…George, Garry?

It’s Greg, and no, I don’t like it when he does that. I mean, I don’t like to feel like I owe him something. Even if he says it’s not a problem. She looked at her ceiling, counting the cracks. But I do have to say the sandwiches are great! Indeed, they were the best she’d tasted.

Great! So twelve it is. Get ready and we’re off my girl. Love you, Anna.

"Me too." She put down her phone and took a deep breath. Breathing in, filling her lungs, and then exhaling. It was now eleven, and she had only one hour to clean up and get dressed.

Chapter Three

Looking outside to see if Rachelle had arrived, she noticed that they were probably the only people foolish enough to go out in such weather. It was pouring rain outside and there were big puddles of water on the lawns out front and on the road. She really didn’t want to go, but she was committed now.

Rachelle parked in front and waved her hand at her. Waving back, letting her know she had seen her, she went to the door and unlocked it, looked down the hallway to see if there was someone…coast clear! She stepped out of her apartment, locked her door, and turned around to catch the flight of stairs when all of a sudden she bumped into a wall.

Off!

Her eyes closing in immediate shock as her hands grabbed the surface in front, trying to keep balance, but something was holding her back.

Feeling the surface under her hands, she thought to herself, ‘How can a wall be so hard and soft at the same time?’ Without opening her eyes, she moved her fingers like a cat patting its place to sleep. Then snapped! Heart thumping panic coming in…Something was holding her back.

‘Breathe and open your eyes slowly,’ she said to herself.

Are you okay, Miss? the deep male voice asked, penetrating her soul.

Quivers ran up her spine. Her knees let go as if they were made of Jell-O, thinking that if the hard surface in front and the hand on her back weren’t there, she would have fallen to the floor.

Miss, I’m so sorry, I was running, I didn’t see you…are you ok? he repeated.

Opening her eyes, she looked at her hand that was placed on the nicest man’s chest she’d ever seen. She slowly glided her gaze upward to see his beautiful mouth that was not too small, but just big enough to make a girl go crazy. He had a firm jaw line with two-day old stubble. As she looked into his light blue eyes, she lost balance again. His gaze mesmerized her like a butterfly to a light. His eyes dilated as he was drinking her beauty.

Her anxiety started again as his cologne entered her system, making her knees go weak. As she felt herself start to fall, he pulled her to him; one hand on her back and held her tight. Feeling his rock hard body against hers, his heat penetrating through her thick coat.

Miss? Are you okay? I’m sorry I ran into you…I was coming from downstairs and all of a sudden you were there, he said, looking at her petite frame in his hard grip.

Rachelle was still waiting. Hearing a honking sound outside, Annabelle snapped back to reality. Um, no, I…um…yes, I’m okay. I think, um, she babbled.

‘Get a grip of yourself Annabelle!’ she told herself.

Sorry, it was my fault. Looking back, she noticed her hand were still on his chest. Feeling embarrassed now, she took her hand off and felt a flush of heat pass through her system as if the heater was at its highest and she was sitting on it. Feeling her cheeks blush, she said, Ummm, I have to go, I’m sorry.

It’s no problem. Just let me know if you need any help, Annabelle, he said with a grin, hoping she’d heard him as she was running down the stairs.

What took you so long? Forgot to pee? Rachelle asked as Annabelle jumped in her car.

Yeah, that’s it, I went to the washroom. She didn’t know how to say that she had just slammed into the most gorgeous guy on the planet and that she never felt so alive.

****

Watching the rain sliding across the window, she was thinking about the beautiful stranger when Rachelle broke the silence.

Are you okay, darling?

Yes, I’m…a little distracted…Do you have music? she asked, changing the subject.

Thought you’d never ask, Rachelle said, grinning.

Putting her iPod on, she said, You like this song, I believe…and I don’t want you singing, because I know how bad you sing and you’re going to ruin it, Rachelle said with a big grin.

Rachelle knew her friend quite well. After four songs, singing and dancing in their seats, they arrived at the mall, and went straight to the sandwich bar where Greg was working.

Rachelle gave her an elbow poke in the ribs, pointing at the blond giant working behind the counter. Looking at Rachelle in the eyes, Annabelle knew that she had something on her mind. Rachelle, don’t do anything stupid, please, she pleaded.

Do what? I didn’t do anything…yet! she laughed.

Hello Greg… Rachelle said with a purring voice.

Greg was a very good-looking guy; five foot eleven, dark blond hair, green eyes and a nice tan.

So what’s your special today? Rachelle asked.

Hello, Rachelle…hello, Annabelle.

Keeping eye contact with Annabelle, he said casually, Today’s special is a warm tomato cream soup, my best vegetable, and chicken Panini sandwich with grated cheese.

Eyes still locked together, Rachelle looked from one to another. Having a little idea of her own, she cut the silence.

That sounds great, I’ll take that.

Which one? Greg chuckled. Annabelle blushed furiously.

Panini, she said softly.

So is that all what you want? Rachelle asked, giggling.

Annabelle blushed again. She could have punched her good friend at that moment. Rachel turned to Greg with the sweetest of smiles.

I’ll take the same thing. She had a sparkle in her eyes as Annabelle could stand there, face red. Rachelle paid her lunch, and went to find a table. Annabelle passed at the cash register and asked Greg, How much?

It’s free for you darling, he said with a wink.

But I’d like to pay, she insisted.

No…You don’t pay here. Leaning against the counter, he said softly, You can pay me by going out with me tonight. What do you say?

Looking at him in the eyes, he was cute and everything, but there was something about him that she didn’t like.

No, I’m sorry I have to say no.

Do you have a boyfriend? he asked, almost purring.

No, I don’t. It’s just…I can’t. Sorry. She placed ten dollars on the counter, hoping it would pay for the lunch. Taking his elbows off the counter, he was tall, but not as tall as the wall she’d bumped into thirty minutes ago. Remembering him made her feel a pulse of heat entering her body.

Okay, then. He slid her back the ten dollar bill. See you later, but if you change your mind…you know where to find me. He winked at her again, turned around, and continued his work.

Annabelle and Rachelle went to the salon to take care of their hair, nails, and make-up. When that was done, they started trying on dresses. Annabelle was only trying on pants or legging style garments. She was too scared that her scars would show if she wore a dress. Rachelle never saw or knew about the scars, she only knew a little of the story.

She found a nice little black dress with a left shoulder strap; the length was perfect too. A little too sexy for her, but they were going out. She tried the dress and looked at herself in the mirror. It was perfect. Wiggling inside the cabin, testing to see if the dress would rise after dancing or sitting, she was pleased. Nope, it stayed put.

Rachelle was waiting for her to come out and show her. Wow, my god! If I were into girls, I’d ask you out on the spot. Because baby, I just fell in love! You are breath-taking girl. Turn around, I want to see if you have a gorgeous butt in this dress.

Turning around a little shyly, Annabelle did.

Damn girl! God must love you because you have all the curves in the right places.

Trying to change the subject, she looked at Rachelle. Your dress is very beautiful on you too.

Rachelle had a very nice red dress, which had rhinestone on her shoulder straps with a plunging V-neck, tight from the waist down.

Wait till you see the back. Turning around, the V-neck was nothing compared to her back. It was so low, it stopped just before seeing her butt crack.

They paid for their dresses and added some accessories then went to the shoe store.

I have to go do something, be right back, Rachelle said and left.

How can I help you, dear? the sales women asked while approaching.

I’m looking for shoes to go with this dress. She pulled it out, showing her the garment.

I think I have what you need.

Walking to the back of the store, there was a wall of nice sandals, and pumps, and then she saw