Chapter 22- (T.W. This chapter contains sexual assault)

Ember:
I feel incredibly torn as I look around the bunker, and know that Ava isn’t down here with us. Dread seeps through my body and I know something is wrong. I saw that the door is locked and that there were no women in sight of it when it was closed, that only can mean a few things. One of them is that she didn’t make it to the bunker in time and is hiding in her house or somewhere else in town and if that is the case, I only hope that she is not alone. The second option is that she is in danger. I know I made a promise to James to stay put, but I have a terrible feeling that Ava is in trouble. I can't abandon her safe in the bunker if she is hurt. I look around to the women who see that we have a problem and are scared I know that I need to act. I can’t leave them here and risk myself to whatever danger is above us, but I also can’t sit back and do nothing when my friend is in danger. I look to the men who have been left with us. I make a decision and pray that it is the right one.“I need three volunteers to go and search for our missing woman. Her name is Ava and she lives in Lucas’s cottage.” They look questioningly at me when I don’t call her his mate, but I have no time or desire to focus on that now. “She is our youngest female with long dark hair and pale skin. She is shy and skittish so when you find her, reassure her that you are bringing her to safety. When you find her bring her here as quickly as possible.” It fills me with pride when all ten men step forward offering themselves up for the task. I quickly pick three and lead them to the door. Quietly I tell them. “When you return with Ava knock three times in quick succession, take a five second pause and then knock four times in quick succession. That’s how I will know that it is you that has come back and not an enemy. Please hurry and be safe.” They all reply, “Yes Luna.” I post a guard by the door once it is locked in place again and tell him the secret knock to listen for. When he hears it, he is to tell me so that I can open the door, since I am the only one who has the key. I send off a prayer to the gods that my friend will be found safe.

Ava:
I feel numb looking up at the sky between the large overhanging branches of the forest. I try to imagine I am anywhere but here, I am home and safe in my bed. My mother is making my favorite breakfast and we will spend the day in the market. My pleasant thoughts are interrupted by his heavy body on mine. His dirty hand still covers my mouth so I can’t scream out. The first time I cried out in pain and panic he tackled me down to the ground, and then I felt a quick repetition of fists to my mouth. He tore my dress off of me in a frenzy while I tried to fight against him. He is so strong and big that no matter how much I struggle I can’t gain any ground; I’m just stuck under him and subject to his twisted desires. The feeling of his rough hands squeezing my breast and trying to shove my legs apart makes me feel sick. I keep trying to go to my happy place, but I can't imagine him away. When I won’t open my legs, I feel his claws dig into my skin. I have never been touched by a man before and now his hands, this monsters’ hands are all over me bruising and breaking me. When he tore through my maidenhood, I went rigid with pain. The burning as he tears his way inside of me is unbearable, with each vicious thrust I feel a stab of hot pain radiating through my body. I try and try to get away but each time I do I’m met with his hateful fists. I wish I was dead, there is no getting away, so I just lay there and endure as he continues to force his way into my body, tears run continuously down my face as I look into the sky. I silently pray for someone to rescue me, but my pleas go unheard. It’s when I feel his teeth embed themselves into my neck that I manage to scream out my pain, his hand that had previously blocked out my cries is on my neck squeezing beside his fangs. It feels like hot acid is racing though my veins which only adds to the pain that has consumed me. I start to feel incredibly weak and black spots cover my vision. Two more hard thrusts into me and Ian collapses onto my broken, used body. It’s so hard to breathe with his weight on my chest but I don’t have the strength or will to move. I hear my name being called out. It sounds so far away, and I want to yell out that I’m here, but no noise other than the screaming in my head can be heard. I am able to take a deep, gasping breath when I feel the heavy weight come off of me. Ian looks down at me with disgust and says “Lucas took something from me, so I took from you. If we didn’t have company coming, I would kill you so that he could know what it feels like to not have a mate. To see all the happy couples when he is alone, longing for something that has been denied him. Maybe I have something better to punish him with now, every time he enters you, you will always think of me. Goodbye sweetness, who knows maybe I’ll see again. I certainly hope I do.” I start sobbing in relief when I see Ian disappear into the woods. I curl up into a ball and I hate how wet and sticky my legs feel. My body finally shuts down and there is only nothing, no pain and no fear. I want to stay asleep forever.
Ember:
What feels like hours later, but I know is probably only thirty or forty-five minutes I hear the guard posted at the door calling for me. “Luna the knock. They’re here.” I was not prepared to see Ava’s broken; bloody body carried by one of the men. My heart breaks and guilt floods me, I should have noticed her missing sooner, I should have gone after her myself. I didn't protect my friend like I promised I would. He carried her into the bunker and down into the medical room set up for emergencies. I have them leave the room when I pull the cloak that she has been wrapped up in away from her body. Tears fall freely as I take in her injuries. Her face is swollen and bruised, dried blood clinging around her mouth and nose. Her chest and sides covered in black ugly bruises. It becomes apparent not only from her nude body but also by the red raised marks on her thighs and the blood and semen caked to her skin that she has been raped. I think it must have been a hunter until I see the damning evidence of bite marks on her neck. I am only comforted by her steady breathing. “I promise we will find who did this to you Ava. I’m so sorry. I’m here now.” I whisper comforting words to her as I wash her broken body with a warm wet cloth. My heart aches for her and I feel responsible. I promised to care for her, and I failed. I should have known sooner that she wasn’t here or told James we had to get her on our way. I just don’t understand who would have done this to her. Why? After Ava is cleaned and covered in a soft blanket, I go out to the waiting group. “Ava has been injured. Please give her privacy while we figure out the details of the attack. When we are released you are to go straight home with your partners. No woman will be outside alone until the person responsible is caught. Now please rest and eat, the men should be back for us soon.” I go back to Ava’s side and hold her hand while she sleeps. I burn with anger knowing that we have been betrayed by one of our own. I vow to kill whoever is responsible for this crime.