Chapter 27: SOS

**Lena**

I lay there frozen, my stomach churning like curdled milk as I struggle with my racing thoughts. Each breath feels murky and labored, despite my efforts to inhale and exhale slowly. It’s impossible to compose myself when my heart is pounding like this; my mind, body, and soul utterly broken as I replay the scenario that unfolded. It’s frustrating to think about the choices I could have made, should have made, and I can’t stop myself from questioning why my body didn’t respond the way I needed in such a critical moment. Why didn’t I grab my taser? Or pepper spray? Why didn’t I fight back more fiercely? Bite, hit, or do whatever it took to defend myself? What would have happened if Jasper didn’t call? I sit up on the edge of the bed, gripping the sheets as I ignore the tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I should have heeded Katie’s warning; she and Jordan offered to come with me, they made their concern obvious, but I turned them down, stubbornly choosing to face this moment with Jasper alone. Yet I unknowingly walked directly into James’s trap, and it’s unsettling to accept how easily I fell into the palm of his hand. I was so immersed in my time with Chase, in the coziness and safety of our time together over the last twenty four hours, that I lost touch with the reality of my situation. I didn’t even bother to call Jasper first, just made my way back to the room like an idiot. Had I checked where he was first, I could have avoided running into James alone completely.

My train of thought is interrupted by the sound of James shuffling around outside the room, his ominous steps sending me into a state of panic. I immediately jump up and scramble to lock the door, my hands trembling against the cold, metal door knob as the subtle click seals me in the bedroom. I lean my weight against the door, using my body as a protective barrier that will somehow shield me from his attempts to invade this space. Suddenly, the doorknob rattles, sending a chill down my spine. What is he doing? I cover my mouth and hold my breath, listening intently as James chuckles from the other side. “Come on now, Len… don’t be like that,” he scoffs in a casual, but menacing tone. I take a cautious step back, distancing myself from the evil lurking just a few feet away. My eyes search the room when I notice my purse on the floor near the dresser. I quickly reach for it and carefully undo the zipper, the fabric rasping as my fingers brush against the familiar contours of my phone. With a quick glance toward the door, I pull it out and my fingers tremble as I type a frantic SOS text to Katie. ‘I need you. Right now!’ I hit send and bite my lip, willing my message to reach her sooner rather than later. Please, please, PLEASE have your phone on you Katie! The adrenaline that barely subsided shoots into overdrive as the handle rattles again, this time more aggressively. “Lena, I believe there’s been a misunderstanding,” James's voice resonates through the wood, followed by melodic taps. “It would be best if we kept this little secret… between ourselves. We wouldn’t want Jasper to know where my dick was not that long ago.” The way he speaks makes his statement feel less like a suggestion, and more like a threat. Each passing second feels like an eternity, and I can only hope my friends will see my message before James is successful in unlocking the door.

I drop to the floor and curl up into the fetal position when I hear the familiar ping of my phone. The screen lights up to reveal a text from Katie confirming my need, "we are on the way!" My stomach flips at the thought of their arrival, a whirlwind of relief washing over my stressed state. I just need to make it a few more minutes, only a few more minutes and then I will be safe. The doorknob jingles more gently this time, sounding as though he’s attempting to coax the lock open from the other side. I spring into action, leaping towards the door to hold the lock in place before he gets back into this room. Without even seeing him, his frustration is evident: muttered curses slip from his lips like poison as he continues to fiddle with the handle. “Lena, let me in so we can talk about this,” he pleads, his voice strained yet baleful. I can sense his desperation as he groans in response to my silence. “I’ve been in love with you for so long. I… I let my instincts take over. Please, just let me in so we can talk about this.” He nudges the lock, attempting to wheedle it open, but I push it back into place yet again. “What is there to talk about James? You tried to fucking rape me!” I retort through hysterical pants. I use every ounce of my strength to keep it shut, to keep the lock in place, determined not to let it budge unless Katie and Jordan are safely on the other side. “Lena!” he calls out again, his voice cracking with vexation as he slams his fists against the door. I flinch as the door vibrates, the tremors more forceful this time, reverberating through my chest I push back. Hot tears spill down my cheeks, and dread drowns me in its waters when I realize that he may break it down!

“Get THE FUCK away from that door!” Jordan's voice thunders from the other side of the barrier that separates James and me. Katie’s voice follows, soft but resolute, “James, step back.” A comforting warmth envelops me as I hear the united shuffling of their feet moving closer. "What are you two ladies doing here?" James sneers, his voice oozing with contempt. I can almost picture the twisted scowl on his face, the arrogance dissipating as he processes the gravity of the situation. It's clear he hadn’t anticipated my friends to show up, but thankfully he has no choice but to back off. “Ummmmm, I think the real question is why are you banging on the door like a fucking gorilla? Get out of the way!” Jordan snorts as her irritated voice grows closer, the sharpness of her tone alone enough to frighten a grown man out of confrontation. James mumbles something under his breath as he retreats, his footsteps echoing through the suite like an answered prayer. Katie knocks gently on the door before calling out, “Lena, we’re here.” I quickly wipe the tears from my cheeks, my heart racing as I fumble with the lock. As soon as the door clicks open, Jordan and Katie rush inside. Katie wraps her arms around me, her sweet embrace both grounding and comforting me, while Jordan slams the door shut. She locks it with a determined click before joining us, both their eyes wide with worry as they glance at me.

“Lena, what happened?!” Katie asks urgently, brushing the sweaty curls out of my face. I open my mouth to speak, but before a single word can be uttered, I break down into hysterical tears. I cover my face, unsure of how to tell my friends what happened just before they arrived. “Thank god you are here,” I sob as they lead me towards the bed, interlinking our arms like we used to at recess in middle school. "Tell us what happened," Katie suggests softly as we sit; her voice soothing as she watches Jordan twist open the cap of a water bottle and hand it to me. "Yeah, what did the piece of shit do?!" Jordan growls as she sits down next to me, wrapping her arm around my shoulders as I sip the water. “And where is Jasper?!” Katie adds as her gaze sweeps over my tattered outfit, her eyebrows knitting together in concern as she pieces together the story behind my disheveled appearance. I let out a sigh of relief, an unspoken understanding settling between us as I look back and forth between them. Thank god they are here.