Unseen Strings

Chapter 3

"Move your hips," he demanded, his voice growing rough.

Something inside me rebelled, but my body moved to the rhythm of his. His hand, once resting on my chin, began to descend, slipping beneath my skirt. A wave of nausea washed over me; I had never been touched like this before. As his fingers grazed my thigh, I felt the cold metal of a ring. A surge of fear coursed through me as his body pressed against mine, a stark and uncomfortable reminder of his intentions. His hand continued its invasive journey, seeking to breach the barrier of my clothing. I shook my head, trying to regain control, but his grip tightened.

"You're soaked." His breath was ragged, hot against my skin as his fingers fumbled with my underwear. "Oh, Angel..." he groaned, "soon... so very soon." A sharp pain shot through me as he pinched my clit, a cry escaping my lips before I was roughly shoved forward.

Reality slapped me in the face as I crashed onto my knees.the unsettling realization dawning on me that he was here, in the same room. He had vanished as quickly as he had appeared, leaving no trace except for a lingering sense of unease.

"Angelina!" Marcus appeared, helping me to my feet. "Are you alright?"

I shook my head, my eyes scanning the crowd. The spot where he'd been standing was now occupied by a group of girls, none of them tall enough to be him. He had come and gone, like a phantom in the night.

"Angelina!" Marcus's voice cut through the music, his hand on my shoulder. "What happened?"

I shook my head, trying to clear the image of the dance floor. "I just...tripped," I mumbled, wincing as pain shot through my knees.

Marcus's eyes widened. "On a stone floor? Are you sure you're okay?"

I nodded, though the pain was starting to set in. He gently guided me away from the dance floor, his arm shielding me from the crowd.

Spotting Amanda across the room, Marcus waved her over.

"What's up?" She called over the new roar of people.

"Angelina fell!" He shouted.

"Who?" She raised an eyebrow.

"Angelina!" he replied, hands on his hips.

"Oh no!" Amanda exclaimed, her eyes widening. "Where?"

"On the dance floor!" He answered her with a hand on his hips.

"She fell on...!" Amanda stopped talking as she had a realization and yanked her phone out of her side pocket. Her flashlight beamed as she bent over. "Oh God!" Amanda cursed, the flashlight on her phone illuminating the damage. "That looks bad."

"What is it?" Marcus joined her, his voice filled with concern. "Oh, that's not good."

"Are you okay?" Amanda asked, her concern seeming a bit forced.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I shrugged. "It's not a big deal."

"Your knees are scuffed up Angelina." Marcus furrowed his eyebrows. "You're bleeding."

"I'll be fine." I tried to brush him off.

"No you won't." He denied, "they need to be cleaned. This floor is filthy." He shook his head from side to side.

"I can do it myself," I insisted, rolling my eyes slightly.

"Let me help you," he offered with a gentle smile.

"I'll go find Laci," Amanda said, disappearing back into the crowd.

"Let's go." Marcus led me further from the dance floor and down a corridor. A sign shined "medic" above an office door.