Chapter 4

He came to my dorm. He wouldn' t take no for an answer.

"You need to face this, Sarah," Ethan said, his arm around my shoulder, guiding me out. "Show them you're strong."

I wanted to wear a hoodie, to hide, but he pulled it off my head.

"No hiding," he said, almost cheerfully. "Chin up."

The walk to the frat house was a gauntlet of stares. Whispers followed me like shadows.

My face burned. I felt naked, exposed.

Inside, the music was loud, the air thick with smoke and the smell of stale beer.

Leering eyes followed my every move. Vile comments, just loud enough for me to hear, pricked at my skin.

"There she is, the five-dollar girl."

"Heard there's more where that came from."

Ethan steered me towards a quieter room, away from the main crowd.

Chloe was there, her expression a mask of false sincerity.

"Sarah, I am so, so sorry about yesterday," she said, her voice dripping with fake remorse. "I was out of line. And I'm horrified about what happened with those pictures."

She held out a drink. "Please, accept my apology. Have a drink with me. Let's put this behind us."

Ethan squeezed my arm. "Go on, Sarah. It's a peace offering. Drink it."

His eyes were insistent. Trapped, I took the plastic cup.

The liquid was sweet, too sweet. I took a small sip.

Ethan watched me, a strange intensity in his gaze. "Finish it. Show Chloe you forgive her."

I hesitated, but the pressure was immense. I drank it down.

Almost immediately, a wave of dizziness washed over me. The room started to spin.

My legs felt weak, like jelly.

"What... what was in that?" I slurred, my vision blurring.

Chloe' s innocent facade melted away, replaced by a triumphant smirk.

"Something to help you relax," she purred.

Ethan's friends, Mark and Josh, appeared in the doorway, their faces predatory.

They closed in. Ethan stood back, watching.

"What are you doing?" I tried to push them away, but my limbs were heavy, unresponsive.

They dragged me to the center of the room.

"Time for some fun," Mark sneered.

Chloe pulled out her phone, her eyes gleaming. "Let's see if you can do the new viral challenge, Sarah."

They forced me to mimic stupid, degrading dances. My body wouldn't obey my commands. I stumbled, fell.

They made me crawl.

Laughter filled the room, harsh and cruel.

Their phones were all out, recording everything.

Through the haze, I saw Ethan. He was watching, a conflicted look on his face, but he didn't stop them.

"Don't go too far, guys," he said, his voice lacking any real authority. "Keep her clothes mostly on."

Mostly on. The words echoed in the fog of my mind.

I felt hands on me, pulling at my dress.

Then, blackness.

Someone, I think it was Josh, said, "Don't worry, man, she won't remember a thing. That stuff causes amnesia."

Ethan' s voice, distant, "Good. That's good."