YOU WRECKED ME

HUNTER'S P.O.V

(SIX MONTHS AGO)

Birthdays are supposed to smell like cake and candles, but mine smelled like blood instead.

"Ma, I'm home!"

It was the day after my twenty-first birthday.

My girlfriend, Vera, had planned a huge surprise party for me.

Well, it wasn't much of a surprise because she threw me a party every year since we started dating. It had become a yearly ritual, so I already knew she was planning one.

All I had to do was act surprised each year and yesterday I did.

Almost everyone was in attendance. My friends, Vera's friends and a few of our course mates that I spoke to from time to time.

Vera's mother was there- and, to my surprise, so was her father, who was usually far too busy to attend events like this.

Everyone was present, everyone except the only family I had-my mother.

"Of course I invited her, we've been planning this party together for weeks."

That was Vera's response when I asked her about my mother's whereabouts. Halfway through the party, and my mum still hadn't shown up.

"I'll call her, just try and enjoy the party," Vera assured me, rubbing a soothing hand on my shoulder.

But it was hard for me to enjoy anything. The cake, my guests, even Vera's father, whose approval I'd always chased.

"She's not answering," I stated the obvious, after Vera's third call went to voicemail again.

"She's probably on her way already, you know it's a three-hour drive from her place," Vera reminded me.

"No, something's wrong, it's so unlike her."

I picked up my coat, turning to the exit to leave.

"Hunter, you can't go now, you have guests to attend to. All Daddy's lawyer friends are here and would love to see you. I'm sure she's on her way."

"But she was supposed to be here yesterday," I replied, looking at the door hoping that any minute from now, Mum will walk in.

"She'll be here. I promise," Vera said, her voice sounded so certain.

The only thing that kept me there was Vera, she had put so much effort just to make my party perfect.

She'd gotten her father to show up-her father and his powerful connections. I knew that was difficult for her to do, but she did it anyway. So, I decided to leave the second the party was over.

*

"Ma?" I called again.

Now I stood on the porch of my mother's house, ringing the doorbell continuously. I pulled the handle, but the door didn't budge; it was locked from the inside.

Quickly, I rounded the house, heading straight to the back yard, specifically my mother's garden.

I scanned the plants for a red flower pot, my Mum always hid her spare key there. I found the key and took it back with me to the front door.

The key opened the door, and I stepped in.

"Ma?" I called again.

The worry was already evident in my voice. I looked around the house-her room, the kitchen, the bathroom. She wasn't anywhere.

By the time I reached the family room, my unease had grown into something unbearably large.

That's when I noticed it-her suitcase, still neatly packed, propped beside the sofa.

Mum had probably spent hours packing for her trip to my birthday party.

*It shouldn't be here.*

Seeing her suitcase only confirmed Mum never left the house.

My heart skipped a beat, and a cold dread began creeping up my spine, but the rational part of me tried to dismiss it.

*So what if her suitcase is here? It doesn't mean anything.*

I looked at the suitcase again, and this time, something odd caught my eye- there was a note stuck to it.

I ripped it off immediately, looking at the unfamiliar handwriting scribbled on it.

"Play the DVD"

*What the fuck is this?*

I tried to swallow but my throat went dry. Something was very, very wrong.

I bolted out of the living room, with the note in my hand, heading straight for Mum's room. Her DVD player was always there. She had a stack of discs, old favourites she loved rewatching.

*This better be a fucking joke.*

I looked around her room for a disc, in search of it, knocking down a few cases she had collected over the years.

I knew every disc she owned-every label, every title-by heart. I was looking for something unfamiliar, something that didn't belong.

Then it hit me- the note hadn't said anything about finding a fucking disc.

It simply said *Play the DVD.*

A small TV rested on Mum's dresser, the remote lay neatly on top, and the DVD player was right under it.

*Play the DVD.*

I turned on the TV and grabbed the remote and pressing play, not knowing what to expect.

The screen flickered, then filled with warm, grainy footage-home videos of me as a baby. Tiny Hunter in oversized pyjamas, crawling across the living room carpet, laughing as Mum lifted me high into the air.

A nervous smile tugged at my lips.

*So this is it*, I thought.

*Another part of my birthday surprise... she's going to pop out any second and laugh, tell me it's all been a plan.*

The memories were comforting, a reminder of everything safe and familiar. I let myself relax for the first time that day.

I even laughed softly when I saw Mum carefully decorating the cake from my first birthday.

My chest felt lighter, and for a brief moment, the dread that had been twisting in my stomach eased.

Till the screen flickered.

The footage warped and the warm light of the home videos turned cold. The happy scenes stuttered, skipping unnaturally, and the sound distorted into a low, static noise.

My smile faded, something was wrong. I leaned forward, squinting at the screen, trying to convince myself it was just a technical glitch.

Then a new video started.

It was unfamiliar, not a home video. The angle was lower, the lighting dim, and I immediately recognised the tiled floors of my bedroom.

But the scene... the scene wasn't comforting.

There she was- my mother.

Scrambling on the floor, with her breasts out...naked.

A masked man loomed over her.

*Am I about to watch my mother's sex tape?*

VERA'S P.O.V

If someone ever told me my boyfriend would come home drunk, then proceed to fuck and choke me to the verge of death, I'd spit in their fucking face and call them a LIAR!

Hunter staggered into the room reeking of alcohol.

He was nearly naked, wearing only his pants and his long black rosary, and stood there half-conscious with no shirt in sight.

"He's back," I whispered into my phone, I ended the call without waiting for a response, getting up slowly from the bed.

My head fucking hurts because I've been crying for several hours, worrying myself and now he's just walking in after disappearing for day- fuck no.

Hunter's blood shot eyes caught my damp face, matted with tears and sweat.

"Who... was that?" His voice sounded hazy as he squinted at me.

I shook my head taking in his pitiful state.

"Hunter..." my voice broke. "Where have you been? You've been gone for days."

I watched him try to get words out of his mouth, but he belched loudly instead.

"You...you can't keep doing this. You can't keep disappearing," I stammered.

"My Baby Doll," he called, reaching out to me but missing by inches. "Don't cry."

He beckoned me to come to him.

"I want to feel you Vera," he whispered lowly. "You're all I need right now.

I didn't move, so he came to meet me instead.

He stood in front of me, his eyes dragging over me, biting his lips into a smile.

"You're the sexiest you've ever been."

He wasn't wrong.

My hair was down, spilling freely over my shoulders. Half my ass was out as my shorts failed to keep me decent.

The crop top I wore hugged me tightly, revealing my toned stomach.

"Your tits... God, your big fucking tits, Vera," he said, followed my low groan.

*Fuck!*

"Were you expecting me?" He asked, a crooked smile played on his lips as he pulled me close.

His arms wrapped around me, and he kissed the top of my head, taking in my scent.

This is wrong, what he wants to do is wrong.

"Hunter, you can't keep doing this," I managed to say as he ran his hands over my hips and waist, feeling the smoothness of my skin.

"You smell so fucking good," he whispered. "I wished you'd stop talking, enjoy the moment, then let me fuck the shit out of you."

I swallowed hard, my heart slamming against my ribs, and the hot tears already filling up my eyes.

He pressed his body to mine.

I can feel his cock strained against his trousers, he grabbed my bare ass from behind, grinding into my front.

That made me yelp, pulling away from him.

"Hunter, stop!"

"Why?"

"Because I'm trying to talk to you," I cried.

"Then shut up and stop talking," he said, anger slowly rising in my voice.

"Why are you being this way? Where did you go?" I sobbed, ignoring his pressing need for my touch.

He lets go of me, pushing past me.

"I can't deal with this, Vera."

"Hunter?" I called. "You can't just disappear without telling anyone."

"God, I wish you'd stop talking," he hissed.

I shake my head furiously, he isn't going to shut me up.

"You can't-"

"Vera, if you don't want to have sex, I suggest you shut the fuck up and leave me alone."

The harshness in his tone made me go mute instantly.

His eyes stayed fixed on me for what felt like forever, daring me to speak to him again.

I mouth opened, wanting to say something, but I shut it immediately.

"Wise choice, Vera."

Hunter marched to the mini fridge tucked in the corner of our room, ripping it open.

He scrambled through it, and I knew exactly what he's looking for.

I took a few steps towards him, seeing it as my chance to speak

"You weren't like this before, Hunter," I spoke from behind him, my voice gentle.

"I fucking warned you," he said furiously.

"You can talk to me, you don't tell me anything anymore," I plead tearfully. "I'm your fucking girlfriend, talk to me."

"Where's the beer? Where did you put it?"

"Away!" I screamed. "Because I knew you'd do this."

All of sudden, he charged at me, grabbing my shoulders.

I couldn't even look at him, my head bent as I cried profusely.

"Just tell me where you put it my beer," he said, suddenly sounding calm.

"You were never like this, Hunter. Please talk to me," I begged, ignoring his questions.

"Stop!" he roared, shoving me violently, watching me fall hard to the ground.

The world tilted.

I hit the floor hard, pain exploding in my arm. A sharp cry tore out of me as I curled around the injury, gasping.

"Vera Baby, I'm sorry," he whispered, but there was something terrifying in his eyes when he looked down at me on the ground - a flicker of excitement that made my blood run cold.

I could see his erection in his pants, like seeing me the way excited him.

That's sick- Hunter's sick.

He turned away for a moment, then his gaze locked onto my drawer.

Before I could stop him, he kicked it hard.

The wood cracked and splintered and the cans rolled out across the floor.

Hunter snatched one, cracked it open, and drank like a man dying of thirst.

I watched in horror as the alcohol took hold again, dulling whatever brief remorse he'd shown.

Whatever happened next, whatever Hunter did to me, I knew he'd blame it on the alcohol.

When he turned back to me, his eyes were narrowed with pure rage. I tried to scramble backward, but my arm throbbed too much.

I still held her arm, I was still in pain.

"I know it's sick but there's nothing I want more than to twist your arm all the way back," he said coldly.

A fresh wave over dread almost drowned me.

He took a step towards me, pure wrath in his eyes.

I saw this, and struggled to get away from him.

As I crawled, trying to get away, he spoke, in nonsense words, words I thought had no meaning.

"She was on the floor too...just like you Vera."

"Hunter, please," I begged.

"It seems you want something from me," he said as he walked slowly towards me, dropping the empty can on the floor.

"I'm sorry, I don't," I sobbed.

"No, Vera, it's a little too late for that. Tell me what you want?" His voice was louder than my pathetic cry.

"I'm sorry, Hunter. I care about you."

"If you cared, you wouldn't have hidden my beer," he yelled, grabbing my arm that hurt, yanking me up.

Pain shot through me so sharply that I screamed.

For a second, something in his face shifted.

Regret, guilt?

I didn't know, but his grip loosened slightly.

"Vera Baby..." His voice broke.

I looked up through my tears, searching for the man I loved.

He cupped my face, wiping my tears with shaky thumbs. Then he kissed me, tasting of alcohol and salt.

For one fragile moment, I hoped it was over.

But the kiss ended, and his eyes darkened again.

His hand seized my injured arm once more.

The pain made everything blur as he yanked me fully to my feet, and all I could do was scream.

"You scream just like her."

VERA'S P.O.V

Hunter's palm struck my cheek, forcing my head to snap to the side. For a split second, there was nothing, just a ringing white noise flooding my ears-then the sting came hot.

"What do you want from me?" My boyfriend questioned.

"Hunter," I whispered, my voice inaudible.

"I'm here now Vera, what do you want from me?" He repeated.

My mind scrambled and my thoughts tripped over each other. What answer did I have to that?

I had many answers because I wanted many things from Hunter.

*I want a man who loves me. I want this to stop. I want you to treat me right, and if you don't, I want out.*

But I knew better than to say any of that.

"Nothing," I cried instead, too afraid to confront him.

The look in his dark brown eyes changed, not anger exactly, but something much worse.

Hunter lunged towards me; his fingers closed around my throat before I could even gasp.

He drove me into the wall, claiming every inch of space around me-the impact rattling through my bones.

He leaned in, his eyes met mine, and they showed no mercy.

This was the first version of Hunter, the drunk one. The one that scared me and the one I had to deal with now, because if I didn't, there would be consequences...consequences I could not physically handle.

Air slipped away from me completely, and my face flooded with heat until I knew it must be crimson. My eyes filled and then overflowed as fresh tears slid shamelessly down my cheeks.

Then everything started to fade.

My mouth opened on instinct as I searched for a word-a plea, anything to voice out, but nothing came. Just a raspy gasp caught in my throat.

I was too breathless to speak, too overwhelmed to move.

"Just a little more," Hunter growled lowly.

My eyes fluttered, fighting to close- but I didn't let them.

Hunter loomed over me, reminding me how small I could be, how little he could always make me feel.

One hand remained on my throat, while the other moved to unbuckle his belt, throwing it behind him.

He revealed his cock, hard, thick and throbbing. I watched through half-lidded eyes as he traced it firmly with his free hand, his motion controlled. Every line and vein was amplified in my vision, impossible for me to ignore.

His hand ran over it as he continued to pleasure himself, stroking and twisting aggressively to his liking. Beating it harder while his fury eyes remain fixed on me.

His fingers dug further into my windpipe and my eyes pleaded, but his grip only tightened more.

A heavy weakness spread through me, and everything felt far away. Hunter, the room, even my own body-I was barely hanging on.

If I gave up now, only God knew what would happen. I wondered if Hunter would stop if he saw I was passed out, if he saw his Baby girl was really, truly hurt.

I knew one thing, I knew this was the last night Hunter would ever treat me this way- I couldn't give up now.

*If I want to live tomorrow, I cannot die today. I have to endure, I just have to...*

But my eyes gave up already, rolling to the back of my head.

*Fuck no. It's just my eyes. My body is still present. It's not over yet, it's not...*

Luck was on my side, because that involuntary act seemed to do it for Hunter. Watching my eyes roll back threw his body into an immediate fit. It triggered him and he reached climax immediately.

A jagged groan ripped from his throat, and his head snapped backwards, his entire body tensing violently.

Streams of thick fluid spurted from the tip of his cock, dripping onto my thick thighs, left bare.

His hand shook against my neck, as it did, his grip loosened, and air gradually returned to my system. I drew it in, desperate for it.

I forced my eyes open, then slid down the wall as Hunter lost his grip. My limbs were unable to support me, leaving me drowning in the pool of my unconsciousness.

The air I longed for moments ago slowly began to suffocate me and every nerve in my body screamed with the intensity of it.

Hunter moaned. "Fuck."

He bit down hard on his lip and staggered forward. His hands reached out to grip the wall, holding on for a moment before staggering towards the bed, falling freely onto it.

I remained in the corner of the room, exactly where he left me, afraid that even the slightest shift would draw his attention back to me.

My face streamed with tears, and my hands clasped gingerly around my neck. I whimpered, crying with each touch, every brush of my fingers sent a fresh wave of panic through my body.

*It still hurts, I can still feel your hands.*

"Vera," he called my name, his voice softening suddenly, just like before.

This was the second version of Hunter. The one that I'd wake up to the next day. The one that would swear he didn't mean it, or claimed to have forgotten, making everything worse.

"I need you to be quiet."

But I couldn't; his words didn't soothe me. I couldn't calm myself, not after everything... I just couldn't.

My chest heaved as he spoke.

"You know what happens when you don't listen. You know what happens when you cry."

I knew, and yet I still didn't stop.

"You're asking for something you won't like."

His harsh words were followed by a low, humourless laugh rumbling from the depths of his throat.

I heard the bed creak as he got up, I heard him walk towards me, his footsteps light and quick.

"Get up."

I should have listened, I should have stopped crying and done what he said.

I feared for my life once more.