It was six thirty in the morning and Patricia has just arrived in our room.

"Where have you been?" I asked, smiling as I zipped up the last of my suitcases.

She twitched as she saw me already awake. There were bags under her eyes indicating that she didn't get enough sleep last night.

"I was just outside." She smiled faintly.

"The whole night?" I widened my eyes at her.

"Yes." The redhead nodded as she excused herself in the bathroom.

Something's up with her, I thought to myself. After our little squabbles during the trip, we became okay with each other. We're not yet the so-called best friends for life but we're probably getting there. She seems nice despite her intimate relationship with Darren which I honestly dislike. Some part of me feels that I knew Patricia a long time before too. Hmm, maybe it's just her kindness that I saw in some people before.

I shrugged my shoulders and changed into my plain white V-neck tee and black jeggings. I slipped on my loafers and debated on letting my hair down or tying it up in a ponytail.

I decided on ponytail.

Patricia went out of the bathroom an hour later on a floral patterned Sunday dress and open toed sandals.

Her scarlet hair, still wet, the towel hung on her shoulder.

Hey, I like her wet look. ;)

"The dress looks nice on you." I complimented.

She raised one brow then examined her dress.

"Thanks."

"Where'd you bought it?" I asked, cursing myself for asking that question because it seems like I was going to steal her style. Well, it seems like that.

She half smiled and gave her dress a quick twirl.

"It was a gift given by Carson."

*BOOM*

She jolted as she realized what she said and as if by default, my chest tightened and blood was rushing on my ears.

"It was... a present on my birthday." She replied, seems unsure.

"Oh." was all I said.

"Are you mad?" She asked.

"Nope." I said, popping the 'p', cocking my head to the side.

I understood what it meant and didn't seem to think of it as something malicious anymore.

I don't know why but it suddenly occured to her that blood was rushing on her cheeks.

"You okay?" I asked.

It took her a while to answer and then she mouthed a "Yeah.", but instead of an audible voice, all I heard was a whisper. As if the words were caught on her throat.

She seems... disturbed?

"Let's go meet with the guys and have breakfast first." She said as she slung her bag on her shoulder and took the rest of her luggage.

"Sure." I replied as I took my luggage as well.

We closed the door behind us and went downstairs to the lobby to meet with the guys.

We met with Carson and Darren, who both seems to have their share of insomnia last night like Patricia.

"Am I the only one who actually slept last night?" I smirked, tilting my head to the side.

"Shaddup." I heard Darren muffle as he yawned.

"I did sleep a bit, hun." Carson smiled as he snaked his arm around my shoulder.

"That's.. nice." I replied, not really comfortable of Carson's arm around me when Darren was stealing glances over us. Patricia also has this smug look on her face and made way to link arms with Darren.

"Shall we go?" Carson suddenly said, breaking the silence that was erupting between the four of us.

"Yeah. Let's." I added.

The four of us walked side by side but you will see the tension in the air. We arrived in the hotel's nearby patio. It was a casual cafe, the outdoor gardens of the cafe marveling us. The cold summer air is so relaxing. The cafe facing the white sandy beach. The waves are just spectacular at this time of day and the weather isn't so hot at this early hour either.

"Let's sit here!" Patricia offered, pointing to a table near the entrance so that we can have a better view of the beach.

The three of us just nodded our heads as Patricia skipped happily.

Carson sat on one of the chairs on the left side of the table leaving us with only three seats left.

"Alexis! Sit here!" Carson said, patting the chair next to his'.

In a split second, Darren did the same taking the other chair on the Carson's opposite side of the table.

"Alexis. Sit here." Darren calmly said, tapping the chair beside him.

I gaped at him and so did Patricia.

Geez, talk about gentleman! Both boys are already seated while the girls aren't.

"What? It's harmless." Darren shrugged.

I turned to Patricia who gave Carson a sympathetic look.

Carson just stared at his best friend and it was like they were communicating with their eyes, who freaking knows what boys are on about.

I was battling in my head where I should sit.

And my feet walked on its own towards the seat next to Carson's seat.

I prevented my butt from sitting on the chair beside Darren.

Patricia looks shocked, must be thinking I was going to sit next to Darren after giving Carson a sympathetic look earlier.

Carson has this beaming pride plastered on his face as if he won something big.

I just rolled my eyes and turned to "unnoticably" glance at Darren who wasn't really looking affected in any way.

But really, what was I thinking?

Darren is too kind and just because he told me to sit next to him doesn't mean there's a hidden story beneath it. I mean-- he is just trying to be a friend.. right?

I mean, his motive could be that I could sit face to face with Carson.

Oh what the heck, who knows what these boys are thinking!!

Patricia sat on the last spare seat next to Darren and the both of them were all lovey dovey. Ick!

I couldn't help this green monster inside of me though from pouncing at Patricia and taking Darren from her gooey arms but seriously, why do I have this kind of mentality?

After Patricia ordered for us, I don't really know why she did, but yeah, she did order for us without asking what we want. The food came and I just stared at it in awe. I took out my camera and snapped a few pictures of it. It sounds insane but when you're in my place, you would. Oh, it's no ordinary breakfast. It's a feast of items found on the beach! The plating is beachy and artsy as well.

"The oysters are so fresh here!" Patricia commented, her mouth full of oysters, probably trying to break the deafening silence and the air of tension and awkwardness.

"Um, yeah. I like it here." I commented, forking my mermaid-shaped hotcakes with sea salt maple syrup.

"Your pancakes look yummy." Carson says, smiling at me.

"You can have some." I offered, knowing he wants some.

I happily cut himself a piece of the hotcake and shoved it in his mouth.

"Not bad." He says.

I smiled at him and took one of the scampi in his gambas.

"Oi!" He laughed.

"What? You took a piece of my hotcake and now I want to have a piece of your breakfast!" I chuckled.

"You!!" He said, tickling my sides.

I laughed so hard and hitting his arms with my free hands as he tickled me.

"Stop! Carson.. HIHIHI." That's how I practically sound.

The tickling stopped when Darren slammed his glass on the table making us jolt.

The three of us turned to look at him and he just smiled.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you, guys. But you're in a public place so do tone down your voices." He calmly said.

My cheeks heated up and my gaze plummeted to my shoes.

"No need to be so rude, Darren." Carson gritted his teeth.

"Oh, am I? Apologies." Darren snapped back.

What's this?? Best friends fighting? I never really saw two guy friends fighting before... At the back of my head I was thrilled to see them fight over me.. err.. something I'm included in, but my other conscious was thinking otherwise.

Carson didn't fight back but I hear him mutter some words under his breath that sounded gibberish to me.

"Hey Alexis."

I snapped back to meet Darren's eyes when he called my name.

Our eyes were glued to each other until he, again, showed this painful expression on his face.

Darren... Are you alright?

A shot of pain anchored my chest when I saw him hurting.

Is this how you feel when you synchronize with other people's feelings?

Suddenly, he poked his fork on my hotcakes and shoved it quickly in his mouth.

"Hey!" I growled at him.

Carson didn't respond, his face was smug. Patricia gawked at him slapping his arm.

"Manners, Darren." Patricia said, rolling her eyes.

"Does that bother you?" Darren asked me, not minding what Patricia said.

"When it comes to food, I'm not as nice as you think." I scowled.

"Oh?" He raises one brow, as if challenging me.

"I mean it!" I scoffed, pointing my fork on him.

He was taken aback and then he smirked.

Carson eyed on him for a while but remained silent and kept his cool.

Darren shrugged his shoulders then went on poking other people's food. Is this his indication that him taking a part of my food is nothing more than tasting? And I thought he just wants to compete with Carson since he took a piece of my hotcake. Then again, what the hell was I thinking about? Darren doesn't even acknowledge me as someone special anyway. Although the times he suddenly kisses me-- I blushed as I thought of this and I slapped myself mentally when I did so.

After eating, we separated into two. Me and Carson in Carson's car. Patricia and Darren in Darren's car. Carson's face is still smug but something tells me he is fuming inside.

"You alright?" I asked.

Instead of a calm answer, he took me by the arm and shut us close a nearby restroom. Unlike other restrooms, this one is public. Meaning, boy or girl users will be sharing the same cubicle. And in this beach, restroom cubicles are scattered all over the beach for convenience. The disadvantage of it though, is that there is only one user for each cubicle, creating long lines and making other people to search for another cubicle. Plus, cubicles here are so old beach fashioned. The cubicles are like huts with straw roofs, the walls are made of bricks to make it look antique and well, it just gave the tourists the idea of it easily falling apart. There are no windows, therefore if you get raped in there then too bad for you. There's no escape pod. The door is crusty and full of dust but still manages to stay in place. The lighting is also awful. Only one light bulb to light up the cubicle. Cubicles in this beach just creeps me out and the people I see using them are I bet the ones who really need to pee or poop right away.

"Carson...?" I asked, feeling his grip grow tighter, his breathing go faster.

"Shut up!"

This is the first time I heard his voice so hoarse and so.... angry.

He pinned me to the wall, the broken marble wall hitting my head full force. I groaned in pain but decided to let it go.

The place was dark, I couldn't see anything that clearly. All I saw was the toilet bowl.

"Carson.." I said, gulping the lump on my throat.

I'm scared..

"Did something happen to the both of you last night?" He asked.

"No. None." I replied, skipping the part about the kiss but besides that there is nothing.

"You know I love you." I hear Carson softly sob.

"I know that."

"Tell me the truth.... I would accept it if you just do. I've been faithful to you and--"

"Do you think I have not been faithful?" I angrily scoffed.

"It's not that. I just want you to be honest! That's all!"

"So you're telling me I'm lying?!" I growled.

"I'm not! But it's impossible that nothing happened between you two in that cabinet!!" Carson complained.

A pang of guilt loomed over me as I decided to tell him the truth.

"Kiss." I mumbled softly.

"W-What?" He asked.

"Darren.. he kissed me."

There was silence and he attacked me.

"CARSON!!!" I shouted at the top of my lungs as I felt Carson giving me hickeys on my neck.

"You lied to me." He sobbed as he took a chock full of my hair and slammed me on the mirror. I felt hot liquid gushing out of my head and I need not look at it to know that it was blood. Blood was flowing out of my head.

"Carson!! Please.. stop!! Nothing happened--"

"You guys, kissed!!!" He said as he ripped my top off with his bare hands.

"CARSON!!! Stop this!!"

Then I realized, no matter how much I scream, the cubicle is sound proof. Gee, what a clever person who invented this concept of a damn water toilet.

Carson didn't stop as he forcefully pins me down and kisses me.

His kisses weren't the ones the Carson I knew gave. Carson's kisses were sweet and caring... not this!!!

Fear enveloped me as I know Carson wouldn't stop this. I felt him rubbing himself against mine as he kisses me forcefully, his tongue asking for entry. I refused and he punched me right on the stomach.

I gasped in horror.

Carson NEVER laid a hand on me before. He never tried to hurt me. He hurted the ones who tried to hurt me!!

I coughed out blood. I knew this because I can taste the blood. The taste of copper disgusts me.

Once again, Carson crashes his lips against mine and I painfully struggled because my lips cracked open. His kisses were very forceful that I got a bleeding lip for it. I screamed and sobbed in pain. My lips are so painful and yet he was forcefully pushing his lips against mine. Next thing he did was to attack my bottom. With his bare hands, he tore off the buttons from my jeggings. My jeggings gracefully fell on my feet as I was left with only my lingerie on. With no free hands and his legs cornering mine, I couldn't move. I couldn't attack him.

He trailed hot kisses and I knew by then...

I was going to be raped by my own boyfriend.

Hot tears sprung across my cheeks and the only name that popped inside my head was Darren's name.

But I knew he wouldn't even hear me. He wouldn't come for me.

~~

Patricia's POV

We arrived at the beach's parking lot where my mini cooper was parked.

I saw Darren, uncomfortable and fiddling with his fingers all the time.

"What's up?" I asked, as I tossed my car keys up and down.

"Have you seen Carson and Alexis?" He asked back.

"I asked you first. What's up?" I asked again, crossing my arms across my chest.

"It's just that.. Earlier, they were behind us but now.. they're gone." He shrugged.

"You're overly dramatic. Maybe they left."

"No... Carson's car is there." He replied worriedly.

"Maybe they forgot to buy something and went back?"

"Impossible for Carson to forget something.." He retorted.

"That's true. Err... they forgot something in the hotel?"

"Not possible as well." He replied, shaking his head.

"That's true. Alexis was double checking her luggage like.. five times today." I added.

"And Carson was doing the same."

"What if they went to the comfort room?"

Then just like that, it's as if Darren knew what's going on. He ran as fast as he could and I followed behind him.

"Why are we running?" I huffed after him as he ran and ran.

"Carson! Comfort room!! Don't you remember?" He said, his voice full of worry.

"No shoot. It's impossible for him

to hurt her--"

"Remember Amanda?"

"His ex?"

"Yes. That Amanda."

"What about her?" I asked curiously.

"Dead."

"And?"

"Carson killed her." Darren finished off for me.

I was stunned and stopped on my tracks.

No.... Carson did not--

"What are you standing there for? We need to save Alexis!!" Darren cried out.

This is not true.

Carson is a nice person.

I ran with Darren, keeping my fingers crossed.

Please please please... tell me Darren's wrong.

~~

Alexis's POV

Agony.

That's how I feel.

He was feeling every inch of me and it ain't good.

I was battered, torn, and naked infront of him.

I wasn't raped yet but I know it will happen.... soon enough.

"You cheater!!" He sobbed, shouted, and spitted on my face.

"I never cheated on you, Carson!" I snarled, having a hard time talking back since my bleeding lip is sore.

"STOP DENYING!!"

"I'm not!"

"Well, it doesn't matter! Because when I'm done with you, I'll make sure that you will NEVER EVER have the guts to talk to another male again." He threatened, smirking evilly at me.

I shivered in fear, as he laughed like a psycho infront of me.

I prayed and cried.

He was touching me all over when suddenly, he took off his clothes as well.

"Oh god no, please Carson... DON'T!!!" I sobbed.

"Oh yes, Alexis. It's not like we haven't done it before." He laughed.

"It's different, Carson! You have no consent from me!" I snapped back.

"Oh? Do I need consent from you? Your my girlfriend!! I have control over you!" He said, our bodies touching.

A shiver ran down my spine when our naked bodies touched and it wasn't sparks flying, it was disgust and fear altogether.

"YES!" I cried out.

Darren...

I mentally shouted, mentally longed for his name.

"Oh no, you don't. You live in MY HOUSE. Therefore, you OWE me."

"I DON'T CARE!! I DON'T WANT TO BE YOUR GIRLFRIEND ANYMORE!!" I cried out.

The moment I said this, I regretted every last one bit of it.

He started kissing me painfully again and slapping my face. He did his distasteful acts on me and all I did was to cry. My wrists felt sore, it was gripped painfully since the first we got here.

I curse this cubicle.

I curse my parents for leaving me so early.

I curse Carson for being my abusive boyfriend.

I curse everyone!

I curse myself for choosing to live a life in the shadows! A life where I was controlled by everyone around me.

I snapped my eyes shut and tears were rolling painfully as I prayed.

Lord, please help me. Just kill me now. I don't want to be raped. I'd rather die.......

*BAM!*

The cubicle opened and Carson cursed under his breath.

I was having difficulty opening my eyes but I saw Darren.

I definitely saw him. And Patricia is with him.

Tears rolled down my cheeks. A sigh of relief came across me.

Carson finally let me go, hurriedly wearing his tshirt and slipping on hus pants.

I wanted to change too.... I didn't want to stand naked.

Darren was there, I felt my body light and saw Darren scooping me in his arms. Patricia covered my naked body by slipping her jacket on me. My whole body felt numb and I was painful everywhere.

"Darren...." I softly sobbed.

"It's alright now." He smiled to me.

"Oh my god!! She's bleeding!!" I hear Patricia scream.

"Is it bad?" Darren asked.

"Yes! She's losing so much blood!!" She panicked, scooping me from Darren and carrying me towards the car.

I felt relieved.

I prayed, thanking the Lord, thanking Darren and Patricia for saving me.

"Are you hurt?" Patricia asked worriedly.

"Yes..." I sobbed.

"Did he..."

"He was about to rape me.. well, he already did but he wasn't able to do it with me thankfully, you guys came." I sobbed, my voice cracking.

"Oh dear... You're losing so much blood--"

That's the last of Patricia's voice I heard.

I probably fainted because of losing so much blood.