“Get off me!” I strained against his grip but couldn’t move.
“I think we’re going to have some fun.” He pulled my arms above my head. Holding them with one hand, he ripped off my bikini top. I could have died. I was powerless to do anything.
“Stop it!” I yelled and tried wriggling away. It didn’t work. With his free hand, he began to pull at the strings of his shorts. I knew what he was going to do. “No!” I screamed and he covered my mouth with his hand.
“If you don’t shut up, I’m going to hurt you,” he said.
“Stop, please!” I pleaded with him. “Don’t do this! Please!” I was begging for my life.
He didn’t answer me. Instead, a blinding hot light smashed into his side and he was thrown a few feet away. When he struggled to stand, another hit him and he was knocked unconscious.
I curled into a ball and closed my eyes as tightly as I could. Whatever was attacking Akin was about to attack me too, I supposed, and I welcomed it. At that moment I wished for death. Instead, a cool hand touched my shoulder.
“Are you all right?” The voice was familiar, but not. I didn’t open my eyes. I was half naked and terrified. The person knelt behind me.
“I’m so sorry I couldn’t get here any sooner.” There was a slight pause. “Please, let me help you, Morgan.”
At the sound of my name, I opened my eyes. Turning my head, I looked up into the darkest blue eyes I’d ever seen.
“I know you,” My voice shook.
He smiled softly at me, but his smile held pain in it. He handed me my bikini top. How did I know him? Then it dawned on me.
“Thayde,” I said with certainty.
“Yes, Morgan.”
This was not how it was supposed to happen. I was mortified. How could anyone see me like this, let alone the man I dreamed about? I started to shake.
“Please, let me help you.” He offered me his hand and I took it, allowing him to help me stand. I felt awkward, standing with one arm covering myself. I felt dirty - not good enough.
He turned away so I could put my bikini top back on. I barely managed and when I finally finished fumbling with the clip, I was shaking so badly I could hardly stand.
Thayde turned around and looked at me. “I’m so sorry this happened.” He stepped toward me and offered his hand again. “I should have been here.”
I started to cry. This is not what I wanted. Why was this happening? He pulled me into his arms and held me. He didn’t say anything - just held me as I cried.
I don’t know how long we stood there, but after what seemed like an eternity, I remembered Akin. Frightened, I pulled away from Thayde’s embrace and looked around him to where Akin still lay.
“He’ll be out for a very long time,” Thayde said. “We need to get you home.” He turned me to face him. “Can you walk?”
I wasn’t so sure I could even stand without his help. My silence seemed to answer him and he scooped me into his arms. Wrapping my arms around him, I burrowed my head into his neck and closed my eyes.
“What the hell? How could you have let this happen?” Tammer’s screams reverberated through the house. I had never seen him so angry. Thayde stood with his head bowed, his wet hair clinging to his forehead, water trickling down his face.
“Dad!” I cried and realized what I had called him. Tammer stopped short and stared at me. “I mean Tammer. It wasn’t his fault! He rescued me,” I stuttered.
“Yeah, but how much longer was he going to wait?” Tammer picked up right where he’d left off.
“Please, Tammer. He stopped Akin. Just thank him for helping me!” I was frantic. This was not how Thayde was supposed to be introduced to my family.
“I should have gotten there faster.” Thayde agreed, gritting his teeth.
“Stop, please!” I was desperate. Thayde had done nothing wrong. Akin was the one Tammer should have been yelling at.
Mom took Tammer by the arm and began to pull him away.
“I’ll be talking to your father!” Tammer yelled and left the room with Mom.
Thayde stood rooted to the spot. The muscles in his forearms flexed as he clenched his hands. His arms and shoulders seemed hard as stone and his chest rose and fell quickly as he breathed. I wanted to throw myself into his arms and apologize, but given the situation and my absolute humiliation, I was glued to the couch in our living room, unsure as to what I should do. It was quiet for a few minutes until Thayde spoke.
“Morgan, I’m so sorry,” he began.
“Please stop apologizing,” I interrupted. “It wasn’t your fault.”
He looked straight through me, his eyes making me shiver. “It is in a way.”