Page 56 of Fallen

“My parents don’t know I left,” she said. “I have to go.” She didn’t want him to know that about her; the less he knew, the better. But she couldn’t think of a better excuse to get away from him.

“I’ll get you home,” he said. “Don’t worry.”

He was blocking her way out, making her feel claustrophobic and trapped.

“Bet your pal will show any moment.” He set his beer on the floorboard and started to climb into the buggy.

Moving quickly, Loretta tried to slip past him. But he was faster. His hands closed around both her biceps. Lifting her, he slid her onto the back seat. “What’s your hurry?”

“Let me out,” she hissed.

He grinned. “I always thought you were a cute thing,” he whispered.

“I have to go.” Loretta had barely uttered the words when he pushed her back and came down on top of her.

“Aw, come on,” he whispered. “Just a kiss.”

She turned her head just in time to avoid his open mouth. She discerned the wetness of spit on her cheek. The weight of his body, crushing against hers with such force that she couldn’t breathe.

“I always fancied you,” he murmured.

She tried to push him away, but he was too heavy. She twisted beneath him, tried to kick, but she was pinned. Vaguely, she was aware of him reaching between them, working at the zipper of his jeans, trying to get out his thing, his other hand sliding between her legs.

Panic unfurled inside her. Her mamm had warned her about boys like Levi. Don’t get yourself into a mess, she’d said. Of course, that was exactly what Loretta had done. It was all her fault. How could she ever have believed sneaking out was a good idea?

“Levi, stop it!” She gasped the words, squirming, trying to keep her legs together.

In the next instant he jolted as if lightning had come down from the sky to strike his back. “What the—”

Loretta looked over his shoulder, saw movement outside the door.

“Get the hell off her!”

Rachael.

Relief moved through her like an earthquake. Oxygen bursting into air-deprived lungs. Cool water on a feverish face.

Levi raised himself up off her. Loretta caught a glimpse of him pushing his thing back into his pants. A moment later, a loud snap! sounded behind him.

He screamed. “Yawwww! Fuck!”

“Get off her!”

Levi was climbing out of the buggy when another crack! sounded, like a firecracker. He lost his footing and fell to his knees in the dust.

Loretta scrambled to the door. Rachael stood a few feet away, buggy whip in hand, fury in her eyes. In that instant, Loretta knew that while Levi Yoder might be bigger and stronger, he didn’t stand a chance against her friend.

“Come on!” Rachael cried. “Run!”

Loretta didn’t hesitate. She scrambled from the buggy, stumbled over Levi even as he lurched to his feet. Rachael threw down the whip and they ran.

Levi hurled expletives at them as they fled into the darkness. By the time they reached the road, both girls were breathless and laughing so hard they couldn’t speak.

That was the night Rachael Schwartz became Loretta’s hero. She was the only person who’d ever stood up for her. The only girl who’d ever fought for her. She was the best friend Loretta had ever had and there was nothing on this earth that could ever tear them apart.

CHAPTER 24

Day 3