Keep Your Eyes Peeled

The outside was completely different from the inside. It was eerily quiet, the dark looming over the vehicles parked in front of the house. I could hear crickets chirping. It was understandable as this was strictly the sorority area. And since the entire group was assembled inside, the quiet was expected.

But still, something felt...off. Ignoring the pit of anxiety that had suddenly materialized in my gut, I walked towards the cars, craning my neck to find a battered red one, which belonged to Jenna.

But I couldn't find it. My palms grew sweaty, and my heart pounded furiously in my chest. I was starting to panic.

"Calm down!" I whisper-shouted at myself, "Jenna's car is here somewhere. The keys would be in the dashboard. Just find it and get out of here."

The little pep talk decreased my jitters a little, and I continued searching with a slightly fazed mind. Apart from the crickets, my heels produced only sounds as they clicked on the pavement. I checked off the red vehicles as I walked past them. Not Jenna's, not Jenna's, not Jenna's...

...until I spotted it. The familiar red car. Jenna's.

A smile suddenly split my features, and I sprinted towards it without missing a beat. I was so done with this place and couldn't wait to go home.

Strangely, the car was in a different spot than where Jenna had parked it; the reason why I couldn't find it. Did she move it while I had gone inside? Didn't she come with me?

Ignoring the thought, I slipped my fingers into the handle. I knew the car was already unlocked. Jenna always did that when we visited the main house as no outsider was allowed to come here.

It was always, always unlocked.

So imagine my surprise when I found it locked. Bolted. I tried again, thinking the door must be stuck. But it wouldn't budge, not even a little bit.

I started to feel the familiar signs of hyperventilation, but I was determined not to let them get to me. There must be a mistake. Jenna must have really locked the car. All I needed to do was go back inside, drag her with me, and go home.

Easy, right?

With a defeated sigh, I turned around to go back to the house. But before I could take a step, something happened.

The bush behind me shook.

Immediately, I whipped my head around. No one. Did I imagine it?

The creeps of the night were starting to get to me...

I didn't want to waste any more time. I started to walk with a hurried tread - until a voice made my body turn to ice.

"Hey. Do you need help with that?"

I turned around - and my soul left my body.

It was a boy. He seemed...sheepish. As if asking the mere question had required a lot of effort.

Shocked, I turned as still as a statue. What was he doing here? No one was allowed! Not any boy, at least!

My mind quickly solved the mystery two seconds later. Amelia's voice echoed in my head as I recalled her warning.

Tonight, they're out on a hazing prowl. Looking for an unsuspecting sorority sister to teach their boys a lesson...

I was that unsuspecting sister.

My mouth dropped open at the thought. My body became petrified, refusing to move, speak, or do anything at all.

In the meantime, the boy tilted his head at me. "You okay?"

Okay?! I need to get out of here!

Miraculously, my mouth started moving.

"Y-yes," I managed, backing away slowly. "Um, I don't need any help. Thank you."

"Are you sure? I mean, you were really struggling with this car," he said, rubbing his hand on the hood, all signs of shyness vanishing from his face...

"No. I just forgot my keys inside. That's all." I tried to smile at him, but my jaw wasn't working. I so wanted to run back to the safety of the house, but my legs weren't cooperating. The possibility of this boy, this stranger who appeared out of nowhere, being from the fraternity had scared me senseless.

But actual goosebumps ran up and down my arms as another voice whispered, this one right in my ear.

"You sure, babe? You look all troubled."

That was the last straw. The thing needed to cut down my logic.

"You wanna go home, right?" The boy beside me continued, walking around to stand in front of me. This one didn't look shy at all. In fact, he seemed downright scary...

My fright was dominating me, making me turn so stupid that I blurted out in a soft voice. "Yes."

My answer seemed to please him. Without warning, he reached forward and brushed a loose hair lock behind my ear. His fingers caused shivers to run down my spine.

"We'll take you home," he said in an assuring voice as if he was my guardian and I had no reason to be scared of him. "Won't we, Jim?"

"Yep." The other boy - Jim - nodded. I couldn't help but notice how he was eyeing my body. "Don't worry, okay? We'll drop you home safe and sound."

I bit my lip, fear turning me mute. By home, they didn't mean my apartment.

They meant their fraternity house...

Suddenly, something inside me snapped.

I felt life coming back to my legs. This was my moment. My only chance.

Without warning, I turned around and sprinted across the street to the house, determined to get there before they could get me.

"Jim! She's running away!" The boy yelled, evidently pursuing me. At the worst time, one of my heeled shoes broke - and I went sprawling across the ground.

"No!" I shouted, shocked at my dumb luck. I didn't hit the ground. Both boys were now holding me tight.

"What? Thought you could escape?" The vicious boy growled. "Let's get her to the car."

No! My mind yelled. I won't go to their fraternity house! I won't let them haze me!

With strength that even surprised me, I thrashed and kicked, trying to get out of their grasp, but they were too strong...my fragile body was no match for their muscular ones.

But I still had my voice. As they pulled me back to the parking lot, I opened my mouth wide and screamed.

"HELP -"

But my plea was cut off as Jim roughly shoved his hand against my mouth.

"Shut up! Are you trying to get us into trouble?!" he scolded me as if I was a naughty child. "Can I tape her, Mark?"

"Yes, but hurry."

At once, Jim brought out a Scotch tape from his jeans pocket. The mere sight of it made my panic increase. I wasn't about to let them steal my voice!

"PLEASE -"

"God, you're so fucking annoying." Mark rolled his eyes, his hand pressing against my lips, cutting me off again, "Hurry the fuck up, Jim."

"Got it." Jim detached a strip from the tape - and stuck it to my lips. It was so tight. I couldn't even move my mouth.

"The car is right over there," Mark said, his hands squeezing my waist, "Go on. I'll bring her."

Quickly, Jim obeyed, and Mark easily lifted me off the ground. But I wouldn't let him take control of me so quickly. I still refused to admit defeat.

Mustering up strength, I put up a fight as best as I could. I kicked, thrashed, twisted, and turned, with muffled screams leaving my lips, hoping to hit his chin. Fall out of his arms. Anything.

But it was no use. He had wholly secured me in his strong grip.

"Don't worry, beautiful. We'll drop you home," he told me soothingly, "But first, we gotta stop at the fraternity house. Pick up some things, all right?"

If some part of my brain still hadn't accepted this as the truth, his utterance confirmed my suspicions. He was a fraternity boy. Jim was a fraternity boy. They were taking, no - kidnapping me, so I could go to their house with them. And then they would start their hazing session...

Dread settled in my stomach like a heavy boulder. I felt breathless. Confined. Affrighted. I was walking right into their trap with no idea how to get out.

I didn't even know what their hazing session might be like...

The fraternity car, an old Mustang, was parked behind some bushes, concealing it from the sorority house. I felt sad to think how much I was missing the party right now, the same one I wanted to leave without a moment's pause. At least I was secure there and not being carried into a strange car by a boy I had never seen in my life.

A lump formed in my throat as Mark lowered me inside the open car door, but I fought back the tears. I wasn't going to cry in front of these sadistic jerks. That would be so pitiful.

No, I was gonna find my best shot at escaping.

Inside, Mark sat me down on the back seat, right next to Jim, who was grinning like a maniac. The front seats were occupied by two other boys, both of whom were raking my body with their eyes.

"Damn, didn't know she would be sexier up close." The driver laughed.

"Ethan," Mark said, getting in the car beside me, "I humbly request you to stop being a fucking asshole and drive us out of here."

"Okay, Mark, sir." Ethan sighed and kicked the ignition. The car roared to life, and just like that - we were off.

I kept my eyes glued to my trembling hands, refusing to look at the boys around me. Now that Mark was not gripping my skin, I felt my shoulders relax. I had to escape. I had to. But how could I do that when I was squeezed between two much stronger boys?

My situation was hopeless. The only thing I could do was beg with my taped mouth. Maybe they won't be as bad as they seemed...

I couldn't say anything, so I joined my hands in a begging gesture, my pleading gaze on the gear shift. The change in the ambiance indicated the others had understood me; how I wanted them to let me go.

For a moment, silence befell the car, but I could feel the boys giving funny eyes to each other.

"We will, baby. Don't be scared," Jim said, before reaching forward and pushing my hair out of my eyes, "But we need to do something first."

"It's important," the boy in the passenger seat spoke up, "Really important. And we need you for it."

"Yeah. You and your smoking hot body," Ethan added, making the entire car erupt into laughter. Their eerie joy made my hair stand on end.

They needed my body? Did that mean...

No. I refused to think about it. They were boys getting a college education. They wouldn't do such...unspeakable acts to a girl!

...would they?

"I couldn't help but think about touching you since the moment you stepped out of that shithole," Jim murmured beside me. Before I knew it, his hand had slipped under my skirt and was caressing my bare thigh - a part no boy had touched in almost two years since my last boyfriend.

But I kept my hands folded in my lap and closed my eyes, not wanting to look at his pale fingers touching my pale skin.

It wasn't pleasing. It was revolting.

Thankfully, Mark came to my rescue. "Dude, stop it. She's reserved for the house."

"Yeah, but I can't even touch her?" Jim groaned, retrieving his hand. The absence of his unfamiliar contact made me breathe again.

"No, you fucking can't!" The boy in the passenger seat yelled. "She's ours for the night. Not only yours!"

"Well, fuck you, too, Keith." Jim snapped.

Meanwhile, I tried to speak again. It was no use; I couldn't get a single word out. Mark noticed my discomfort.

"Okay, I'll pull that off, but please don't scream."

"Even if she did, nobody will hear her." Jim shrugged. "This place is deserted."

"Yeah, but I don't want any spots on my reputation," Mark said - and peeled the tape off my mouth. I gasped as my lips sprung free. The elation it caused was so sudden that I didn't shout or yelp.

But I could talk now.

"Please," I said, my voice filling the car, "What are you going to do?"

I needed to know. So, I could realize how bad my situation was...

My question seemed to amuse the driver, Ethan, because he said, "Wow, she's got a sweet voice. Sounds so fucking sweet. Why can't more girls be like her?"

"Just gonna carry out some frat duties," Mark explained, smiling at my downcast eyes, "Now, you'll be a good girl for us, won't you?"

He didn't wait for my answer. Instead, I felt his fingers trace the curves of my waist before pulling up to feel the side of my breast.

"Hey! No touching!" Jim yelled, making me wince and making Mark drop his hand.

"She's irresistible." Mark sighed.

"You two must be having the time of your lives back there." Keith scoffed. "Cut the crap, will you?"

Before anyone could reply, Ethan called out, "We're here!"

My insides turned frozen at his words. My doom was edging nearer and nearer.

Sometimes, I hated being a weak, helpless girl...

"Sweet, I can't wait any longer!" Jim complained. To my horror, he slipped his hand inside his jeans and began jerking off, right there beside me. A groan escaped his lips.

For some reason, I couldn't avert my eyes from the horrendous act. I guess I didn't expect such provocative behavior.

Over his pleasure, Jim caught me looking. He grinned.

"Like what you see?" he asked. "Wanna help out?"

Instead of replying, I forced my mouth to remain closed, fearing I might vomit all over their car.

"You're disgusting, man," Mark grimaced before turning to me, "Let's go, babe."

With that, he opened the car door and pulled me outside with him. The night air greeted me, but my heart was doing somersaults in my chest. When Mark was a little distracted, I was going to make a run for it.

He held my hand tightly in his before lowering down to talk to Jim. Keith and Ethan were also out, but they weren't that close. This was my chance.

With a sudden jerk of my hand, I pulled free from Mark and started running in the opposite direction as fast as my legs could carry me.

Of course, it was no use.

Mark had easily caught up with me, and this time, when he grabbed my body and forced me to look at him, he slapped me, right across my face.

"Stop running away, you fucking bitch!" he shouted, shaking my shoulders. His slap was so painful that I saw stars and tears stung my eyes. He was ruthless. I hated him. I hated every one of them.

I missed the sorority...and so much that my heart started to ache.

I couldn't take it anymore. I burst into tears.

"Oh, come on!" Mark groaned as I sobbed into my hands. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to slap you!"

"What's going on?" Ethan yelled, running up to us.

"She tried to run away!"

"Yeah, but why's she crying?"

"You gotta be kidding me right now." Mark shook his head. "We fucking kidnapped her, man."

He was lying. That idiot...

"Well, whatever. But Ryan and the entire fraternity is waiting." Ethan sighed. "Let's get this over with."

Without waiting for Mark's response, Ethan lifted me in his arms and carried me to the fraternity house.

If the sorority house was beautiful, it was nothing compared to the fraternity one. It was bigger, much bigger, with towering chimneys, wide walls, and a number of balconies. Just looking at the house made my anger grow. These stupid, privileged boys. No wonder why Amelia and the sorority leaders had advised us to stay away from them.

It was crazy how, just a few minutes before, I would think the sorority was sick for putting so many restrictions on the fraternity. So now, being carried by a complete stranger for God knows what, I wanted to apologize to Amelia for thinking she was a loser and not paying attention to her warning.

One thing was certain, though. I would never find my Prince Charming here.

My luck was rotten to the core. I always took my sorority position for granted and isolated myself for selfish reasons. Now, these boys were going to rape me and I would live the rest of my life shattered beyond repair.

The thought of such a possibility made my eyes well up again, and without thinking, I buried my face in Ethan's neck, desperate for comfort as my body heaved with sobs.

My sadness must have affected him because he spoke up in a soft tone. "Don't worry. We'll let you go as soon as we're done with you."

As if that could make me feel any better...

Suddenly, a brilliant idea struck me. I looked up at Ethan, and with wet eyes and a shaky voice, I muttered.

"Please let me go." I looked at him dolefully. "You're not a bad person, Ethan. You don't seem like one."

My plea had impacted him as he hesitated in reply.

"No, I'm not a bad person." He shook his head, not meeting my eyes. "But you have to understand. We...I...can't let you go. It's hazing night and the boys and I need points."

"So you're gonna use me for some stupid points?!" I snapped before I could resist.

Ethan smirked at my sudden display of anger. He leaned down, his lips almost touching mine, and whispered.

"Welcome to real college life, baby."

Something about those words sent shivers down my spine...

We finally reached the house, its empty porch looking innocent and lonely. Definitely not a porch for a house where boys who kidnapped girls for 'points' lived.

Knowing all too well that the entire fraternity would be gathered inside, I held my breath and shut my eyes, refusing to look at my tormentors. They didn't deserve my curiosity. Still, I couldn't help but notice how the room dominated by male voices had gone into total silence when Ethan entered with me in his arms.

I just felt so...scared. What were they gonna do?

"Got her!" Ethan declared to the silent room, the pride clear in his voice.

"Yeah. All thanks to me and Jim." I heard Mark say.

"Who drove you here then, you dick -"

"That's enough," another voice spoke up, this one sounding more authoritative and strangely...familiar. "Let her go."

Ethan obeyed, and I found myself standing on the ground. Now that my face wasn't covered, I was forced to take in the fraternity for the first time...

...and my heart skipped a beat.

About 20 to 30 boys were staring at me like a herd of deer caught in headlights. Their firm gaze made me feel vulnerable, and I was tempted to hide the little cleavage and midriff showing through my dress.

Why didn't I wear something modest again? Oh, yes, because of my mother and the damn sorority...

However, I took a deep breath and surveyed my kidnappers, refusing to show I was scared. I didn't recognize most of the boys but I was horrified to see five of my classmates from my Accounting course. Embarrassment crept up in my being as I made eye contact with them, particularly Jason, who I once thought was a bit cute. I didn't know he was a part of the fraternity. He caught my eye and winked.

I hated him now.

"Job well done, boys," The authoritative voice spoke again. Now that my eyes were out in the open, I saw it belonged to a blond, much older guy who looked vaguely familiar...

Have I met him before?

"Now that we have our girl here," he spoke to a still-silent crowd, "It is time we take the next step - understanding what it is like to be a real man in this society."

His words seemed nonsensical. A real man was kind and protective, not a douchebag who kidnapped people against their will!

But I remained indifferent as I listened to him talk. "Being a man means you should never stoop or bow down in front of a woman. Women were made for men, Eve was made for Adam, not the other way around. So, women will always be inferior to us. They don't deserve to vote. They don't deserve to get jobs. Heck, all the girls who are studying here don't deserve an education! Why? you may ask. Because a woman's brain is made to be foolish and emotionally vulnerable - which is why she cannot deal with real-life problems! A good woman is the one who makes sure you, a man, are fine, gives you pleasure by looking beautiful, and always obeys you."

Whoops, and shouts of agreement followed his words while my eyes dropped to my hands, wide with shock. This...this was pure misogyny. I didn't agree with his beliefs. Of course I didn't! Women weren't stupid! Yes, we were conditioned to provide men with support, and I was totally fine with that. But we should be treated like humans, not objects these foolish men could use for their own pleasure!