Trapped

By Kelly Matillo

Robin Jacobs is living a seemingly normal life until the night she is brutally raped, beaten, and left to die in a park only a block away from her house. Befriended by strangers and driven by a paralyzing fear that the man with the cold green eyes will never be caught, Robin lies helpless in a hospital bed as she watches the only life she has ever known disintegrate before her very eyes.

Yet Robin knows she is a survivor and is determined to break free from the terrifying memories. With the support of her brother Paul and best friend Kate, Robin finds the strength to move past the attack and even falls in lovewithout ever knowing that the sequence of events that preceded the brutal rape will be far more detrimental to her future than she ever could have imagined. Worse yet, Robin is about to make a mistake that will cause more pain than the rape itself.

As Robins life spirals out of control, she soon realizes that only she has the power to take it back from a madman who will stop at nothing until he achieves cold-blooded revenge.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Apr 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462009473

Kelly Matillo

Kelly Matillo lives with her two Labrador retrievers in Orange, California, where she enjoys creating stories and is hard at work on her next novel. This is her first book.

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Copyright © 2011 by Kelly Matillo

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4620-0946-6 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-0948-0 (dj)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-0947-3 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

iUniverse rev. date: 4/18/2011

Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

This book was written not only for me but also for my mom. It was because of her that I took a leap of faith and attempted to make my greatest dream come true.

Mom, although you are no longer with us, I know that you were with me as I wrote every word. You had so much faith in me, and that’s what inspired me to do what I did not believe I would ever be able to do. I hope this makes you proud. I will love and miss you every day, forever and always.

Sam, my sister, and therefore half of me, thank you for your constant encouragement. You provided me with tools to make this happen, and I will be forever grateful for that gift. I can only hope that as you read this, your belief in me will continue to grow. I love you.

Kathyrn Youngblood thank you for being a great proof-reader and an even better friend!

For my family and friends, thank you all for your support and inspiration. I share this with you as I do everything joyous in my life. Number one down, and hopefully several more to come. I love you! Cheers! Buckeyes forever!

Chapter 1

We were headed back from Patty’s Place, one of our favorite restaurants in Seal Beach. It was small and quaint with amazing food and impeccable service. I was with my boyfriend, David Keith. We had only been together for a few short months, but we had a past. He was actually my first boyfriend—roughly seven years before—and he and I had dated for nearly three years back then. We had both grown up; I was now thirty-two, and David was thirty-four. David wasn’t exactly what you would consider traditionally handsome; he was tall and almost too thin. His skin still had a tendency to break out in acne as it had years before, and his hair was starting to thin, giving him the infamous widow’s peak. In my eyes, he was quite attractive. He had the most welcoming lips, and I loved kissing him. On the sexual front, I had never had better than him. He had certain talents in the bedroom that completely melted me.

To be blunt, the David from the past was a selfish asshole. He treated me poorly, often breaking up with me on a Friday so that he would be able to enjoy an array of women over the weekend. Come Monday, he would ask for forgiveness and promise to change, and I would take him back. Needless to say, our relationship was not exactly healthy—but that was the past. Since David and I had found our way back to each other, things had been different. He was different, and I was optimistic that the years had allowed us both to grow and this time our relationship would not only work, but it would last forever.

David reached and turned off the radio. Robin, we need to talk, he said.

I was a bit preoccupied trying to refresh my lipstick after having eaten dinner. Sure, what’s up, babe?

David let out a soft sigh. Well, you know how I went to get the rest of my stuff out of Rebecca’s garage last night?

Rebecca was his ex-girlfriend, and up until last night, her garage held most of David’s belongings. He had been living with her for two years but had fallen out of love with her after one—that’s how he had explained it to me anyway. He had been living with me since he moved out of her house, and I was anxious for him to move all of his stuff in so that it would be official. I had hoped that getting his things would be a simple mission, but I was now worried that things may have been more difficult. Oh no, did you guys have a fight? I hated the thought of David having to endure any additional stress. He was already stressed out with his business; he and his brother had opened an automotive parts store, and things weren’t going well to say the least.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Um, no, not exactly.

I stopped playing around with my makeup; he had my full attention. Well, what happened? I began to feel uncomfortable, although I knew I had no reason to be. David and I were doing well, we hadn’t been fighting. He asked me to marry him almost daily, and we had just had the most mind-blowing sex before heading out for dinner. The sex was always incredible between us.

I think the best way to do this is just to say it.

So … say it. I couldn’t imagine what he needed to say or why his tone was suddenly so serious.

I’ve decided I love Rebecca and I want to be with her. His eyes never left the road as he spoke.

The car was completely quiet with the exception of the sound of my heart; it was pounding so hard I thought it would burst out of my chest. "Rebecca? You’re telling me you love your ex? The one you refer to as fat box?" I felt as though I had been punched in the gut. This couldn’t be happening.

It’s not that simple. She does what I say; she’s a good girl, he replied.

I couldn’t hold it in. I burst into tears. A good girl? It sounds like you’re talking about a pet or something. My mind was reeling. So because I have a mind of my own and don’t do everything you say, I’m a bad girl? Is this my punishment for not behaving like you want? My emotions quickly went from sadness to flat-out anger. You’re done with me? Just like that?

I don’t want to hurt you, Robin. He wouldn’t even look at me.

Hurt me? You don’t think this hurts me? You promised me! You said you loved me more than anything—you wanted to marry me! This makes no sense!

I’m really sorry, Robin, but I’ve made up my mind.

My face flushed with anger. "Oh my god, I can’t believe you. Why the hell did you just sleep with me? How could you? You knew you were going to break up with me."

I wanted to be with you one last time, he said.

Are you kidding me? I was crazy mad and crying hysterically. He went to pick up his stuff to move in with me, and now just a day later he was dumping me for a good girl?

Sorry, but that’s just life. Sometimes you have to hurt someone in order to find true happiness.

It took everything I had not to haul off and punch him in his face. I’m usually not a violent person, but I felt that in this case it would be more than justified. Still, I chose to ignore the overwhelming urge even if it meant having to sit on my hands.

"Oh please don’t even try to deliver some profound message about life and happiness. What you want is a fucking puppet who’ll do and say everything you want—and you’re right, she’s perfect for you cuz I am not about to bow to your every desire. You make me sick!"

I saw a smile cross his face; he was actually enjoying this. Oh, god how I wanted to jump out of the car, but seeing as we were on the freeway moving at a high speed, I figured that wouldn’t be the smartest idea.

I sat in silence, trying to let everything sink in. I was furious at myself for being so stupid, for letting him do this to me again. I realized that David hadn’t changed; he was still that same selfish kid he had been all those years ago. I, however, had changed. I had learned what I wanted in a man and promised myself that I wouldn’t settle for anything less—yet I had. I was so ready for the next chapter in my life, marriage and kids, that I had let myself believe I could actually have that with David. He had to end it; he knew I would eventually and inevitably realize that he had absolutely nothing to offer a woman other than his knowledge of NHRA and his extensive comprehension of automobiles. He was a disgusting human being, pathetic and controlling.

We exited the freeway and approached an intersection. As he slowed to a stop, I didn’t even hesitate; I grabbed my purse, got out of the car, and never even looked back. I started walking, my mind reeling from what had just happened. Every emotion a person can feel, I was feeling at that moment. Before I knew it, I was approaching the park that was across the street from my house. Thank god! I wanted to get home so bad. A hot bath, a glass of champagne, and a cheesy slasher movie was exactly what I needed. So anxious to get home, I paid no attention to my surroundings, and that’s why I never heard him coming. Before I knew what was happening, he had thrown himself on top of me, taking me to the ground.

Chapter 2

I was on my back, and he was dragging me by the feet deeper into the darkness of the secluded park. I kicked and screamed, trying to grab a hold of the grass, of anything that would prevent him from taking me wherever he was taking me. We stopped, and I saw his fist coming at me—felt the blow strike the side of my face. Everything went black.

I felt excruciating pain throughout my body as I struggled to open my eyes. He was on top of me, and I felt a chill on my legs and chest. Oh god, I’m naked! I tried desperately to scream, but his gloved hand was pressed so tightly against my mouth that only quiet muffled sounds could be heard. I tried to bite down on his hand, but my teeth couldn’t find anything to grab hold of.

You know you like this. You love it, he whispered in my ear.

He was strong; as much as I tried to fight, I couldn’t get him off me. I stared at his face. I could only see his eyes, piercing green, blank, cold—eyes I knew I would never forget. Oh god, please no, someone help me! Something cold was pressing against my neck, a knife. My body went still, as if I had become paralyzed. He forced himself inside me, and warm tears were flowing down my cheeks as I looked into the eyes of the monster who was raping me. My back was scraping against something with every painful thrust. It was woodchips, I realized; he had me on the playground. Please, someone help me! I was pleading, but no one could hear me. Even he didn’t hear me. He then began punching me, in the face, on the head. I could taste blood as crushing pain spread throughout my body.

I remember reading about women who had been raped and how they’d go somewhere else in their mind, a survival technique I suppose. But in my case, I went nowhere. I felt everything; I could feel myself tearing and ripping down there. My body was tearing in places I didn’t know could be torn, and throughout the rape, he was punching me so hard I swear I could see God. Eventually as the pain became more than I could physically or mentally endure, my mind began to drift to my mom. She passed away a few years ago. She would give me the strength to survive this, and if not, if I died right then, it would be her that greeted me on the other side. I could not be afraid to die.

I started praying that one of his punches would land me unconscious so I would no longer have to suffer this pain—and then my wish must have come true.

Chapter 3

I heard voices, but I didn’t know whose they were or where I was. Struggling to open my eyes, I listened to the conversation that was going on around me.

Have you completed the rape kit? a man asked.

We have. It was a woman talking now. It’s been sent to the lab for analysis, although the female officer who was present at the time of the exam didn’t seem terribly optimistic. I can tell you that there was some DNA evidence recovered, but there was also trace evidence suggesting that the perp wore a condom, so it’s possible that the victim may have had consensual sex in the hours prior to the assault. Also, the victim’s nails appeared to have been cleaned, so it’s somewhat unlikely that DNA will be found even if she were able to fight back. We did find some black fibers stuck between the victim’s teeth, presumably from a glove, and lastly, seeing as the vic was found completely naked, we can’t process her clothes for any potential evidence. We have officers canvassing the crime scene in hopes of uncovering something.

I opened my eyes. A female doctor stood next to a man and conversed in hushed tones. The man wore a blue suit, and a gold badge dangled from a rope around his neck.

The doctor said, It’s a scary thought that rapists are actually getting better at ensuring that they leave no evidence behind. All these damn television shows practically provide a how-to guide on how to not only commit these heinous crimes but how to make sure you get away with them.

I hear ya, doc. The female officer you mentioned, do you know her name by any chance?

No, sorry, but I do know that she left her business card for Ms. Jacobs, the doctor replied.

Thank you. Her name will be in the report, and I’ll get in touch with her, the officer said. He looked over at me. He smiled, tapped the doctor on the shoulder, and then pointed. She approached my bed.

Can you tell me your name, honey? She asked this while shining a light into my eyes.

Robin … uh Robin Jacobs. It hurt to talk.

Do you know where you are, Robin?

I’m in a hospital?

You’re at Long Beach Memorial. How are you feeling? What’s your pain level?

Bad.

On a scale of one to ten, how bad is it?

Eleven.

Okay, I’ll have a nurse come in and give you something for the pain, she said. Robin, you were attacked and sexually assaulted. There’s a detective here that would like to ask you a few questions. Are you feeling up to that?

I nodded.

The detective introduced himself as Evan Reed from the special crimes unit. Ms. Jacobs, can you tell me what you remember?

I had a fight with David … he dumped me. I was trying to remember the events of the night, but after I got out of the car, everything was foggy.

David is?

My boyfriend, ex-boyfriend. We had a fight, and I got out of his car. That’s all I remember.

Tears began streaming down my face.

"It’s