Free The Nines (The Nines #1) by Sierra Avalon, Dakota Madison Page B

taken a drink. I have no idea what it was. I didn’t feel well. I went into the bathroom, but I didn’t throw up. I was so dizzy though. As soon as I came out of the bathroom two guys grabbed me. I tried to get away, but they were too strong. One guy slapped me so hard my ears were ringing. The other guy punched me and they both laughed when I started to blackout. They said it would be easier if I didn’t fight. There were two other guys waiting in the room when they pulled me in there. When I tried to scream they just hit me again. One of the guys laughed and said they were all going to fuck me so I’d better just lie down and enjoy it. They threw me on this disgusting mattress. It reeked like sweat and beer. I felt like I was going to be sick. They told me if I was going to puke to make sure it landed on the floor. Then they did it. They all…raped me.”
    My stomach is knotted so tightly that I’m actually doubled over. It’s difficult for me to even imagine what Wendi went through.
    “What happened to Claire?”
    Wendi is staring at the wall again.
    “Wendi, what happened to Claire?”
    “She didn’t want a drink. She said she couldn’t drink alcohol. She wasn’t allowed. A short guy came over and handed her a cup. He said it was just soda. He stood there staring at her until she took a sip. I could tell she didn’t really want to, but he kind of forced her into it. That’s when I started to feel funny and went to the bathroom.”
    When I glance at Julio he’s leaning back against the doorframe. His entire body is rigid and his fists are clenched. His eyes are closed and he’s trying not to cry. I’ve never seen this side of him before. He looks like he could snap at any moment. He looks like he’s ready to hurt anyone who hurt Claire.
    “What did the police say?” I ask Wendi.
    At this Wendi finally turns to face me. “I was advised by my RA not to go to the police. I was told it was a university matter and should be handled by the university.”
    I shake my head. “You were beaten and gang raped. This is a criminal matter. You have to go to the police.”
    Wendi has disappeared into her own thoughts again. I can tell she’s not listening, or doesn’t want to hear what I’m saying.
    “I think you should go,” her roommate announces. Her voice is angry, but I can’t tell if the anger is directed at me, or Wendi, or the people who raped her.
    I nod and rise from the bed, but I feel so confused. I don’t understand why she hasn’t gone to the police. Then it dawns on me that she hasn’t even gone to the hospital. She’s just sitting in her dorm room waiting for her parents to pick her up and take her away.
    “Something’s not right,” I whisper to Julio as Wendi’s roommate leads us out of the room.
    After she closes the door behind us she says, “You know this is something you can’t talk about, right?”
    Julio stares at her like he can’t believe what he’s hearing. I think he’s still in shock. I am too, but after everything I went through after the bombing, I’ve learned how to compartmentalize and deal with one thing at a time.
    Wendi’s roommate says louder, “Listen to me. You can’t talk about this. You can’t go to anyone about this. Do you understand?”
    Julio wipes his eyes and when he speaks his words mirror my thoughts. “We have to go to the police. We have to find Claire. She might be hurt like Wendi.”
    “You don’t get it. The cops won’t help. No one will.”
    I shake my head. “I have no idea what’s going on. And I don’t know why we can’t go to the police. Wendi was beaten and gang raped. The animals who did this to her need to be in prison. How can it be a university matter ? What does that even mean?”
    The blonde’s mouth is now a thin, angry line. “Those animals are the sons of the richest and most prominent men in this city, even in the country. This is the initiation week for their secret fraternity. They have certain initiation rituals