Catalyst by Ross Richdale Page B

be
much, I know but every bit counts."
    "You can," Kathleen replied. "That man gives me the
creeps. Oh, I know he's friendly enough but I don't trust him more
than our slimy manager."
    "I will," Courtney retorted. "And I'll do it
tomorrow."
    ****
    Courtney stopped and took a sip from a bottle of
water before glancing at Renee. "Through Jake we got the raise. I
thought he was a nice guy and I was flattered by the attention he
paid me. Every night after old Hrabowski left, that's the manager,
the staff had a few drinks together before we went home. One perk
of the job allowed us to finish opened bottles. It was relaxing and
nothing serious happened until that night."
    "Did he come on to you?" Renee asked
sympathetically.
    "The bastard did more than that," Courtney replied
and burst into tears.
    "I see," Renee added and placed an arm around the
youngster. "Would you like to talk about it?"
    She expected a rebuff but Courtney sat back, took out
a handkerchief and wiped the tears away. "Yes, Renee, I would."
    Renee faced the tent flap over Courtney's shoulders
when Lem appeared. She caught his eye and nodded towards the
troubled girl. He slipped silently away.
    "Jake asked if I'd like to go to a nightclub for an
hour or so and reckoned nobody would care I was under age, so I
accepted," Courtney began.
    ****
    It was the early hours of the morning when Jake and
Courtney headed back to his car after a breathtaking round of three
nightclubs. Though apprehensive, she was never challenged to show
proof of her age but this could have been because Jake slipped some
bills into the bouncer's hands at two places. It was a hot, steamy
night and Courtney was relaxed and slightly under the influence of
wine.
    "I've got a few friends at my apartment," Jake said.
"How'd you like to drop in for a coffee, then I'll run you back to
the RV park?"
    "Sure," mumbled Courtney.
    A few moments later Jake pulled up outside a high
gabled house, one of dozens that lined the street. He led her up a
flight of stairs to the apartment. The inside was old but
relatively tidy.
    "The others will be along in a moment," the man
commented casually. "Go on in." He held the door open.
    Inside, Jake's attitude changed. An expectant look
came into his eyes. As the teenager walked up the tiny corridor, he
grabbed her shoulders, swung her around and kissed her passionately
on the lips. Courtney was surprised but responded and didn't object
when he led her to the couch in the sitting room. His hands went up
her arms and pulled the blouse to her shoulders before plying
fingers reached into the gap between her breasts.
    Very quietly she took his wandering hand and removed
it. "Stop it," she whispered in a frightened voice. "I think you'd
better stop. I don't want to go all the way."
    Jake said nothing but stood up, walked back and
locked the door. He returned and grinned. "Take your bra off."
    Courtney stared at the man in horror as she realized
what he insinuated. "I don't want it." She quivered and attempted
to maintain control. "Take me home, please, Jake."
    He laughed and moved forward with steely eyes looking
directly at her. "You owe me, kid."
    Without warning he lunged out, grabbed her in a vice
like grip and none too gently paralyzed any defense movements.
Courtney screamed but was ignored and the rest became a blur of
sheer terror. The man had a hand over her mouth, swore when she bit
him and moved it down to her throat.
    She could smell his stinky breath, all alcohol and
cigarettes and gulped for air. The grip on her throat relaxed but
by now she was on the floor. Courtney shrieked as the man exposed
himself and moved in.
    "You bastard." She wept as he ignored her pleas to
stop and completed his foul deed. Hot tears of terror and
humiliation poured down her cheeks, the long sobbing tears of one
physically and emotionally violated.
    ****
    "I ran to the bathroom and by the time I gained
enough courage peep out, Jake had gone," Courtney muttered. "I
found a cab at the