Midnight Heat

Neighbor’s Knock

Maya’s POV

One man held my arm tight while the second person stood right behind me. I could hear him breathing. My heart beat so loud it hurt my ears. What do they want now? I already gave them what they asked for.

The first man spoke close to my ear. “Good girl for coming. Now stay quiet and listen.”

The second man touched my back. His hand moved down slowly. “We know you are scared but fear makes you wet, does it not?” He laughed softly. I felt ashamed because he was right. Even with all the terror, my body reacted again.

They did not take long. They bent me over an old table and took turns with me. One f****d me hard from behind while the other held my mouth to keep me quiet. Their thrusts were rough and fast. I moaned against the hand even though tears ran down my cheeks. The mix of fear and pleasure made my head spin. When they both finished inside me, they left me there breathing hard.

“Read the papers we gave you,” the first man said as they walked away into the shadows. “Tomorrow you continue as normal, no mistakes.”

I stayed on the dirty floor for some minutes. My legs felt weak, c*m ran down my thighs. I cleaned myself with tissue from my bag and walked home slowly. The night air felt cold on my warm skin. My mind was full of my sister’s letter and the terrible things they said about Mr Havisham.

When I finally reached my apartment door, I was so tired. I just wanted to sleep and forget everything. But as I put my key in the lock, I heard footsteps behind me.

“Maya.”

I turned fast. Liam stood there in the hallway, he looked tall and worried. His dark messy hair was a little messy like he ran his fingers through it many times. His sharp eyes looked straight at me.

“You are back late,” he said quietly. “I saw you leave earlier. Are you okay?”

My stomach twisted. I tried to smile but it felt fake. “I am fine, just took a walk to clear my head.”

Liam stepped closer. He stood right in front of me. “You do not look fine. After the party last night and that strange message, you have been acting different. Talk to me, please.”

I looked down at the floor. My body still ached from the warehouse and from Mr Havisham earlier. I felt dirty and scared. “It is nothing Liam. Really, you should not worry about me.”

He gently touched my arm. His hand felt warm and safe. “I saw how you danced on me at the party. I know it was you and I know something is wrong. Those messages are not a joke. Someone is watching you, let me help.”

His touch made me remember the lap dance. How hard he felt under me. How wet I became. I bit my lip. Inside my head I thought, I want to tell him everything. About the blackmail, about my sister, about the two men tonight. But if I do, they will send the videos. He will hate me.

“I cannot drag you into my problems,” I whispered. “It is too dangerous.”

Liam moved even closer. Our bodies almost touched. “I am already in it, Maya. That night on the balcony when I climbed to your apartment, I felt something. And at the party… I felt more. I do not want you facing this alone.”

His voice was soft but strong. It made my chest feel warm. For one moment I forgot the fear. I looked up at his face. His eyes were kind but also full of fire.

“You do not know how bad it is,” I said. My voice shook. “There are things I have done. Things I cannot take back.”

He lifted my chin gently with one finger. “Whatever it is, we can face it together. You do not have to be scared every night.”

Tears came to my eyes. I wanted to fall into his arms but my phone suddenly buzzed in my bag. The sound made me jump. I knew it was them.

Liam noticed. “Is that the same number?”

I nodded slowly. I did not open the message. I was too afraid of what it might show this time.

He stepped back a little but kept looking at me. “Come to my apartment if you need anything. Anytime, even if it is midnight. I mean it.”

“Thank you,” I said softly. “Good night Liam.”

I quickly opened my door and went inside. I locked it and leaned against it. My body felt heavy. I took out my phone with shaking hands and opened the new message.

It was a short video from the warehouse tonight. Me bent over. The two men taking turns. My moans were clear. The text below said:

“Send this video to Liam right now. Tell him the truth about what a dirty girl you are. Do it before morning. Or we send it to Chloe and everyone at work.”

I dropped the phone on the floor. My legs gave out and I slid down to sit. Tears ran fast down my face. They want me to destroy everything good in my life. If Liam sees this, he will never speak to me again.

I hugged my knees and cried quietly. The black notebook from Mr Havisham was on the table. My sister’s papers were hidden under my bed. Everything felt too heavy.

Then another knock came on my door. Soft but clear.

“Maya, it is me again,” Liam said from outside. “I cannot sleep knowing you are scared. Open the door. Let me stay with you tonight, just to talk.”

My heart stopped for a second. I looked at the phone on the floor. The video was still playing on loop. If I open the door now, what will I do? What will I say?

The knock came again. “Maya please.”