I claw and scratch the muscles along the arm in reach, flexing as I do. When the cool night’s wind stings my skin, alerting me I’m no longer in the house, I wiggle every inch of my body in an attempt to set myself free, but all I get is a firmer grip on my upper thighs. My muscles clench beneath a rough palm, and a dark chuckle wafts over my chest.

I squeeze my lids shut, a knot forming in my throat as my Barocco robe is torn from my arms, leaving me in nothing but a triangle top swimsuit and bottoms a decent parent would slay their daughter for wearing at a party—a gift from my mother.

All I can think is I’m about to be raped, murdered, or kidnapped.

The air around me grows chillier, my pulse kicks higher, and I’m five seconds from confessing all my sins.

Suddenly I’m dropped into a pile of sand, and not two seconds later, a wave threatens to carry me out to sea.

I push my palms into the thick, soft sand and drag myself to my feet before the water steals it from beneath me, running up and out as far as I can, only to trip over something, slamming onto the sand once more.

My chest rises and falls rapidly, and I wait for the assault.

For hands to bound around my neck or hips.

For something far worse I may never want to wake up from.

But I get nothing.

The weep of the night’s waves echoes around me, not a hint of another’s presence with it.

With shaky fingers, I slowly reach up, and once I have the fabric in my grip, quickly tear it from my head.

I blink several times for my eyes to readjust, swiveling my body around in the damp sand to find I’m completely alone, nothing but the hint of taillights in the distance. The panic dwindles, my eyes snapping to my hands, and my shoulders fall.

A hair tie.

My hair tie, stretched around my wrists.

Pathetic, Jameson.

Teeth clenched, I angrily tear the tape from my mouth, surprised when it too slips off nice and easy, leaving behind a bit of a greasy residue.

With a heavy glare, I whip around, staring up at the sea cliff, and what do you know, the power suddenly kicks back on in Cali’s house, the pool, once again, illuminated with LED lights, the music reaching my ears in the barest of tones.

A growl escapes me as I wrap my arms around myself, the coastal breeze freezing my saltwater-covered ass, and start back up the hill. The wind chooses to blow a little with my every step taken, and the tape I tossed to the side rolls up, covering the back of my ankle.

I kick the thing away, only to pause when the gleam of the ocean hits it just right.