‘You do remember me,’ he said. Cold, flat eyes flashed to life like a shark mid-kill, and a hand gripped my neck.

I made to scream, a choking noise erupting from my lips. In an instant he reached into his back pocket and stuffed a sock in my open mouth. His hand squeezed my throat, and I struggled to breathe. I clawed at his fingers and he jeered, enjoying the power he held over me. My vision began to blur, eyes rolling in their sockets. Choking on the wet fabric of his sock in my mouth, I thrashed underneath him. Seeing I was losing consciousness, he loosened his grip, eyes alive with excitement, face twisted in pleasure. This was a game to him. I coughed, precious air flooding into my lungs bringing me round.

‘I remember you too,’ he whispered in my ear. He’d had me from the start. Always knowing who I was. I’d been played.

Hot tears ran down my cheeks. I tried to struggle, but he held me fast. I gave up trying to weaken his grip on my throat and lashed out at his face. If I could get to his eyes. If I could hurt him; I might stand a chance. My plan seemed ridiculous now, like a child’s. How could I have even thought I could do it? He must have seen me coming a mile off.

‘Oh, I forgot to tell you… my father says hello,’ he grinned, baring his teeth.

I bucked underneath him, and we slid, legs entwined, onto the floor with a thud. I could see he was enjoying the fight I was putting up. Laughing at my flailing arms, until I caught his eye and he snarled; a speck of blood appeared. His arm swung back, and my eye socket exploded. Searing pain ripped through my cheek and a metallic taste pooled on my lips. I turned my face to the side and spat out the bloody sock. He wasn’t done. A cracking sound stung my ears as my head bounced off the floor. For a second there was nothing but darkness until I was choking again. His hands enveloped me, thrusting me back into consciousness.

He was going to kill me. I had no doubt in my mind. I was going to die. To think I’d orchestrated this; that I hoped he’d invite me back. I should have known.

He loomed above me, wild eyes sparkling, and lips pulled back, revealing his gums, teeth clenched tightly together. I clawed at his fingers to loosen his grip.

‘Ian, please,’ I gasped.

‘I’ve been waiting for this.’ He leaned forward and took in a long breath, drinking me in. Releasing my throat, he pinned my wrists to the floor with one hand, whilst trying to push down his jeans and boxers with the other. He was going to rape me again.