Hannah reached the door of Grace's car before the engine was even turned off.
Grace stepped out, still shaking. Without a word, Hannah enveloped her in an embrace that felt both grounding and disorienting.
Hannah broke the hug to look at Grace's tattered clothes and bruised state. "Oh my god, Gracie, what did they do?"
Grace broke into sobs.
"Come on," Hannah said, guiding Grace to the front door with a gentle yet insistent touch. Chad, Hannah's older step-brother, watched from his second-floor bedroom. He eyed Grace's disheveled condition, and for reasons he couldn't understand, it stirred something unsettling within him.
Once inside, Hannah noticed some of the more prominent bruises on Grace's body. "Jesus, Grace. You're bleeding,"
Grace told Hannah about the entire ordeal. "Grace, we need to take you to the hospital and get you a rape test. I'll call the police."
Grace shook her head vigorously, her eyes reflecting a storm of emotions. "Please, Hannah, no police."
"Grace, you can't just--"
"Hannah, I was just raped by the police, I don't trust them," Grace said in a loud voice. Her voice softened, "and I need to forget what happened today. Just... just help me forget. I don't want to fight this." She paused. "I just want to shower and get cleaned up. I want to sleep."
Hannah took Grace's hands in hers. "Okay, okay. Let's get you cleaned up. You can stay here tonight."
Grace nodded weakly, leaning heavily on Hannah as they made their way upstairs.
Chad had been listening to their conversation. Throughout, he couldn't shake the image of Grace's bruised body and tattered clothes, and the forbidden thoughts it triggered.
Hannah guided Grace to the bathroom and turned on the shower. "I'll clean you up."
As she undressed, Grace caught sight of herself in the mirror -- the bruises, the abrasions, the vulnerability staring back at her. She stepped into the steaming water, flinching as it touched her wounds.
Hannah stepped out of her clothes and joined Grace in the shower with a soft sponge in her hand. This was the first time they had ever showered together. It didn't seem awkward or unexpected to any of them, as Hannah was there to steady Grace's broken body.
Hannah's touch was gentle, reverent as she lathered the sponge and began to run it over Grace's skin, washing away the grit and grime of the nightmare she'd endured. The water cascaded down, mingling with the tears that refused to be held back any longer.
"It's okay," Hannah murmured, her voice barely above the sound of the falling water. "Let it out, Gracie. I've got you."
Grace collapsed against her friend, sobs racking her body, each one shaking loose another fragment of the day's trauma. Hannah supported her weight, cradling her head under the warm spray.
"I'm here," Hannah kept whispering like a mantra. "You're safe now. They can't hurt you here."
They stood motionless until Grace's breathing steadied and her sobs abated. Hannah began washing Grace gently with the sponge, tracing her body with care to avoid causing pain to her wounds. "Where does it hurt?, Hannah asked.
"Everywhere," she managed to answer, her eyes shut tight against the onslaught of sensations -- some from her injuries, others stoked by the intimate caresses.
Chad stood outside the bathroom door, listening. The murmur of water and soft voices seeped through the door, igniting his imagination. He pictured them there, skin slick and glistening, breasts pressing into each other's. Envy and arousal pulsed through him; he wanted to be the one in there with Grace, erasing the memory of her pain with his own brand of pleasure.
"Damn," he muttered under his breath, as he headed back to his room to satisfy his arousal.
Hannah's movements became more methodical, a mix of necessity and tenderness as she continued to clean every inch of her friend's body. "I'll be gentle," Hannah promised, watching Grace's face for any sign of discomfort.
As Hannah's fingers worked their way across Grace's collarbone and down her chest, Grace tensed, a sharp inhale caught in her throat. "Sorry," Hannah pulled back, eyes apologetic.
"It's not you," Grace assured her, placing a hand over Hannah's. "It's just... everything is too much right now."
"I know, I got you," Hannah said as she guided Grace's hand away and continued to clean her. The water now felt like healing rain on Grace's tortured skin.
The silence between them became a sanctuary, dotted only by the sound of water. Hannah's touch was a balm, her presence a shield. Grace found solace in the rhythm of Hannah's movements, each stroke smoothing away more than just the physical remnants of her ordeal.
A calm began to settle over Grace. Her body relaxed, the tension ebbing away under Hannah's care. She opened her eyes to meet Hannah's gaze, a silent thank you passing between them.
Hannah set the sponge aside and wrapped both arms around Grace, pulling her close. The steam enveloped them, a misty embrace of their own. "You're not alone in this," Hannah said to her, thinking of ways to avenge her friend.
Grace nodded, leaning into the comfort offered. She closed her eyes once more, taking solace in the steady heartbeat against her cheek.
Lifting Grace's chin Hannah's lips found hers in a tender kiss. Grace felt something shift within her -- a blend of relief and affection that melted into the warmth of Hannah's mouth. She returned the unexpected kiss, her tongue reciprocating. Hannah's arms tightened around her as the kiss deepened, and Grace felt herself being pulled further into the warmth, the connection between them growing stronger.
Hannah could taste the bitter tang of the rapists' cum on Grace's tongue and breath, but she didn't care. This was her best friend, and she continued to kiss her. Grace pulled back slightly, her breath hitching from the intensity of the moment.
"Hannah..."
"Shh. I just want you to feel safe."
Their eyes locked, and for an instant, Grace saw the fierce protector in Hannah's gaze. She felt stirring within her core, as if Hannah's kiss was resurrecting something dormant.
Shutting the water off, Hannah took Grace's wrist to lead her out of the shower. She began to towel her off, gently patting down her body with the soft fabric.
Grace quivered, not from cold, but from the delicate sensations that Hannah's touch ignited on her sensitized skin. The way she enveloped her in the towel was both protective and possessive.
"You okay?" Hannah asked, her eyes searching Grace's for any sign of distress.
Grace nodded, her voice still unsteady. "I'm okay," she answered, and for the first time in hours, she believed it.
After brushing their teeth, Hannah led Grace to her bedroom, towels wrapped snugly around their bodies. "Here, put this on," Hannah said, handing her a soft oversized t-shirt.
Grace hesitated for a moment before unwinding the towel from her body and handing it to Hannah's outstretched hand. As she stood there, naked and freshly washed, the comfort of the room added an allure to her best friend's form that Hannah found both captivating and endearing.
Hannah watched as Grace lifted the shirt over her head, her hands fumbling for the opening before she finally slipped her arms through. The hem fluttered to mid-thigh, draping loosely around her.
"Uh, can I borrow some panties?" Grace asked, blushing.
"Of course," Hannah replied, walking over to her dresser. "Here, catch."
Grace sat on the bed, unfurling the soft white cotton in her hands. Bending down, she slipped one foot through and then the other, sliding them past her knees. With a gentle tug, she adjusted the fabric until it settled on her hips, restoring her sense of modesty and dignity for the first time in hours.
Hannah knelt in front of her, gently prying Grace's hands apart to hold them in her own. "You need to rest."
"I'm exhausted, but I don't know if I can sleep."
"Then just lie down," Hannah said, pulling back the bed sheets to help Grace into bed. "Close your eyes. I'll stay with you."
"Wait, let me dry my hair first."
Hannah smiled warmly. "I'll do it for you, Gracie."
"Thanks, Han."
Gently pulling Grace up, Hannah led her to the vanity and pulled out the chair. Grace sat down as Hannah grabbed another chair from her desk, placing it behind her. She reached for the hair dryer, plugging it in before settling into the chair behind Grace.
"Hand me the brush," Hannah asked, turning the dryer on. The familiar whirling hum provided an unexpected comfort to Grace as she scanned the photographs stuck on the mirror--snapshots of their friendship captured since middle school.
In one photo, they were grinning widely, faces painted in vibrant colors from a school carnival. In another, they were wrapped in each other's arms, laughing under the soft glow of fairy lights at a summer party. Each captured memory of their silly faces brought a smile to Grace's lips, her dimples deepening.
Noticing the crinkle in her friend's eyes, Hannah's expression began to mirror hers. "Whatcha smilin' about?" Hannah asked, blowing warm air down Grace's shirt, making it billow playfully. Grace squealed and jerked in surprise.
Hannah chuckled at Grace's startled reaction, then turned her attention back to the hair dryer. She moved the nozzle closer, letting the warm air flow through Grace's damp hair, gently tousling the strands.
"Hold still, or I might give you a new hairstyle," she teased.
Grace giggled, trying to keep her head steady as the dryer whirred. The warmth enveloped her, creating a cocoon of comfort. Hannah expertly maneuvered the dryer, making sure to dry the ends while keeping the heat away from Grace's scalp
