Piling into a photo booth with my colleagues, I rummaged in the fancy-dress box before pulling out a silly hat and sunglasses.
'Cheese!' I grinned, as we all posed for photos.
It was January 2023, and we were at a belated Christmas work party at the bar where I was employed as a supervisor.
I loved my job but it felt good to have some fun.
As the music boomed, I went outside to smoke a cigarette. A short man with a brown mohawk was nearby, vaping.
He looked familiar and we exchanged smiles, but I didn't know his name.
Rejoining my colleagues, indoors, I didn't see him again. At around 10pm, I suggested going somewhere else. "The night is still young," I laughed, as a group of us headed to another bar.
We spent the rest of the evening dancing and when I next checked my phone it was 3:30am.
Setting off home, where I lived with my mum, stepdad and younger brother, it was only as I wobbled along the pavement that I realised how drunk I was.
I called my mum and stepdad to see if they'd collect me, but they were obviously asleep and didn't pick up.
PARALYSED WITH FEAR
I staggered along deserted streets hoping to get a cab, but as I neared a taxi rank, suddenly two strong arms grabbed me from behind.
Panic coursed through me and I kicked and screamed, trying to fight him off, but I had no chance of escaping as the man dragged me into a side street.
He threw me to the ground, smacking my head on the concrete and my vision blurred, as he pulled up my dress and ripped down my pants.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 16, 2024-Ausgabe von WOMAN'S OWN.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 16, 2024-Ausgabe von WOMAN'S OWN.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
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