**A Sense of Vulnerability**

One afternoon, Mary lounged on the couch, her laptop open in front of her as she scrolled through her favorite social media platform. She was alone at home, her parents having left for her aunt's birthday celebration on the other side of the city. The silence was a welcome respite from the constant tension that had been building up in her life. She wore loose shorts and a tight crop top, feeling comfortable and relaxed in her own space. As she munched on popcorn, her fingers flew across the keyboard, liking and commenting on posts from her friends. The warm sunlight streaming through the windows highlighted the dust particles dancing in the air, and Mary felt a sense of peace wash over her. That was when she heard the door. Her heart sank as she looked up to see Charles standing in the entrance of the room, a smirk playing on his lips. Mary's instincts kicked in, and she felt a wave of unease wash over her. She quickly realized that she shouldn't have worn this outfit, not with her brothers' history of behavior. The loose shorts and tight crop top made her feel exposed, vulnerable. Charles's eyes scanned her body, lingering on her midriff and legs. Mary felt a shiver run down her spine as he began to walk towards her, his movements fluid and deliberate. She tried to scramble to her feet, but her legs felt rooted to the spot. "Hey, sis," Charles said, his voice low and husky. "I didn't know you were home alone. I was going to head to my room, but I guess I'll stay here with you instead." Mary's skin crawled as Charles plopped down beside her on the couch, his thigh brushing against hers. She tried to move away, but there was nowhere to go. He reached out, his hand closing around her wrist, his fingers wrapping around it like a cuff. "You're looking lovely today, Mary," Charles said, his voice dripping with innuendo. "I love the way you dress. You're so... carefree." Mary felt a surge of fear as Charles began to touch her, his fingers tracing patterns on her skin. She tried to pull away, but he held her in place, his grip tightening. "Charles, stop," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Please, just leave me alone." But Charles just chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, come on, Mary. I'm just trying to be friendly. Don't be so uptight." As he continued to talk and touch her, Mary felt a sense of despair wash over her. She was trapped, alone and vulnerable, with no escape in sight.