Save ourselves- One Direction

Avery

I needed a day or two before I could completely allow everyday life to return. Linda and Roxy had both told me that it wouldn't be pleasant in the camp, but I hadn't expected that.

Munch had sent us unsecured up a tree, taking the risk that we could seriously injure ourselves. He had even gone one step further with me. He had put my life at risk just to demonstrate his power.

I had seen films and read books about children being abused and broken in institutions, but to experience it live in my own body felt completely surreal. As if I were in another reality.

Now I understood why the others had to put up with all the comments and harassment from the caretakers.

What still amazed me, however, was the fact that this camp still existed. Had no one who had served their time ever called the police or anything like that?

I thought about asking the others in my group, but then I didn't dare.

Now, however, being aware of this terrible knowledge shared by the others made me put a little distance between myself and the others. So for the first two days, after dinner, I hid in the tent or on the beach. I just didn't feel like company, even though I had to admit that Roxanne's attempt to comfort me had done me good.

She wasn't the most social person, but I gave her credit for trying. I suspected that she was actually a rather insecure person, but hid this behind a big mouth. Maybe she had had bad experiences and that was why she didn't let anyone get close to her. But who was I to judge?

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Two days after the incident with the tree, I was sewing together with the other girls in the afternoon, which I could hardly do at all. To my great surprise, however, Roxanne was surprisingly good at it. She didn't really strike me as the type to do something so handmade. But you could always find surprises in everyone.

I took the opportunity to ask both Daisy and Roxanne what was on my mind.

"Why hasn't anyone called the police here? Why haven't they been busted by now?", I asked.

Roxy looked around to make sure no one was listening either, before leaning over to help me sew.

"Because they intimidate or threaten anyone they even think might say something. One guy who came here just a few months before me, once he was released, wanted to report to the cops what happened here. Hempton then threatened to present him as mentally ill or have his stay extended. I guess he wanted to claim that the boy had assaulted the staff and other youths. They do that to everyone here. And if anyone did come to check it out, they played the " perfect world" here. No one testifies against the camp. And if they think you're trying, they'll really make your living hell," she whispered to me.

Her words sent shivers down my spine. If she had told me that two days ago, I would probably have laughed at her. But since the incident with the tree, I knew she could be quite right.

"Avery, you need to close your stitches tighter or they'll come undone," she said then.

"Okay," I muttered, following her instructions.

"I didn't know you could sew so well. Where did you learn to do that?", I then said to her.

" My grandmother taught me. I didn't know you were so good at climbing either."

"Yeah, I'm a freeclimber. Amsterdam is perfect for it. Old buildings, houses, columns everywhere. You can really let loose there," I told her with a smile.

Home. What I wouldn't give right now to have an ice cream somewhere with Eva and Carlotta. Or strolling through the market with Mum and admiring the tulips there. Or going on a boat trip with Dad.