only human ― s.r.

5.6

!TW: mentions of mental illness, victim blaming, sexism, mentions of suicide, mentions of rape, mentions of war and violence, mentions of death!

Guest-starring Jenna Dewan as Sandra O'Mally

Skylar vividly remembered the last time she sat crammed against a wall. It was the day of her examination at the hospital, one day after "escaping" Joshua's basement. She knew she should've turned to a doctor right after, but she didn't because the shame had been too big. After a restless night filled with the pain of her injuries though, she decided to get herself to the hospital. Originally, she had asked for medication, but the doctor — she had introduced herself as Sophia — convinced her to do a rape kit. This is going to help you get justice, she had said. In the end, the prediction never took place.

Skylar thought back to that day, requesting a meeting with her former supervisor. Her rape kit in hand, the doctor that had driven her to the station. She should've just gone to the police, she thought. If she had, none of this would've ever happened. But it did. She decided to talk to her supervisor because he was supposed to deal with everything, especially an accusation like this. Skylar trusted him. Another mistake she would never make again.

"Wheres my daughter?" She heard Michael asked in disarray. She hadn't expected her father to be there. He must've been called in.

Skylar slid closer to the door, pressing her ear against it so she could hear the conversation that took place. A conversation that made the blood in her veins run cold; the hope inside her heart shattered right then and there.

Someone scoffed. A male voice. "I'm surprised you even came," he said, spitting venom.

Leonard Basset was her supervisor at the time. She never really liked him, but who liked their boss anyway? Michael had spoken highly of him and back then, his words had meant everything to her. That was why she had decided to trust him in the first place. She just never expected him to stand in her way. Her boss and her own father. Their conversation made Skylar wonder if maybe, their presence in court could ruin everything even more than it already was.  

She was right. They did.

"She's my daughter, of course, I came," Michael said. "What is going on, Leonard? What the hell happened?"

"I thought you might be interested in the lie your little missy made up now. She really outdid herself this time. I mean, this is ridiculous!" A file shuffled. "When you told me to take her because she's one of the best, I trusted you. You said she wouldn't cause any problems, so I trusted you. Now, I think that might've been a big mistake." The file shuffled again. "Joshua Carys, the man that works with disabled children and serves on the front lines, protecting his team with all he has, a man that has sisters and a mother — and now your daughter claims he raped her? Seriously?"