Unravel // Van McCann

17. You Got What You Wanted

Warning: This might be a sensitive chapter for some readers but I don't go into too much detail. There is mention of sexual assault.

She wasn't sobbing but I could see the tears building, and once there was too much, they streamed down her face and she wiped them away.

"I'm sorry," she said, wiping her tears away.

She was overcome with emotion. She hadn't celebrated her birthday since she was 16. I could feel a wave of sorrow wash over me as I tried to imagine myself in her shoes. How could someone's life turn upside down? She could've lived a different life—but instead—she chose this.

I pulled out a chair and moved it so I was right beside her. I've tried to keep things professional but it hurt to see her so distraught so I gently put my hand on her shoulder. She froze and stared at me. Ada said being touched scares her and I can see it but she made no move to remove my hand so I took it as a sign she trusted me.

"I can help you," I offered. "You don't have to live like this anymore."

She stared at me wordlessly, her green eyes piercing mine, but I refused to look away. It seemed like she was considering my offer but she later shook her head no and I removed my hand from her shoulder. Despite my efforts, she was still closed off, and I admit I was disappointed.

"You don't understand," she explained. I wasn't sure why this statement irked me, but it did, giving me the courage to talk back.

"Of course I don't," I began. "How can I if you don't tell me anything?"

I didn't mean for my words to pierce her but she had to know how those words felt. She wasn't even giving me a chance. Megan looked back at the cake. The candles were at their half life now, the wax pooling at the base.

"You should make a wish," I told her.

She turned her attention back to the cake, the candles illuminating her face. I could see the reflection of the candles in her eyes and she closed her eyes tightly, mouthing words I couldn't make out. Once she was done making her wish, she blew out all the candles and began removing them from the cake. I watched her, wondering what she wished for. Being the selfless person she is, she probably wished for her parents's health and safety. She's always putting others before herself.

I realized I forgot to bring a knife to cut the cake, plates, and forks, so I got up to grab them. I was about to cut the cake for her but she reached out for the knife so I handed it to her.

"Thank you," she replied. "You have no idea how much this means to me." Her tears have since dried on her face but she still wiped at them with her sleeve.

"You didn't wish for yourself, did you?" I dared to ask.

"No I didn't. I wished that my parents are doing well."

I glanced at her, wondering if she knew how ironic her wish was when she was the reason why they were unhappy. I tried my best to hold back but I couldn't help it.

"They're not well. I saw their plea on the telly. They were in tears begging for you to come home. Do you know how much heartache you've caused them? What's the point in wishing they're well when you're the reason why they're not?" I was certain she was going to slap me in the face but she didn't to my surprise. Instead, her eyes were wide and her mouth agape.

"Can I see the plea?" she begged.

You can see this was news to her. It was most likely recorded somewhere but I was torn between showing her or lying. After a few seconds, I took my phone out and began searching for the video. It wasn't hard to find since this was huge so I played the video and turned the volume up. Sounds of their emotional plea filled the room and Megan was still as a statue as she watched the screen. Seeing her parents cry caused her to cry as well but she left the tears on her face.