Adopted by the Devil - Matt Murdock (BOOK ONE)

Chapter 16

Quinn glanced back at Jasper who sat behind her. Lizzie spoke over the radio in the car as Caroline drove them before her shift started. Quinn knew where they were dropping Jasper off, she'd been before when she was younger. The group for sexual assault survivors helped her heal some childhood trauma and helped her settle in with Caroline. She was grateful for the experience and hoped, no she prayed it would help Jasper. She looked up at City hall as they pulled up to the sidewalk.

Jasper sighed as he climbed out, pulling his backpack over his shoulder before turning back to the car as Caroline climbed out.

"Wait for a second," she said gently, walking over and pulling him aside. He followed her and looked at her, his eyes doe-like. She sighed softly as she rubbed his arm. "Now, this might be hard." she began, taking his hand as he looked down at his feet. "But I hope you'll be able to speak, maybe not today, maybe not in a week or a month but when you're ready," she paused, taking a deep breath. "I hope you'll open up to someone you feel safe with. My door's always open and I know Matt wants to see more of you." she smiled, gently cupping his face and tilting his head up. He looked up at her, his jaw clenched tight. She kissed his temple and rubbed his cheek. "It's okay to be scared... when you're done Matt will meet you here," she said softly. He sighed shakily and nodded his head, leaning into her touch.

"Okay..." he whispered, pulling away from her. She nodded, retracting her hand and smiling. "I'll see you tonight, okay?" she said gently. He nodded his head as she walked back to the car and climbed in. Quinn gave him a gentle smile and waved her hand as they pulled off the sidewalk and drove off. Jasper gave a small wave before exhaling, his chest tense and full of anxiety as he climbed up the steps of city hall and walked in. He walked down a side hallway and found a meeting room filled with people of all shapes and sizes.

Some people spoke to each other quietly, and some stayed to the side and drank some water. He hesitantly walked into the room, putting his backpack on the coat rack with the other personal belongings after pocketing his phone. He gulped as he adjusted his hat, his eyes shifting around the room. He turned to the snack table and hesitantly grabbed a cookie.

"Those are really good," Jasper turned his head and froze a bit. A girl around his age reached across him and grabbed one herself. "You're lucky you grabbed one, I usually eat all of them by the end of the group" she stated. He shifted, not really knowing how to respond. She chuckled. "You're new aren't you? I mean I haven't seen you here before" she continued. She brushed her braids from her face and over her shoulder as she bit into the cookie. "I'm Mel, nice to meet you" she stated. He hesitantly nodded. She was intimidating, confident as hell from what he could see.

"Jasper," he introduced himself. Mel smiled and nodded.

"Cool, you found a seat yet?" she asked, walking to the circle and sitting down. He shook his head and after a moment where he honestly felt frozen, he chose a seat beside her. She smiled a bit as she finished her cookie. "This group is really good, everyone is pretty respectful," she said quietly. "You'll get comfortable with everyone soon enough"

Jasper sighed gently and nodded slowly, slumping back against the chair as the others joined the circle.

The leader of the group arrived and everyone started discussing what they wanted to get out with prompting from the leader, Mel spoke up.

"I was able to sleep in my own bed last night," she began, picking at her nails as she spoke. Jasper glanced over at her, chewing on the inside of his lip as he listened. "It's been 6 months since I was assaulted at a party I hosted, for those of you didn't know and since then, I haven't been able to really be in my room. I've been sleeping on the floor of my parent's room and I know that even though it's been hard for me, it's been hard for my parents too so I decided after talking with my therapist, I slept in my bed" she sighed shakily. A few members clapped gently and she cracked a small smile. "Thanks," she said gently and leaned back.

The circle went on till the leader turned to Jasper. "Would you like to say anything?" she asked gently. Jasper looked up from his lap, all the attention on him. He tensed up, feeling his heart hammer against his chest. He gulped, struggling to find the words.

"Like what?" he whispered.

"Anything you'd like, or nothing at all" she explained. Jasper shifted, his hands finding the hangnails and pulling on them. Mel glanced over and hesitantly took his hand. He flinched, his eyes snapping to hers. She smiled a bit, her hand squeezing his. He found his voice and shook his head.

"I'm not comfortable yet to talk, sorry" he whispered. The leader nodded and continued on. Mel's hand didn't leave Jaspers.