𝖯𝖺𝗉𝖾𝗋 𝖱𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌

chapter twenty-one | war is over

chapter twenty-one | war is over

NEVAEH STOLLY

"Shocking flash news! The famous millionaire Nick Dolivo is accused of sexually assaulting his two children,Zaiah Loren Dolivo and Carl Dolivo. Last night, a mysterious tape was sent to all of the TV stations in town with the horrific video that we're about to show you. Warning; content that may affect you emotionally."

I changed the channel.

"We think that the tape was published by one of his sons, most likely the one in the video. If you open your TVs too late, Nick Dolivo is accused of sexual assault towards his two children and we have proof right in our hands. Warning; con-"

I changed the channel again.

"Is this true? Did the famous millionaire Nick Dolivo really sexually assault his kids or is this fake? We think-"

I close the TV.

I bite my fingers anxiously.

I shake my legs.

I picked up the phone.

I call Zaiah.

One 'buzz' was all I needed and he picked up the phone.

Nobody says anything for a few seconds. I could hear Zaiah's shaking voice, Daisy crying, Carl trying to comfort his mother.

"Are you okay?" I can finally get something out of my mouth after a few seconds of silence. I still bite my nails as I'm talking with him. I've never done this before. But everything was just too much today. For Zaiah,for his family.

"No…" his words came out as a whisper that flew to my heart and broke everything in there. Because even though I've seen Zaiah crying before, he never had the courage to admit that he wasn’t okay. He always tried to hide it somehow. And now? Now he let every wall fall and just broke down. Every suffering he had felt in those years was all out. And he didn't know how to stop it.

"Do you want me to come?" I whisper back. I want to come. I want to hug him. I want to help him. I want to take care of him and put back every piece of his broken heart back together.

"Yeah," I immediately got up from the bed. "But not now. A little bit later. Please?"

"Of course, Zaiah, of course. Just give me a message or call or just throw a paper aeroplane or whatever you want." I put myself on the bed. No matter how much I want to comfort him,he needs his time with himself,with his family. I just have to wait until he needs to be with me and I'll be there.

"Goodbye,Neve."

"Goodbye,Zaiah."

I wait for him to close the call. And when he does it, I feel the urge to call him again. But I stopped myself. He'll call when he is ready.

Ever since I've seen the news,I couldn't watch the tape even though it was everywhere. I always changed the channel or closed the TV. I can't hear his screams and I can't hear his cries. I couldn't watch the way that monster was enjoying himself and Zaiah was fighting for his life. Or how he didn’t fight at all. Because he was drugged a few times. And I can't even imagine the pain he must have felt. Not only the physical pain but the emotional one. The thought that your own father did this to you. The constant voice in your head telling you that it was your fault. The thoughts,the hate towards yourself and your own body. The hate towards your own parent. The constant fear every time he's next to you and every time the weekend comes.