Blood Money (1) | The Inheritance Games

XXXI. would've could've should've

"And if I was a child, did it matter, if you got to wash your hands?

Trigger Warning: Depictions of Sexual Assault. If you're reading this, you'll know what happens in the chapter to follow, and I wanted to write a short message to talk about the issues explored. I want to preface this whole thing by saying, that by no means am I attempting to idealise or romanticise rape, and anyone who chooses to read this chapter will come to realise this chapter and plot line is used purely to bring awareness to the issue, and provide a sexual assault victim that navigates the harsh and serious impending impacts which follow an assault. I'd also like to inform you all that later on within this book there is an instance of rape, which will have a warning at the beginning of the chapter much like this. Rape and sexual assault are two topics I don't enjoy writing, for obvious reasons, which is why until now I've never taken it upon myself to write characters who experience such things. But both separate instances, provide character development, plot progression and relevance to the plot. When writing this, I knew I want to do so with sensitivity and respectfulness. Which is why this chapter is one I have wrote, rewrote, edited and proof checked at least a million times. However as always, if you read something you don't think is particularly tasteful or something you think is untrue in any way, please do let me know so I can quickly rectify it. Before this chapter begins, I just want to clarify for those of you who chose not to read this one, there will be a summary in the comments of the final paragraph. But it's important to remember this book is 18+ and does contain some extremely triggering topics such as this one. Just to reiterate, to those of you who need to hear it, there is always support for you if you need it. 

Noah - arriving home from the hospital.

It's nearly one in the morning when I arrive back home, pushing the large door inward and nodding at some night shift staff who don't even question my late arrival.

Creeping up the staircases with eyebags dripping down for miles, I crack my bedroom door open and will my feet to walk inside.

To my alarm, a brown haired girl is perched on the end of my bed in red lingerie and a matching silk robe. She's undoubtably a pretty girl, of course nothing close to Spencer's level of beauty. But the similarities between the two are uncanny. I physically flinch upon the sight of the stranger.

"Hey kid." She smirks mischeviously, slipping her robe off so she's very much just wearing underwear.

"Excuse me?" I furrow my brows, slapping a hand over my eyes to block my vision of the girl.

"Son, welcome home. Nice of you to finally join us." My Father's voice calls. I cringe at his voice alone, even more-so when I catch sight of him. Seated in the shadowed over seat to the left of my bed.

He's not supposed to be back. He's on a business trip. He's got a week left.

"Dad.. what are you doing here?" I ask, suddenly my heart begins pounding even more than it did at the sight of him when I realize Maja is yet to enter, with Jameson in the garage having drove us home.

"Well, I saw the photos of your girlfriend. Cancelled the rest of the trip to be with you." He answers, not wavering.

"My ex girlfriend you mean? You encouraged us to separate.. Sorry I'm home late.. I fell asleep at the house of a friend of mines whilst doing homework." I instantly lie. My posture instantly shoots up, my features once soft and tired hardenning to cautious.

"I saw." He interupts, already catching onto my bullshit and shutting it down.

"Saw what, exactly?" I attempt, hoping he is bluffing.