Hopeless - The sequel to Breathless. A Janoskians fanfic.

17. "Isla, Isla Rhodes."

Isla's POV -

I was taken into a small, dark room, the only thing inside was a table, which had a tape recorder, a pad of paper and a pen on it. There was a chair either side and as we entered a bright light suddenly turned on, making me wince. Officer Patel gestured for me to sit at the table and she sat on the chair opposite me, my hands were sweating because I was nervous, I wasn't sure if I could do this. "It's okay, any information you have could help your friends, don't worry." she comforted me and pushed a button on the tape deck.

Officer Patel: So, your name is?

Isla: Isla, Isla Rhodes.

Officer Patel: Okay, Isla, just start from the beginning, take your time.

Isla: okay um, Well I guess Sk- -Daniel and Beau are just defending me. Benji isn't a nice person, he's a heavy drinker, he's been smoking marijuana and I couldn't even tell you what other drugs he's on. I'm sorry, I just, this isn't the first time I've had to make a statement like this, it's hard.

Officer Patel: it's okay honey, I know it's hard. What do you mean by Mr.Cooper not being a nice person?

Isla: well, because of the alcohol and the drugs, he gets angry easily and he lashes out.

Officer Patel: lashes out?

Isla: yeah.

Officer Patel: Lashes out at who Isla?

Isla: anyone in his way, mainly me.

Officer Patel: can you describe what he's done? Take your time.

Isla: If I say something he doesn't agree with or do something he doesn't like I get hit. There's no explanation, no warning, he's knocked me out several times and when I've woken up he's gone.

Officer Patel: gone where?

Isla: to get high, to get drunk, I don't know. He just leaves me unconscious not caring whether I'm alive or dead. And tonight he-

Officer Patel: please continue Isla, just try your best.

Isla: h-he he raped me.

I was choking on my words, there was a lump in my throat and tears streamed down my face. Officer Patel took my hands in hers and stroked them with her thumbs, I wanted my mum right now, but she'd just abandoned me as well. The one person that cared about me was in a cell somewhere because of me. Officer Patel passed me a packet of tissues from her pocket, I pulled one out and dabbed my eyes, trying to find the strength to continue the interview. I pulled up the sleeves of my t-shirt, exposing my red, blistered skin and she gasped.

Officer Patel: he did this to you?

Isla: I wish he had, it would have hurt less. No, I did this to myself because of him. He raped me and I blamed myself, I wanted to wash the disgust and shame from my body, I wanted to feel pure and rid my sins.

Officer Patel: Oh honey, rape is never the victims fault! Explain what happened this evening.

Isla: he came to my house earlier and I was with Sk, sorry, Daniel. He'd caught us making out, I didn't want to cheat on him, but Daniel is the love of my life. So I guess this is all my fault really. Anyway, he swung for Daniel and I got in the way, he knocked me out and I was unconscious for a few minutes. He didn't mean to hit me this time, but he didn't care that he had, it was nothing new to him.

Officer Patel: okay, so what happened tonight Isla?

Isla: I invites all of my friends round, Benji wasn't supposed to be there but he has a key to my house, so he just let himself in. I pulled him into the kitchen away from the others so that I could talk to him, but he didn't want to talk. I begged him to stop, but he didn't. He threatened me and forces himself on me.

Officer Patel: what did he threaten you with? Violence?

Isla: he hit me a few times, but he threatened to tell everyone about me and Daniel. Daniels girlfriend was outside and I didn't want to be the one to break up their relationship.

Officer Patel: you poor thing! So what happened this evening when the police arrived? Did you tell them about the rape?

Isla: NO! They don't know, they can't know! We were all sitting around the table, just playing a harmless game of truth or dare, as teenagers do, and I kissed Daniel. Benji lost it, he grabbed me by my shoulders, threw my across the porch, to the floor and spat in my face. He called me a whore and laughed at me as I laid there, I was drifting in and out of consciousness but I knew exactly what happened.

Officer Patel: go on honey.

Isla: Beau hit him, but his brothers pulled him back. Benji laughed and got straight back up, walking towards me, I was cowering behind Daniel, scared for my life. Benji snarled at Daniel to get away from me, the look in his eye I'd seen so many times before, if Daniel left me, I'd have been dead. Benji shoved Daniel causing him to retaliate and push him to the floor. The two of them were hitting each other when Beau managed to escape his brothers grasp and joined Daniel. That's when the police came.

I was crying uncontrollably now, I'd used the whole packet of tissues and my eyes were red and blotchy. They stung as more tears flowed down my face and I shivered in the cold. Officer Patel stood up and hugged me, I wasn't sure if this was professional, but I hugged her back, sobbing into her uniform. "Well done honey, I know it's hard but it will get better. You've given a good statement, it's looking positive for Mr.Brooks and Mr.Sahyounie." she was right, I felt better already, I felt better for telling someone about my experience, but I still had to tell the others. What if they looked ate differently? What if they thought I was dirty and cheap, like Benji had? Maybe Skip would never want me back if he knew how damaged I was. I could lie to him, and the others, but I wasn't particularly good at lying. I wouldn't know what else to tell them. I'd just have to bite the bullet and confess. "Thank you again Isla, if you give the reception all your contact details we will be in touch if we need anything else." She lead me back the way I'd came the corridor was long and slightly eerie, a chill fan through my body. "Isla!" I heard Skips voice shouting from behind me, I turned around and saw him being lead into a cell, crying, "I love you." he finished as the door slammed.