I closed my eyes and tried not to think about it, it didn't help. I couldn't stop. I could still taste the metal in my mouth. I leaned over and threw up. I wiped the bile from my chin. If only I could throw up the memory. I didn't know what I was feeling. Sadness? No, something beyond that fueled my rage. I was too weak to do anything. I watched when my best friend had fought back. The courage shocked me. But even courage couldn't stop the knife from tearing into her chest.
I allowed a cry to leak out. I still can't believe it, not him.
The flashback starts again. The smell. The laughter. The blood. The pain. I gasped as they ripped at my conscious. My hands trembled as I attempted to keep them away.
"Sophie, are you okay honey?" my mother asked in a quiet voice, almost unheard against my cries, "They need you out there."
I brushed the remaining tears out of my face, no way I was going to give him the pleasure of seeing me cry like this, so weak.
I worked up the courage to leave the restroom stall, I wasn't about to keep them waiting. I wanted to see his face again, I wanted the satisfaction of sending him to prison.
I got up and worked my way out of the restroom. The dim lights mimicked my mood. I found my father and sister seated on the only bench outside of the small office. I offered her the best smile I could muster. She didn't need to see me so weak, she was too young to understand. As I walked to the door my mother brushed my hand, my father gave me his ever reassuring smile.
When I entered the room, the first thing I noticed was the darkness. The only light came from a small lamp. It was empty, other than a small desk and three chairs. I waited for the man to come in and flip the switch. The glass in front of me illuminated harshly, it took a moment for my eyes to adjust. Five men were in front me.
"Okay Sophia, can you tell me which one of these men assaulted you?"
I stared into their faces.
"None of them," I whispered.
