Wild Child

3. Homecoming

Demi:

I start the car, and the forty five minute car ride begins. I repeatedly look at Daphne out of the corner of my eyes, unsure of what to say or do.

The thought comes to me that police are most likely going to have to get involved, and I want to talk to her about it, but she looks plain broken, and I don't want to upset her any further than she already is.

The glassy look in her eye, the blankness of her stare, the paleness of her face, I'd think she was a corpse if I didn't know any better.

Her favorite song, 'Tied Together With a Smile' by Taylor swift, comes on and I see a slight change in her demeanor, she looks a bit more engaged, and she starts to mumble parts of the song. The second the songs over I take the opportunity, "Daphne," I say, causing her to slowly turn to me, "Do you remember what the man looks like? Do you remember seeing anything that could tell you where he had you? Anything that'll help the cops identi-" "Wait," she starts, cutting me off, "The, The cops?" I nod, "Yes honey. When mom and dad find out they're going to want to get the cops involved." Her eyes grow big and she shakes her head violently. "No!" She screams, "We can't tell mom and dad! The cops can't know. Demi, leave it alone!" Her face grows an odd shade of red, and tears come to my eyes. "Daphne... We have to tell someone. This is serious." "No. Demi. Leave. It. Alone." She has so much anger in her voice, it almost scares me. "It is serious... He raped you... Daphne, that is a big deal." She winces, and lightly put my hand on her back. "We have to tell mom and dad." She doesn't respond, but I take no argument as a sign of resignation.

Daphne:

As we get closer and closer to home I feel my chest grow tighter and tighter. Demi's making me tell our parents, and I just know they're going to hate me. This is all my fault... They're going to be so disappointed in me.

We pull into the drive way and Demi tells me to stay, what am I, a dog?

She walks around to my side of the car and helps me out and up the porch steps. We stop at the door and she squeezes my hand, "You're going to be okay. I promise." She says, kissing my forehead. I squeeze Demi's hand tighter as we walk through the door.

The second we step in the door I'm bombarded with yells and hugs from Mom, Eddie, and Dallas. "Guys, guys, back off. Okay?" Demi says, leading me into the living room. I feel anxiety pulsing through my veins as we all take a seat in the living room. "Where have you been?" My mom asks worried, and angrily. "Mom, go easy on her. Something happened... And... Well..." Demi's voice trails off, and I drop my eyes to my lap. "What's going on?" Mom asks. "Can we talk in private? The three of us?" My mom nods and me her and Demi go back into their bedroom. "What happened?" She asks again. "Well... To make a long story short, some guys grabbed her while she was out on her walk and... He raped her." Demi says quickly. My mom's eyes get big and she looks at me, "Oh my god..." She whispers, tears forming in her eyes. "We... I... We have to call the police." She says, standing up, "No!" I yell, tears now forming in my eyes. "He... He said if... if I tell anyone that... that he'd kill me... and my family."

I'm sorry that this chapter isn't all that good, I have a lot on my mind right now with school and all.

Thanks for reading.

Suggestions are welcome.

-Mia