Mousy

4 Jared Chavez

"Thank you for everything Miss. Chavez but I should be leaving now," the girl tells us as she puts scrapes the leftover food in the trash. There wasn't a lot left we could've dumped the tiny droppings in the garbage disposal.

"Oh you don't need to do the others hon, I'll do that later. Or I'll get Jared to. Also, I've been thinking that the best thing to do is that you don't leave us," my mom says in a soft voice.

She stays silent and keeps on cleaning. I watch her chew on her bottom lip.

"I don't want to intrude. I'm bad luck," she chuckles dryly under her breath.

What happened to this poor girl? Who gave her the old and soon to be new scars on her body? Thoughts and questions swim through my head but I know it isn't the right time to ask.

"We have enough good luck to share. You're staying and that's final. You can call your parents and tell them you're staying here until you heal if you want. I'm sure they're worried about you." My mom gets up and digs through her bag trying to find her phone.

"No, it's okay. They won't be worried. I'm, uh, Willow by the way. Willow Ambrosia."

"Do you know who did this to you? What happened?" my mom asks as she gets up to put away her plate.

Willow takes her plate and starts cleaning it. She looks deep in thought and scrubs the plate faster and harder. I look at her and then at my mom. My mom opens her mouth to say something but it was too late.

The plate broke in half.

"Oh my god I'm so sorry!" Willow doesn't even hesitate on picking up the broken pieces.

"Willow, calm down honey! It's fine I can buy some more. Stop touching them you're going to cut your hands up," my mom groans and pulls Willow away from the trash.

"I-I can't be here." Willow breaks free from my mom and I rush towards the front door. I made it just before she got there. I'm obviously faster than a person who got the shit beaten out of them.

She hobbles over to the couch and cries her heart out. The room is filled with awkward silence and tension.

Willow's blue eyes are bloodshot and puffy. Her body is trembling and rocking back and fourth. Harsh sobs rattle out of her mouth as my mom walks into the living room.

"I don't know what happened to you Willow. Jared told me that two people attacked you, a man and a woman. He told me you weren't just attacked... you were also violated. I wasn't thinking straight and let you shower but your clothes I haven't washed. They must- no they will have evidence on them.

If you want, we can go to the police tomorrow. They'll do a rape kit in case there is some evidence left and they'll document your wounds. If it goes to trial, I guarantee you I will testify on your behalf and Jared will too. Don't let your abusers get away. I'm a doctor, I've seen this kind of stuff before.

And each time it breaks my heart. Victims are always terrified of going to the police but it's worth it. You can stay here as long as you need and we will help you get through this. All I'm asking is for your trust. It will be hard I won't lie but it will be worth it. Trust me," my mom tells her and for the first time in my life, I saw her eyes get watery.