Campfires & Rainbows

Chapter 18

"OPEN UP! OPEN UP!"

I woke up to loud, angry, banging on the door.

"OPEN UP, OR I'LL CALL THE COPS!"

Page rushed past our room and down the stairs.

Looking around, I noticed I wasn't the only one who was woken up by the loud banging.

Tiffany was the only one brave enough to investigate. She walked out of the room and perched on the railing looking over the living room and front door.

I stayed in my covers already scared for what was about to happen.

I heard the door swing open and smash against the wall.

"Sir! Um, sir, you can't come in here!" I heard Page yell.

"WHERE IS SHE!?!" I heard a big, strong, scary voice echo throughout the cabin.

Despite the intimidating voice I sighed in relief knowing it wasn't my father's voice. Guilt immediately struck me. I might be safe but one of the other girls isn't.

And if one of us isn't safe, none of us are.

"Sir, get out or I'm calling the cops!"

I heard big heavy steps stomp up the stairs.

I couldn't see him, but I could see Tiffany and she was staring right at him. Her eyes were wide with fear. Her body frozen in fear.

"MOVE," He shoved her out of the way. A big, burly man now stood in the entrance of our room. He looked into each and every one of our eyes until he rested his glare onto Asmaa.

"YOU!" He grabbed her by her wrist, yanked her out of bed and dragged her across the floor of the room.

Her thigh squeaked against the wooden bedroom floor, making her scream in anguish.

She got off her left thigh, I gasped at the huge floor burn that covered her thigh. It was bright red against her dark brown skin, her skin was peeling at the edges of the huge gap.

"You wanna stay here? With your little circus of freaks?" the man got in her face.

I noticed the striking resemblance of the two. The man was her own father. Despite my family not excepting me, I immediately became grateful my parents didn't dare lay a finger on me like that. I became aware of what people like me went through throughout the world, throughout history.

I was right; they will tear us apart piece by piece, just like the man did to Asmaa's leg. Tiny's right too, though; we have to do something about it. This is not okay.

"Huh?" The man was still in Asmaa's face, awaiting an answer.

"Answer me!" He bellowed in rage striking her across the face, knocking her down.

"STOP IT." Mia was in tears now. Many of us were. But Mia was the only one standing up to him.

"Disrespectful white BOY​​​​​​. If you were my child, you would learn to respect your elders. You wouldn't be a disgrace to my family like you are to yours. You're a BOY, understand? You are NOT a girl."

Mia stared him down, but didn't reply.

The man raised his big boot and kicked Mia in the gut, making me flinch. Making her double over and throw up.

I wish we all stood up in unison, I wish we all stood up to the man. I wish we stood up for Asmaa's sake. I wish we saved her. But we were too afraid.

The man looked around the room. He then reached down and grabbed Asmaa by her ankle and dragged her out of the room. "Help me!" she screamed at the top of her lungs. Clawing at the floor, reaching for anything that would save her. "HELP ME!" she screamed again.

I looked away.

Her sobbing voice echoed in each of our ears. Her voice will probably haunt us for the rest of our lives.

He dragged her down the stairs, not caring that it hurt her even more.

"Sir, please let go of her, or I'm calling the cops."

"Good, go ahead and call them. The sooner you call the cops, the sooner the government will take you down. Enjoy your camp while it lasts, freak."

The door slammed shut.

I could still hear Asmaa's cries of pain from outside. I closed my eyes and imagined her demon father drag her scratched and bruised body against the wood chips. As if she were a a doll. As if she were garbage. As if her body was worthless. As if she didn't feel pain. I shivered at the thought.

He treated her like just because she was gay, she didn't matter.

He treated her like just because she was gay, she wasn't human.

"No! No!" I could hear her shriek from outside.

Then suddenly everything was silent. Before, the only thing making sound were the cries of Asmaa's pain and anguish. They weren't physically loud, but they were loud in our ears and hearts. The silence was there because her own father just knocked her out.

I heard the sound of an engine start and fade away, carrying Asmaa with it.