It Started With Lake (Book 1)

Chapter 7: Emani

**This chapter may be triggering for some people. Read with caution 😣

Five years ago

I heard my bedroom door open, and I sat up. I pulled the covers against my body and saw it was only two in the morning. My uncle Travis was standing over my bed in a drunken haze. He was only a few years older than me, early twenties. Travis smiled at me, but I didn't smile back. He ran a hand through his dreadlocks, watching me closely.

"Uncle Travis, what are you doing here?" I whispered. He closed the door and sat on my bed.

"I love you so much, Emani," Travis slurred.

"I love you too, uncle."

Travis put his hand on my thigh, and my heart started pounding. This was becoming too weird for me, but I didn't know how to stop it. He was my uncle and would never hurt me. Right?

"You have always been such a pretty girl, sweetheart," he mumbled, stroking my thigh with his rough hands. "I'm so happy you're twelve now."

"Why are you touching me?" I finally asked.

"You're a woman now, Emani, and that's what a man does to a pretty girl," he whispered.

"But we are family," I protested.

Travis didn't care and forced me down on the bed. His hand covered my mouth, and I bit it. He was bleeding on my pink nightgown and his eyes filled with rage.

"Emani, if you keep fighting me, it will only be worse," he warned through gritted teeth. "I have wanted you for so long, and tonight will be special."

Oh. My. God.

He was crazy.

I screamed, and he slapped me across the face. My face felt as if it was on fire, and I cradled my cheek. He put his lips on my neck and began to kiss me. I tried to scream again, but his hand clamped down on my mouth. When his fingers reached for my breast, tears streamed down my face.

"If you tell your parents or anyone, I will rape Seven," he threatened.

I pushed his hands away. "Stop touching me! I'm not doing this with you, and don't go anywhere near her!"

"Emani, you need to stop fighting me, baby. Your mom is asleep, and your dad is out of town. I waited for the perfect night, and now we can have it, love."

My bedroom door opened slowly, and Seven was standing in the doorway, holding her bear. She was only four years old, and I hated that she had to witness this. On the other hand, I'm glad she stumbled in here before things went too far.

Travis turned around and put on a fake smile. "Seven, what are you doing up? Let's get you back to bed."

Seven and I exchanged a look, and she could tell something was off. She was such a smart kid.

"No, I will put her to bed."

I quickly got up and led Seven back to her room. I didn't trust Travis after the stunt he just pulled. I helped her to bed and tucked her in

"Emani, what was uncle Travis doing in your room?" She noticed the blood on my nightgown and frowned. "Why do you have blood on you?"

My eyes widened. "You can't tell anyone that he was in my room Seven."

She looked confused. "Something weird is going on, Emani."

I couldn't hide anything from her. "Don't ever let Travis get you alone. He can't be trusted Seven."

"I promise," she whispered.

I hugged her and then shut the door. The hallway was empty, and when I went back to my room, Travis was gone. I peeked out my window and saw his mustang was nowhere in sight.

I felt sick and rushed to the toilet. My dinner stared back at me as tears flooded my eyes. I decided to take a shower, but I still didn't feel clean. I couldn't get the image of his hands on me out of my head. I squeezed my eyes closed and tried to picture something else. I thought of my favorite song and mouthed the lyrics over and over.

Present

"I'm going to kill him," Lake nearly shouted in my basement. I've never seen him so angry before, and I wondered if telling him was a good idea.

I still can't believe my darkest secret was out. I've kept that night to myself for years. My therapist doesn't even know. I've only known Lake for a few weeks, but his presence puts me at ease. I had to tell someone, and he just so happened to be around when Travis called.

"Lake, you can't tell anyone," I begged as he paced back and forth. My mind went back to that night, and I shuddered. "He's back in town, and he wants me to meet him at Starbucks tomorrow."

Lake reached for my hand. "Emani, you can't keep this a secret. He may hurt someone else, and you are not meeting him."

I knew he was right, but I was scared. "What should I do?"

"Does your mom know?"

"No," I whispered. She would kill her brother if she knew.

"I think you should start there first, E."

Speaking of my mom, I heard the front door close, and I stiffened. Her twelve-hour shift was finally over. Lately, I've barely seen my mom because she's been working six nights straight. Ever since Dad died, things have been tight around here, and she works all the time. I offered to get a job to help out, but she forbid it.

Lake wiped away my tears. "We can tell her together if you want. You're not in this alone anymore."

"But what if he tries to touch Seven?" I let out a breath trying to stay calm.

"I will kill him." Lake was serious, and I squeezed his hand. He was getting too worked up, and I didn't want him to do something stupid.

The basement door opened, and someone was coming down the stairs. My mom smiled at me but stopped when she saw Lake. Her hazel eyes never left his face. I never planned for them to meet like this, but life is full of surprises.

"Emani, who is your friend, and why are you down here?"

Lake extended his hand. "I'm Lake. I go to school with Emani."

"Nice to meet you, Lake, but it's one in the morning. I suggest you get home," she said with a stern face.

"Mom, I have something to tell you."
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This was probably the hardest chapter to write, but it explains why Emani has nightmares. She tries to put on this perfect image for her friends, but this is her real life. I plan on doing a flashback chapter for Lake as well in the future.  I hope you stick with this story as the two evolve together 🤞🏾