Chapter 5 #2
I shakily get up with Zander’s phone and hobble to the kitchen to grab a water bottle.
I don’t want Zander to hear the rest of my story.
Hell, I don’t want to hear it, and it happened to me.
I step outside onto the deck, sit at the table, and explain to Sarah what I’m thinking.
“He doesn’t need to hear what Ben did to me.
He’s already devastated. Things, um, they got worse. ”
Sarah agrees to help me talk to Zander, so I stick my head inside, calling for him to join me. He comes outside quickly, taking a seat beside me. “I don’t want you to listen to the rest of my statement. I think it'll cause you pain,” I say without preamble.
“Did Officer Sean make a mistake when he said you weren’t raped?” He appears horrified and on the verge of vomiting.
“No, I wasn’t, I promise, but he was cruel. You don’t need to know the details. I’m not trying to hide anything from you, Zander, but to protect you.”
He doesn’t seem convinced. “Zander,” Sarah calls. “Summer is safe and relatively unharmed, sitting beside you. Nothing is going to change that. Do you really need more details about her experience when she is already home with you?”
He sighs. “Part of me wants to know, but part of me doesn’t.
” Mussing his hair, he stares out at the backyard as I wait quietly.
“Ok darling. Let me grab another coffee, and then I’ll wait out here until it’s over.
I’m happy to listen later if you need to talk about it though, okay?
” He says, fear and pain echoing in his eyes.
“Thanks, Zander.” A knot untangles in my gut. This is good. No father should have to hear details of his daughter's sexual assault. We both get up and go back inside.
Resuming my place on the sofa, I take a glance at the guys.
“Zander will sit out the rest of my statement on the patio. If any of you want to leave, you can join him. It gets worse from here.” E comes over and takes Zander’s seat, grabbing my hand as Seb puts his arm around my shoulders.
A hot tear slips out and tracks down my cheek at the unwavering support.
“Zander is outside,” Officer Sean tells me, looking towards the yard. “Are you ready to continue?”
Inhaling the citrus and sandalwood scents surrounding me, and ensuring Sarah is still with me, I give a nod.
“When Ben came back inside, he showered and heated soup on the stove. He ate half before attempting to spoon-feed me, but I refused. He decided to put his plan into motion that night instead of today.” Regret is a bitter taste on my tongue.
Hindsight is 20/20, but I was just trying to delay him and thought being uncooperative was the best course of action.
“He bound my ankles and wrists with coarse rope before unlocking the handcuffs linked to the wall. He hoisted me onto his shoulder and took me into the bathroom. The throbbing pain in my head disoriented me. There was a small square shower stall,” I tell them, taking a sip of water.
“He dumped me on the wet shower floor. I caught a glint of steel in my periphery when I sat up. He used a knife and cut away my clothes.” A tremble rolls through my stiff body as tears begin anew.
E gives my hand a gentle squeeze. “He kept calling me a whore and a slut as he ripped the pieces of my clothing off me. I struggled against him in the cramped shower stall, but his body blocked the entire width of the opening.”
I take another sip, the cool water sliding down my throat.
“He turned on the shower, and icy water sprayed over me. I curled up into myself as he dumped soap all over me. He hauled me up by my hair and started roughly scrubbing me all over, spreading the soap. He squeezed my breasts, pinching my nipples hard. Then he focused between my legs.” I gasp, the words catching in my throat as memories flood my mind.
More tears well in my eyes as I desperately try to hold in a sob, knowing if I start, this will be much harder to get through.
Sarah’s calm voice cuts through my anxiety.
“You’re doing so well, Summer.” Her reassuring words are a lifeline.
I cast my eyes in Sarah’s direction. A silent plea for strength.
“Take deep breaths for me.” I inhale slowly, mimicking her rhythm.
Air fills my lungs and acts as a fragile shield against the memories.
“Thanks,” I whisper with a raspy voice once I'm calmer. Seb gently picks me up, placing me on his lap, and wraps his warm arms around me. The warmth is a stark contrast to the icy memory of the shower. “He touched me there, pinching and trying to force his fingers inside. I was screaming and twisting, trying to get away. Ben didn’t succeed, so he held me under the water to rinse the soap off. He found a towel nearby, roughly dried me before flinging me over his shoulder again, and deposited me on the bed. He reattached the handcuffs before leaving the room. I don’t know why he wanted me showered, considering what he wanted to do to me.
“Ben came back in dry clothes, then pulled me down and tied my legs open on the bed. He uncuffed me and did the same with my wrists, making an X of my body. He started talking about all the ways he was going to cause me pain while he had sex with me. Then he took the same knife he used to cut my clothes off and cut my arm. He groped my breasts again, really, really hard, until I screamed in pain and attempted to stick his fingers inside me again. There was a little give in my ankle ropes, just enough that I could clench. It made it difficult to get inside me. He continued squeezing my breasts, cutting, and pushing fingers inside me. Nick came in while it was happening. You know the rest.”
“Thank you, Summer,” Officer Sean says, turning off the recording.
“I would like to suggest something,” Mr. MacLeod speaks up. “Summer, I am sorry you went through that ordeal. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone; however, I advise you to see a physician, as it sounds as if you have been injured in two private areas.”
“But I wasn’t raped,” I remind him.
“Thank goodness you were not, but I would still advise you to seek care. There may be damage you haven’t considered,” he responds gently.
“It could add to your case, Summer,” Officer Sean adds. “A doctor could write an official report of the sexual assault. You are not being forced to do an exam, but I agree with Mr. Macleod.”
I lean back into Seb. A medical exam. Can I do that? “Would it increase Ben’s sentence?” I ask the room.
“It should,” Mr. MacLeod nods. “A judge cannot dismiss irrefutable proof of the sexual assault. Unfortunately, there is a difference between touching someone and causing damage, legally speaking.”
I’m going to have to explain more to Zander if I do this. Leaning forward, I pick up the phone to talk to Sarah. “I don’t know what to do here, Sarah,” I tell her.
“If you can handle the exam, I suggest doing it,” she answers. “You could have someone with you, a friend or a nurse. Whatever will make it easier. If you would like me to speak with Zander, I will. You have been through enough this morning.”
Nodding, I ask someone to bring the phone to him. Bay gives me a watery smile and grabs the phone from me, heading towards the patio.
“I can ask Dr. Croft if you wish, Summer. You briefly met him when Seb was drugged. He also examined Seb and Holly yesterday at the hospital. I trust him implicitly. Alternatively, there are women doctors at the hospital, if you would prefer,” Alex offers.
What is the better option? A man familiar with my friends, or an unknown person. I think seeing a stranger right now is scarier.
I’ve had one such physical before. When Jake and I started dating, Mom insisted I see her doctor. It was uncomfortable, but okay. The doctor was a man and really nice. He explained everything to me beforehand, and Mom held my hand during the exam. “Please call Dr. Croft,” I tell Alex.
“I will call right now,” he nods and excuses himself to the front porch.
“Would anyone like a refill or a drink?” E asks, sounding a little shaky. I look up at him to see he’s really pale with glassy eyes, but he squeezes my hand and gives me a small, sad smile. Mr. MacLeod requests water as Zander and Bay return.
“Would it be possible to move to the dining table?” I need a change of scenery, even if it’s only in the next room.
“You got it, Sunshine,” Seb says, standing and carrying me to the dining room.
He pulls out a chair for me, gently sets me in it, then sits next to me and holds my hand.
Seb looks ill—clammy skin, red eyes, and bouncing legs.
I lean my head on his shoulder in silent support.
I knew the guys cared, but their support has been incredible.
Zander sits at the head of the table beside me, looking me over, ensuring I’m still whole. Nick, E, and Bay take seats on the island facing us. Officer Sean takes the other end seat opposite Zander. Alex and Mr. MacLeod sit across from me.
Officer Sean gives us an update on his investigation.
The search for the Ford Focus’s owner continues.
Ben’s dad was clueless. There were no witnesses to anyone near the front of the gym.
Cara has an alibi. The baseball coach is puzzled about how someone accessed his office.
Ben is in the hospital with a police guard.
Nothing helpful. He will keep us posted.
Mr. MacLeod asks him a few questions and pushes for surveillance footage near the school.
After Mr. MacLeod’s departure, Nick takes his seat, updating everyone on his hacker friend’s discoveries and my comments about Jessica from the previous night.