Page 75 of The Games We Play
I can’t hold back anymore. I never talk about it and never share what happened. Only my parents, Penny, and my therapist know, but he deserves to know and Iwantto tell him.
I was forced to tell my parents what happened, forced to tell the police, and my therapist, and Penny found out just by way of coming into my life shortly after that time.
This is the first time I’ve ever felt the desire to tell my story because I want to, and not out of obligation.
“Nathan raped me.”
NOTE TO READER
A VERY IMPORTANT TRIGGER WARNING:
Your mental health is important to me.
The following chapter contains content that can be extremely triggering.
The following scene is violent and completely non-consensual. If that is triggering for you, please consider skipping the next chapter.
The book is written in such a way that allows you to have the full experience of the story without reading it.
SKIP TO CHAPTER 34
33
NAOMI
18 years old
Iwatch Seamus run toward the bush barrier that separates us from the view of the cabins. He takes a quick glance back at me, wearing a contagious smile before breaking out into a full sprint behind the hedge.
My emotions are leapfrogging everywhere. Excitement, giddiness, worry for Seamus not being able to make it back in time, and sadness that we only have another full day before camp ends.
Holding the sweater he left, I hug myself with an uncontrollable smile and sniff the fabric that still smells like him. It’s a mix of the woods we spent so much time in, the scent that makes him distinctly him. Like fresh linen and cedar.
I glance down, attempting to find my dress and shoes, when I hear the snap of a twig behind me. I immediately duck down to hide myself, but before I can, I hear a man’s voice sing-songing, “I see you.”
Nathan.
I stop and turn around, hiding myself with the sweater. I onlyhave my underwear on and minimal protection from the hoodie, so I crouch down to cover myself as much as possible.
“What are you doing here?” I grit through my teeth.
“We’re just out for a late night walk.” He slurs the last few words a bit as he walks toward me, and I notice he has a beer bottle in his hand.
“We?” I ask, looking behind him, but don’t see anyone. He ignores my question as his hooded, bloodshot eyes rake over my body.
“I’m just leaving,” I say as I pull the sweater over my head. Luckily, it’s huge on me and falls just above my knees. I stand, grabbing my dress in one hand and shoes in the other.
“No, I think we should hang out for a bit. I mean, you owe it to me for almost breaking my nose,” Nathan says, stepping directly in front of me, lifting his chin with a slight turn to show me the swelling and bruising.
“I’m sorry about that,” I say, even though I’m not at all sorry about it. Moving around him, he sidesteps in front of me, stopping me. I step to the other side and he follows, blocking me again.
My heartbeat kicks up another notch and my breath is short. I’m trying to maintain my composure and not show him how terrified I am, but I’m failing.
“Nathan, let me through.” He just stands in place, staring at me with evil laced in his eyes. I look down at the beer bottle he’s holding, knowing that is contributing to his erratic behavior, unsure how many he’s had tonight.
Looking over his shoulder, the pathway is there, lit up by just the moonlight, and I am desperate to just run for it. The lake is directly behind me, and there is no other way to get out.
“I’m going.” I push past him, but as my shoulder brushes his, he grips the nape of my neck, pulling me back. My hands fly up to my head, attempting to pull him off, but he’s too strong. Thesting of hair pulling and the yanking of my neck makes me squeal out in pain.
