I woke up with a start, and bolted upright on my bed, gasping for breath. My throat felt dry, like I haven't drank anything in weeks, and realized that my sheets were soaked with sweat. I looked at the clock to my right. It was 2:25 A.M.

Of course. It was that dream again. I've been waking up a lot lately to that same dream. Every time I would be drenched with sweat, and trying to catch my breath.

I shuddered at the memory of my rape that happened two years ago. I could still feel his hands all over my body, his lips, his breath, and-

The knife.

I got out of bed and headed to the bathroom. I walked over to the sink and washed my face from the sweat. I looked up at the mirror. My eyes met the pale, jagged scar that was on my right breast. The knife. On the day he raped me, he finished me off by digging his knife into my flesh and created the scar that always remembered me of him.

I looked away from the scar and looked at myself. A pathetic looking girl stared back at me.

Why wasn't I strong? Why did everything have to go this way? My parents got divorced, a guy who I trusted broke my heart, I lost my dignity, and now, I found out that my grandmother had passed away. I was to go to the airport to Texas today, and go to the funeral tomorrow.

I lived a pretty good life. I did sports and got straight A's through high school, went to a good college, lived in decent apartment, and worked at the Lux Atlantic hotel in Miami where I lived. Everything was perfect until my parents' divorce. My mom moved to Texas and lived near my grandmother, while my dad stayed in Miami, only ten minutes away from me. I was always good to my parents, but never told them about the rape; I've never gotten the courage to do so. I know I'm breaking myself, but I just can't do it. I love them so much, and perhaps it's better to not bring it up. Perhaps I'm just doing this for myself.

Ever since I moved out on my own, my parents have been overly protective over me, especially my dad. I guess I shouldn't be surprised, but sometimes I wish they can take my word for it every now and then. I mean, I'm twenty-six years old for goodness sake! I'm a grown and responsible woman. I live on my own, in my nice apartment, and I always double check the doors and windows to make they're locked, I never go anywhere without carrying a small can of pepper spray in my purse.

I let out a sigh. Oh well, it's almost 3'o clock. Might as well make scrambled eggs and watch a good classic movie...