Chapter 4

NPOV

In all honesty, my cabin mates were not the best in the world.

Jason was nice, but he kind of scared me. Reminded me to much of Mike…they were almost the same height.

Shane…well, he's different. I get the feeling he's hiding something, but I'm not sure what. It's like something in his life was missing…something important.

I woke up early one morning, almost a week since camp had started, and hopped into the shower.

The bruises, although healing, still stuck out, dark ink spills, hurting like crazy. I had three more on one leg and the back of my other was entirely blue and black. I forget where that one came from but I knew it was painful.

Before I pulled my shirt on, I caught site of the worst of my bruises, the one on my shoulder. It peeked up over my shoulder, barely reaching over it.

I remembered that day…

Flashback.

"Look how thin he's gotten! You idiot!"

I stared at Todd's thunderous face, trembling from my spot on the floor by the stairs. I looked at the bat in his hand. An aluminum bat.

"I…I only forgot twice! It's not my fault!" My voice trembled.

"Oh really? Then whose fault is it?"

"Mike usually feeds the dog! You never told me…" Tears ran freely down my face. I didn't care, and cowered against the crawl space door.

"He's been gone!"

"I didn't notice!"

"I'll make you notice!"

The bat swung at me. I darted away, and the bat smashed into the wooden door, with a huge hole.

I ran for the door. Just…had to get…it open. Just…get outside.

Then it hit me, so hard I fell against the door. I didn't hear my scream. I only felt my pain…the searing pain. My ribs weren't broken, but sprained.



So painful.

I fell forward on my knees, crying out again as he hit me again. Tears ran down my face.

"I HATE YOU!"

End Flashback

I didn't realize I was crying until something warm dropped onto my hand.

I wiped my eyes and realized my cabin people were up. I couldn't stop the tears.

Suddenly, it hit me. I was going to go back eventually.

And the bruises would come back…the pain. The fear.

"No!" I said fiercely, then tore from the bathroom.

I ran out the cabin, my friends staring after me. I barely heard Shane's confused "Nate?" as I ran by him.

I just needed time. A good, long time by myself. Just to cry.

Then I'll feel better.

Or not. Either way.

SPOV

Nate suddenly burst from the bathroom like a madman, running for the door, wrenching it open and running. Fast. I still heard his sob.

"Nate?" I called after him, confused.

I looked at Jason, who looked as confused as I felt.

"What was that about?" I wondered out loud.

"I don't know. We should try to find him," Jason said, pulling his shirt on, which had been in his hands.

"Why? He looks like he should be alone." I frowned. Poor kid…

"Didn't you see his face?" Jason demanded. I shook my head.

Jason sighed, his eyes closed, looking sideways at the ground. "I did. He needs help."

"Jason…really, you think the kids gonna even say one word to any of us? I bet he's embarrassed enough. I would be." I snickered suddenly. "Besides, his little girlfriend might get to him first.

"Would you stop?" Jason said. "That's not funny. It might be true, but really. What's your problem?"



"I don't have a problem!" I said back.

"Really?"

"No!"

Jason remained silent. After a second, it seemed pointless to argue. Sighing, he walked past me and out the door, calling over his shoulder "See you later. I'm gonna find the kid."

"Good luck," I called sarcastically after him before running out the back door.

We all just needed some space. That was clear.