Chapter 9

"I have to keep this a secret no one can know" Sophia said to herself.

"No one can know what?" a mysterious voice asked. Sophia looks up stunned her eyes widen realizing who it was. She sits there frozen unsure what to do or say.

The figure standing over her was Frankie looking concern. "Hey Frankie" she said quickly sheepishly wiping her damp cheeks. Frankie sits down beside her, "What's going on?" he asked casually. Sophia shrugs her shoulders pretending nothing was wrong. "Nothing" she mumbled avoiding eye contact, she gets up staring out to the river.

Frankie sighed it hurt him to see her obviously hurting and not being able to talk about it. He gets up walking to her, "Soph come on talk to me" he pleaded hoping that she would open up to him.

"I can't talk about it" she said as tears filled her eyes again it was getting harder and harder for her not to burst out in sobs and cry over what had happen to her. "Look whatever it is it's tearing you up you can't possibly keep it bottled up inside" he said urgently.

Sophia folds her arms across her chest. Frankie turns her around to face him. "I'm really worried about you" he said. "I KNOW YOU ARE AND I KNOW THAT THE WHOLE FAMILY IS TOO. I JUST GOT A LECTURE ABOUT IT BY MOM AND ROMAN AND I DON'T NEED ANOTHER ONE FROM YOU OK?" she yelled.

"I'm not trying to lecture you I just wish you would tell me what is bothering you I'm your brother, you can tell me anything. We all love you Sophia we just want to help you" he said. "I don't need any help and if I did no one can help me" she replied Frankie looks at her confused and asked, "Why not? Why can't anyone help you?"

"BECAUSE I WAS RAPED OK!" she cried bursting into tears leaving Frankie shell shocked. He had tears in his eyes as he watched her fall apart feeling helpless. He didn't know what to say he just takes her in his arms hugging her.

At the Salem PD Bo was sitting in Roman's office when Roman walks in. "Hey Roman how did it go with Ma and Sophia?" Bo asked curiously. "Not well our little sister has a stubborn streak on her I don't know what we are going to do with her" Roman said feeling defeated. "Hopefully whatever it is Sophia will find a way to deal with it or talk to someone about it" Bo said hopingly. "I sure hope so because Ma is at the end of her rope with her"

At the Pub Sophia's friend Jessica walks in and over to a table and sits down. Caroline walks over to her. "Hell Jessica its wonder to see you what can I get you?" she asked. "Hi Mrs. Brady I'll have an ice tea and a salad" Jessica replied.

Caroline writes it down on her notepad. "Mrs. Brady is Sophia here?" Jessica asked. "She was a little awhile ago but she left" Caroline said. A thought pop into Caroline's head, "Jessica has Sophia told you anything that maybe bothering her?"

Jessica thinks for a moment then shakes her head. "No she hadn't she's been quite distant although not just from me but from Matt too" Caroline was surprise to hear it and it worried her even more now knowing that it wasn't just the family Sophia was avoiding.

"You seem worried Mrs. Brady are you alright?" Jessica asked concern. Caroline looks at the young teenager and shakes off her worries smiling pleasant at her as though nothing was wrong. "Yes dear I'm alright. I'll be back with your ice tea and salad" she said then walks toward the kitchen.

Frankie pulls away from Sophia still a bit shock over what she had said. "I don't know what to say" he confessed. "It's ok I know what you want to say how it's my fault, how I disgraced and shamed the family, that you are disappointed in me and that I deserved it" she said full of sorrow and self pity. Frankie was surprise to hear her say that that was the furthest thing from his mind he would never ever blame her or be disappointed in her for that.

"That's not true at all that's the furthest thing that I would say" Frankie said speechless. "Then what that you feel differently about me now?" she snapped desperate to know what he was thinking, wanting anything to hold onto that would ease the guilt that have been burdening her and haunting her for weeks.

Frankie was dumbfounded that she would actually say something like that or even think that. "Do you want to know how I feel?" he asked. Sophia nods her head. "First and for most I love you as much as I always have nothing in the world could ever change that. You are not to blame for this it's not your fault for any of it and I know you most certainly didn't ask for it to happen either. I'm not disappointed in you or am I ashamed of you" he said.

Sophia was relieved at least part of the weight lifted off her shoulders. "I know you probably don't want to talk about it but there are questions I have to ask you" Frankie said. Sophia really didn't feel like talking about it but she knew that Frankie wasn't going to give up until he got some answers.

She reluctantly nods her head as she sits down on the bench with Frankie beside her. "When did it happen?" he asked. "The night of the storm" she replied. "So you've been carrying this since then? You haven't told anyone?" he asked. Sophia shakes her head, "You're the first to know"

"Well that would certainly explain why your clothes were torn that night and why you've been jumpy and short temper with everyone. Why haven't you told any of us sooner?" he asked.

"I was afraid Frankie I thought if I kept it a secret then no one find out that I let something like that happen to me. I was afraid that everyone would blame me and stop loving me. I know it sounds ridiculous and childish but I was so scared" she said.

"I understand sweetheart but I promise you no one is going to blame you or stop loving you" he reassured her. "Did you get a good look at the man who raped you?"

Sophia shakes her head indicating that she didn't. "Maybe we should get you tested then tell Bo and Roman what happen" he suggested. "I can't be tested Frankie" she said.

"How come?" he asked, "That night of the storm I took a shower I think I washed away the evidence? I'm sorry I just felt so dirty and I was out in the rain I didn't want to get sick" she said feeling guilty.

"It's alright honey but I still think we should get you checked out anyway" he insisted. "I don't want to pressure you with this I know it must be really overwhelming for you and I'm sorry about that but I think it's the right thing to do"

"I'm scared Frankie I don't want to be touched" she said. Frankie nods replying persuasively, "I know sweetie but we can ask Kayla to examine you, I mean she's our sister, someone who you are comfortable with and she can't tell anyone in the family because of the doctor-patient confidentiality"

"Ok Frankie" Sophia agreed. Frankie smiles glad that she was comfortable with the idea. He takes her hand in his looking at her, "You know you don't have to go through this alone I'm here for you and so is Jen and the rest of the family" he comforted.

"I appreciate that Frankie I really do I just don't want you or anyone to feel sorry for me" she said. Frankie caresses her cheek, "I don't feel sorry for you I'm just sorry that this happened to you but you are one of the strongest people I know you can get through this I promise"

"I love you Frankie" she said. Frankie leans forward kissing her forehead. "Would you consider reporting this to the Police?" he asked again. Sophia sighs she wasn't sure if she could just the thought of having to tell either Bo or Roman what had happen scared her and she felt slightly embarrass to have that kind of talk with her brothers.

She believed what Frankie had said about the family not judging or blaming her that they would still love her and support her but the idea of telling them still scared her.

Frankie could see that she was contemplating on it and decided to try a different approach to help her make a decision. "Look at it this way, what if the person who did this to you has done it to other girls who are feeling like you do now and were too afraid to come forward. What if this person is a serial rapist? By not coming forward he is going to do it to again to other girls and never be caught. I know you don't want that on your conscious you could be a great help to Bo and Roman by coming forward helping them nail the son of a bitch who did this to you and maybe save other girls from feeling the way you do right now"

He hoped that got through to her. "Would you go with me?" she asked hopingly. Frankie smiles glad that he had gotten through to her. "Of course I will"

Sophia felt relieve to have his support a little more weight was being lifted off her shoulders. They both stood up, Sophia wraps her arms around him. "Thank you Frankie you have no idea how much this means to me" she said appreciatively referring to having his support.

Frankie smiles kissing her head "We're gonna get through this, we are". Sophia nods her head against him.

"I love you"

"I love you too"

In the distance in the shadows of the pier a pair of eyes was lurking around spying on them.