Body

Chapter 8

Three days later

The Cliffhangers all sat around the picnic table in their daily talk group with Sophie. Colleen stared blankly at the ground. She was somewhat embarrassed by her outburst, and her wrists ached even worse.

"OK group, another week has gone by, and it was full of new lessons, and realizations," Sophie explained, "Who wants to share first?"

"I learned....," Colleen paused as everyone turned their shocked eyes on her. Normally she wouldn't even acknowledge anything Sophie had to say, "I learned that no matter what, life never gets better. *Pause* No matter how many bad things happen to a person, it always gets worse." The group silently listened as Colleen continued, "It's like, life slowly spirals downward right from the moment your born. Its an ongoing cycle with humanity."

"Well that's not really true Colleen," Sophie objected, "My life started out very painfully and I had to deal with many unpleasant problems, but it got better and now I enjoy it very much."

"Oh sure, it's good now....but it won't be long before something happens in your life to throw your perfect sunshine filled world into turmoil once again," Colleen snapped bitterly.

Scott then spoke up, "I realized that I'm not the only one who acts tough and invincible just to hide my true self," he stared at Colleen and Shelby as he said this, "I also learned that in the end your true self comes out anyway, and all that work you put into hiding it, was a waste."

Sophie nodded, "That's so true Scott, if only you could've realized that earlier and saved yourself a lot of pain."

There was a long silence then Ezra spoke, "I learned that Mr. Kofner the history teacher is gay." The group laughed, even Colleen.

"No way?" David laughed.

"I'm sure it's just another rumour Ezra," Sophie glared disapprovingly at him, but laughed a little.

"I learned that success is easy when you let other people achieve it for you," Juliette chimed in.

Shelby rolled her eyes, "People aren't always gonna be there to d your bidding."

"Well so far they have," Jules said snottily.

"Okay, lets not fight," Sophie broke in, "You each have your one on one with Peter today. Tomorrow we're going on a quest for three days, meet here at noon. It'll be Colleen's first trip so we'll have to teach her the basics.

"Yeah like how to not get eaten or poisoned or lost," Auggie shaped his hands like claws and jumped at Colleen.

"Your so scary," she retorted.

The group dispersed and Shelby and Colleen remained sitting on the table. "How are your wrists?" she asked.

"Okay I guess, "they stopped bleeding, but they hurt so much more now."

"No kidding," Shelby remarked sarcastically, but Colleen didn't mind.

"It's just that....," Colleen paused, "the pain is an incessant reminder of......him."

Shelby looked at Colleen's trembling shoulder's, "You know, Peter's gonna try and make you talke about him today," Colleen nodded at Shelby's words, "I'd like to hear about him if you don't mind."

Colleen gave her a questioning look, "Peter didn't put you up to this did he? I know you hate hearing about other people's problems."

"No Peter didn't put me up to this, I wouldn't do that to you."

Colleen stared off for a while then began, "Adam was the most intriguing guy I'd thought I'd ever meet. I was thirteen and he was 17, I'd ran away form home and was staying with my cousin because I hated my mom's new husband. She took me to this rave. I was getting high, and dancing........and then there he was beside me, whispering in my ear." She looked at Shelby's intent gaze then continued. "Adam offered me speed that night, and we instantly connected. It was great at first, I mean he loved me so much and actually cared about me. Then one night everything changed, he got angry. He'd been pressuring me for sex constantly. I didn't want to......I was young and vulnerable and finally he forced himself on me." Shelby drew in her breath. "I thought I wanted it at first, he made me believe that. But deep down I knew what he was doing to me, but it was the only way I could subdue his.....anger, the beatings."

Colleen had choked up and tears sprung to her eyes. She couldn't talk anymore, it was too hard. Never had she cried so much than when she was at this place, but they were right, she felt better now that someone else knew. Shelby put a reassuring arm around her and they sat together like that for what seemed like forever.

Ezra approached the two of them, "Colleen it's your turn for Peter's interrogation." He laughed, but stopped when he saw Colleen's frantically wiping the tears form her eyes.

"Go on Colleen, you don't have to tell him anything you don't want him to know, but he can help you." Shelby pulled her to her feet.

Colleen nodded and made her way to Peter's office.