Chapter Eight: Tears
"It looked like she was raped, ma'am."
"I can't believe it! I sent her to this school because of the fine classes, and let her stay in the dorms because you people told me they were safe!"
"Well, Amber, they are pretty safe."
"MY LITTLE SISTER WAS RAPED IN HER DORM AND YOU STILL THINK THAT THEY'RE SAFE!?! YOU ARE INSANE! IT'S NOT SAFE THERE, IT'S A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN!"
"What happened to Miss Silverstem is unfortunate, but I still believe that as long as the student follow the rules and curfews, the dormatories are completely safe."
"Unfortunate? Dawn was raped for God's sake!"
"At least she isn't pregnant."
"Easy for you guys to blow this off. She's my little sister, and in my legal custody. I'd take a bullet for her any day."
"I understand how you feel, ma'am. Would you like some time alone with her?"
"Yes, please."
"Alright. The rest of you, clear out of here."
There was a shuffling of feet, and a click of the door closing. Dawn cautiously opened one eye. Amber was there, looking down at her.
"Hey, Dawnie. How do you feel?"
"Like shit. Where am I?"
"The hospital. I found you early this morning and brought you on in. Then I called the principal and the police. They're waiting for you to wake up so they can get a description of the person who did this to you."
"I know the kid who did it, I just don't know his name. I fought with him and his buddies."
"Hm, I see. Dawn, are you sure you're okay?"
"Sis..."
Dawn couldn't say any more She let big, round tears fall from her eyes and down to her sheets. Amber put a motherly arm around her sister, and Dawn hugged her close and had a good cry. Amber rocked her back and forth gently. Dawn was just getting settled again when the principal and a policeman quietly came into the room. Dawn spoke to them from Amber's protective embrace, telling them everything. When she was describing what he did to her, she could feel the fury coursing through Amber. Instead of being alarmed, she was comforted. When Dawn's story was through, the principal spoke.
"I know who you're talking about. We've had problems with him in the past, but never anything like this. Don't niether of you ladies worry. We'll get him. We'll have to have you confirm it, though, Miss Silverstem."
"Of course. May I ask a favor?"
"Certainly."
"Can I be transferred to the school infirmary? I want to be close to my friends. Amber could stay with me there, too."
"Hmmm, we'll see. For now, though, we need you to stay here."
Later that morning, the principal and the policeman came back with Dawn's attacker in tow. When she confirmed it, his parents were called and he was taken to jail by the officer. The principal stayed and had her released to the school infirmary where her doctor would check on her daily. Dawn was just getting settled into her private room when she heard a light knock on the door. It was Amber.
"Hey, Dawnie. I know you hate the 'hospital food', as you call it, so I got you some nutrionally worthless stuff for ya to snack on."
Dawn smiled faintly. "Thanks Amber. You're the coolest sister anyone could ask for."
"I try. Ya'know, the others were by here today looking for you. They left me all their cell phone numbers and instructions to call them when I got back. They want to know what's happened to you. Wanna call them? I just went through the dorm halls, and they've all congregated in Jeremy's room."
"Okay, but you call. I'm not sure I could handle talking to them just yet."
"Okay. I'll put it on speaker phone."
Amber hooked her cell up to a speaker, and punched in a phone number. It just happened to be Aelita's.
"Hello?"
"Hi Aelita."
"Amber! Where are you? Are you and Dawn okay?"
"I'm fine. Dawn's safe too."
"Safe? Interesting choice of words."
"Yeah. So what are you guys all doing holed up in Jeremy's rrom?"
"How do you know we're all here?"
"I just went by there on the way to the convienience store to buy Dawn some snacks."
"Why couldn't she just go buy her own snacks?"
"She's not allowed to leave the infirmary yet."
"Why is she--?"
"That's not my story to tell. If you want to know, I guess you can ask her when she feels ready to talk."
"Is it that bad?"
"Worse. Listen, it's dinner time right now, so go on and get something to munch on. Ya'll can swing by here later."
"Alright. Bye."
"Bye."
Amber clicked off the phone and looked at Dawn.
"Well, I guess we'd better get you changed out of that hospital gown. They'd freak out if they saw you in it."
"Yeah. Can I wear my silver pajamas? Please?"
"Oh, Dawn. You know what I think about those gaudy things! How will I be able to concentrate on anything with you bouncing around like a disco ball?"
"Well, I won't be dancing this time."
"Okay. But the minute you start bustin' a move, you're going back to your blue pajamas."
"Deal. Now give me my silver pj's, woman!"
"Bite me."
Amber rumaged through a drawer and found Dawn's pair of silver pajamas. Dawn took them and changed in the privacy of the bathroom. Usually, she didn't mind changing in front of her sister, since she'd done it her whole life, but she didn't want her sister to have to look at her marred body. It'd only make her furious again. Then she'd be out for blood.
Dawn was just finishing brushing out her hair when Amber came and stood outside the bathroom door.
"Dawn, you have visitors!"
"Alright, I'll be out in a minute."
Dawn took a deep breath and exited the bathroom. To her surprise, only Aelita and Yumi were waiting for her. She looked to Amber in askance.
"I thought it should be only female visitors for a while, considering what happened."
Dawn nodded. That made sense.
"Dawn, won't you tell us what happened to you?"
"Aelita, I-I don't know just how to say it, but...I was raped."
Yumi and Aelita stared in horror as the full impact of her words hit them.
END CHAPTER
Janette: Kay, I think you might need to re-read chapter six. Sorry I didn't answer you in the last chapter!
Sharina: Yah, she was a bit twitterpated at the time.
Janette: I DO NOT have a crush on him!
Sharina: You like Matthew, and you know it. What's worse, everyone else knows too.
Janette: (sulks).........