Author note: alright there may be some somewhat disturbing things discussed in this chapter, but the thing is, these are real issues, and we need to address them...it affects people everyday, and we need to work together to help people affected by it...anyway, let me know what you think...just please read it with an open mind.

Cookie-ER: don't worry I promise there will be some Rabby action in the next chapter! lol

Chapter 16: Truth Be Told

Abby's P.O.V

I couldn't believe it. I'd only known Madi for an hour, and I had told her things not Luka or even Ray knew. I guess it was because she had gone through the same things I had, so it linked us, or something.

"For awhile I thought the same things you did, that it happened to everyone, even though it only started once Ray left. But when I stayed at friends houses, and their fathers never laid a hand on them, except to hug them, I realized that no, it wasn't normal." Madi admitted.

"That's how it was with me, when my father abused me, but instead of trying to do something about it, I convinced myself that I had done something to deserve it."

"As soon as I got my license I made sure I was as far a way from the house as I could be, as often as possible. I usually stayed with Nick, because I never got asked questions there. He lives with his older brother and sister, who's one of my best friends. They knew not to press, they knew who had done it, and they had tried to find ways to help me, but really the only way to help was to patch me up, give me a place to crash, and to lend an ear when I needed to talk. One good thing is that now Leslie and JT don't drink at all, cause they've seen what drinking causes a person to do, and they don't want to be that way."

"So your father's an alcoholic?" I asked.

"Yeah."

"Mine wasn't. He'd have a few drinks every once in awhile, that's when things were the worst, but it didn't happen very often."

"Lucky you," She said sarcastically, "it's an everyday occurrence at my house."

"Has he ever done anything other than knock you around?" I asked cautiously, not sure whether it was too personal.

"You mean like incest?" she asked, bluntly.

"Yeah, like incest." I confirmed.

"No. He tried once, but he was so drunk, all it took was one good push and he was on the floor, out cold. I high-tailed it over to Nick's than had to run back and get my keys, as well as dad's, since no one was up at Nicks. Did your dad…." She let the sentence trail, knowing I would know what she was asking.

For the first time ever, I admitted the truth.

"Yes, he did."

Madi shuddered. It was only then that I realized the fill extent of the damage my father had inflicted.

And I cried.

I cried for what had been taken from me. My innocence. My childhood. And countless other irreplaceable things. I heard the sheets rustle, than her arms wrap around me, rocking me, and stroking my hair. Than I felt her body tremble. We cried for ourselves, and for each other. Suddenly I realized that we were the lucky ones. We were still alive. We bore many scars, but we were still alive. We had the rest of our lives to let go of the past, and start moving on, but there were many people who were unable to escape, and they paid with their lives. All because no one cared enough to ask if things were ok. Or maybe it wasn't that they didn't care, but that they were scared.

I don't know how long we sat there holding each other, but one thing I do know that it brought us closer, and it helped us realize that there is hope out there.

well guys I hope you like..plz review and let me know what you thought about it, good or bad...