The Nature of Things

Chapter 8

WARNING --VIOLENCE AND RAPE

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"Where is she mom?"

"Justin, she didn't want me to tell you. She wants you to stay with Brian."

"Well I don't care what she wants, she's my sister."

"And she's just been through the most traumatic thing that will ever happen to her and frankly I don't think she can handle you knowing right now."

"God, mom, where?"

"She was walking home from the bus stop. She'd been to the library to work on a paper. She's been so excited about graduating early and going to NYU next year. She had her ipod on. She never heard him coming until it was too late."

"I've told her not to wear that damn thing. I wish I had never given it to her."

"Don't blame yourself, Justin. She just wasn't thinking. She gave the police a very good description of the guy. They've got people out looking for him right now."

"Mom, is she going to be okay?"

"I honestly don't know. But we'll get through it, together."

"Who's with her, right now?"

"A rape counselor is staying in the room with her while they do the rape kit." Jennifer let Justin hold her for a few moments before pulling away. "Now, honey, you go on back upstairs to Brian's room and I'll stop in as soon as we're done."

"Tell her I love her."

"She knows you do."

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Brian was laughing when Justin walked in the room. Handing the McDonald's bag over to him, he turned to Debbie.

"Deb, can I, uh, talk to you outside for a minute?"

"Sure, Sunshine."

When he was sure the door was shut he leaned in close to Debbie and whispered. "Do you think you could go down to the ER and sit with my mom?"

"Sure. Is Jen sick?"

"No, it's, um, it's Molly."

"Molly's sick?"

"Not exactly. She was raped tonight. I just think that my mom could use a little support right now."

"Of course honey. Are you sure you don't want go down?"

"No, Molly wanted me to stay here with Brian. Mom says she thinks Molly hopes we will get back together now."

"Well, baby, Molly's a smart girl."

"Thanks."

"No thanks necessary, that's what family is for."

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Justin went back in and sat down next to Brian. Brian could sense that something was wrong and tried to get Justin to talk about it.

"Sunshine, what's going on?"

"Nothing, Brian."

"If it's nothing, then what's with the long face and the silence? I've never known you to shut up for more than a few minutes and then only during sex. So spill it."

"I can't. Not right now."

"Justin, just because we aren't together anymore doesn't mean you can't talk to me. We're still friends."

"I just can't. I need to get out of here for a little while. I'll call Lindsay to come sit with you."

"No, I'm a big boy. I can stay by myself for a few hours. Go. If I need anything I can call the nurse."

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure, kid. Now go."

Justin kissed Brian's cheek and left quietly.

"I love you too, kid."

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Casey was on the couch watching Oprah when Justin let himself into the apartment. Noticing the slump of his shoulders and his red rimmed eyes, Casey knew exactly what to do.

"Justin, are you okay?"

"No, not really." Looking at his friend, he felt the need to confide in someone. "My sister was raped tonight."

"Oh, my God. Is she okay?"

"I guess. I don't know. She doesn't want me to know, so I had to promise my mom I would stay away for a few days."

Fighting tears, Justin allowed Casey to hold him for several minutes before pulling away.

"I'm fine. I just need to sit down and not think about it."

"Can I fix you a snack or a drink?"

"Maybe a drink and something light, if it isn't too much trouble."

"No trouble at all. Now put your feet up and relax. I'll be back in a few."

Justin did as he was instructed and flipped channels until he found cartoons.

Casey stood at the counter and pulled a pill bottle from his pocket. Pouring a glass of whiskey he stirred in two pills until they dissolved. Smiling to himself he placed the drink and sandwich on a tray, he carried them in to Justin.

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Justin woke the next morning in his own bed, wondering how he'd gotten there. Every muscle in his body was sore and his ass hurt. Willing himself out of bed he took small steps across the room and held onto the sink as he urinated.

Pain shot through his body with every breath and he tried to sit on the floor only to find himself in even more pain. Painstakingly making his way back to the bed, he wondered why the sheets were half off the bed and tried to remember what had happened the night before.

He wasn't able to remember anything past talking to Casey about Molly's rape. He must've drank more than he realized. Lying back down he fumbled for his cell and called in sick to work. Closing his eyes he fell into a restless sleep.

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Molly woke up in her mother's bed and almost forgot that her entire life had changed the night before. Taking a deep breath she staggered across the room to stare at her reflection in the mirror.

The girl who looked back was not the girl she remembered. Her eyes shone with fear, her face bruised and swollen. Pulling the teeshirt over her head she faced the bruises that covered her body. Tracing the stitches, she could almost feel the knife as it sliced across her left breast.

Her breath came in ragged gasps and her heart pounded in her chest as she felt his hands on her. She could still feel the callouses on his palms as he forced her to the ground. She could taste the blood that came when he slapped her and shoved her to the ground face first.

Molly kicked and screamed and fought back and now she carried the scars and would forever.

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Jennifer and Debbie went running when they heard Molly's scream. They entered the bathroom to find her collapsed on the floor crying hysterically.

"Molly, honey, get up."

"I can't mom."

"Debbie and I will help you. Come on, honey, let's get you in the shower."

They spent the next hour bathing Molly and listening to her sob uncontrollably. After brushing her hair and getting her settled into bed, Jen turned out the light and was softly closing the door when Molly stopped her.

In barely a whisper, she asked, "Mom, can you ask Justin to stop by?"

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Justin ignored the phone and pulled the blankets over his head. He just couldn't face the world today. He needed to feel safe, so he stayed in bed.

Two days later, he checked his voicemail and found out that Brian was home and Molly was asking for him. Showering and dressing, he opted for the lesser of two evils and went to Brian's loft first.

He let himself in when Brian didn't answer. He found him in bed. Alone.

Justin let himself watch Brian sleep for a long time before he smoothed the hair out of his eyes and woke him with a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Hey, Sunshine, you came."

"I couldn't leave you here all helpless and alone, now could I?"

"Of course you could. But thanks for not doing it."

"Brian Kinney, saying thank you? What is wrong with the world?"

"Must be that near death experience."

"I can't stay long, I have to be somewhere soon. But I wanted to make sure you were okay and that you had everything that you need."

"I'm fine and Lindsay stocked the place full of chicken soup and healthy shit. Don't worry about me, kid; between Lindz and Deb I'm pretty much taken care of."

"Good. I will try to stop back by later to check on you and if you're nice I'll bring you some lemon bars and then we can talk."

"I'd like that."

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Justin let himself into the dark bedroom and tried his best to be quiet. Stubbing his toe, he danced around the room biting his lip until he tripped over Molly's shoe and fell onto his sister's bed.

Her laughter filled the room for a mere second before she wrapped her arms around her older brother's neck and sobbed into his chest.

"Shhhh...Molly, it's okay."

"Justin, I have to tell you something. But first I want your promise that you won't freak out on me."

"I promise."

"Justin, turn the light on."

Light flooded the room and anger filled Justin. The bruises were dark and they were everywhere. Her lip was still swollen and one eye was black. There were scrapes down one cheek and Justin gingerly reached out to caress her beautiful face.

"Oh, Mollusk."

"You promised."

"I'm trying."

"I was raped."

"I know."

"How?"

"Mom."

"I told her not to."

"Come on, sis, it's mom."

"Thank you."

"For what?"

"Giving me time."

"I love you Molly."

"I love you too."

"Get some sleep. I'll come by tomorrow and we can talk."

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Justin left his mom's and wandered around in the rain for hours before ending up standing outside of Brian's building. Letting himself in he rode the elevator up in silence and lightly knocked on the door. When Brian opened it, he fell into his arms.

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